Abstract: A multi-port packet-based bridge is described in which packet transmissions on particular ports or between ports may be monitored on another, monitoring port. Efficient operation is realized by using a multi-processor environment and data structures that allow a packet received on one port to be transmitted to multiple ports without being “copied” multiple times. By using a Supervisory Access Terminal, it is possible to specify various circumstances under which a packet will be sent to the monitoring port. These circumstances include monitoring of all packets incoming to a selected port (or ports), all packets forwarded to a selected port (or ports), and packets generated internally and sent to a selected port (or ports). In addition, all packets forwarded from one selected port to another selected port may be monitored.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 12, 1996
Date of Patent:
April 8, 2003
Assignee:
Marconi Communications Technology, Inc.
Inventors:
Manohar Murthy, John F. Wakerly, Arthur I. Laursen