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:
Nov. 05, 2002
Filed:
Jun. 30, 2000
Rich Sanzi, Wexford, PA (US);
Walt Wimer, Cranberry, PA (US);
Curt Bujosa, Cranberry, PA (US);
Ronald P. Bianchini, Jr., Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Marconi Communications, Inc., Warrendale, PA (US);
Abstract
A communication system. The system includes an MPLS network. The system includes a modified ATM network connected to the MPLS network on which MPLS packets can travel. A switch for switching MPLS packets and ATM cells in a network. The switch includes input ports for receiving MPLS packets and ATM cells from the network. Each MPLS packet has a first label for directing the packet to a desired switch and a second label for directing the packet in the switch to a desired outport in the switch. The system includes output ports for sending MPLS packets and ATM cells to the network. The system includes a mechanism for reviewing the second label of the packet while maintaining the first label with the packet. The reviewing mechanism is connected to the input ports and the output ports. A method for transmitting packets in a communications network. The method includes the steps of sending an MPLS packet on an MPLS network to a first switch connected to a modified ATM network and the MPLS network. Then there is the step of transferring the MPLS packet to a second switch of the ATM network with the first switch through the ATM network.