Switch architecture independent of media

• US 20090138644A1
• Filed: 11/17/2008
• Published: 05/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ambe, Shekhar, Kadambi, Shiri, Relan, Sandeep
• Granted Patent: US 7,725,639 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/303
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/40071 Packet processing; Packet format adaptation of digital video signals for transport over a specific network H04N21/2381, H04N21/4363, H04N21/4381; packet switches H04L49/00; intermediate storage or scheduling H04L49/90
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/102 using shared medium, e.g. bus or ring
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/15 Interconnection of switching modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/25 Routing or path finding in a switch fabric
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/351 for local area network [LAN], e.g. Ethernet switches
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/18 Multiprotocol handlers, e.g. single devices capable of handling multiple protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

A network device for handling data and a method for handling data in a network device are disclosed. The network device includes at least one media port and at least one high speed docking station, communicating with the at least one media port. At least one master is provided in the network device, where the at least one master is connected to the at least one high speed docking station. The master is configured to handle and process data received by the at least one media port and passed to the master through the at least one high speed docking station. The network device is configured to handle media ports of different media types. Thus, the device can handle data received through different media ports that have different media types with the same master, making the network device easily configured to meet a customer'"'"'s needs.

Claims

4-1. The network component of claim 1, wherein the network component is configured to receive incoming data at one of the plurality of ports according to a wireless communication specification which supports data.

11. A network component comprising:

a switching unit for performing packet switching on a plurality of ports;

a centralized processing engine for processing a packet from each of the plurality of ports and for transferring the packet to at least one port of the plurality of ports;

a plurality of interfaces for interfacing with each of the plurality of ports through at least one docking station, wherein a first media type of at least one of the plurality of ports is different from a second media type of another one of the plurality of ports, wherein the network component is configured to receive incoming data at one of the plurality of ports according to an IEEE 802.3 specification.

12. A network component comprising:

a switching unit for performing packet switching on a plurality of ports;

a centralized processing engine for processing a packet from each of the plurality of ports and for transferring the packet to at least one port of the plurality of ports;

a plurality of interfaces for interfacing with each of the plurality of ports through at least one docking station, wherein a first media type of at least one of the plurality of ports is different from a second media type of another one of the plurality of ports, wherein the network component is configured to receive incoming data at one of the plurality of ports according to an IEEE 802.11 specification.