Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Network computer configuring – Reconfiguring
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-29
2001-11-27
Coulter, Kenneth R. (Department: 2154)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Network computer configuring
Reconfiguring
C709S224000, C709S223000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06324575
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention generally pertains to the field of computer networking. More particularly, the present invention is related to multicast filtering modes for a port of a switch.
BACKGROUND ART
Computers have become an integral tool used in a wide variety of different applications, such as in finance and commercial transactions, computer-aided design and manufacturing, health-care, telecommunication, education, etc. Computers are finding new applications as a result of advances in hardware technology and rapid development in software technology. Furthermore, a computer system's functionality is dramatically enhanced by coupling stand-alone computers together to form a computer network. In a computer network, users may readily exchange files, share information stored on a common database, pool resources, and communicate via e-mail and via video teleconferencing.
Computer networks can be arranged in numerous configurations comprising a variety of network types. Some of the most popular types of networks comprise Ethernet (coaxial cable or twisted- pair cable), token ring, Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI), Frame Relay, Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), X.25, Synchronous Data Link Control (SDLC). Typically, these networks are arranged in local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs). Usually, LANs are distinguished from WANs based upon the geographical area they cover and sometimes the number of users connected to the network. For example, a group of personal computers (PCs) in a home or single business site (location) usually communicate with each other over a LAN. Groups of PCs disposed remote from one another, such as those in different homes, different companies, or different branch offices of the same company, typically communicate with each other over a WAN.
In many networking environments, the 802.1D 1998 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (IEEE) standard is employed. Incorporated into the IEEE 802.1D 1998 edition is the 802.1p protocol. 802.1p augments the Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) and provides a mechanism for clients to register with their connecting switches to receive multicast packets. Such registration is, in turn, propagated to other nodes in the same broadcast domain. Because registration and forwarding of multicast packets is port-centric, a problem arises when a port is connected to legacy client (i.e. clients which have not been upgraded to utilize 802.1p ) or to a combination of legacy and 802.1p compliant clients. Because the legacy clients are not versed in 802.1p, forwarding of multicast packets based solely upon port registration (e.g. Group Multicast Registration Protocol) could exclude the legacy clients from receiving desired multicast packets.
Thus, under conventional schemes, a network administrator must diligently review each port of a switch and each client or clients coupled thereto. Such inspection requires a network administrator with substantial network expertise and a thorough knowledge of 802.1D and 802.1p protocols. After inspection, the network administrator must manually set port settings for each port of the switch based upon the 802.1p compliance (or lack thereof) of the clients coupled to the respective ports. This inspection process must be constantly repeated with corresponding port settings revised accordingly in order to remain current with newly added or recently removed clients. In addition to being time-consuming, such a process is expensive, and is extremely error prone. As a result, legacy clients may be prevented from receiving desired multicast packets in conventional network implementations.
Thus, a need exists for a method and system which allows a legacy client to operate effectively in an 802.1p environment. Still another need exists for a method and system which allows the legacy client to operate effectively in an 802.1p environment even when the legacy client shares a common port of a switch with an 802.1p compliant client. Still another need exists for a system and method which meets the above-listed needs but which does not require constant network administrator intervention or network administrator sophistication.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a method and system which allows a legacy client to operate effectively in an 802.1p environment. The present invention further provides a method and system which allows the legacy client to operate effectively in an 802.1p environment even when the legacy client shares a common port of a switch with an 802.1p compliant client. Furthermore, the present invention provides a system and method which meets the above-listed needs but which does not require constant network administrator intervention or network administrator sophistication.
In one embodiment the present invention determines whether a client is coupled to a port of a switch. In such an embodiment, provided that a client is coupled to the port, the present invention monitors the client to determine if the client is 802.1p compliant. Next, in this embodiment, provided that the client is 802.1p compliant, the present invention automatically selects a Filter Unregistered Groups mode for the port to which the client is coupled. Conversely, if the client is not 802.1p compliant, the present invention selects a Forward All Groups mode for the port to which the client is coupled. In so doing, the present invention intelligently selects the optimal multicast filter mode for a switch and its connected clients. Additionally, the present invention eliminates the need for expensive, time-consuming, and error-prone network administrator intervention. The present invention further ensures that a legacy client will not be prevented from receiving desired multicast packets.
In another embodiment, the present invention determines whether a plurality of clients are coupled to a port of a switch. In such an embodiment, provided that a plurality of clients are coupled to the port, the present invention monitors each of the plurality clients to determine if each of the plurality of clients is 802.1p compliant. Next, in this embodiment, provided that each of the plurality of clients is 802.1p compliant, the present invention automatically selects a Filter Unregistered Groups mode for the port to which each of the plurality of clients is coupled. Conversely, if at least one of the plurality of clients is not 802.1p compliant, the present invention selects a Forward All Groups mode for the port to which each of the plurality of clients is coupled. In so doing, the present invention intelligently selects the optimal multicast filter mode for a switch and its connected clients. Additionally, the present invention eliminates the need for expensive, time-consuming, and error-prone network administrator intervention. The present invention further ensures that a legacy client will not be prevented from receiving desired multicast packets even when the legacy client shares a port with a 802.1p compliant client.
These and other advantages of the present invention will no doubt become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after having read the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments which are illustrated in the various drawing figures.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5530703 (1996-06-01), Liu et al.
patent: 5920698 (1999-07-01), Ben-Michael et al.
patent: 6016310 (2000-01-01), Muller et al.
patent: 6154446 (2000-11-01), Kadambi et al.
patent: 6216167 (2001-04-01), Momirov
Jain Vipin Kumar
Wang Peter Si-Sheng
3Com Corporation
Coulter Kenneth R.
Wagner , Murabito & Hao LLP
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