Multiplex communications – Network configuration determination – Using a particular learning algorithm or technique
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-24
2003-10-28
Hsu, Alpus H. (Department: 2739)
Multiplex communications
Network configuration determination
Using a particular learning algorithm or technique
C370S395100, C370S396000, C370S409000, C709S238000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06639901
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to data communications networks and more particularly relates to an apparatus and related method for supporting 802.1Q independent VLAN learning in a LAN Emulation over Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) network.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Asynchronous Transfer Mode
Currently, there is a growing trend to make Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) networking technology the base of future global communications. ATM has already been adopted as a standard for broadband communications by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and by the ATM Forum, a networking industry consortium.
ATM originated as a telecommunication concept defined by the Comite Consulatif International Telegraphique et Telephonique (CCITT), now known as the ITU, and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for carrying user traffic on any User to Network Interface (UNI) and to facilitate multimedia networking between high speed devices at multi-megabit data rates. ATM is a method for transferring network traffic, including voice, video and data, at high speed. Using this connection oriented switched networking technology centered around a switch, a great number of virtual connections can be supported by multiple applications through the same physical connection. The switching technology enables bandwidth to be dedicated for each application, overcoming the problems that exist in a shared media networking technology, like Ethernet, Token Ring and Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI). ATM allows different types of physical layer technology to share the same higher layer—the ATM layer.
ATM uses very short, fixed length packets called cells. The first five bytes, called the header, of each cell contain the information necessary to deliver the cell to its destination. The cell header also provides the network with the ability to implement congestion control and traffic management mechanisms. The fixed length cells offer smaller and more predictable switching delays as cell switching is less complex than variable length packet switching and can be accomplished in hardware for many cells in parallel. The cell format also allows for multi-protocol transmissions. Since ATM is protocol transparent, the various protocols can be transported at the same time. With ATM, phone, fax, video, data and other information can be transported simultaneously.
ATM is a connection oriented transport service. To access the ATM network, a station requests a virtual circuit between itself and other end stations, using the signaling protocol to the ATM switch. ATM provides the User Network Interface (UNI) which is typically used to interconnect an ATM user with an ATM switch that is managed as part of the same network.
The current standard solution for routing in a private ATM network is described in Private Network Node Interface (PNNI) Phase 0 and Phase 1 specifications published by the ATM Forum. The previous Phase 0 draft specification is referred to as Interim Inter-Switch Signaling Protocol (USP). The goal of the PNNI specifications is to provide customers of ATM network equipment some level of multi-vendor interoperability.
LAN Emulation
Today, most data traffic in existing customer premisis networks travels over legacy LANs. It is desirable to permit these legacy LANs and their embedded infrastructure to operate with new ATM networks currency being deployed. To enable an easier migration path to ATM, the ATM Forum has defined the LAN Emulation (LANE) specification that allows ATM networks to coexist with legacy systems. The LANE specification defines a way for an ATM network to emulate a logical Ethernet or Token Ring segment, these currently being the most popular LAN technologies.
LANE service provides connectivity between ATM capable devices and legacy LAN capable devices across an ATM network. Since LANE connectivity is defined at the MAC layer, the upper protocol layer functions of LAN applications can continue to function unchanged after the device joins an emulated LAN. This important feature protects corporate investments in legacy LAN applications. An ATM network can support multiple independent emulated LAN (ELAN) networks. A network may have one or more emulated LANs wherein each emulated LAN is separate and distinct from the others. Emulated LANs communicate via routers and bridges just as they do in physical LANs. The emulated LAN provides communication of user data frames between its users just as in an actual physical LAN.
The ATM Forum's LANE standard entitled, “LAN Emulation over ATM Networks,” Versions 1.0 and 2.0, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, defines the LANE architect and a set of protocols used by the LANE entities. LANE uses a client/server model to provide its services. A block diagram illustrating prior art Version 1.0 LAN Emulation services available to nodes in an ATM network is shown in FIG.
1
. The network, generally referenced
10
, comprises an ATM network cloud (not shown) which includes a plurality of LECs
14
labeled LEC #
1
through LEC #
3
and a plurality of nodes
12
labeled node #
1
through node #
9
connected to LECs #
1
through #
3
. The LECs are connected to a LAN Emulation services block
16
which comprises LECS
18
, LES
20
and BUS
22
.
The entities defined by the LANE architecture include LAN Emulation Clients (LECs)
14
, a LAN Emulation Server (LES)
20
, a Broadcast and Unknown Server (BUS)
22
and LAN Emulation Configuration Server (LECS)
18
. The LES, BUS and LECS constitute what is known to as the LANE Service (block
16
).
Each LAN Emulation Client (LEC) represents a set of users, as identified by their MAC addresses. A LEC emulates a LAN interface that communicates with higher layer protocols such as IP, IPX, etc. that are used by these users. To achieve this task, the LEC communicates with the LANE Services and to other LECs. LECs communicate with each other and to the LANE Services via ATM Virtual Channel Connections (VCCs). The VCCs are typically Switched Virtual Circuits (SVCs), but Permanent Virtual Connections (PVCs) might also be used for this purpose.
In order for a LEC to participate in an emulated LAN, the LEC must first communicate with an LECS. It may utilize a specific ATM address of the LECS if it knows it, or, as is typically the case, may use the well-known address of the LECS to establish communications.
As described previously, the LANE Service comprises several entities: LANE Server (LES), a Broadcast and Unknown Server (BUS) and LAN Emulation Configuration Server (LECS). The LES provides Joining, Address Registration and Address Resolution services to the LECs. Note that a given LES serves only a single emulated LAN.
The LES implements the control coordination function for the ELAN by providing a mechanism for registering and resolving unicast MAC addresses to ATM addresses. An LEC is connected to only one LES entity and may register LAN destinations it represents and multicast MAC addresses it wishes to receive. A LEC also queries its LES when the LEC needs to resolve a MAC address to an ATM address. The LES either responds directly to the LEC or forwards the query to other LECs so they may respond.
The BUS functions to sequence and distribute data sent by LECs to the broadcast MAC address ‘FFFFFFFFFFFF’, multicast data (to provide the connectionless data delivery characteristics of a shared network) and unicast data sent by a LEC before a data direct VCC has been established. Note that a given BUS serves only one emulated LAN. The main functions of the BUS include distributing data with multicast MAC (MMAC) addresses, initial unicast data (where the MAC address has not yet been resolved to a direct ATM connection) and to distribute data.
In operation, all LECs send data frames to the BUS entity, which is operative to serialize the frames and re-transmit them directly, or indirectly to other LECs. Note that serialization is necessary in order to prevent the cells making up the AAL
5
frames originating from different sources
Katzri Lior
Yaron Opher
3Com Corporation
Howard Zaretsky
Qureshi Afsar M.
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