Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Computer-to-computer data routing
Reexamination Certificate
1998-02-20
2001-04-10
Vu, Viet D. (Department: 2154)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Computer-to-computer data routing
C709S236000, C709S245000, C709S246000, C370S401000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06216166
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to data communications, and more specifically, to virtual connection networks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Virtual connection networks, such as Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) networks, are becoming the preeminent means for facilitating wide bandwidth data transmission. Traditionally, ATM networks have been formed using edge switches which form a mesh for routing traffic through the network. Recently, Bellcore has proposed using ATM protocols in a ring network. Such an ATM network, for example, is formed by network elements (NEs), e.g. add drop multiplexers, coupled in a ring by transmission media, such as optical fiber.
User data is transmitted between two NEs in the following manner. Prior to transmitting data between two NEs, a virtual path is established between the two NEs. Upon formation of the virtual path, data is then transferred between the two NEs.
In addition to user data, it is necessary to transmit management data, for example from a management operations support, from one source NE to one or more destination NEs to control the ATM network. Conventional ATM transmission techniques are inefficient for management data transmission because the virtual path definition and data transfer must be repeated for each destination NE. Therefore, there is a need for a more efficient method of multicasting management data on a virtual connection network.
Another technique for managing an ATM network is to couple the NEs to one another with an Ethernet network in addition to the ATM network. The Ethernet network facilitates multicasting management data to NEs in a shared media format. Thus, a management data packet multicasted on the Ethernet network is shared with multiple NEs.
However, it is not practical to implement an Ethernet network with an ATM network. First, the Ethernet network can only connect nodes separated by maximum distances that are typically smaller than the distances between NEs. Also, the addition of a second network is costly. Therefore, there is a need for an alternative way of facilitating shared media communications in a virtual connection network.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems in the art and other problems which will be understood by those in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification. The present invention provides efficient shared media communications in a virtual connection network.
One embodiment of the present invention provides a local area network (LAN) type group of data, comprising a reserved value, a source media access control (MAC) address, and a destination MAC address. In another embodiment, the group of data further comprises management data. In yet another embodiment, the source MAC address corresponds to a network element that originates the LAN type group of data. In a further embodiment, the destination MAC address corresponds to a unique network element designated to receive the LAN type group of data. In yet a further embodiment, the destination MAC address corresponds to a plurality of network elements to which the LAN type group of data is multicasted.
Another embodiment of the present invention provides a virtual connection network comprising a plurality of network elements, and a policing network element that terminates an ATM cell with a corrupted MAC address. Transmission media couples the plurality of network elements and policing network element to one another.
A further embodiment of the present invention provides a method of operating a virtual connection network, comprising the step of disassembling a large group of data into LAN type groups of data including source and destination MAC addresses. The LAN type groups of data propagate from a first network element, to which the source MAC address corresponds, to a second network element to which the destination MAC address corresponds. The large group of data is reassembled from the LAN type groups of data in the second network element.
In another embodiment, the method further comprises the step of terminating the LAN type groups of data at the second network element. In yet a further embodiment, the method further comprises the step of terminating at least one of the LAN type groups of data at the first network element. In yet another embodiment, the method further comprises the step of terminating at least one of the LAN type groups of data at a policing network element.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides a method of automatically configuring a virtual connection network comprising the step of adding a new network element to the virtual connection network including a plurality of network elements. At least one group of LAN type data, containing the new network element's MAC address, is broadcast from the new network element to the plurality of network elements.
Yet a further embodiment of the present invention provides a method of obtaining the MAC address of a network element in a virtual connection network comprising the step of transmitting at least one group of data that forms an Internet Protocol (IP) packet and contains the IP address of a destination network element. At least one group of data is received at the destination network element. The MAC address is sent in at least one group of data from the destination NE to the source NE. A LAN type group of data, including a reserved value, is sent to the destination NE.
It is an advantage of the present invention that data such as management data can be efficiently transmitted to network elements in the virtual connection network. It is a further benefit of the present invention that the virtual connection network can automatically be reconfigured upon the addition of a new NE. It is a further advantage of the present invention that it can be used with protocols other than the IP.
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Frank George N.
Hughey Richard T.
Zheng Dan
ADC Telecommunications Inc.
Fogg Slifer & Polglaze, P.A.
Vu Viet D.
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