Network layer packet structure

• US 5,487,064 A
• Filed: 05/31/1994
• Issued: 01/23/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Galand, Claude, Lebizay, Gerald
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Wellington
• Assistant Examiner(s): Patel, Ajit
• Application Number:
  US08/251,073
• Time in Patent Office: 602 Days
• Field of Search: 370/94.1, 370/94.2, 370/60, 370/60.1, 370/58.1-58.3, 370/85.7, 370/85.9, 370/85.5, 370/85.11, 370/85.12, 370/67, 370/61, 370/66, 370/95.1, 340/825.05
• US Class Current: 370/392
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

A packet switching communication system is improved by using a packet header structure which does not require a fixed format. The packet header comprises a chain of 2 byte command/data segments. Each command/data segment contains generic bits and a routing field. One of the generic bits (bit 1) allows the header to be extended with another command/data segment.

Claims

1. For use in a fast packet switching network used for transporting digital data packets, each packet having a header structure which includes a plurality of command and data segments, each with a disable indicator and one or more control bits, said network having a plurality of switching nodes interconnected by transmission links, a method of processing packets, said method being implemented at one or more of the switching nodes and including the steps of:

receiving packets from other switching nodes over the transmission links;

detecting the state of the disable indicator in each of the command and data segments in the header structure of each received packet;

passing over any command and data segment having a disable indicator having a predetermined first value; and

performing predetermined operations on the packet in accordance with the control bits found in the first command and data segment encountered having a disable indicator having a predetermined second value.

2. A method as set forth in claim 1 further including the step of setting, to the predetermined first value, the disable indicator in a command and data sequence which has been used in controlling the performance of packet operations.

3. In a fast packet switching network to be used for transporting digital data packets, each packet having a header structure which includes a plurality of command and data segments, each with a disable indicator and one or more control bits, said network having a plurality of switching nodes interconnected by transmission links, each switching node including:

means for receiving packets from other switching nodes over the transmission links;

means for detecting the state of the disable indicator in each of the command and data segments in the header structure of each received packet;

means for passing over any command and data segment having a disable indicator having a predetermined first value; and

means for performing predetermined operations on the packet in accordance with the control bits found in the first command and data segment encountered having a disable indicator having a predetermined second value.

4. A switching node as set forth in claim 3 further including means for setting, to the predetermined first value, the disable indicator in a command and data sequence which has been used in controlling the performance of packet operations.