Patent Abstract:
A network switching module includes first ports to send and receive packets, and second ports each configured to send and receive packets using a respectively different interface. A mode switch designates a selected port of the second ports in response to an interface control signal. A bypass switch, in response to a bypass mode being activated, connects an additional port to the selected port. A switch core module, in response to the bypass mode not being activated, routes the packets among the first ports, the selected port, and the additional port. A multiplexer, in response to the bypass mode not being activated, connects the additional port and the selected port to the switch core module. The switch core module, in response to the bypass mode being activated, routes the packets only among the first ports.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/867,250, filed on Feb. 7, 2007. The disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to network switches. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a network router  10  is shown in accordance with the prior art. Router  10  includes a switch  12 . Switch  12  includes a plurality of communication port modules  14 - 0  . . .  14 - 6 , which are collectively referred to as port modules  14 . Although seven port modules  14  are shown, it should be appreciated that more or fewer port modules  14  may be used. Ports  14 - 0  through  14 - 4  communicate with associated physical layer devices  16 - 0  through  16 - 4 . Physical layer devices  16 - 0  . . .  16 - 3  are depicted as AC-coupled links such as 10/100-BASET, however it should be appreciated that other types of physical layers may also be employed. Physical layer devices  16 - 0  . . .  16 - 3  include respective connectors  18 - 0  . . .  18 - 3  that couple with respective network channels, such as copper cables and or/antennas. Physical layer device  16 - 4  is depicted as a 100/1000 Mbit laser, however it should be appreciated that another type of physical layer may also be employed. Physical layer device  16 - 4  includes respective a respective connector  18 - 4  that couples with a respective network channel, such as fiber-optic cables. 
     Switch  12  includes a switch core module  20 . Switch core module  20  routes data packets between port modules  14  based on link layer information that is included in the packets. Switch core module  20  includes an ingress processing module  22 , a queuing module  24 , and an egress processing module  26 . Ingress processing module  22  performs switching functionality on incoming packets. Queuing module  24  stores packets. Egress module  26  performs packet modification and transmits each packet to an appropriate destination port  14 . A clock (CLK)  27  establishes a frequency that egress module  26  transmits the data in each packet. 
     A central processing unit (CPU)  30  communicates with switch  12 . CPU  30  can include firmware which implements first and second media access control (MAC) modules  32 - 1  and  32 - 2 , collectively MACs  32 . CPU  30  may also communicate with a network layer via an input/output data bus  40 . CPU  30  includes a media data clock (MDC) and a media data input/output pin (MDIO) that provide synchronous communication with switch  12 . CPU  30  also includes a communication interface for each MAC  32 . The communication interfaces carry the packets between each MAC  32  and its associated one of port modules  14 . Examples of communication interfaces include media independent interface (MII) reduced MII (RMII), gigabit MII (GMII), reduced gigabit MII (RGMII), 10 gigabit MII (XGMII), and serial gigabit MII (SGMII), Ethernet, fiber optic, wide area network (WAN), and the like. 
     A light emitting diode (LED) array  46  indicates a status and/or speed of associated port modules  14 . The LED array  46  can be controlled by switch  12 . An oscillator  48  drives a clock of switch  12 . 
     During operation of router  10 , data packets enter port modules  14  and pass to switch core module  20 . Switch core module  20  passes the data packet to CPU  30 . CPU  30  inspects network address information contained in the packets to determine which one of port modules  14  each packet should be routed to. CPU  30  then inserts routing data in each packet. The routing data corresponds with the one of port modules  14  that the packet will be routed to. CPU  30  then passes the packets back to switch core module  20 . Switch core module  20  stores and forwards the packet in accordance with the inserted routing data. 
     SUMMARY 
     A network switching module includes N communication port modules that send and receive data packets that include physical layer addresses. A switch core module routes the data packets between N-2 of the communication port modules based on the physical layer addresses. A bypass module selectively routes the data packets between two of the communication port modules such that the data packets bypass the switch core module. N is an integer greater than or equal to 4. 
     In other features the data packets include internet protocol addresses. The network switching module includes an address update module that updates the physical layer addresses based on the internet protocol addresses. A multiplexer selectively provides communication between the N-2 port modules and the switch core module. A bypass switch selectively bypasses the data packets around the multiplexer. A mode switch selects one of the N-2 port modules from a group of M port modules. M is an integer greater than or equal to 2. The M port modules implement different communication interfaces. The communication interfaces include at least two of a media independent interface (MII) a reduced MII (RMII), a gigabit MII (GMII), a reduced gigabit MII (RGMII), a 10 gigabit MII (XGMII), and a serial gigabit MII (SGMII). A mode register indicates at least one of a selected port of the M port modules and a selected one of the communication interfaces that is implemented by the selected port. 
     A network switching method sends and receives data packets via N communication port modules, routes data packets between N-2 of the communication port modules based on physical layer addresses included in the data packets, and routes the data packets directly between two of the communication port modules irrespective of their associated physical layer addresses. N is an integer greater than or equal to 4. 
