Patent ID: 8259619
Filing Date: 2012-09-04
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A topology specifying method in a network having a tree type network topology, comprising: selecting a first route between a first terminal and a second terminal and a second route between a third terminal and a fourth terminal; determining a network topology based on existence or non-existence of an overlap of said first route and said second route; determining the existence or non-existence of the overlap of said first route and said second route, wherein said determining the existence or non-existence of said overlap comprises: controlling a switch on said second route to learn to transfer a frame destined to a predetermined terminal to said third terminal; transmitting a second frame having an address of said predetermined terminal as a transmission source address from said first terminal to said second terminal; transmitting a third frame destined to said predetermined terminal from said fourth terminal; and determining that said first route and said second route overlap when a receiving terminal of the third frame destined is said first terminal, wherein said determining the existence or non-existence of said overlap comprises: controlling the switch on said second route to learn to transfer the frame destined to said third terminal to said third terminal; transmitting the second frame having an address of said third terminal as the transmission source address from said first terminal to said second terminal; transmitting the third frame destined to said third terminal from said fourth terminal; and determining that said first route and said second route do not overlap when said first terminal receives the frame destined to said third terminal.