Abstract: A uniform method for implementing multiple tunneling protocols in a switch or router is disclosed. The method is based on the realization that although the tunneling protocols are very different, they do share a similar overall structure which can be exploited to create a unified method of dealing with multiple protocols. By using similar data structures to implement multiple protocols, the invention makes data management and programming simple and, therefore, cost effective. According to the invention, all tunneling protocols are abstracted as the mapping of input L2 or L3 streams with output L2 or L3 streams. Mapping is provided by a finite set of tunnel interfaces. The tunnel interfaces map the input streams to output interfaces. As traffic streams flow through these interfaces, they are processed according to defined attributes of these interfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus for fast failure switch over in an ETHERNET switch includes redundant switch (trunk) ports (a main and a backup) and hardware and software logic for redirecting traffic to the backup port when the main port (or the link associated with it) fails. The switchover is immediate and is based on the content of a local status register which indicates the port (link) status. Thus, frames addressed to the dead port are redirected to the backup port and few frames are lost. The STP function may proceed concurrently and eventually no more frames are addressed to the dead port.

Abstract: An apparatus for fast failure switch over in an ETHERNET switch includes redundant switch (trunk) ports (a main and a backup) and hardware and software logic for redirecting traffic to the backup port when the main port (or the link associated with it) fails. The switchover is immediate and is based on the content of a local status register which indicates the port (link) status. Thus, frames addressed to the dead port are redirected to the backup port and few frames are lost. The STP function may proceed concurrently and eventually no more frames are addressed to the dead port.

Abstract: A uniform method for implementing multiple tunneling protocols in a switch or router is disclosed. The method is based on the realization that although the tunneling protocols are very different, they do share a similar overall structure which can be exploited to create a unified method of dealing with multiple protocols. By using similar data structures to implement multiple protocols, the invention makes data management and programming simple and, therefore, cost effective. According to the invention, all tunneling protocols are abstracted as the mapping of input L2 or L3 streams with output L2 or L3 streams. Mapping is provided by a finite set of tunnel interfaces. The tunnel interfaces map the input streams to output interfaces. As traffic streams flow through these interfaces, they are processed according to defined attributes of these interfaces.