Patent ID: 6445715
Filing Date: 2002-09-03
Classification: H04L,Y02D

Abstract:
Apparatus for dynamically negotiating trunk encapsulation types of trunk capable ports within intermediate stations interconnected by a link in a computer network, the apparatus comprising:a processor; a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing a process that executes on the processor to administer a dynamic trunk protocol (DTP) for exchanging DTP messages between the intermediate stations, each DTP message containing trunk status and type information that enables dynamic negotiation of the trunk encapsulation types, the memory further storing and maintaining DTP port state information relating to the trunk and status type information; and port interface circuitry of each trunk capable port, the port interface circuitry coupled between the processor and the link to receive the DTP messages from the link and forward the messages to the processor for servicing by the process, the port interface circuitry responsive to the DTP port state information to thereby configure the trunk capable port in accordance with the negotiated trunk encapsulation type.