Cabletron Systems, Inc.

Enterasys Networks, Inc.

Jeff Cioli

Brendan J Fee

William T Haggerty

Richard Bussiere

David Belser

A method and apparatus are provided for connection-oriented switching in a communications network wherein a pre-established path is established between a select pair of an ingress switch and an egress switch. The use of pre-established paths enables a reduction in the total number of connections required inside the switch cloud, reduces the CPU load on trunk switches, and shortens the time for connection setup. In the embodiment described, the DA/SA fields of a MAC frame data packet are replaced with a &ldquo;virtual path&rdquo;, which identifies the pre-established path between the ingress and egress switches. A &ldquo;virtual circuit&rdquo; is provided in another field of the modified packet which specifies the out-port and out-header on the egress switch for demultiplexing the modified packet upon receipt at the egress switch. The virtual circuit is exchanged between the ingress and egress switches at connection setup. The virtual path is assumed to already be in place, and known to both switches, prior to connection setup.

Aggregation of data flows over a pre-established path to reduce connections

A method and apparatus are provided for connection-oriented switching in a communications network wherein a pre-established path is established between a select pair of an ingress switch and an egress switch. The use of pre-established paths enables a reduction in the total number of connections required inside the switch cloud, reduces the CPU load on trunk switches, and shortens the time for connection setup. In the embodiment described, the DA/SA fields of a MAC frame data packet are replaced with a 'virtual path', which identifies the pre-established path between the ingress and egress switches. A 'virtual circuit' is provided in another field of the modified packet which specifies the out-port and out-header on the egress switch for demultiplexing the modified packet upon receipt at the egress switch. The virtual circuit is exchanged between the ingress and egress switches at connection setup. The virtual path is assumed to already be in place, and known to both switches, prior to connection setup.

Growing community of inventors

Derry, NH, United States of America

Jeff Cioli