Abstract: The disclosed apparatus includes a MAC learning table storing a MAC address and port identification information that uniquely identifies a port for transferring a frame to which the MAC address is assigned. The apparatus includes updating the MAC learning table, reading a MAC address of a link trace frame, transferring the link trace frame via a port determined based on the MAC learning table, storing a correspondence relationship of a predetermined MAC address and port identification information, saving a correspondence relationship set as an object to be deleted at a time of updating the MAC learning table, transferring the link trace frame, if there is no correspondence relationship relevant to the MAC address of the link trace frame in the MAC learning table, and sending a response frame to a switching hub which is an originator of the link trace frame with transfer of the link trace frame.

Abstract: In a data transmission method and apparatus which can perform a switchover of all of the main lines without requiring much construction cost, a transmission apparatus sets, upon frame transmission or reception, combinations of a plurality of main lines with virtual paths established so as to include at least a part of a bandwidth of the main lines in one or more protection lines as redundant configurations. Upon frame transmission, the apparatus copies frames received in the main lines, assigns identifiers of the redundant configurations to the copied frames, and transmits the copied frames to the virtual paths of the redundant configurations.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus includes a MAC learning table storing a MAC address and port identification information that uniquely identifies a port for transferring a frame to which the MAC address is assigned. The apparatus includes updating the MAC learning table, reading a MAC address of a link trace frame, transferring the link trace frame via a port determined based on the MAC learning table, storing a correspondence relationship of a predetermined MAC address and port identification information, saving a correspondence relationship set as an object to be deleted at a time of updating the MAC learning table, transferring the link trace frame, if there is no correspondence relationship relevant to the MAC address of the link trace frame in the MAC learning table, and sending a response frame to a switching hub which is an originator of the link trace frame with transfer of the link trace frame.

Abstract: In a data transmission method and apparatus which can perform a switchover of all of the main lines without requiring much construction cost, a transmission apparatus sets, upon frame transmission or reception, combinations of a plurality of main lines with virtual paths established so as to include at least a part of a bandwidth of the main lines in one or more protection lines as redundant configurations. Upon frame transmission, the apparatus copies frames received in the main lines, assigns identifiers of the redundant configurations to the copied frames, and transmits the copied frames to the virtual paths of the redundant configurations.

Abstract: A layer 2 switch includes a first control unit for, when receiving a frame broadcast-transferred in a layer 2 switch located on a transmission source terminal side, if a destination MAC address included in the frame has already been learned and a transmission source MAC address has not been learned, transmitting a virtual response frame supposing a response frame to be originally transmitted from a destination terminal, from a port that has received the frame, and a second control unit for discarding the virtual response frame received from a layer 2 switch located on the destination terminal side.