Packet forwarding node
US9197438B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 18, 2009 |
| Grant date | Nov 24, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 19, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L45/38
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A packet forwarding node of a transport network performs a first packet forwarding mode in which received packets are processed and forwarded on a per-packet basis. The forwarding node performs a second packet forwarding mode when the node identifies a group of consecutive packets. The group of packets are destined for the same destination node of the transport network. The second packet forwarding mode comprises determining a forwarding treatment for the group of packets and forwarding the group of packets with the determined treatment. The forwarding is performed without processing the headers of at least some of the packets in the group. The group of consecutive packets is identified by a control packet preceding the group or by inter-packet signalling which indicates that the packet before the inter-packet signalling and the packet after the inter-packet signalling are to be treated as part of the same group. Packets which are determined to be received on transit channels can be forwarded without processing headers of individual packets.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.