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. 03, 2007
Filed:
Jul. 30, 2002
Terence Canning, Belfast, GB;
Philip Christian, Bishop's Stortford, GB;
Derek Gilmore, Carryduff, GB;
Terence Canning, Belfast, GB;
Philip Christian, Bishop's Stortford, GB;
Derek Gilmore, Carryduff, GB;
Nortel Networks Limited, St. Laurent, Quebec, CA;
Abstract
The invention relates to a routing apparatus for routing data packets in a network comprising a sub-network, in particular a broadcast sub-network. The routing apparatus is included in a first network element of the sub-network, the first network element being arranged to support first and second protocol sets, for example OSI protocols and IP protocols. Upon designation of the first network element to represent the other network elements in the sub-network in respect of the first and second protocol sets, the routing apparatus is arranged to create a respective routing data packet for each protocol set and to cause the routing data packets to be propagated through the network. Upon resignation of the first network element as representative in respect of one of the protocol sets, the routing apparatus is arranged to cause the respective routing data packet for that protocol set only to be purged from the network.