Two-layer switch apparatus to avoid first layer inter-switch link data traffic in steering packets through bump-in-the-wire service applications
US8170038B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 27, 2009 |
| Grant date | May 1, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 18, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L49/602
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Link-level data communications carried out in a link-level data communications switching apparatus that includes modular link-level data communications switches; the switching apparatus is configured as two layers of link-level data communications switches; all the switches stacked by a stacking protocol that shares administrative configuration information among the switches and presents the switches as a single logical switch; the switching apparatus includes data communications ports coupling the switching apparatus to data communications networks and to service applications, each service application associated with a unique, link-level identifier; the switching apparatus includes rules governing the steering of packets among service applications and networks; including receiving, in the switching apparatus, packets directed to a destination network; and steering each packet among the service applications to the destination network in accordance with the rules, without using the link-level identifier of any service application.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.