     In other features the data packets include internet protocol addresses and the method updates the physical layer addresses based on the internet protocol addresses. The method selectively provides communication between the N-2 port modules and a switch core module. The method selectively bypasses the data packets around the switch core module. The method selects one of the N-2 port modules from a group of M port modules. M is an integer greater than or equal to 2. The M port modules implement different communication interfaces. The communication interfaces include at least two of a media independent interface (MII) a reduced MII (RMII), a gigabit MII (GMII), a reduced gigabit MII (RGMII), a 10 gigabit MII (XGMII), and a serial gigabit MII (SGMII). The method indicates at least one of a selected port of the M port modules and a selected one of the communication interfaces that is implemented by the selected port. 
     A network switching module includes N communication port means for sending and receiving data packets that include physical layer addresses. Switch core means route the data packets between N-2 of the communication port means based on the physical layer addresses. Bypass means selectively route the data packets between two of the communication port means such that the data packets bypass the switch core means. N is an integer greater than or equal to 4. 
     In other features the data packets include internet protocol addresses. The network switching module includes address update means for updating the physical layer addresses based on the internet protocol addresses. Multiplexing means selectively provide communication between the N-2 port means and the switch core means. Bypass switch means selectively bypass the data packets around the multiplexing means. Mode switch means select one of the N-2 port means from a group of M port means. M is an integer greater than or equal to 2. The M port means implement different communication interfaces. The communication interfaces include at least two of a media independent interface (MII) a reduced MII (RMII), a gigabit MII (GMII), a reduced gigabit MII (RGMII), a 10 gigabit MII (XGMII), and a serial gigabit MII (SGMII). Mode register means indicate at least one of a selected port of the M port modules and a selected one of the communication interfaces that is implemented by the selected port. 
     A computer program performs network switching and is executed by one or more processors. The computer program resides on a computer readable medium such as but not limited to memory, non-volatile data storage and/or other suitable tangible storage mediums. The computer program sends and receives data packets via N communication port modules, routes data packets between N-2 of the communication port modules based on physical layer addresses included in the data packets, and routes the data packets directly between two of the communication port modules irrespective of their associated physical layer addresses. N is an integer greater than or equal to 4. 
     Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the disclosure, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a functional block diagram of a network router in accordance with the prior art; 
         FIG. 2  is a functional block diagram of a first network router that includes a bypass switch; 
         FIG. 3  is a functional block diagram of a second network router that includes a bypass switch; 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart of a method that configures the bypass switch of  FIGS. 2-3 ; 
         FIG. 5A  is a functional block diagram of a high definition television; 
         FIG. 5B  is a functional block diagram of a vehicle control system; 
         FIG. 5C  is a functional block diagram of a cellular phone; 
         FIG. 5D  is a functional block diagram of a set top box; and 
         FIG. 5E  is a functional block diagram of a mobile device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure, its application, or uses. For purposes of clarity, the same reference numbers will be used in the drawings to identify similar elements. As used herein, the phrase at least one of A, B, and C should be construed to mean a logical (A or B or C), using a non-exclusive logical or. It should be understood that steps within a method may be executed in different order without altering the principles of the present disclosure. 
     As used herein, the term module refers to an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) and memory that execute one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/or other suitable components that provide the described functionality. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a functional block diagram is shown of a network router  100 . Some elements of network router  100  are the same or similar to elements of router  10  of the prior art. The same or similar elements share the same reference designator as those elements in  FIG. 1 . 
     Router  100  includes a novel network switch  102 . Network switch  102  includes a plurality of port modules  104 - 0 ,  104 - 1 ,  104 - 2 ,  104 - 3 ,  104 - 4 A,  104 - 4 B 0 ,  104 - 4 B 1 , and  104 - 4 B 2 , and  104 - 5 , collectively referred to as port modules  104 . Although  FIG. 2  shows a number of port modules, it should be appreciated that as few as four port modules and as many as N port modules may be used, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 4. One or more of port modules  104  can be configured to implement or employ one of M communication interfaces, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 2. Examples of communication interfaces include media independent interface (MII) reduced MII (RMII), gigabit MII (GMII), reduced gigabit MII (RGMII), 10 gigabit MII (XGMII), serial gigabit MII (SGMII), Ethernet, fiber optic, wide area network (WAN), and the like. For wireless network applications and interfaces, please refer to IEEE standards 802.11, 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11h, 802.11n, 802.16, and 802.20, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     When two port modules  104  are configured to use the same or similar types of communication interfaces, it may be inefficient for switch core module  20  to be involved in routing packets between those two port modules  104 . Same or similar types of communication interfaces are interfaces with associated packets that share a common header format with regard to link layer information. For example, if port module  104 - 4 A implements a 1000BASE-X communication interface and port module  104 - 4 B 2  implements a GMII interface, then those two port modules share a common header format. 
