Distributed multi-link trunking method and apparatus
First Claim
1. In a data communications network, a method of communicating between a source station having multiple connections to a first switch and a destination station having multiple connections to a second switch comprising the steps of:
- assigning a trunk identifier to each port on the first switch;
encoding a data frame with the trunk identifier for an ingress port on the first switch and sending the data frame to the second switch;
receiving the data frame on the second switch, the data frame containing a source address, destination address and the trunk identifier;
obtaining a list of egress ports for the destination station from a station list contained in the second switch;
selecting an egress port from the list of egress ports based upon the source address, destination address and trunk identifier; and
sending the data frame to the destination station through the selected egress port.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for providing data communication between a source station having multiple connections to a first switch and a destination station having multiple connections to a second switch. A trunk identifier to each port on the first switch and each port on the second switch. A data frame is encoded with the trunk identifier for an ingress port on the first switch. The data frame is sent to the second switch from the first switch. A list of egress ports for the destination station is obtained from a station list contained in the second switch. An egress port is selected from the list of egress ports based upon the source address, destination address and trunk identifier. The data frame is sent to the destination station through the selected egress port.
178 Citations
14 Claims
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1. In a data communications network, a method of communicating between a source station having multiple connections to a first switch and a destination station having multiple connections to a second switch comprising the steps of:
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assigning a trunk identifier to each port on the first switch;
encoding a data frame with the trunk identifier for an ingress port on the first switch and sending the data frame to the second switch;
receiving the data frame on the second switch, the data frame containing a source address, destination address and the trunk identifier;
obtaining a list of egress ports for the destination station from a station list contained in the second switch;
selecting an egress port from the list of egress ports based upon the source address, destination address and trunk identifier; and
sending the data frame to the destination station through the selected egress port. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A network apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of stackable switches including an ingress port coupled to receive a data frame from a source station and a plurality of egress ports coupled to the ingress port; and
a memory coupled to the ingress port and the plurality of egress ports containing a station list having a list of egress ports for a destination station corresponding to one or more of the plurality of egress ports. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of communicating in a data communications network between a source station having multiple connections to a first switch and a destination station having multiple connections to a second switch, comprising the steps of:
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assigning a trunk identifier to each port on the first switch;
encoding a data frame with the trunk identifier for an ingress port on the first switch and sending the data frame to the second switch;
receiving the data frame on the second switch, the data frame containing a source address, destination address, and the trunk identifier;
obtaining a list of egress ports for the destination station from a station list contained in the second switch;
selecting an egress port from the list of egress ports based on the source address, destination address, and trunk identifier; and
sending the data frame to the destination station through the selected egress port.
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14. A network comprising:
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a first switch operatively connected to a source station by a plurality of connections through a plurality of ingress ports, each port comprising a trunk identifier, said first switch encoding a data frame with the trunk identifier for a given ingress port;
a second switch operatively connected to a destination station by a plurality of connections and comprising a station list comprising a list of egress ports for the destination station;
said first switch sending the data frame to said second switch;
said second switch receiving the data frame and reading therefrom a destination address; and
said second switch selecting an egress port from the list of egress ports based on a source address, the destination address, and the trunk identifier, and sending the data frame to the destination station through the selected egress port.
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Specification