Switched ethernet networks
First Claim
1. A method for managing data communications between hosts of a switched Ethernet network, the method comprising:
- assigning hosts to logical groups of hosts such that the hosts participating in a data communication are assigned to the same group;
in a switch of the network, associating each said group with a service class indicative of requirements for forwarding data across the switch for data communications between hosts in the group, and forwarding received data across the switch in a manner dependent on the service class of the group to which hosts participating in the data communication are assigned; and
in the switch, disabling data communications between hosts in one or more of said groups when required to satisfy the forwarding requirements for at least one said service class.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are provided for managing data communications between hosts (9) of a switched Ethernet network (8). Hosts (9) are assigned to logical groups of hosts such that the hosts participating in a data communication are assigned to the same group. In a switch (1) of the network, each group is associated with a service class indicative of requirements for forwarding data across the switch (1) for data communications between hosts (9) in that group. Data received by the switch (1) is forwarded across the switch in a manner dependent on the service class of the group to which hosts (9) participating in the data communication are assigned. In the switch (1), data communications between hosts (9) in one or more of said groups are disabled when required to satisfy the forwarding requirements for at least one said service class.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for managing data communications between hosts of a switched Ethernet network, the method comprising:
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assigning hosts to logical groups of hosts such that the hosts participating in a data communication are assigned to the same group;
in a switch of the network, associating each said group with a service class indicative of requirements for forwarding data across the switch for data communications between hosts in the group, and forwarding received data across the switch in a manner dependent on the service class of the group to which hosts participating in the data communication are assigned; and
in the switch, disabling data communications between hosts in one or more of said groups when required to satisfy the forwarding requirements for at least one said service class. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A switch for connection in a switched Ethernet network, the switch comprising:
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switching circuitry for forwarding across the switch of data received at a port of the switch;
memory for storing data indicative of an assignment of hosts in the network to logical groups of hosts, said assignment being such that the hosts participating in a data communication are assigned to the same group; and
control logic for associating each said group with a service class indicative of requirements for forwarding data across the switch for data communications between hosts in the group, and for controlling forwarding of received data by the switching circuitry in a manner dependent on the service class of the group to which hosts participating in the data communication are assigned;
wherein the control logic is configured to disable data communications between hosts in one or more of said groups when required to satisfy the forwarding requirements for at least one said service class.
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18. A switched Ethernet network comprising:
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at least one switch which comprises switching circuitry for forwarding across the switch of data received at a port of the switch, memory for storing data indicative of an assignment of hosts in the network to logical groups of hosts, said assignment being such that the hosts participating in a data communication are assigned to the same group, and control logic for associating each said group with a service class indicative of requirements for forwarding data across the switch for data communications between hosts in the group, and for controlling forwarding of received data by the switching circuitry in a manner dependent on the service class of the group to which hosts participating in the data communication are assigned, wherein the control logic is configured to disable data communications between hosts in one or more of said groups when required to satisfy the forwarding requirements for at least one said service class; and
a plurality of hosts connected to ports of said at least one switch.
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19. A computer program product comprising computer program code means executable by a processor of a switch for connection in a switched Ethernet network, wherein hosts of the network are assigned to logical groups of hosts such that the hosts participating in a data communication are assigned to the same group, to perform the steps of:
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associating each said group with a service class indicative of requirements for forwarding data across the switch for data communications between hosts in the group, and controlling forwarding of received data across the switch in a manner dependent on the service class of the group to which hosts participating in the data communication are assigned; and
disabling data communications between hosts in one or more of said groups when required to satisfy the forwarding requirements for at least one said service class.
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20. A computer program product comprising computer program code means executable by a processor of a switch for connection in a switched Ethernet network to perform the steps of:
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assigning hosts to logical groups of hosts such that the hosts participating in a data communication are assigned to the same group;
associating each said group with a service class indicative of requirements for forwarding data across the switch for data communications between hosts in the group, and controlling forwarding of received data across the switch in a manner dependent on the service class of the group to which hosts participating in the data communication are assigned; and
disabling data communications between hosts in one or more of said groups when required to satisfy the forwarding requirements for at least one said service class.
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Specification