Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Computer-to-computer data routing
Reexamination Certificate
2005-12-13
2005-12-13
Prieto, B. (Department: 2142)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Computer-to-computer data routing
C370S256000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06976088
ABSTRACT:
A method that rapidly reconfigures a computer network having a plurality of devices executing the spanning tree algorithm. First, one or more devices are configured and arranged so that one port, providing connectivity to the root, is in the forwarding state and the remaining ports, providing connectivity to the root, are in the blocked state. Next, one or more of the blocked ports are designated as back-up ports. Upon detection of a failure at the active forwarding port, one of the back-up ports immediately transitions from blocked to forwarding, thereby becoming the new active port for the device. Following the transition to a new active port, dummy multicast messages are transmitted, each containing the source address of an entity directly coupled to the affected device or downstream thereof. By examining the dummy multicast messages, other devices in the network learn to use to the new forwarding port of the affected device. Rapid reconfiguration of the network is also provided upon detection of a new or repaired link or device representing a better path toward the root. The method is also compatible with networks supporting virtual local area network (VLAN) designations and allows load balancing among different VLANs.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4811337 (1989-03-01), Hart
patent: 4922486 (1990-05-01), Lidinsky et al.
patent: 5018137 (1991-05-01), Backes et al.
patent: 5138615 (1992-08-01), Lamport et al.
patent: 5150360 (1992-09-01), Perlman et al.
patent: 5280480 (1994-01-01), Pitt et al.
patent: 5323394 (1994-06-01), Perlman
patent: 5327424 (1994-07-01), Perlman
patent: 5398242 (1995-03-01), Perlman
patent: 5400333 (1995-03-01), Perlman
patent: 5606669 (1997-02-01), Bertin et al.
patent: 5740171 (1998-04-01), Mazzola et al.
patent: 5742604 (1998-04-01), Edsall et al.
patent: 5761435 (1998-06-01), Fukuda et al.
patent: 5764636 (1998-06-01), Edsall
patent: 5790808 (1998-08-01), Seaman
patent: 5844902 (1998-12-01), Perlman
patent: 5870386 (1999-02-01), Perlman et al.
patent: 5878232 (1999-03-01), Marimuthu
patent: 5959968 (1999-09-01), Chin et al.
patent: 6081512 (2000-06-01), Muller et al.
patent: 6202114 (2001-03-01), Dutt et al.
patent: 6236659 (2001-05-01), Pascoe
Cisco Systems, Inc.: Catalyst 5000 Series Release Notes for Software Release 2.1, Doc. No. 78-2896-02, 1996, pp. 1-12.
Cisco Systems, Inc.: Release Notes for Catalyst 2820 Series and Catalyst 1900 Series Firmware Version 5.35, Doc. No. 78-3817-05, Aug. 1997, pp. 1-8.
Configuration and Monitoring Switch Node Software, Bay Networks, BCC Version 3.0, May 1997.
SK-NET Switch 6616 Ethernet/FDDI Switch Configuration Guide, SysKonnect Inc., Mar. 1995, pp. 1-42.
An Algorithm for Distributed Computation of Spanning Tree in an Extended LAN, Perlman, R., Digital Equipment Corp, ACM 0-89791-164-4/85, 1985, pp. 44-53.
A more Robust Tree: Active Topology Maintenance in Reconfiguring Bridged Local Area Networks (STP), Seaman, M., 3Com Corp., Mar. 1996.
Horowitz, S., Dual-Layer Spanning Tree, A Spanning Tree Proposal for IEEE 802.1Q, May 14, 1997, pp. 45-48.
Seaman, M. and Delaney, D., Single or Multiple Filtering Databases, May 8, 1997.
Lucent Technologies Inc.'s Initial Disclosure of Prior Art Under Civil Local Rule 16-7, Case No. C98-20836 JW (PVT) ENE.
IEEE Standard 802.1D, Draft Standard for Local Area Networks MAC (Media Access Control) Bridges: Technical and Editorial Corrections, Mar. 6, 1997, pp. 3-10.85-122 and 151-158.
Perlman, Radia, Interconnections: Bridges and Routers, (c) 1992, pp. 54-64.
Hart, John, Extending the IEEE 802.1 MAC Bridge Standard to Remote Bridges, IEE Netowrk, Jan. 1988, pp. 10-15, vol. 2, No. 1.
Bhandari, I, Ofek, Y, Bulent, Y., and Yung, M., Fault-Tolerant Convergance Routing, IEEE, 1994, pp. 229-238.
Perlman, R., An Algorithm for Distributed Computation of Spanning Tree in an Extended LAN, ACM ISSN 0146-4833, 1985, pp. 44-53.
Cheng, C., A protocol to maintain a Minimum Spanning Tree in a Dynamic Topology, Cimet I.A; Kumar P.R., ACM 0-8979-279 9/88/088/0330, 1998, pp. 330-338.
Dutt Dinesh G.
Gai Silvano
McCloghrie Keith
Cessari and McKenna, LLP
Cisco Technology Inc.
Prieto B.
LandOfFree
Method and apparatus for rapidly reconfiguring bridged... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method and apparatus for rapidly reconfiguring bridged..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method and apparatus for rapidly reconfiguring bridged... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3484902