Dynamic LAN boundaries

Details Dynamic LAN boundaries Dynamic LAN boundaries

2005-05-31

2005-05-31

Chin, Wellington (Department: 2664)

Multiplex communications

Pathfinding or routing

Switching a message which includes an address header

C370S402000, C370S404000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06901076

ABSTRACT:
A network device dynamically switches between layer 2 (data link) operation and layer 3 (network) operation. When enabled, bridging logic functions as a data link bridge, receiving data link messages from communications links forming part of a single network-layer segment and forwarding the messages to another communications link using layer-2 addresses in the messages. When enabled, routing logic functions as a network router, receiving network layer messages from different network-layer segments and forwarding the messages to other links based on a routing algorithm and the network layer addresses. Selection logic dynamically selects the desired function under different operating conditions. For a transition from router to bridge, multiple network-layer segments are merged into a single bridged network-layer segment, freeing up link numbers for use in configuring addresses for other segments. For the transition from bridge to router, a single bridged network-layer segment is divided into multiple segments having distinct routing identities.

REFERENCES:
patent: 5398242 (1995-03-01), Perlman
patent: 5420862 (1995-05-01), Perlman
patent: 5426637 (1995-06-01), Derby et al.
patent: 5500860 (1996-03-01), Perlman et al.
patent: 5796740 (1998-08-01), Perlman et al.
patent: 5802278 (1998-09-01), Isfeld et al.
patent: 6147993 (2000-11-01), Kloth et al.
patent: 6339595 (2002-01-01), Rekhter et al.
patent: 6747979 (2004-06-01), Banks et al.
Webopedia Definitions and Links, http://webopedia.internet.com/TERM/brouter.html.
Sidhu et al., “Inside Apple Talk”, Second Edition, Chapters 1, 4 and 5, Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, Inc., 1990.
Troll, Ryan, “Automatically Choosing an IP Address in an Ad-Hoc IPv4 Network”, IETF Dynamic Host Configuration WG, Internet Draft Document, Apr. 14, 1999.
Thompson, S., “IPv6 Stateless Address Autoconfiguration”, IETF Network WG, RFC 2462, Dec. 1998.
Seifert, W.M., “Integrated routing (and bridging),” Local Computer Networks, 1989, Proceedings 14thConference on, Minneapolis, MN, USA Oct. 10-12, 1989, IEEE Computer Society, pp. 270-277.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Dynamic LAN boundaries does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Dynamic LAN boundaries, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Dynamic LAN boundaries will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3370768