Enterasys Networks, Inc.

Cabletron Systems, Inc.

Avaya Inc.

Anil G Rijhsinghani

Mohnish Anumala

Henry S Yang

G Paul Koning

Debin Zhang

Systems and methods are disclosed of routing traffic in a network that include classifying incoming data packets using the content of the incoming data packets that remains relatively consistent during a network session. These systems and methods also include ordering the incoming traffic according to at least one internet protocol address comprised within the incoming traffic, hashing the at least one internet protocol address and the destination port within the incoming traffic, and determining a destination service module for the incoming traffic. Through these systems and methods, data can be routed without the need for complete flow tables.

Sharing of network security and services processing resources

A switch for use in a communications system having multiple local area networks interconnected by multiple switches so as to be configurable into different types of virtual local area networks includes first and second communication ports. The first communication port is connected directly to a local area network and the second communication port interconnects with other system switches. A switch control detects a communication from the local area network and identifies a virtual local area network over which the communication is to be transmitted based upon rules of precedence for different types of virtual local area networks. The communication is appended with a VLAN tag representing the identified virtual local area network so as to form a VLAN communication that is directed to the second communication port for transmission over the identified virtual local area network.

Virtual local area networks having rules of precedence

A switch for use in a virtual area network communications system having multiple local area networks interconnected by multiple switches which are connected by a trunk having one or more trunk stations connected directly thereto, includes a first communications port, i.e., an access port, which connects to a first local area network. The first local area network is configured within a virtual area network which also includes a second local area network and a trunk station. The switch also includes a second communications port, i.e. a trunk port, connected to the trunk to which the trunk station is connected by another trunk port. A switch control console detects a multicast communication from the first local area network, duplicates the multicast communication to form a first communication and a second communication, appends a VLAN header to the first communication to form a VLAN communication, and directs transmission of the VLAN communication and the second communication to the second communication port, thereby facilitating delivery of the multicast communication to both the second local area network and the trunk station.

Virtual local area network with trunk stations

A switch is provided for use in a virtual communications system having multiple local area networks interconnected by multiple switches through a trunk, which has one or more trunk stations connected directly thereto. The switch includes a first communications port connected directly to a first local area network and a second communications port connected directly to the trunk. The first local area network is within a virtual area network configured to include a second local area network and a trunk station. A switch control detects a communication from the first local area network having a multicast address representing desired destination addresses. The switch control appends a VLAN header having a destination address different than but corresponding to the multicast address to the communication to form a VLAN communication and directs transmission of the VLAN communication to the second communication port for delivery to the multicast addressees.

Communication packet including a multicast address and a destination address different than an equivalent to the multicast address

A switch is provided for use in a communications system for transmitting traffic from a first user to a second user. The first and the second users are interconnected by a primary communications path and a redundant communications path. The switch includes a first port configured to receive hello communications indicative of a proper operation of the primary communications path and a second port for receiving data communications. A switch control monitors the receipt of the hello communications, directs the forwarding of received data communications up to a threshold capacity and, if the received data communications exceed the threshold capacity, drops at least a portion of the received data communications such that forwarded data communications are below the threshold capacity.

Network switch with panic mode

Virtual local network for sending multicast transmissions to trunk

A switch for use in a virtual communications system having multiple local area networks interconnected by multiple switches includes a first communications port connected to a network resource and a second communications port connected to other switches in the virtual communications system. A control console detects a communication from the resource to an addressee. The addressee is a member of a local area network within one or more virtual networks which exclude the network resource. The local area network is interconnected to the second communications port by another switch. The control console appends a privileged header to the communication which is detected by the other switch. Responsive to detection of the privileged header the other switch directs the communication to the local area network.

Growing community of inventors

Marlborough, MA, United States of America

Anil G Rijhsinghani