Distributed connection-oriented services for switched communication networks
First Claim
1. A method of forwarding data packets in a switched communications network, the network comprising a plurality of systems including a plurality of end systems and a plurality of switches connected by links, the switches having ports connected to end systems and ports connected to other switches, and each end system having a unique physical address, the method comprising:
- populating a directory with MAC address information and with a virtual LAN mapping of the plurality of systems, the virtual LAN mapping identifying a virtual LAN to which at least one of the plurality of systems belongs;
receiving, from a source end system of the plurality of end systems, a packet at a port of an ingress switch of the plurality of switches, the source end system belonging to the virtual LAN;
determining, based on information from the packet and the directory, a destination end system and a VLAN ID of the destination end system;
determining whether the VLAN ID of the destination end system and a VLAN ID of the source end system are the same; and
in response to a determination that the VLAN ID of the destination end system is the same as the source VLAN ID, determining, by a network element of the communications network, a path from the ingress switch to an egress switch to which the destination end system is attached, the path based on the VLAN ID of the destination end system and the directory; and
responsive to the determination that the VLAN ID of the destination end system is the same as the source VLAN ID, restricting transmission of the packet to the path from the ingress switch to the egress switch to which the destination end system is attached, to forward the packet to the destination end system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Connection-oriented services for packet switched data communications networks are provided, including distributed MAC and protocol alias addresses discovery. Link state topology exchanges provide each switch with network topology graphs to determine paths from source to destination end systems. Broadcast frames are resolved to unicast frames to reduce broadcast traffic. Policy restrictions may be applied prior to connection setup. Connection management includes source-routed mapping of connections on the desired path. Distributed call rerouting is provided so switches receive topology change notifications and unmap failed link connections. Broadcast/unknown services provide non-resolvable packet restricted flooding. Connection-oriented switching is provided based on source and destination MAC addresses. Resolution of networks outside the switch domain is enabled by listening for network and server route advertisements and maintaining best routes to the networks and servers. Route and path metrics may be combined to determine paths from access switches to egress switches connected to the external network.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method of forwarding data packets in a switched communications network, the network comprising a plurality of systems including a plurality of end systems and a plurality of switches connected by links, the switches having ports connected to end systems and ports connected to other switches, and each end system having a unique physical address, the method comprising:
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populating a directory with MAC address information and with a virtual LAN mapping of the plurality of systems, the virtual LAN mapping identifying a virtual LAN to which at least one of the plurality of systems belongs; receiving, from a source end system of the plurality of end systems, a packet at a port of an ingress switch of the plurality of switches, the source end system belonging to the virtual LAN; determining, based on information from the packet and the directory, a destination end system and a VLAN ID of the destination end system; determining whether the VLAN ID of the destination end system and a VLAN ID of the source end system are the same; and in response to a determination that the VLAN ID of the destination end system is the same as the source VLAN ID, determining, by a network element of the communications network, a path from the ingress switch to an egress switch to which the destination end system is attached, the path based on the VLAN ID of the destination end system and the directory; and responsive to the determination that the VLAN ID of the destination end system is the same as the source VLAN ID, restricting transmission of the packet to the path from the ingress switch to the egress switch to which the destination end system is attached, to forward the packet to the destination end system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of forwarding data packets in a switched communications network, the network comprising a plurality of systems including a plurality of end systems and a plurality of switches connected by links, the switches having ports connected to end systems and ports connected to other switches, and each end system having a unique physical address, comprising:
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populating a directory with MAC address information and with a VLAN mapping of the plurality of systems, the VLAN mapping identifying a virtual LAN to which at least one of the plurality of systems belongs; receiving, from a source end system of the plurality of end systems, a packet at a port of an ingress switch of the plurality of switches, the source end system belonging to the virtual LAN; determining, based on information from the packet and the directory, a destination end system and a VLAN ID of the destination end system; determining whether the VLAN ID of the destination end system and a VLAN ID of the source end system are the same; and in response to determining whether the VLAN ID of the destination end system is the same as the source VLAN ID, restricting transmission of the packet to a path from the ingress switch to an egress switch to which the destination end system is attached, to forward the packet to the destination end system, the path based on the VLAN ID of the destination end system and the directory. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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22. An apparatus for forwarding data packets in a switched communications network, the network comprising a plurality of systems including a plurality of end systems and a plurality of switches connected by links, the switches having ports connected to end systems and ports connected to other switches, and each end system having a unique physical address, the apparatus comprising:
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a directory populated with MAC address information and with a virtual LAN mapping of the plurality of systems, the virtual LAN mapping identifying a virtual LAN to which at least one of the plurality of systems belong; a port of an ingress switch of the plurality of switches, the port configured to receive a packet from a source end system of the plurality of end systems, the source end system belonging to the virtual LAN; the ingress switch configured to determine, based on information from the packet and the directory, a destination end system and a VLAN ID of the destination end system, and the ingress switch further configured to determine whether the VLAN ID of the destination end system and a VLAN ID of the source end system are the same; a network element configured, in response to the determination by the ingress switch whether the VLAN ID of the destination end system is the same as the VLAN ID of the source end system, to determine a path from the ingress switch to an egress switch to which the destination end system is attached, the path based on the VLAN ID of the destination end system and the directory; and a switching engine configured to, in response to a determination that the VLAN ID of the destination end system is the same as the source VLAN ID, restrict transmission of the packet to the path from the ingress switch to an egress switch to which the destination end system is attached, to forward the packet to the destination end system. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification