Abstract: A method of data transmission according to one embodiment of the invention includes encoding a set of data values to produce a corresponding series of ordered n-tuples. The method also includes transmitting, according to the series of ordered n-tuples, a plurality of bursts over a plurality n of frequency bands. Specifically, for each of the plurality of bursts, a frequency band occupied by the burst is indicated by the order within its n-tuple of an element corresponding to the burst. A bandwidth of at least one of the plurality of bursts is at least two percent of the center frequency of the burst. Information is encoded into a polarity of at least one of the plurality of bursts.

Abstract: A wireless communication network comprises an association unit and a plurality of stations. At least part of the stations store association information indicative of an associated route for transmission of messages from the station to the association unit. The association information is generated by installing the stations in a not-associated state; transmitting association request messages from stations in the not-associated state; and transmitting association grant messages in response to the association request messages. Each association grant message is transmitted only from the association unit or, at least when the station that has transmitted association request message is outside a reception range of the association unit, from one of the stations that is in an associated state. Each station that has received the association grant message in response to its association request message is switched to the associated state.

Abstract: A data processing system includes a plurality of processing units coupled by a plurality of communication links for point-to-point communication such that at least some of the communication between multiple different ones of the processing units is transmitted via intermediate processing units among the plurality of processing units. The communication includes operations having a request and a combined response representing a system response to the request.

Abstract: A method in an Ethernet Bridge for improved load distribution in an Ethernet network that includes the Ethernet Bridge including determining a first set of one or more shortest paths between each Ethernet Bridge pair in the Ethernet network, selecting at least a first shortest path, calculating a link utilization value for each link of the Ethernet network, determining a second set of one or more shortest paths between each Ethernet Bridge pair in the Ethernet network, generating a path utilization value for each shortest path, selecting a second shortest path on the basis of said path utilization value, whereby the selection of the second shortest in light of path utilization minimizes the standard deviation of load distribution across the entire Ethernet network.

Abstract: A method and system for rerouting data over a local area network is provided. The method comprises defining at least one port group associated with a bridging device, each port group including interfaces linked to the bridging device. A plurality of statuses for each port group is defined, the status being dependent on the individual statuses of the interfaces linked to the bridging device. At least one target port associated with each port group, each target port relating to a path for data. The method further comprises defining an action for each status of a port group and monitoring the status of the interfaces forming part of each port group. In response to determining the status of a port group, triggering the predefined action associated with the port group status at one of the port group's target ports.

Abstract: Methods and systems for shielding layer two host addresses (e.g., MAC addresses) from a network are provided. According to one embodiment, a border component of a network of switches receives a first packet intended for a first host having a first L2 address and a first L3 address associated therewith. The first packet includes the first L3 address and a substitute L2 address as destination addresses. The substitute L2 address is associated with a communication channel of the border component. A data structure including information regarding an association between the first L3 address and the first L2 address is accessed by the border component. A determination is made that the destination L2 address for the first packet should be the first L2 address. A first updated packet is derived from the first packet by replacing the substitute L2 address with the first L2 address and sent to the first host.

Abstract: A network switch fabric is provided for a clustering system to facilitate flexibility of network-related interconnection selection and system scalability. The network switch fabric includes replaceable network switch(s) and network interface(s) selectively configured on a base board. Multiple types of interconnection protocols with similar characteristics will be able to implement on a common infrastructure of network switch fabric. A pass through card operating as a network interface is also applicable on the network switch fabric to directly connect with an external network. The pass through card allows the network switch fabric supporting the clustering system to be scalable, thereby capable of supporting a large-scale cluster computing.

Abstract: In a communication device for carrying out communications according to an Echonet protocol on a network of a prescribed network layer protocol, a prescribed bit sequence value of a network layer address or a datalink layer address of the communication device is set as a candidate for an Echonet address to be used in the Echonet protocol. Then, an inquiry packet for inquiring whether the prescribed bit sequence value is identical to the Echonet address used by each other communication device or not is transmitted, and the prescribed bit sequence value is determined as the Echonet address of the communication device when the prescribed bit sequence value is judged as not identical to any of Echonet addresses used by the other communication devices.

Abstract: The present invention may be related to a bridge for communications in a data communication system. The bridge may include a first interface, a second interface, a memory and a micro control unit. The first interface may be adapted to couple with a first computing device in the data communication system. The second interface may be adapted to couple with a second computing device in the data communication system. The memory may be adapted to store a set of codes sent from the first computing device via the first interface, wherein the set of codes is related to one of at least one function device of the first computing device. Moreover, the micro control unit may be configured to execute the set of codes for generating device information in a format consistent with a protocol type of the second interface. The device information may include parameters related to the one function device.

Abstract: A method and nodes are provided for localizing traffic between communication nodes receiving service from a same network. A local mobility anchor informs media access gateways providing access to two communication nodes of each other's addresses. Traffic exchanged between the two communication nodes connected to the same network via these media access gateways are routed directly between the gateways, bypassing the local mobility anchor.

Abstract: There is a need for increasing the availability of data and/or control commands in a distributed control system for one or more machines, vehicles and/or processes. The control system comprises or is controlled by a transmitting node or transmitter unit and has two or more receiving nodes. The transmitting nodes and receiving nodes are connected to each other via wireless radio links. The receiving nodes are located at a distance from each other and are connected to a few-wire digital link in a wired system for forwarding of the said data and/or control commands to the executing devices. The control node transmits the said data and/or the control commands in different directions towards the receiving nodes which are arranged at a distance from each other. Receiving nodes with reception that is essentially not subject to interference are arranged to be able to connect to the few-wire link in parallel and simultaneously with a receiver unit or units which have links that are connected to the few-wire link.

Abstract: At present, the existing mechanisms for authorizing a user of a service network operator to access a service provided by a third party service provider are valid for most of the existing services based on a request and an answer, but for transactional services, those where a service delivery implies several transactions, the existing techniques present serious limitations for the operators to fully control the progression of services. To overcome this limitation, the invention provides means and methods to control the progression of a service, service which requires a plurality of transactions, at a first domain where the service has been authorized while the user is using said service provided by a second domain, as well as a verification mechanism for verifying the use of the service between the service network operator and the service provider.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a bridge may receive a first convergence proposal on a root port from an upstream adjacent bridge of a computer network, and in response, may transmit a second convergence proposal downstream on each non-edge designated port of the bridge without syncing the non-edge designated ports. The bridge may then return a convergence agreement to the adjacent bridge in response to the non-edge designated ports having received a returned convergence agreement (or in response to having only edge designated ports). Also, according to embodiments, the adjacent bridge blocks a link to the root port until the convergence proposal(s) and agreement(s) travel end-to-end.

Abstract: The present invention provides a service node, which extends the services of a carrier's multimedia subsystem (MS), such as an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS), to enterprise networks in an efficient and effective manner. As such, MS subscribers gain access to enterprise services in addition to the carrier's services provided via the carrier's circuit switched subsystems (CS) and packet subsystems (PS). The service node acts as a liaison between enterprise application servers and the MS, such that the enterprise application servers appear as MS application servers to the MS. The service node provides user identifier and protocol translation between enterprise and MS user identifiers and protocols, respectively. As such, enterprise application servers can access the MS as well as be accessed by the MS to support user mobility, with continuity of services, between the enterprise and carrier networks.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for counting Media Access Control (MAC) address moves at line rate is described. According to one embodiment of the invention, a line card in a network bridge receives a frame at a port having a source MAC address that is associated with a different port of the network bridge. The line card signals a control card of the network bridge that the source MAC address has moved. The control card processes the source MAC address move and increments a MAC address move counter. If the MAC address move counter exceeds a MAC address move count threshold for a given time interval, the control card signals each line card in the network bridge to count each frame they receive on any port having that source MAC address. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.

Abstract: A process of using a cache of outgoing packet identifiers to recover from a protocol error includes assigning a receive identifier associated with a user entity to a traffic stream at a receive node. The receive identifier is sent to a transmit node. The transmit node is instructed to associate the receive identifier with a receive plurality of data packets of the traffic stream. The transmit identifier associated with the user entity is assigned to the traffic stream at the transmit node. The transmit node identifier, the receive node identifier, and the address of the receive node are stored in a transmit cache at the transmit node for each of the receive plurality of data packets. The receive plurality of data packets is sent from the transmit node to the receive node. An error message is received at the transmit node from the receive node, indicating that the receive identifier was not recognized.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a relay device includes an address management module which executes processing of acquiring a first physical address assigned to the relay device based on a sink device, processing of acquiring a second physical address assigned to the relay device based on another sink device, determination processing of determining, in the case where it is determined that the command needs to be transmitted to the other sink device, whether to perform conversion of the physical address included in a parameter in the other sink device, and conversion processing of converting, in the case where it is determined that the conversion of the physical address is not performed in the other sink device, the physical address included in the parameter into a physical address based on the other sink device using the first and second physical addresses.

Abstract: A communication system establishes a communication path between users through separate TDM nodes and a packet system. The communication system removes the packet system from the communication path during the communication session. To accomplish the removal, the communication system connects the separate TDM nodes within the TDM system and removes the portion of the communication path that traverses the packet system. If the packet system connects a service node to the communications path, then the communication system effectively removes the service node from the communications path during the session.

Abstract: To guarantee continuation of communications of the level of the applications, and implement smooth and seamless switching between communication terminals that execute the service.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is shown for communicating Fibre Channel frames between distinct fabrics. A proxy zone is established in each fabric with a physically present local device and a remote fabric device. A router creates a proxy device in each fabric for every device not physically connected to the fabric. The proxy devices appear to be directly attached to the router. The router handles all address translations between proxy and physical addresses. When multiple routers are encountered, the ingress router does all address translation. No routing or encapsulation headers are used except when routing between two routers. The source ID and the originator exchange identifier are stored at the egress router for all link requests that require special handling. When replies pass through that router, the destination ID and originator exchange identifier are compared with the stored information. On a match, the reply is specially handled.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer media for loading initial maximum transmission unit (MTU) information and determining a destination host PMTU are provided. PMTU is the maximum data unit size that can be transmitted from a source host to a destination host because of a limiting component located somewhere in the path. Initial MTU values are determined from local and network sources, including a central repository, and loaded. A PMTU is then determined for a path between a source host and destination host by selecting an MTU value from the available values. If no MTU values are available for a destination host, a default value is used.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are disclosed for enabling a virtual personalized network. Communications are established with a personal digital gateway to control access, sharing, security, and/or management of up-to-date personalized data exchanged between or among a plurality of associated communications devices and/or communications networks. The associated communications devices are owned, operated, and/or accessed by a common user.

Abstract: Provided is a home-network UMB system and a method thereof for providing interoperability between devices connected one another through different types of middlewares in a home network. The home-network UMB system includes: a bridge core for establishing/releasing a connection between bridge adaptors of different types of middlewares and analyzing/transferring a universal middleware message in order to interoperate devices connected through different types of middlewares existed on a home network; and a plurality of bridge adaptor for connecting the bridge core to a corresponding middleware, and finding/releasing different types of devices, controlling/monitoring different types of devices and registering/creating an event for different types of devices through transforming a universal middleware bridge message to a local message of each middleware and vice versa.

Abstract: Provided are a system and article of manufacture for bidirectional data transfer. In certain embodiments a link layer login is sent from a first port to a second port. Subsequently, an application layer login is sent from the first port to the second port to establish a first data path, wherein the first data path is from the first port to the second port. Subsequently, another application layer login is sent from the second port to the first port to establish a second data path, wherein the second data path is from the second port to the first port. In certain other embodiments, a first data path is established from a first port to a second port. A determination is made at the first port, whether the second port has a second data path established from the second port to the first port. An application layer logout is sent from the first port to the second port, in response to determining that the second port has the second data path established from the second port to the first port.

