Cooperative MAC learning/aging in highly distributed forwarding system
US8155150B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 11, 2009 |
| Grant date | Apr 10, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 4, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L12/462
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method may be performed by a device in a network, the device including multiple security process units (SPUs). The method includes receiving a packet over the network, the packet including a media access control (MAC) address, and assigning one SPU as the MAC address owner. The method also includes sending information about the MAC address to other SPUs within the device, storing the MAC address in a MAC table within each SPU, and initiating a MAC age query to confirm the MAC address has timed out among all SPUs. The MAC age query is passed via a logical ring of the SPUs beginning with the MAC address owner. If the MAC address is aged out at each SPU, the MAC address is deleted from each MAC table. If the MAC entry is still active, a different SPU is assigned as the MAC address owner.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.