Modified ethernet switch
First Claim
1. An Ethernet switch for directing data packets to and from a plurality of Ethernet ports, the switch maintaining an address lookup table and comprising a control block for switching the switch between a first mode and a second mode, wherein the switch is arranged:
- to forward each data packet outgoing to one of the ports to the correct port as determined by the address lookup table; and
in the first mode, to forward each data packet incoming from one of the ports to the correct destination as determined by the address lookup table; and
in the second mode, to forward each data packet incoming from one of the ports to a processor.
6 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
There is provided a modified Ethernet switch for directing data packets to and from a plurality of Ethernet ports. The switch is arranged to forward each data packet outgoing to one of the ports to the correct port as determined by an address lookup table. The switch is operable in two modes. In the first mode, the switch is arranged to forward each data packet incoming from one of the ports to its correct destination port as determined by the address lookup table. In the second mode, the switch is arranged to forward each data packet incoming from one of the ports to a processor. The address lookup table is maintained by the switch. The switch comprises a control block for switching the switch between the first mode and the second mode.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. An Ethernet switch for directing data packets to and from a plurality of Ethernet ports, the switch maintaining an address lookup table and comprising a control block for switching the switch between a first mode and a second mode, wherein the switch is arranged:
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to forward each data packet outgoing to one of the ports to the correct port as determined by the address lookup table; and
in the first mode, to forward each data packet incoming from one of the ports to the correct destination as determined by the address lookup table; and
in the second mode, to forward each data packet incoming from one of the ports to a processor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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7. An Ethernet switch for directing data packets to and from a plurality of Ethernet ports, the switch maintaining an address lookup table and comprising a control block for switching the switch between a first mode and a second mode, wherein,
in the first mode, the switch is arranged to forward data packets to the correct destination as determined by the address lookup table, and in the second mode, the switch is arranged to forward data packets to a processor, the processor being arranged to forward the data packets to the correct destination as determined by the content of the data packet.
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12. An Ethernet switch for directing data packets to and from a plurality of Ethernet ports, the switch maintaining an address lookup table, the switch comprising:
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a control block for switching the switch between a first mode and a second mode;
means for forwarding data packets to the correct destination as determined by the address lookup table when the control block indicates the first mode; and
means for forwarding data packets to a processor when the control block indicates the second mode, the processor being arranged to forward the data packets to the correct destination as determined by the content of the data packet. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification