Patent ID: 7463625
Filing Date: 2008-12-09
Classification: H04Q

Abstract:
1. In a data communications network having a plurality of stackable, interconnected switches including a first switch and a second switch, a method of learning associations between stations, ports, and switches in the network, the method comprising: receiving a data frame from a first station on a first port of the first switch, the data frame having a second station as a destination; updating a station list in the first switch to indicate that the first station is on the first port; updating the data frame to indicate that it originated from the first switch; comparing the second station to the station list in the first switch; sending the data frame to all of a plurality of ports on the first switch and to all of the plurality of switches on the network if the second station is not found in the station list of the first switch; receiving a second data frame from a third switch, the second data frame being sent by a third station on a third port of the third switch and having a fourth station as a destination; updating the station list in the first switch to indicate that the third station is on the third switch; comparing the fourth station to the station list in the first switch; sending the second data frame to all of the plurality of ports on the first switch if the fourth station is not found in the station list of the first switch; receiving a second response frame from the fourth station, the fourth station being on a fourth port of the first switch, the response frame having the third station as a destination; updating the station list in the first switch to indicate that the fourth station is on the fourth port; updating the second response frame to indicate that it originated from the first switch; and sending the response frame to the third switch.