Patent ID: 7693158
Filing Date: 2010-04-06
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for selectively processing virtual local area network (VLAN) traffic from different networks while allowing flexible VLAN identifier assignment, the method comprising: (a) receiving, from a first network, a first layer 2 frame at a first port in a layer 2 switch, the first layer 2 frame having a first VLAN identifier; (b) associating a first port identifier corresponding to the first port with the first layer 2 frame; (c) determining a first virtual switch based on the combination of the first port identifier and the first VLAN identifier, wherein the first virtual switch is associated with a first message processing data structure; (d) selectively processing the first layer 2 frame using the first message processing data structure associated with the first virtual switch without modifying the first VLAN identifier; (e) receiving, from a second network, a second layer 2 frame at a second port in the layer 2 switch, the second layer 2 frame having the first VLAN identifier; (f) associating a second port identifier corresponding to the second port with the second layer 2 frame; (g) determining a second virtual switch based on the combination of the second port identifier and the first VLAN identifier, wherein the second virtual switch is associated with a second message processing data structure being separate from the first message processing data structure; and (h) selectively processing the second layer 2 frame using the second message processing data structure associated with the second virtual switch without modifying the first VLAN identifier, wherein selectively processing the second layer 2 frame includes processing the second layer 2 frame differently from the first layer 2 frame.