Distributed connection-oriented services for switched communication networks
12 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Method and apparatus providing connection-oriented services for packet switched data communications networks. Directory services include distributed discovery of MAC addresses and protocol alias addresses. Topology services include a link state topology exchange among switches, which provides each switch with a complete topology graph of the network. This enables an access switch receiving a data packet to determine a complete path from a source end system to a destination end system. Another service includes resolution of broadcast frames to unicast frames, in order to reduce the amount of broadcast traffic. Policy restrictions may be applied prior to connection setup. Path determination services enable multiple paths from a source to a destination. Connection management includes source routed mapping of connections on the desired path. A distributed call rerouting service is provided wherein if a link on an active path fails, each switch receives a topology change notification and unmaps any connection involving the failed link. A broadcast/unknown service provides restricted flooding of nonresolvable packets. Furthermore, connection-oriented switching is provided based on the source and destination MAC addresses as a connection identifier. Still further, resolution of networks outside the switch domain is enabled by access switches listening for network and server route advertisements and maintaining best routes to said networks and servers. The best route metrics may be combined with best path metrics to determine a path from a first access switch to an egress switch connected to the external network.
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Citations
67 Claims
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1-52. -52. (canceled)
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53. A method to provide information of a system in a network, the method comprising the steps of:
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creating a local data structure in a network device with an attached end system; and
populating said local data structure with alias information about a locally attached end system identifier and a source port identifier of said network device. - View Dependent Claims (54, 55, 56)
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57. A method to provide a virtual data structure of a system in a network, the method comprising the steps of:
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creating a data structure in a network device with an attached end system;
populating said data structure with alias information and an attached end system identifier; and
reading data from two or more data structures in a network. - View Dependent Claims (58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63)
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64. A method to reduce at least one of broadcast traffic and unknown traffic flooding in a network using information held by a virtual data structure, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving at least one of a broadcast frame and an unknown destination frame; and
reading information from the virtual data structure to establish a MAC address destination of at least one of said broadcast frame and said unknown destination frame. - View Dependent Claims (65, 66)
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67. A network device comprising,
a port to receive network traffic; - and
a data processing mechanism configured to create a local data structure that includes at least alias information about a locally attached end system identifier and a source port identifier of said network device.
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Specification