Patent ID: 6650646
Filing Date: 2003-11-18
Classification: H04L,H04Q

Abstract:
A digital communications system comprising:a connection-oriented transport fabric; a plurality of user devices attached to the system, at least some of said user devices including LAN interface adapters for connection to said transport fabric through one or more local area networks (LANs); interface means between said transport fabric and said user devices storing the location of said user devices, said interface means between said transport fabric and said user devices that are connected to LANs adapting LAN traffic for transport over said transport fabric; and a centralized route server connected to said transport fabric storing address data pertaining to the location of said user devices attached to the system, said centralized route server exchanging data over said transport fabric with said interface means to learn the locations of said user devices and to distribute such information to said interface means so as to permit said interface means to establish direct transparent communication on demand using a dynamic mesh of virtual connections between a said user device connected thereto and another said user device attached to the system.