Enterasys Networks, Inc.

Nortel Networks Corporation

Timothy Mancour

Arnold N Sodder

Louis Didiodato

A method and apparatus are provided for creating a virtual hierarchical local area network. The method and apparatus provide a hierarchical framing technique that allows a network architecture to realize a local area network hierarchy within the network. In this manner, a first local area network hierarchy is defined by communication in a first frame format between a first set of network devices and a second set of network devices. A second local area network hierarchy is defined by communication in a second frame format between members of the second set of network devices. The second frame format includes the fields of a frame in the first frame format that is used to communicate between the first set of communication devices and the second set of communication devices.

Apparatus and method for a virtual hierarchial local area network

Apparatus and method for a virtual hierarchical local area network

Capability based addressing in a communication network enables protocol data units (PDUs) to be addressed to network constructs such as network elements or interfaces with particular capabilities rather than with specific addresses. This allows PDUs to be addressed to network constructs without first identifying the network constructs or even knowing of the existence of the construct. By broadcasting a capability based PDU onto a network it is therefore possible to communicate with a particular type of device rather than with a particular identified device. This is applicable, for example, in connection with loop and backdoor detection. By broadcasting a PDU onto a network, e.g. using a hello-response protocol, it is possible to identify network constructs that should not be present on the network if the communication network is configured properly. An alarm or corrective action may be taken upon detection of a response.

Method and apparatus for capability based addressing in a communications network

A P device interworks CE devices connected to the P device using different types of data links. The P device learns the address of a local CE device by monitoring the control messages, such as address resolution messages, originating from the local device. The P device may share the address of a local CE device with another local CE device by initiating a control message or responding to a control message issued by one of the local CE devices. This latter mechanism in effect hides the heterogeneous nature of the network.

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Wrentham, MA, United States of America

Timothy Mancour