Method of transmitting data packets in a packet switched communications network
First Claim
1. 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, the method comprising the steps of:
- prior to transmission of a data packet from a first end system to a second end system, determining a first path from the first end system to the second end system through a plurality of switches;
configuring the plurality of switches on the first path to enable transmission of the data packet by providing each switch in the first path with a connection identifier for the data packet, the connection identifier including address information of the first and second end systems; and
each switch having a connection database and the configuring step including entering the connection identifier in the connection database of each respective switch on the first path;
wherein, once a first path has been determined, multiple data packets having the same connection identifier are transmitted through the network by accessing the respective connection databases in the respective switches on the first path, without redetermining the first path.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
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.
-
Citations
11 Claims
-
1. 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, the method comprising the steps of:
-
prior to transmission of a data packet from a first end system to a second end system, determining a first path from the first end system to the second end system through a plurality of switches; configuring the plurality of switches on the first path to enable transmission of the data packet by providing each switch in the first path with a connection identifier for the data packet, the connection identifier including address information of the first and second end systems; and each switch having a connection database and the configuring step including entering the connection identifier in the connection database of each respective switch on the first path; wherein, once a first path has been determined, multiple data packets having the same connection identifier are transmitted through the network by accessing the respective connection databases in the respective switches on the first path, without redetermining the first path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
Specification