EP0243590A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Method and apparatus for establishing a limited broadcast path within an interconnection network
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1987-02-03
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2007-02-03
Abstract
Abstract A method for configuring/reconfiguring a limited broadcast route within a bridge-connected network. The method includes an algorithm, which configures a minimum spanning tree route. A source node generates and transmits a search frame with indicia set to a value representative of a configuration time. Each bridge in the network receives the frame and determines if the setting of the indicia matches the setting of a time code in said bridge. If there is a match, the bridge discards the frame. Otherwise, the frame is forwarded and the bridge is characterized as a limited broadcast (LB) bridge. The process is repeated at subsequent bridges until a leaf bridge is determined. Thereafter, broadcast messages are permitted to advance through the LB bridges.
Inventors
- 👤 Seymour Bederman
- 👤 Richard Michael Willett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 17:29
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L45/00; H04L45/26; H04L12/00; H04L12/28; H04L12/46; H04L12/4637; H04L45/02; H04L45/04; H04L45/16; H04L45/48
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
In a communication network wherein a plurality of communications facilities are interconnected by a plurality of bridges and each facility having a plurality of DTEs connected thereto a method for determining a limited broadcast path within said network comprising the steps of: (a) generating and transmitting from a control DTE connected to a first facility a first message having a first identification sequence and an indicia set to a first code; (b) receiving the first message at bridges connected to the first facility; (c) examining the first code to determine if it correlates with a state code at the bridge's outboard ports; and (d) discarding said first message only if the codes match or generating and retransmitting another message with the first identification sequence and the indicia set to the first code only if the codes are different.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
In a communication network wherein a plurality of communications facilities are interconnected by a plurality of bridges and each facility having a plurality of DTEs connected thereto a method for determining a limited broadcast path within said network comprising the steps of: (a) generating and transmitting from a control DTE connected to a first facility a first message having a first identification sequence and an indicia set to a first code; (b) receiving the first message at bridges connected to the first facility; (c) examining the first code to determine if it correlates with a state code at the bridge's outboard ports; and (d) discarding said first message only if the codes match or generating and retransmitting another message with the first identification sequence and the indicia set to the first code only if the codes are different.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method set forth in claim 1 further including the steps of (e) receiving the message of step (d) at the inboard ports of bridges connected to the facility on which the bridges output ports are connected; and (f) performing steps (c) through (f) at each of all other bridges in said network receiving the retransmitted message having the identification sequence and the indicia set to said first code.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
116 words
The method of claim 2 further including the steps of (g) generating, at each of the bridges that retransmit the message with the first identification sequence, a second message having a second identification sequence and a code representing an action to be taken; (h) transmitting the second message to the upstream bridge from which it had received the first message with the first identification sequence; (i) receiving the second message at the upstream bridge; (j) examining the code to determine the action to be taken; and (k) repeating steps (g) through (j) until the transmitting bridge in step (h) does not receive the second message thereby indicating it to be the leaf bridge in said network.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 3 further including the steps of: generating and transmitting from said leaf bridge to a remote DTE a third message informing said remote DTE of its status as the leaf bridge; receiving the third message at said remote DTE; and thereafter utilizing it to perform RAS functions within said network.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method set forth in claim 2 wherein the indicia includes a bit whose setting alternates between an even and an odd value for consecutive generation of the first message.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
111 words
The method of claim 5 further including the steps of: generating, at each bridge receiving the first message, a fourth message having a fourth identity sequence and the indicia set to the first code; transmitting said fourth message to a known set of bridges on a common communications facility; receiving the fourth message at the known set of bridges; at each bridge in the set, determining the source which generates and transmits said fourth message; setting a control latch to the value of the code in said fourth message only if the message originated from said bridge, otherwise performing priority determination mode to identify a limited broadcast bridge from said set.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
146 words
In a communication network wherein a plurality of communications facilities are interconnected by a plurality of bridges and each facility having a plurality of DTEs connected thereto an apparatus for determining a limited broadcast path within said network comprising: (a) means for generating and transmitting from a control DTE connected to a first facility a first message having a first identification sequence and an indicia set to a first code; (b) means for receiving the first message at bridges connected to the first facility; (c) means at each bridge for examining the first code to determine if it correlates with a state code at the bridge's outboard ports; and (d) means for discarding said search messages only if the codes match or generating and retransmitting another message with the first identification sequence and the indicia set to the first code only if the codes are different.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
146 words
In a communication network wherein a plurality of communications facilities are interconnected by a plurality of bridges and each facility having a plurality of DTEs connected thereto an apparatus for determining a limited broadcast path within said network comprising: (a) means for generating and transmitting from a control DTE connected to a first facility a first message having a first identification sequence and an indicia set to a first code; (b) means for receiving the first message at bridges connected to the first facility; (c) means at each bridge for examining the first code to determine if it correlates with a state code at the bridge's outboard ports; and (d) means for discarding said search messages only if the codes match or generating and retransmitting another message with the first identification sequence and the indicia set to the first code only if the codes are different.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of Claim 7 wherein the indicia includes a logical bit whose state is changed between sequential isuance of the first message.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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