Patent ID: 6064675
Filing Date: 2000-05-16
Classification: H04L,H04Q

Abstract:
A method of communicating steady-state data between emulated local area networks (ELANS) in an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) communications network which bypasses intermediate LAN emulation clients (LECs) and bridges, comprising:providing a bridge unit, wherein the bridge unit includes a bridge and associated LECs, wherein the bridge unit is part of the ATM communications network;providing an origination ATM attached device and a destination ATM attached device, the origination ATM attached device being attached to a first ELAN, and the destination ATM attached device being attached to a second ELAN, wherein both the first and second ELANs are defined on the ATM communications network;sending a request for an ATM address associated with the destination ATM attached device from the origination ATM attached device to the bridge unit, via the first ELAN;determining the ATM address associated with the destination ATM attached device; andresponsive to said request, returning the ATM address associated with the destination ATM attached device from the bridge to the origination ATM attached device, wherein the origination ATM attached device establishes a shortcut data direct virtual channel connection (shortcut VCC) with the destination ATM attached device using the ATM address associated with the destination ATM attached device.