Patent ID: 7082138
Filing Date: 2006-07-25
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method of exchanging information internal to a data switching node between at least two internal components, the method comprising steps of: a. encapsulating a data stream of the information to be exchanged in a data frame at a first component and dividing the data stream into a stream of data granules, each data frame encapsulating a single data granule; b. associating a header having a data format with each data granule, the encapsulated data granule representing a payload of the corresponding data frame; c. conveying the data frame between the first component and a second component via a data exchange medium; and d. selectively decapsulating the exchanged information at the second component whereby the conveyance of encapsulated information provides a common information exchange format facilitating expansion, upgrade and new deployment of features and services in data switching environments.