Patent ID: 7046666
Filing Date: 2006-05-16
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for communicating across divergent network segments in a network, the divergent network including a first network segment and a second network segment, the first network segment including a switch having a module, the module executing said method comprising the steps of: receiving an ARP request packet from a first device, said ARP request packet including a request to locate a second device and a first MAC address associated with said first device, a first IP address associated with said first device, and a second IP address associated with a second device, wherein said first device is coupled to said first network segment and said second device is coupled to said second network segment; broadcasting said ARP request packet to network segments outside of said first network segment; by converting said first MAC address to a first specialized multicast MAC address; modifying said ARP request packet to a multicast ARP request containing said first specialized multicast MAC address, and said first and second IP addresses; sending said multicast ARP request to all network segments outside of said first network segment; acquiring a reply from said second network segment; and transmitting said reply to said first device, such that in use, ARP tables are modified on said first device and said second device.