Evolution of ethernet networks
US8005081B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 21, 2007 |
| Grant date | Aug 23, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 18, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L45/745
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An Ethernet network comprises nodes which support a plurality of different forwarding modes. A range of VLAN Identifiers (VIDs) are allocated to each of the forwarding modes. Connections are configured between a source node and a destination node of the network using different forwarding modes. Packets carrying data traffic are sent to the destination node by selectively setting a VID in a packet to a first value, to transfer a packet via a first connection and a first forwarding mode, and a second value to transfer a packet via the second connection and the second forwarding mode. Packets received from both of the connections and sent on to an end-user. VLAN Identifiers can be allocated to different releases of functionality at nodes (e.g. software releases) such that packets are forwarded via a set of nodes supporting a first release, or via a set of nodes supporting a second release. It is possible to provide a controlled and disruption-free network evolution.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.