Patent ID: 7406518
Filing Date: 2008-07-29
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for transferring data segments and virtual circuit (VC) information related to the data segments across an Ethernet switch from a first connection terminating at an input port of said Ethernet switch to a second connection originating at an output port of said Ethernet switch, wherein said first and second connections utilize a network protocol that is different from the network protocol that is utilized by said Ethernet switch to switch data, said data segments being transmitted on said first and second connections with headers that include VC information, said method comprising: receiving, from said first connection, a data segment, including a header, at said input port; identifying, from input port and input VC information that is within said header, if said data segment is to be tunneled across said Ethernet switch; identifying output port and output VC information for said data segment from said input port and input VC information if said data segment is identified as a data segment that is to be tunneled across said Ethernet switch; generating a tunnel frame having a payload and a tunnel frame header if said data segment is to be tunneled across said Ethernet switch, said payload including said data segment and said tunnel frame header including a destination address and a tunnel frame indicator, said destination address including said identified output port and output VC information; transferring said tunnel frame across said Ethernet switch from said input port to said output port that is identified in said destination address of said tunnel frame header; identifying said tunnel frame from said tunnel frame indicator after said tunnel frame has been transferred across said Ethernet switch; removing said tunnel frame header from said identified tunnel frame to obtain said data segment; generating a new header for said data segment using said output port and output VC information that is transferred across said Ethernet switch in said tunnel frame header of said tunnel frame; and transmitting said data segment, including said new header, on said second connection.