Patent ID: 6868086
Filing Date: 2005-03-15
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A switching apparatus, comprising: at least one internal port, adapted for connection to an internal port of another switching apparatus; at least one external port, adapted for connecting to an external channel to receive information packets from and send information packets to the external channel; and internal switching logic, operating to receive incoming information packets from the external port intended for communication to an external channel connected to a different switching apparatus, and to replace a data layer header of the information packet with a VLAN header, in conventional WLAN format, which addresses said different switching apparatus, and to pass the information packet to its internal port with said WLAN header, to receive information packets on said internal port and to read said VLAN header and determine a switching of said information packets from said VLAN header and using a VLAN table to determine a switching of said information packets therefrom, and to switch the information packets to an internal port of another switching apparatus, or to remove the header and route to said external port, depending on contents of the VLAN header.