Evolution of ethernet networks
US8675519B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 10, 2011 |
| Grant date | Mar 18, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 29, 2031 |
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.