Abstract: A bridge has a shared forwarding database and a plurality of ports. The bridge handles data associated with multiple virtual local area networks (VLANs). The shared forwarding database includes static entries for one or more devices which belong to multiple VLANs. Upon receiving data addressed to one of the one or more devices the bridge determines that the data should be source routed by retrieving the static entry from the shared forwarding database. The bridge then selects a bridge port to which the data should be forwarded on the basis of information in the data, such as a VLAN ID field.

Abstract: A virtual LAN (VLAN) has a number of segments connected by a connection-based network. A method for providing differentiated service to frames having different user priorities in a VLAN carries frames associated with different user priorities over different channels in the connection-based network. The connection-based network may be an ATM network in which channels are specified by a connection identifier which may comprise a VPI/VCI pair. A bridge according to the invention has one or more bridge ports. Each of the bridge ports may be associated with a VPI. The bridge ports may each be associated with a plurality of service interfaces each capable of terminating a connection in the connection-based network. The service interfaces may each be associated with a VCI. Priority tagged frames received at the bridge port are mapped to service interfaces on the basis of their user priorities.

Abstract: A bridged virtual LAN (VLAN) has a number of segments connected by a connection-based network such as an ATM network. Multicast data originating in a first one of the segments is carried to two or more other segments by a point-to-multipoint virtual channel configured in the connection-based network. A separate point-to-point virtual channel may be provided for other data and bidirectional control signals. The segments may be ethernet segments with data flow over the point-to-multipoint virtual channel being unidirectional. Ethernet frames may be carried by a protocol such as AAL5.

Abstract: A virtual LAN (VLAN) has a number of segments connected by connections in a connection-oriented network. The topology of the VLAN is defined by a spanning tree. Cell sources on the connections send continuity checking cells in a direction toward the spanning tree root to corresponding cell sinks. The cell sinks can trigger a change in the topology of the VLAN if the reception of continuity checking cells is interrupted. The connection-oriented network may be an ATM network. The continuity checking cells may be OAM cells.

Abstract: A virtual LAN (VLAN) has a number of segments connected by connections in a connection-oriented network. The topology of the VLAN is defined by a spanning tree. Cell sources on the connections send continuity checking cells in a direction toward the spanning tree root to corresponding cell sinks. The cell sinks can trigger a change in the topology of the VLAN if the reception of continuity checking cells is interrupted. The connection-oriented network may be an ATM network. The continuity checking cells may be OAM cells.

Abstract: A bridge has a shared forwarding database and a plurality of ports. The bridge handles data associated with multiple virtual local area networks (VLANs). The shared forwarding database includes static entries for one or more devices which belong to multiple VLANs. Upon receiving data addressed to one of the one or more devices the bridge determines that the data should be source routed by retrieving the static entry from the shared forwarding database. The bridge then selects a bridge port to which the data should be forwarded on the basis of information in the data, such as a VLAN ID field.

Abstract: A virtual LAN (VLAN) has a number of segments connected by a connection-based network. A method for providing differentiated service to frames having different user priorities in a VLAN carries frames associated with different user priorities over different channels in the connection-based network. The connection-based network may be an ATM network in which channels are specified by a connection identifier which may comprise a VPI/VCI pair. A bridge according to the invention has one or more bridge ports. Each of the bridge ports may be associated with a VPI. The bridge ports may each be associated with a plurality of service interfaces each capable of terminating a connection in the connection-based network. The service interfaces may each be associated with a VCI. Priority tagged frames received at the bridge port are mapped to service interfaces on the basis of their user priorities.

Abstract: A bridged virtual LAN (VLAN) has a number of segments connected by a connection-based network such as an ATM network. Multicast data originating in a first one of the segments is carried to two or more other segments by a point-to-multipoint virtual channel configured in the connection-based network. A separate point-to-point virtual channel may be provided for other data and bidirectional control signals. The segments may be ethernet segments with data flow over the point-to-multipoint virtual channel being unidirectional. Ethernet frames may be carried by a protocol such as AAL5.