Patent ID: 6414956
Filing Date: 2002-07-02
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A method of processing a frame of data within a switching device in a shared media access environment comprising the steps of:(a) if no tag header is included in the frame upon receipt, inserting a tag header in the frame to generate a first modified frame and asserting a tag header indicator; (b) if a tag header is included in the frame upon receipt, using the received frame as the first modified frame and storing said tag header in a memory; (c) generating a CRC for the first modified frame excluding said tag header to generate a second modified frame; (d) processing the second modified frame within the switching device; and before transmitting the second modified frame: (e) if said tag header indicator is asserted, removing said tag header from the second modified frame to generate a third modified frame; (f) otherwise replacing the tag header in the second modified frame with said stored tag header to generate said third modified frame; and (g) generating a CRC for said third modified frame to generate a fourth modified frame; (h) transmitting the fourth modified frame.