Abstract: A transparent PCI-based multi-host switch. A switch is configured with multiple north facing ports to couple the switch to multiple hosts. The multi-host switch can be included in a variety of switch configurations, including configurations having one multi-host switch, configurations having multiple multi-host switches, and configurations including one or more multi-host switches and one or more single host switches. The switch is designed to include controls to accurately route a packet through the switch.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to systems and methods for implementing telecommunications. More specifically, various embodiments of the present invention provide methods for interconnecting real-time communication links. Such methods include receiving the status of at least two communication links. The communication links may be established between endpoints and bridges in a network. One of the bridges associated with one of the communication links is selected to operate as a host bridge based at least in part on the status of the communication links. Then, after receiving the status from at least two of the communication links, the selected host bridge is automatically caused to initiate another communication link with at least another bridge associated with one of the aforementioned communication links.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for end-of-line monitoring of HFC networks by using a main tuner dedicated to receiving measurement requests from a network monitoring server via a DOCSIS downstream channel, and an auxiliary tuner used for the purpose of performing measurements of the downstream channel by analogue and digital measurement circuits. A cable modem is used to transmit measurement results to the server over a DOCSIS upstream channel. The addition of the auxiliary tuner, permits faster measurements to be performed by the EOL monitoring system and reported back to the server, thereby affording real-time remote testing and diagnostics.

Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed that enables layer two host addresses (e.g. a MAC addresses) to be shielded from a network. In one implementation, the mechanism updates each packet sent by the hosts into the network to indicate that the source layer two (L2) address for that packet is a shared L2 address instead of the actual L2 address of the sending host. By doing so, the mechanism exposes only the shared L2 address to the network, and shields the actual L2 addresses of the hosts from the network. The effect of this is that the switches in the network will need to store only the shared L2 address in their forwarding tables, not the actual L2 addresses of the hosts. By reducing the number of L2 addresses that need to be stored in the forwarding tables of the switches, the mechanism improves the scalability of the network.

Abstract: Provided is a transmission system with increased degree of freedom in a lane configuration, which corrects disalignment of data sequences in respective channels due to differences in arrival time, thereby freely changing a number of lanes. The transmission system includes: a transmitter; a relay; and a receiver, the transmitter inputting data to be transmitted to the receiver, the relay transmitting the data transmitted by the transmitter to the receiver, the receiver receiving the data transmitted by the relay. The transmitter inserts into the data sequences channel information indicating a channel to which the data sequence is to be output. The relay corrects, based on the channel information, disalignment in an order of arrival of the data sequences received via a plurality of channels, the disalignment being generated by the differences in arrival time of the data sequences among the channels.

Abstract: A method and system for bridging a call in a network as well as a bridged call are provided. A call is received via a network. The call is connected to a first destination. The call is then directed from the first destination to a second destination. Intermediate connection links connecting the network, the first destination, and the second destination are associated with a dialed number identification service (DNIS) label associated with the call. The call is selectively bridged from the network to the second destination via a virtual network by: analyzing the DNIS label associated with each intermediate communication link; determining that the analyzed DNIS labels identify the intermediate links as part of the same call flow; establishing a direct connection between the network and the second destination via the virtual network; and terminating at least one of the intermediate communication links.

Abstract: A system and method analyzes resource usage within a utility data center (UDC) and recommends options to maximize efficient usage of these resources. Information is gathered about the current resources allocated to control planes within the UDC, including resource loads and threshold limits within each plane. Criteria used to analyze efficiency includes customer size and prioritization within the UDC, as well as, historical and trending information, and peak resource usage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that includes processing for providing distributed communication routing that, in one embodiment, begins by obtaining registration information from a plurality of forwarding engines, for identifying the plurality of forwarding engines based on the registration information, for generating at least one specific forwarding table for at least one corresponding forwarding engine of the plurality of forwarding engines, and for forwarding the specific forwarding table to the corresponding forwarding engine. In an alternate embodiment, the processing determines internal routing connections and external routing connections for the plurality of forwarding engines after identifying the forwarding engines, generates at least one external forwarding table for at least some of the plurality of forwarding engines, and generates at least one specific internal forwarding table for a corresponding forwarding engine. The tables are forwarded to the corresponding forwarding engine or engines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and network element for scheduling data transmission in a packet data network, e.g. a differentiated services network. Data traffic of a predetermined traffic class is classified based on a predetermined traffic profile, e.g. responsive or non-responsive traffic, and an in-profile rate of the data traffic is estimated. Then, a weight determining a transmit order of queued data packets of said predetermined traffic class is adjusted according to the estimated in-profile rate. Thus, the data traffic is marked into different classes based on the traffic profile and a queue scheduler improves fairness between the classified flows in the packet data network. Thereby, enhanced fairness between traffic profiles can be achieved easily and effectively.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for managing domains are provided. The method of managing one or more domains performed by a domain manager located in a home network includes determining whether to register a first device located in the home network to a domain, and providing data required to share content between the first device and a second device registered to the domain according to the determination. In the method and apparatus, content can be shared by connecting the devices with one another including a user, and the burden of content providers for management can be reduced.