     Depending on an anticipated routing of packets that are received at those two port modules, switch core module  20  may not need to be involved in routing the routing those packets. For example, if it is known that all of the packets that are received at port module  104 - 4 A will be routed to port module  104 - 4 B 2  and vice-versa, then switch core module  20  does not need to be involved in routing those packets. Bypassing those packets around switch core module  20  can improve an overall bandwidth of router  100  and reduce a processing burden on switch core module  20 . 
     Network switch  102  includes a bypass module  110 . Bypass module  110  selectively bypasses packets between two of port modules  104  and around switch core module  20 . Bypass module  110  includes a multiplexer (MUX)  112 , bypass control input  114 , and a bypass switch  116 . In some embodiments bypass module  110  includes a mode switch  118  and an interface control input  120 . Inputs of MUX  112  communicate with respective ones of port modules  104 . In the depicted embodiment, a first input of MUX  112  communicates with port module  104 - 4 A and second input of MUX  112  communicates with port module  104 - 4 B 1  via mode switch  118 . An output of MUX  112  communicates with switch core module  20 . Packets that enter MUX  112  are communicated to switch core module  20 . 
     Bypass control input  114  determines whether bypass switch  116  is open or closed and whether MUX  112  is active. When bypass control input  114  is in a first logic state then bypass switch  116  is open and MUX  112  is active. When bypass control input  114  is in a second logic state then bypass switch  116  is closed and MUX  112  is inactive. 
     When bypass control input  114  is in the first logic state then port module  104 - 4 A and the one of port modules  104 -B 0  . . .  104 -B 2  that routes though mode switch  118  communicate with switch core module  20  through MUX  112 . When mode switch  118  is not implemented and bypass control input  114  is in the first logic state, then port module  104 - 4 A and one of port modules  104 -B 0  . . .  104 -B 2  communicate with switch core module  20  through MUX  112 . 
     When bypass control input  114  is in the second logic state then port module  104 - 4 A communicates through bypass switch  116  with the one of port modules  104 - 4 B 0  . . .  104 - 4 B 2  that routes though mode switch  118 . When mode switch  118  is not implemented and bypass control input  114  is in the second logic state, then port module  104 - 4 A communicates with one of port modules  104 - 4 B 0  . . .  104 - 4 B 2 . 
     Mode switch  118  includes a plurality of nodes that communicate with associated ones of port modules  104 - 4 B 0  . . .  104 - 4 B 2  based on a setting of interface control input  120 . Each of port modules  104 - 4 B 0  . . .  104 - 4 B 2  implements a different one of the communication interfaces. When network switch  102  first powers up and/or comes out of reset, settings or states of bypass control input  114  and interface control input  120  can be determined based on voltages that are applied to mode inputs  122 . Each of mode inputs  122  can individually be tied to a supply voltage or ground. 
     Network switch  102  will then manipulate bypass control input  114  and/or interface control input  120  such that mode switch  118  selects the desired communication interface. In some embodiments network switch  102  includes a mode control register  124 . CPU  30  reads and writes mode control register  124  to determine and set the state of interface control input  120 . 
     Bypass module  110  effectively increases a communication bandwidth of network switch  102  over the prior art. Bypass module  110  improves the bandwidth by bypassing some packets around switch core module  20 . The bypassing packets include link layer information that does not need to be changed by switch core module  20 . Those packets instead bypass switch core module  20  and are routed directly to a respective media access controller  32 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a functional block diagram is shown of a router  100  that is configured with port module  104 - 4 A connected to a 1000Base-T physical layer device  16 - 4  and connector  18 - 4 . Router  100  is otherwise identical to router  100  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a flow chart is shown of a method  200 . Method  200  may be employed to manipulate control input  114  and/or interface control input  120  into desired states. Method  200  can be executed by network switch  102  when it comes out of reset. 
     Control enters at block  202  and immediately proceeds to block  204 . In block  204 , control reads the states of mode inputs  122  and configures CLK  27 , MUX  112 , bypass switch  116 , and/or mode switch  118  based on the states. Table 1 below shows examples of states of mode inputs  122  and corresponding settings for CLK  27 , MUX  112 , bypass switch  116 , and/or mode switch  118 . Control then branches to decision block  206  and monitors mode control register  124  to determine if a configuration instruction has been sent from CPU  30 . If not, then control continues to monitor mode control register  124 . When CPU  30  writes to mode control register  124  then control branches to block  208 . In block  208  control reconfigures CLK  27 , MUX  112 , bypass switch  116 , and/or mode switch  118  in accordance with the configuration instruction that was written to mode control register  124 . The configurations instructions correspond with the states of mode inputs  122  as shown in Table 1. After block  208  control may exit via block  210 . In some embodiments control may branch from block  208  back to decision block  206  and await a new configuration instruction. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Mode 
                   
                   
                 MUX 112/ 
               
               
                 Input 
                 Switch 116 
                 CLK 27 
                 Switch 118 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 0x0 
                 Open 
                 Freq 1 
                 Enabled/Port4B-0 
               
               
                 0x1 
                 Open 
                 Freq 2 
                 Enabled/Port4B-1 
               
               
                 0x2 
                 Open 
                 Freq 1 
                 Enabled/Port4B-2 
               
               
                 0x3 
                 Open 
                 Freq 2 
                 Enabled/Port4B-2 
               
               
                 0x4 
                 Open 
                 Freq 3 
                 Enabled/Port4B-2 
               
               
                 0x5 
                 Closed 
                 X 
                 Disabled/Port4B-0 
               
               
                 0x6 
                 Closed 
                 X 
                 Disabled/Port4B-0 
               
               
                 0x7 
                 Closed 
                 X 
                 Disabled/Port4B-0 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Referring now to  FIG. 5A , the teachings of the disclosure can be implemented in a network interface  343  of a high definition television (HDTV)  337 . The HDTV  337  includes an HDTV control module  338 , a display  339 , a power supply  340 , memory  341 , a storage device  342 , the network interface  343 , and an external interface  345 . If the network interface  343  includes a wireless local area network interface, an antenna (not shown) may be included. 
     The HDTV  337  can receive input signals from the network interface  343  and/or the external interface  345 , which can send and receive data via cable, broadband Internet, and/or satellite. The HDTV control module  338  may process the input signals, including encoding, decoding, filtering, and/or formatting, and generate output signals. The output signals may be communicated to one or more of the display  339 , memory  341 , the storage device  342 , the network interface  343 , and the external interface  345 . 
     Memory  341  may include random access memory (RAM) and/or nonvolatile memory such as flash memory, phase change memory, or multi-state memory, in which each memory cell has more than two states. The storage device  342  may include an optical storage drive, such as a DVD drive, and/or a hard disk drive (HDD). The HDTV control module  338  communicates externally via the network interface  343  and/or the external interface  345 . The power supply  340  provides power to the components of the HDTV  337 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5B , the teachings of the disclosure may be implemented in a network interface  352  of a vehicle  346 . The vehicle  346  may include a vehicle control system  347 , a power supply  348 , memory  349 , a storage device  350 , and the network interface  352 . If the network interface  352  includes a wireless local area network interface, an antenna (not shown) may be included. The vehicle control system  347  may be a powertrain control system, a body control system, an entertainment control system, an anti-lock braking system (ABS), a navigation system, a telematics system, a lane departure system, an adaptive cruise control system, etc. 
     The vehicle control system  347  may communicate with one or more sensors  354  and generate one or more output signals  356 . The sensors  354  may include temperature sensors, acceleration sensors, pressure sensors, rotational sensors, airflow sensors, etc. The output signals  356  may control engine operating parameters, transmission operating parameters, suspension parameters, etc. 
     The power supply  348  provides power to the components of the vehicle  346 . The vehicle control system  347  may store data in memory  349  and/or the storage device  350 . Memory  349  may include random access memory (RAM) and/or nonvolatile memory such as flash memory, phase change memory, or multi-state memory, in which each memory cell has more than two states. The storage device  350  may include an optical storage drive, such as a DVD drive, and/or a hard disk drive (HDD). The vehicle control system  347  may communicate externally using the network interface  352 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5C , the teachings of the disclosure can be implemented in a network interface  368  of a cellular phone  358 . The cellular phone  358  includes a phone control module  360 , a power supply  362 , memory  364 , a storage device  366 , and a cellular network interface  367 . The cellular phone  358  may include the network interface  368 , a microphone  370 , an audio output  372  such as a speaker and/or output jack, a display  374 , and a user input device  376  such as a keypad and/or pointing device. If the network interface  368  includes a wireless local area network interface, an antenna (not shown) may be included. 
