Company Filing History:
3 out of 2,297 
1 out of 4,171 
Years Active: 1996-2005
Title: The Innovations of David Benson
Introduction
David Benson is a notable inventor based in Acton, MA (US), recognized for his contributions to the field of networking technology. With a total of 4 patents to his name, Benson has made significant advancements that enhance the functionality and efficiency of routers and bridges.
Latest Patents
One of Benson's latest patents is a mechanism for automatic protection switching in a router. This invention allows externally received messages addressed to an active line card to be bridged to a protection line card. Each line card in the router is programmed to respond to these messages, ensuring that they are directed to both the active and protection line cards. The protection line card is equipped with inbound and outbound path tables that mirror those of the active line card. This innovative bridging process involves revising descriptors stored in multiple line cards to establish an association between the active line card and its protection counterpart. In the event of a failure, the physical interface of the active line card can be disabled once the protection line card has the necessary path table clones and bridging is established.
Another significant patent by Benson is an apparatus and method for maintaining forwarding information in a bridge. This system includes a method for managing forwarding entries within a forwarding table, which is organized into sets. A set of free queues is utilized to manage unallocated space segments in the forwarding table. The process for adding forwarding entries creates new sets and selects appropriate free space segments for storage. This system also incorporates processes for deleting entries, learning, and aging, with a hash table used to locate forwarding entry sets efficiently.
Career Highlights
Throughout his career, David Benson has worked with prominent companies such as Digital Equipment Corporation and Nortel Networks Corporation. His experience in these organizations has contributed to his expertise in networking technologies and patent development.
Collaborations
Benson has collaborated with notable coworkers, including Martin Edward Griesmer and Dan Adamski. Their collective efforts have likely influenced the innovative projects and patents that Benson has developed.
Conclusion
David Benson's contributions to networking technology through his patents demonstrate his commitment to innovation and improvement in the field. His work continues to impact the way routers and bridges operate, showcasing the importance of inventors in advancing technology.