Patent ID: 6147993
Filing Date: 2000-11-14
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A method for implementing forwarding decision shortcuts at a switch for packets routed between subnetworks of a computer network, the method comprising the steps of:rendering, at a router, a forwarding decision for routing a first frame of a particular type over the network;establishing a shortcut entry in a shortcut table of the switch using information contained in a network layer header of a first packet encapsulated within the first frame;receiving a subsequent frame of the particular type at the switch;determining whether the shortcut entry has been established for a subsequent packet of the subsequent frame; and if so,implementing a forwarding decision shortcut for the subsequent packet at the switch based upon contents of the shortcut entry;wherein the shortcut entry contains a pointer between a medium access control address and the information contained in the network layer header of the first packet encapsulated within the first frame.