     The phone control module  360  may receive input signals from the cellular network interface  367 , the network interface  368 , the microphone  370 , and/or the user input device  376 . The phone control module  360  may process signals, including encoding, decoding, filtering, and/or formatting, and generate output signals. The output signals may be communicated to one or more of memory  364 , the storage device  366 , the cellular network interface  367 , the network interface  368 , and the audio output  372 . 
     Memory  364  may include random access memory (RAM) and/or nonvolatile memory such as flash memory, phase change memory, or multi-state memory, in which each memory cell has more than two states. The storage device  366  may include an optical storage drive, such as a DVD drive, and/or a hard disk drive (HDD). The power supply  362  provides power to the components of the cellular phone  358 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5D , the teachings of the disclosure can be implemented in a network interface  385  of a set top box  378 . The set top box  378  includes a set top control module  380 , a display  381 , a power supply  382 , memory  383 , a storage device  384 , and the network interface  385 . If the network interface  385  includes a wireless local area network interface, an antenna (not shown) may be included. 
     The set top control module  380  may receive input signals from the network interface  385  and an external interface  387 , which can send and receive data via cable, broadband Internet, and/or satellite. The set top control module  380  may process signals, including encoding, decoding, filtering, and/or formatting, and generate output signals. The output signals may include audio and/or video signals in standard and/or high definition formats. The output signals may be communicated to the network interface  385  and/or to the display  381 . The display  381  may include a television, a projector, and/or a monitor. 
     The power supply  382  provides power to the components of the set top box  378 . Memory  383  may include random access memory (RAM) and/or nonvolatile memory such as flash memory, phase change memory, or multi-state memory, in which each memory cell has more than two states. The storage device  384  may include an optical storage drive, such as a DVD drive, and/or a hard disk drive (HDD). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5E , the teachings of the disclosure can be implemented in a network interface  394  of a mobile device  389 . The mobile device  389  may include a mobile device control module  390 , a power supply  391 , memory  392 , a storage device  393 , the network interface  394 , and an external interface  399 . If the network interface  394  includes a wireless local area network interface, an antenna (not shown) may be included. 
     The mobile device control module  390  may receive input signals from the network interface  394  and/or the external interface  399 . The external interface  399  may include USB, infrared, and/or Ethernet. The input signals may include compressed audio and/or video, and may be compliant with the MP3 format. Additionally, the mobile device control module  390  may receive input from a user input  396  such as a keypad, touchpad, or individual buttons. The mobile device control module  390  may process input signals, including encoding, decoding, filtering, and/or formatting, and generate output signals. 
     The mobile device control module  390  may output audio signals to an audio output  397  and video signals to a display  398 . The audio output  397  may include a speaker and/or an output jack. The display  398  may present a graphical user interface, which may include menus, icons, etc. The power supply  391  provides power to the components of the mobile device  389 . Memory  392  may include random access memory (RAM) and/or nonvolatile memory such as flash memory, phase change memory, or multi-state memory, in which each memory cell has more than two states. The storage device  393  may include an optical storage drive, such as a DVD drive, and/or a hard disk drive (HDD). The mobile device may include a personal digital assistant, a media player, a laptop computer, a gaming console, or other mobile computing device. 
     Those skilled in the art can now appreciate from the foregoing description that the broad teachings of the disclosure can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this disclosure includes particular examples, the true scope of the disclosure should not be so limited since other modifications will become apparent to the skilled practitioner upon a study of the drawings, the specification, and the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7