Patent ID: 7460539
Filing Date: 2008-12-02
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for forwarding an incoming frame in a network switch, the method comprising: upon receiving an incoming frame, converting a MAC destination address and less significant bits of a VLAN identifier (VID) from the incoming frame into a 12 bit address resolution table (ARL) address which is used to access an address resolution table; comparing an ARL VID and a MAC address from the address resolution table with the MAC destination address and less significant bits of the VID from the incoming frame to determine if there is an ARL hit; if there is an ARL hit, using an action code from the address resolution table to determine at least one egress port to which the incoming frame is sent; using the less significant bits of the VID of the incoming frame to access an appropriate entry in a VLAN table; comparing a VLAN VID from the VLAN table with more significant bits of the VID of the incoming frame, wherein if the VLAN VID is the same as the more significant bits of the VID of the incoming frame, there is a VLAN match; and forwarding the incoming frame to at least one port based on at least one of the ARL hit and the VLAN match.