Patent ID: 7860028
Filing Date: 2010-12-28
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of minimizing flooding in a layer-2 bridge containing a plurality of ports, said layer-2 bridge using an address table containing a plurality of entries, each of said plurality of entries specifying one of said plurality of ports on which packets containing a corresponding destination address are to be forwarded, said method comprising: maintaining a priority field associated with a first entry containing said plurality of entries, said priority field indicating that said first entry is to be provided a high priority; determining a situation in which a new entry is to be created in said address table and an entry in said address table is to be replaced to create said new entry; and using a replacement approach which is less likely to replace said first entry than an another entry which does not have associated priority field set to high, said another entry being contained in said plurality of entries.