Network having secure fast packet switching and guaranteed quality of service
First Claim
1. In a packet switched data communications network, the network including a plurality of end systems and switches connected by links, each switch having at least one network port connected to another switch and some switches having access ports connected to end systems, and each end system having a unique physical layer address, each switch including a connection database of valid connections between different ports on the switch and a switching mechanism for establishing temporary connections between the different ports on the switch, the improvement comprising:
- a connection server coupled to each switch,means coupled to each switch and the connection server for registering each switch with the connection server, andmeans, prior to transmission of a data packet comprising a connectionless datagram from a first end system having a first physical layer address to a second end system having a second physical layer address, for determining a path from the first end system to the second end system through one or more of the switches and for configuring the connection database of each respective switch on the path with a connection identifier including the first physical layer address and the second physical layer address of the first and second end systems, respectively,the determining and configuring means being coupled to each switch and the connection server, and the data packet remaining as a connectionless datagram as the data packet is transmitted through the respective switches along the path.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and method for establishing "virtual connections" through a packet switched data communications network, the network including a plurality of end systems and switches connected by links. Each end system has a unique physical layer address and each switch has a connection database of valid connections between different ports on the switch and a switching mechanism for establishing temporary connections. Each switch is registered with a connection server such that, prior to transmission of a connectionless datagram from a first end system to a second end system, a path of valid connections through one or more switches from the first end system to the second end system is determined by configuring the connection table of each switch on the path with a connection identifier identified by the physical layer addresses of the first and second end systems, and wherein the data packet remains as a connectionless datagram. In other aspects, an improved method is providing for allocating bandwidth among competing devices requesting access to a bandwidth limited shared resource (e.g., the previously defined switch), and to a search method for making a best path determination through the network based on a number of constraints.
606 Citations
34 Claims
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1. In a packet switched data communications network, the network including a plurality of end systems and switches connected by links, each switch having at least one network port connected to another switch and some switches having access ports connected to end systems, and each end system having a unique physical layer address, each switch including a connection database of valid connections between different ports on the switch and a switching mechanism for establishing temporary connections between the different ports on the switch, the improvement comprising:
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a connection server coupled to each switch, means coupled to each switch and the connection server for registering each switch with the connection server, and means, prior to transmission of a data packet comprising a connectionless datagram from a first end system having a first physical layer address to a second end system having a second physical layer address, for determining a path from the first end system to the second end system through one or more of the switches and for configuring the connection database of each respective switch on the path with a connection identifier including the first physical layer address and the second physical layer address of the first and second end systems, respectively, the determining and configuring means being coupled to each switch and the connection server, and the data packet remaining as a connectionless datagram as the data packet is transmitted through the respective switches along the path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of controlling switches and transmitting data packets in a packet switched data communications network, the network including a plurality of end systems and switches connected by links, each switch having at least one network port connected to another switch and some switches having access ports connected to end systems, and each end system having a unique physical layer address, the method comprising the steps of:
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prior to transmission of a data packet comprising a connectionless datagram from a first end system having a first physical layer address to a second end system having a second physical layer address, determining a first path from the first end system to the second end system through a plurality of switches based on the physical layer addresses of the first and second end systems, and configuring the plurality of switches on the first path to enable transmission of the data packet, wherein the data packet remaining as a connectionless datagram as the data packet is transmitted through the respective switches along the path. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification