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:
Sep. 04, 2001
Filed:
Jan. 15, 1998
Dipak M. L. Soni, London, GB;
Peter A. Saunderson, Berkhamsted, GB;
Vincent Gavin, Dublin, IE;
Anne O'Connell, Dublin, IE;
3Com Technologies, Georgetown, KY;
Abstract
A communication system comprises a plurality of interfaces disposed for sending data packets by way of virtual circuit connections and for receiving data packets by way of virtual circuit connections in an asynchronous transfer mode. The interfaces by means of the virtual circuit connections emulate at least one local area network including unit for establishing a virtual circuit connection functioning as a BUS (broadcast and unknown server) for the broadcast of data packets throughout the emulated local area network. An asynchronous transfer mode switch receives packets by way of virtual circuit connections from each of said the interfaces, replicates the packets and sends them to all the other interfaces, thus to establish a mesh between said interfaces. At least one interface comprises a unit for mapping virtual circuit connections between one interface and at least one terminal which is not directly connectable in the mesh connection into virtual circuit connections in the mesh.