US5729685A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for determining the topology of an ATM network or the like Via communication of topology information between a central manager and switches in the network over a virtual service path
Assignee: Nortel Networks NA Inc
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Filing: 1996-09-13
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Granted: 1998-03-17
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Expires: 2016-09-13
Abstract
Abstract An asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network or the like employing a method and apparatus for automatically determining the topology of the network is described. The method and apparatus provides for each switch in the network transmitting on each of its ports link advertisement messages (without processing intervention by intermediate switches). The link advertisement messages are received by neighbor switches and forwarded to a topology manager. The topology manager constructs network topology profile information based on received link advertisement messages. Further, the topology manager is able to verify bidirection links based on the received link advertisement messages.
Inventors
- 👤 Dilip Chatwani
- 👤 Rajan Subramanian
- 👤 Winnis Chiang
- 👤 Jonathan Davar
- 👤 Ayal Opher
- 👤 Shiva Sawant
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 09:16
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L49/00; H04L49/10; H04L49/104; H04L49/105; H04L41/00; H04L41/12; H04L41/32; H04L45/00; H04L45/02; H04L45/10; H04L45/42; H04L49/25; H04L49/253; H04L49/254; H04L49/255; H04L61/00; H04L61/09; H04L61/10; H04L61/50; H04L61/5007; H04L61/5061; H04L61/5076; H04Q; H04Q11/00; H04Q11/04; H04Q11/0428; H04Q11/0478; H04L12/00; H04L12/54; H04L12/56; H04L12/5601; H04L2012/5619; H04L2012/5625; H04L2012/5626; H04L2012/5629; H04L2012/563; H04L2101/00; H04L2101/60; H04L2101/604; H04L41/40; H04L49/30; H04L49/3009; H04L49/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
An apparatus for determining topology of a switching network, said apparatus comprising: (a) a central manager coupled in communication with a first switch over a first virtual service path and a second switch over a second virtual service path; (b) said first switch switching network topology information transmitted from said second switch over said first virtual service path; and (c) said second switch switching network topology information transmitted by said first switch over said second virtual service path.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
78 words
An apparatus for determining topology of a switching network, said apparatus comprising: (a) a central manager coupled in communication with a first switch over a first virtual service path and a second switch over a second virtual service path; (b) said first switch switching network topology information transmitted from said second switch over said first virtual service path; and (c) said second switch switching network topology information transmitted by said first switch over said second virtual service path.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus as recited by claim 1 wherein said first virtual service path is routed through said second switch to said central service manager.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus as recited by claim 2 wherein said first virtual service path comprises a meta-path and a meta-topology channel coupling said first switch in communication with said second switch and a topology service channel coupling said first switch in communication with said central service manager.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus as recited by claim 3 wherein said first virtual service path further comprises a virtual path coupling said first switch in communication with said central service manager.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus as recited by claim 1 wherein said network topology information comprises link advertisement messages.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus as recited by claim 5 wherein said link advertisement messages are transmitted periodically.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus as recited by claim 6 wherein said second switch comprises a switch fabric and a switch controller and said link advertisement messages are translated by said switch fabric without intervention from said switch controller.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus as recited by claim 8 wherein said link advertisement messages include a message header area and an information field and said switch fabric alters said message header area prior to forwarding said link advertisement messages to said central management supervisor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus as recited by claim 1 wherein said first virtual service path passes through at least one intermediate switch between said first switch and said central service manager.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus as recited by claim 1 wherein a link advertisement message comprises network topology information including information identifying the switch number of the originating switch and the port number on which said link advertisement message was transmitted on by said originating switch.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said switching network is an ATM network.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-03-16 | 2001-09-15 | 2002-03-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-03-16 | 2005-09-15 | 2006-03-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-03-16 | 2009-09-15 | 2010-03-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |