Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating and managing databases in routers of a routing network. The databases store link state packets, each packet being originated by nodes in the network, and transmitted to other nodes through the network. Each packet contains data identifying its originating node, a sequence number in a linear space indicating its place in the sequence of packets generated by its originating node, and an age value indicating the time remaining before it expires. The contents of the databases are updated by newly received packets. In addition, the nodes themselves are reset if the packets currently in the network have later sequence numbers than new packets. Also, a mechanism is provided to purge the databases of packets from a given router by issuing a purging packet.

Abstract: A method for improving communications in a bridge network between end nodes involving sensing trunking configurations and executing binding schemes to make certain daughter bridges involved in the trunking conditions behave as a plurality of bridges and forward messages in the correct time sequence. This can be done by creating "forwarding groups" associating different groups of networks connected to those daughter bridges.