Patent ID: 6181681
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A network packet forwarding device, comprising:a plurality of end user ports for connection to end users;an input/output trunk connected to said plurality of end user ports;an arbiter/aggregator connected to said input/output trunk and connected to said end user ports for aggregating data packets from said ports and packing aggregated data packets onto said trunk independent of destination information contained in the data packets from said ports, said input/output trunk includes an ingress trunk connected to said aggregator for receiving said aggregated data packets flowing from said ports and an egress trunk for packets flowing to said ports, and said trunk being configured as one of:a full duplex link and a half duplex link;a filter provided between said ports and said trunk for filtering or forwarding data packets from said trunk to associated said ports based on destination information contained in the data packets from said trunk;an echo device at said one of said switch ports for echoing packets from said ingress trunk onto said egress trunk; anda switch including a plurality of switch ports with a switch input/output, said trunk being connected via said echo device to one of said switch ports.