Abstract: A switch for use in a virtual area network communications system having multiple local area networks interconnected by multiple switches which are connected by a trunk having one or more trunk stations connected directly thereto, includes a first communications port, i.e., an access port, which connects to a first local area network. The first local area network is configured within a virtual area network which also includes a second local area network and a trunk station. The switch also includes a second communications port, i.e. a trunk port, connected to the trunk to which the trunk station is connected by another trunk port.

Abstract: A switch is provided for use in a virtual communications system having multiple local area networks interconnected by multiple switches through a trunk, which has one or more trunk stations connected directly thereto. The switch includes a first communications port connected directly to a first local area network and a second communications port connected directly to the trunk. The first local area network is within a virtual area network configured to include a second local area network and a trunk station. A switch control detects a communication from the first local area network having a multicast address representing desired destination addresses. The switch control appends a VLAN header having a destination address different than but corresponding to the multicast address to the communication to form a VLAN communication and directs transmission of the VLAN communication to the second communication port for delivery to the multicast addressees.

Abstract: A switch is provided for use in a communications system for transmitting traffic from a first user to a second user. The first and the second users are interconnected by a primary communications path and a redundant communications path. The switch includes a first port configured to receive hello communications indicative of a proper operation of the primary communications path and a second port for receiving data communications. A switch control monitors the receipt of the hello communications, directs the forwarding of received data communications up to a threshold capacity and, if the received data communications exceed the threshold capacity, drops at least a portion of the received data communications such that forwarded data communications are below the threshold capacity.

Abstract: A switch is provided for use in a communications system for transmitting traffic from a first user to a second user. The first and the second users are interconnected by a primary communications path and a redundant communications path. The switch includes a first port configured to receive hello communications indicative of a proper operation of the primary communications path and a second port for receiving data communications. A switch control monitors the receipt of the hello communications, directs the forwarding of received data communications up to a threshold capacity and, if the received data communications exceed the threshold capacity, drops at least a portion of the received data communications such that forwarded data communications are below the threshold capacity.

Abstract: A switch is provided for use in a virtual communications system having multiple local area networks interconnected by multiple switches through a trunk, which has one or more trunk stations connected directly thereto. The switch includes a first communications port connected directly to a first local area network and a second communications port connected directly to the trunk. The first local area network is within a virtual area network configured to include a second local area network and a trunk station. A switch control detects a communication from the first local area network having a multicast address representing desired destination addresses. The switch control appends a VLAN header having a destination address different than but corresponding to the multicast address to the communication to form a VLAN communication and directs transmission of the VLAN communication to the second communication port for delivery to the multicast addressees.

Abstract: A switch for use in a virtual communications system having multiple local area networks interconnected by multiple switches includes a first communications port connected to a network resource and a second communications port connected to other switches in the virtual communications system. A control console detects a communication from the resource to an addressee. The addressee is a member of a local area network within one or more virtual networks which exclude the network resource. The local area network is interconnected to the second communications port by another switch. The control console appends a privileged header to the communication which is detected by the other switch. Responsive to detection of the privileged header the other switch directs the communication to the local area network.