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US5337309A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Port arrival identification for computer network packets

Assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
•
Filing: 1993-07-09
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Granted: 1994-08-09
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Expires: 2013-07-09
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Abstract

Abstract A multiple port network device, connected to a network, detects and records over which port of the multiple port network device other network devices communicate with the multiple port network device. A table is maintained in a memory. The table has entries which identify by which port of the multiple port network device other network devices communicate with the multiple port network device. The table is updated by monitoring packets received by the multiple port network device. When a packet is received by the multiple port network device, a port number over which port the multiple port network device received the packet is determined. Also, a source address of a network device from which the packet originated is determined. When the source address is not listed in the table, the table is updated with an entry for the source address which includes the port number.

Inventors

  • 👤 Robert L. Faulk, Jr.

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-26 17:42
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L43/00; H04L12/00; H04L12/28; H04L12/44

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim 226 words
Within a multiple port network device connected to a network, a method for detecting and recording by which port of the multiple port network device other network devices communicate with the multiple port network device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) maintaining a table in a memory, the table in the memory having entries which identify by which port of the multiple port network device other network devices communicate with the multiple port network device; (b) updating the table only when the multiple port network device does not handle a predetermined number of packets without entering an idle state, the table being updated by the following substeps: (b.1) monitoring packets received by the multiple port network device; (b.2) when a packet is received by the multiple port network device, performing the following substeps: (b.2.1) determining a port number over which port the multiple port network device received the packet, (b.2.2) determining a source address of a network device from which the packet originated, and (b.2.3) when the source address is not listed in the table, updating the table with an entry for the source address which includes the port number; and, (c) when the multiple port network device handles a predetermined number of packets without entering an idle state, continuing to receive packets by the multiple port network device and suspending updating of the table.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 226 words
Within a multiple port network device connected to a network, a method for detecting and recording by which port of the multiple port network device other network devices communicate with the multiple port network device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) maintaining a table in a memory, the table in the memory having entries which identify by which port of the multiple port network device other network devices communicate with the multiple port network device; (b) updating the table only when the multiple port network device does not handle a predetermined number of packets without entering an idle state, the table being updated by the following substeps: (b.1) monitoring packets received by the multiple port network device; (b.2) when a packet is received by the multiple port network device, performing the following substeps: (b.2.1) determining a port number over which port the multiple port network device received the packet, (b.2.2) determining a source address of a network device from which the packet originated, and (b.2.3) when the source address is not listed in the table, updating the table with an entry for the source address which includes the port number; and, (c) when the multiple port network device handles a predetermined number of packets without entering an idle state, continuing to receive packets by the multiple port network device and suspending updating of the table.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 180 words
Within a multiple port network device connected to a network, an apparatus comprising: memory means for storing in a table entries which identify by which port of the multiple port network device other network devices communicate with the multiple port network device; monitoring means for determining port numbers which identify over which port the multiple port network device receives a packet; source identification means for identifying a source address of a network device from which the packet originated; table updating means, coupled to the memory means, monitoring means and source identification means, for, when the source address is not listed in the table, updating the table with an entry for the source address which includes the port number; and, disable means, coupled to the table updating means, for disabling the source identification means and the table updating means when the multiple port network device handles a predetermined number of packets without entering an idle state, the disable means operating to disable the source identification means and the table updating means while the multiple port network device continues to receive packets.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 180 words
Within a multiple port network device connected to a network, an apparatus comprising: memory means for storing in a table entries which identify by which port of the multiple port network device other network devices communicate with the multiple port network device; monitoring means for determining port numbers which identify over which port the multiple port network device receives a packet; source identification means for identifying a source address of a network device from which the packet originated; table updating means, coupled to the memory means, monitoring means and source identification means, for, when the source address is not listed in the table, updating the table with an entry for the source address which includes the port number; and, disable means, coupled to the table updating means, for disabling the source identification means and the table updating means when the multiple port network device handles a predetermined number of packets without entering an idle state, the disable means operating to disable the source identification means and the table updating means while the multiple port network device continues to receive packets.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 31 words
An apparatus as in claim 2 wherein the disable means includes: counting means for incrementing a count upon the multiple port network device handling consecutive packets without entering an idle state.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4627052A Cited
US4905232A Cited
US4996524A Cited
US5218603A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1997-08-08 1998-02-07 1998-08-09 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2001-08-08 2002-02-07 2002-08-09 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2005-08-08 2006-02-07 2006-08-09 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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