Patent ID: 8274919
Filing Date: 2012-09-25
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: receiving a first ring protocol control packet from a first ring network via a first ring port, wherein appending a first ring identifier identifying the first ring network to the first ring protocol control packet, in response to receiving the first ring protocol control packet via the first ring port; determining that a common ring port is associated with the first ring identifier, wherein the common ring port is coupled to a common link; sending the first ring protocol control packet and the appended first ring identifier on the common link via the common ring port; receiving a second ring protocol control packet from a second ring network via a second ring port, wherein appending a second ring identifier identifying the second ring network to the second ring protocol control packet, in response to receiving the second ring protocol control packet via the second ring port; determining that the common ring port is associated with the second ring identifier; sending the second ring protocol control packet and the appended second ring identifier on the common link via the common ring port, wherein receiving a first data packet via the first ring port; and forwarding the first data packet on the common link via the common ring port, wherein