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Method for initializing and allocating bandwidth in a permanent virtual connection for the transmission and control of audio, video, and computer data over a single network fabric

  • US 6,539,011 B1
  • Filed: 06/08/1999
  • Issued: 03/25/2003
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/10/1998
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. In a local area network (LAN) adapted for packet switching using standard variable length Ethernet packets transmitted between a plurality of devices and a Communication Switching Module (CSM), said devices and said CSM each identified by a Media Access Control (MAC) address, and each including means for establishing a plurality of time domain multiplexing (TDM) flow queues and means for assigning the flow queue contents to a plurality of selectable time slots, and said CSM further including means for switching Ethernet packets from a MAC source address to a MAC destination address contained in the header of a standard Ethernet packet and means for processing constant bit rate (CBR) data,the method of initiating a full duplex permanent virtual connection (PVC) between a newly connected one of said devices and the CSM comprising:

  • broadcasting a standard Ethernet packet from the newly connected device, which Ethernet packet includes the device MAC source address and a first code identifying the device as requiring CBR processing of delay-sensitive information;

    receiving and parsing the standard Ethernet packet in the CSM;

    IF the standard Ethernet packet contains both a MAC source address which is unknown to the CSM and said first code, THEN establishing a simplex connection from the CSM to the device by assigning a selected time slot to a selected TDM flow queue of the CSM and sequencing data from the standard Ethernet packet into said selected time slot;

    creating a return standard Ethernet packet, which return Ethernet packet includes the device MAC source address as a destination address and a second code identifying the presence of said CBR data processing means;

    transmitting the return standard Ethernet packet from the CSM to said device MAC address; and

    IF the return Ethernet packet contains both the device MAC source address and the second code, THEN establishing a simplex connection from the device to the CSM by reserving said selected time slot identified by the return standard Ethernet packet in a TDM flow queue of the device;

    whereby a full duplex permanent virtual connection is established between the device and the CSM.

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