Patent ID: 7417953
Filing Date: 2008-08-26
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of automatically unblocking a blocked port in a forwarding device for operatively coupling to a communication network, the blocked port associated with a block-port indicator adapted to indicate whether the blocked port is blocked or unblocked, the method comprising the steps of: receiving one or more data units from an interface associated with the blocked port; monitoring a link status of the interface; resetting the block-port indicator to indicate unblocked, when there is a change in the monitored link status; admitting the one or more data units received from the interface when the associated block-port indicator indicates unblocked; receiving one or more policies of the communication network; setting the block-port indicator to indicate a blocked port based on the received one or more policies; dropping the one or more data units received from the interface when the block-port indicator indicates a blocked port; and wherein the resetting step is resetting an ingress indicator of the block-port indicator and the setting step is setting the ingress indicator of the block-port indicator.