Patent ID: 6144668
Filing Date: 2000-11-07
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A computer network device having a plurality of ports operating at different transmission rates for receiving data frames and transmitting data frames by both cut-through and store-and-forward operations simultaneously, said network device comprising:a receiver which receives a data frame at an input port;a plurality of buffers which temporarily store portions of said data frame as it is being received;a protocol processor whichdetermines each output port to which said data frame is to be sent for transmission andmodifies the header of said data frame if said data frame is to be sent to at least one output port supporting a different lower level protocol than the protocol supported by said input port;a cut-through/store-and-forward decision processor which determines for each received frame whether said each output port can operate cut-through or must operate store-and-forward; anda transmitter which transmits said data frameas it is being received by each said output port that can operate cut-through, andafter it is completely received by each said output port that must operate store-and-forward.