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Disposition filtering of messages using a single address and protocol table bridge

  • US 5,515,513 A
  • Filed: 03/23/1995
  • Issued: 05/07/1996
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/08/1991
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. Bridging apparatus having two ports for coupling to a first medium and a second medium, said apparatus providing selective filtering of messages transmitted between stations on said media, each of said messages including a destination address and a protocol-type code, said apparatus comprising:

  • means for receiving a message from said first medium;

    a single content addressable memory (CAM) table for storing a message filtering database, said single CAM table having a plurality of database entries capable of supporting each of the two ports of said apparatus, said database entries including;

    a first portion of entries containing addresses of the stations connected to only one of said first and second media; and

    a second portion of entries containing protocol-types within the stations connected to said first and second media, said second portion of entries having asserted first and second flags to distinguish said protocol-types from said addresses;

    storage means for storing disposition information associated with each of said protocol-types stored in said database entries;

    means for comparing said received message with said addresses and protocol-types stored in said database entries; and

    means responsive to said comparison means for selectively disposing of each received message in accordance with said disposition information, said selectively disposing means forwarding said message to said second medium when one of;

    said protocol-type of said message does not match one of said protocol-types of said database entries; and

    said protocol-type of said message matches one of said protocol-types of said database entries and said disposition information associated with said protocol-type specifies forwarding said message to said second medium.

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