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Method and apparatus for forwarding traffic between locality attached networks using level 3 addressing information

DC
  • US 6,058,429 A
  • Filed: 12/08/1995
  • Issued: 05/02/2000
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/08/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A learning internetwork switch for use in a network that includes a plurality of virtual local area networks, the learning internetwork switch comprising:

  • a first set of ports connecting the leaning internetwork switch to a set of virtual local area networks, wherein each virtual local area network of the set of virtual local area networks is a virtual local area network of the plurality of virtual local area networks that is locally attached to the learning internetwork switch;

    a second set of ports connecting the learning internetwork switch to a router, wherein devices that belong to the virtual local area networks in the set of virtual local area networks communicate with the router by transmitting packets through the learning internetwork switch;

    a learning mechanism that inspects control packets sent between the router and the devices, the learning mechanism storing association data that indicates a correspondence between data link layer addresses, network layer addresses, and the first set of ports based on information contained in the control packets; and

    said learning internetwork switch using said association data to forward traffic between locally attached virtual local area networks.

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