Patent ID: RE44151

Claim:
A generally full-wire throughput, switching Ethernet controller for use within an Ethernet network of other switching Ethernet controllers connected together by a bus, the controller comprising: a. a plurality of ports including at least one bus port associated with ports connected to other switching Ethernet controllers; b. a hash table for storing addresses of ports within said Ethernet network; c. hash table address control for hashing the address of a packet to initial hash table location values, for changing the hash table location values by a fixed jump amount if the address values stored in said initial hash table location does not match the received address, and for providing at least an output port number of the port associated with the received address; d. a storage buffer including a multiplicity of contiguous buffers in which to temporarily store said packet; e. an empty list including a multiplicity of single bit buffers; f. a packet storage manager for associating the state of the bit of a single bit buffer with the empty or full state of an associated contiguous buffer and for generating the address of a contiguous buffer through a simple function of the address or number of its associated single bit buffer; g. a packet transfer manager for directing said temporarily stored packet to the port determined by said hash table control unit; and h. a write-only bus communication unit, activated by said packet transfer manager, for transferring said packet out said at least one bus port by utilizing said bus only for write operations.