The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 18, 2000
Filed:
Mar. 30, 1998
Janus Biegaj, Hinsdale, IL (US);
Mark Aldo Bordogna, North Andover, MA (US);
Mark Henry Davis, Warrenville, IL (US);
Dominic Dominijani, Hampstead, NH (US);
Kurt Arnold Hedlund, Oak Park, IL (US);
Gary Lynn McElvany, Atlantic Highlands, NJ (US);
Lucent Technologies Inc., Murray Hill, NJ (US);
Abstract
Arrangements for controlling a data switching network fabric and for synchronizing duplicate modules of such a fabric. A control complex, for determining new virtual connections to be established, and for disconnecting existing virtual connections, is connected through data links to the network fabric of a data switch. The network fabric has internal control processors. The control complex communicates with these processors by sending control packets over a dedicated internal ATM link and virtual connections to these internal processors to control their establishment and disconnection of user virtual connections. Duplicate modules of the data switching fabric receive identical packets and, when synchronized, transmit identical packets at the same time. The synchronization process is implemented by data links between the control processors of the duplicate fabrics to report progress on the step by step synchronization of internal queues. The algorithms for routing cells are identical in the two modules so that once the modules are synchronized, they remain in synchronism because they use identical paths. Advantageously, a switch to a standby module can be made without losing any cells. Advantageously, the control complex can transmit control packets at a rate limited only by the ability of the control complex to generate the packet, the ability of the fabric control processors to receive these control packets, and the bandwidth of the data links connecting the control complex to the network fabric. Advantageously, no special buses are required for connecting the control complex to the network fabric.