US6515993B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for manipulating VLAN tags
Assignee: GlobalFoundries Inc
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Filing: 1999-05-28
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Granted: 2003-02-04
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Expires: 2019-05-28
Abstract
Abstract An integrated multiport switch operating in a packet switched network provides the capability to alter VLAN tags on a port by port basis. An internal rules checker (IRC) analyzes the header of a data frame to determine the frame type: untagged, VLAN-tagged, or priority-tagged. The IRC searches the untagged set table for the set of ports that are untagged for a particular VLAN. The IRC passes a forwarding descriptor that includes the frame type and a operational code (opcode) to a Port Vector FIFO logic (PVF). The PVF is responsible for creating a new opcode that instructs a dequeuing logic to add, remove, modify the VLAN tag, or send the frame unmodified. The opcodes generated by the PVF are individualized for each output port.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert A. Williams
- 👤 Bahadir Erimli
- 👤 Shashank Merchant
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 05:39
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/28; H04L12/46; H04L12/4641; H04L12/467; H04L12/4645; H04L49/00; H04L49/35; H04L49/354; H04L49/20; H04L49/205; H04L49/30; H04L49/3027; H04L49/351; H04L49/352
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A multiport switch configured for transferring a.data frame to a network node, comprising: rules checker logic for determining a type of data frame based upon header information associated with the data frame and for outputting a corresponding forwarding descriptor that comprises a virtual local area network (VLAN) identifier and an operation code, the operation code indicating a method of modifying the data frame; and port logic for generating a modified operation code and selectively manipulating the VLAN identifier based upon the forwarding descriptor, wherein the data frame is transmitted via one or more output ports based upon the modified operation code and the selectively manipulated VLAN identifier.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
A multiport switch configured for transferring a.data frame to a network node, comprising: rules checker logic for determining a type of data frame based upon header information associated with the data frame and for outputting a corresponding forwarding descriptor that comprises a virtual local area network (VLAN) identifier and an operation code, the operation code indicating a method of modifying the data frame; and port logic for generating a modified operation code and selectively manipulating the VLAN identifier based upon the forwarding descriptor, wherein the data frame is transmitted via one or more output ports based upon the modified operation code and the selectively manipulated VLAN identifier.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The multiport switch as in claim 1 , further comprising dequeuing logic for executing the modified operation code.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The multiport switch as in claim 1 , further comprising an untagged set table for storing VLAN indices and corresponding untagged set vectors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The multiport switch as in claim 1 , wherein the types of data frame include an untagged frame, a priority-tagged frame, and a VLAN-tagged frame.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The multiport switch as in claim 1 , wherein the forwarding descriptor further comprises port vector information, untagged set information, and frame pointer information.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The multiport switch as in claim 5 , wherein the port logic generates the modified operation code based in part on the untagged set information.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The multiport switch as in claim 3 , wherein the untagged set table is managed by a host central processing unit (CPU).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The multiport switch as in claim 3 , wherein the port logic searches the untagged set table to determine whether the output ports are tagged or untagged for a VLAN associated with the data frame and correspondingly manipulates the VLAN identifier.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for processing a data frame, comprising the steps of: determining a type of data frame based upon header information associated with the data frame; outputting a corresponding forwarding descriptor that comprises a virtual local area network (VLAN) identifier and an operation code, the operation code indicating method of modifying the data frame; generating a modified operation code based upon the forwarding descriptor; selectively manipulating the VLAN identifier based upon the forwarding descriptor; and transmitting the data frame via one or more output ports based upon the modified operation code.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for processing a data frame, comprising the steps of: determining a type of data frame based upon header information associated with the data frame; outputting a corresponding forwarding descriptor that comprises a virtual local area network (VLAN) identifier and an operation code, the operation code indicating method of modifying the data frame; generating a modified operation code based upon the forwarding descriptor; selectively manipulating the VLAN identifier based upon the forwarding descriptor; and transmitting the data frame via one or more output ports based upon the modified operation code.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method as in claim 9 , wherein the steps of determining and outputting are performed by a rules checker logic, and the steps of generating and selectively manipulating are performed by a port logic.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as in claim 9 , further comprising executing the modified operation code by a dequeuing logic.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as in claim 9 , wherein the step of outputting comprises searching an untagged set table that stores VLAN indices and corresponding untagged set vectors.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as in claim 9 , wherein the type of data frame includes an untagged frame, a priority-tagged frame, and a VLAN-tagged frame.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as in claim 9 , wherein the forwarding descriptor further comprises port vector information, untagged set information, and frame pointer information.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as in claim 14 , wherein the step of generating is based in part on the untagged set information.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as in claim 12 , wherein the untagged set table is managed by a host central processing unit (CPU).
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as in claim 12 , wherein the step of selectively manipulating comprises searching the untagged set table to determine whether the output ports are tagged or untagged.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-02-03 | 2006-08-05 | 2007-02-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-02-03 | 2010-08-05 | 2011-02-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-02-03 | 2014-08-05 | 2015-02-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |