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:
Feb. 07, 2006
Filed:
Nov. 21, 2001
Ton Engbersen, Feusisberg, CH;
Ronald P. Luijten, Horgen, CH;
Ton Engbersen, Feusisberg, CH;
Ronald P. Luijten, Horgen, CH;
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
An interface module is provided for connecting a data communications link to a switching node, comprising a plurality of other interface modules, of a data communications network. The interface module has at least one external port for connection to a data communications link, and a plurality of internal ports for connection to respective internal ports of the switching node. A link interface is connected to the external port for processing inbound and outbound data. A switch circuit is connected between the link interface and the internal ports of the module for transmission of data between the internal ports and to the link interface. The module includes a controller for controlling routing of data via the internal ports in accordance with an intra-node routing protocol. Switching nodes comprising a plurality of interface modules, and optionally one or more switching modules, are provided.