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:
Aug. 21, 2001
Filed:
Apr. 10, 1998
Brian Brown, Santa Cruz, CA (US);
Jeanne Haney, Saratoga, CA (US);
James Mangin, San Ramon, CA (US);
Derek H. Pitcher, Saratoga, CA (US);
Kishore K. Seshadri, Redwood City, CA (US);
Nortel Networks Limited, Montreal, CA;
Abstract
A method and apparatus for reducing the amount of control plane processing and flow detection required in a Multiprotocol Over ATM (MPOA) system are provided. According to one aspect of the present invention, flow detection processing may be altered based upon a packet's content. A first MPOA client (MPC) may include a plurality of flow detection mechanisms including standard MPOA processing and modified flow detection processing. For example, a flow may be determined to exist when the number of packets to a particular destination within a predetermined time interval exceeds a threshold value. Alternatively, a flow may be determined to exist immediately for certain types of traffic and detection of a flow may be suppressed for other types of traffic. Upon receipt at a first MPC, traffic may be classified based upon any information contained within a packet, including the header, the payload, or portions and/or combinations thereof. Based upon the packet's content, the MPC then selects among the plurality of flow detection mechanisms for purposes of determining whether or not a flow exists. According to another aspect of the present invention, control plane processing may be managed based upon a packet's content. A first MPC determines whether or not a stream of data with which a packet is associated justifies establishing a shortcut between the first MPC and the MPC with which the target is associated. After determining that the shortcut is justified, the first MPC allows or disallows the transmission of a resolution request based upon the packet's content.