×

Bridge system for connecting networks

  • US 4,797,881 A
  • Filed: 03/12/1987
  • Issued: 01/10/1989
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/12/1987
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A network interface module (NIM) for connecting a local area network to a backbone network comprising:

  • a first interface means connected to a local area network for transmitting and receiving local area network messages to and from said local area network;

    a second interface means connected to a backbone network for transmitting and receiving backbone network messages to and from said backbone network;

    a memory means connected to said first and second interface means for storing a bridge identification address of a particular NIM, a table of addresses, and for temporarily storing said local area network and backbone network messages; and

    a logic means connected to the first and second interface means and the memory means for storing a local area network source address in said local area network message in said table of addresses in association with said bridge identification address of said particular NIM, comparing a destination address in said local area network message with said table of addresses, and if the destination address is associated with the bridge identification address of said particular NIM, then ignoring said local area network message, and if the destination address is associated with a bridge identification address of a NIM other than said particular NIM, then enveloping said local area network message in a backbone network message having a header specifically addressed to said other NIM, and if the destination address is not associated with any of the addreses in said address table then enveloping said local area network message in a backbone netowrk message addressed to be multicast to all other NIMs on said backbone network, the logic means also being for storing local area network source address information in said backbone message in said table of addresses in association with a bridge identification address in said backbone message, and de-enveloping said backbone network message for transmission to said local area network.

View all claims
  • 10 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×