Abstract: A gateway is provided for automatically routing messages between buses, the gateway being connected to multiple communication components for temporarily storing and transmitting messages via these buses, and having a gateway control unit which is connected to the communication components via a system bus for the exchange of messages, and which receives notification from each communication component of the occurrence therein of a message to be routed as an external event. The gateway control unit has a vector memory which includes a first memory region for storing communication component vectors, a communication component vector being provided for each message group of a communication component, and the vector indicating the point in time of the next expected internal event for a message that is temporarily stored in the communication component, and indicating a vector jump address to a message vector which is stored in a second memory region of the vector memory.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for methods and apparatus for facilitating a secure connection between a first and a second node in a computer network where one or both of the nodes may or may not reside behind a network address translation (NAT) enabled gateway. Embodiments of the present invention provide a seamless integration by providing a uniform solution for establishing secure connections, such as IPSEC, between two nodes irrespective of whether they are behind a NAT-enabled gateway or not. In general, a gateway is operable to receive a request from a remote host for a secure connection to a local host that within the home network of the gateway. The gateway then forwards this received request to a NAT traversal service. The NAT traversal service receives the request and then automatically sends an initiation message to set up a secure session, e.g., performing authentication and exchanging keys.

Abstract: A method of controlling connection between nodes in a digital interface whereby a first node that is a master node determines a second node to be the master and controls a point-to-point connection or a broadcast connection to another node. The first node having the display device determines the second node to be the master in accordance with a user selection, and transmits a connection command of a predetermined format for transmitting a data stream to the second node. The second node determined as the master in accordance with the transmitted connection command of the predetermined format is allocated with a channel and a bandwidth from an isochronous resource manager (IRM), and performs a point-to-point connection between the second node and the first node to transit the data stream. Thus, the transmission/reception, reproduction, and control of the data stream of the program can be smoothly performed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a communication device including several external data sources, at least a local area network connecting peripherals, means enabling to establish connections between the local area network and the external data sources, means for controlling the incoming data from the external sources and for sending them to the local area network in order to reduce the bandwidth occupation on the local area network. The device also includes means for updating signalization tables included in the incoming data and means for inserting the modified signalization tables in the transport stream sent to the local area network. It is applicable to IEEE 1394 networks.

Abstract: A backbone network may include first and second border routers and a route reflector. The first border router may provide data connectivity between the backbone network and a first regional network. The first border router may be configured to receive a notification of a change in status of an edge router of the first regional network, and the notification may be received according to a first routing protocol. The first border router may be further configured to redistribute the notification of the change in status of the edge router from the first routing protocol to a second routing protocol with the first and second routing protocols being different. The second border router may provide data connectivity between the backbone network and a second regional network. The route reflector may be coupled between the first and second border routers, and the route reflector may be configured to transfer the redistributed notification from the first border router to the second border router.

Abstract: Provided is a bridge system of a high-speed PLC network and Ethernet. The bridge system includes a QoS control unit for controlling a QoS process of an entire bridge system; a flow managing unit for storing and managing connection information on a flow, QoS information required by each flow, and information required for executing a bridge function; a bridge QoS processing unit for allocating and managing internal resources of the bridge system and providing the QoS by controlling the QoS control unit and making reference to information stored in the flow managing; a PLC QoS processing unit for managing the QoS of the PLC network by control of the QoS control unit; and an Ethernet QoS processing unit for managing a link state of the Ethernet and providing the link state to the QoS control unit.

Abstract: A method for tracking a transmission status of one or more data elements to one or more devices. In one example, the method includes providing a list including one or more devices and one or more data elements; processing the list to determine a data element of the one or more data elements to transmit to a device of one of the one or more devices; and upon successfully transmitting the data element to the device, adjusting the list so that the list indicates that the device has received the transmitted data element. In this manner, the status of whether a particular data element has been sent to a particular device can be easily derived from the list.

Abstract: The invention is to solve the problem in that mutual communication between an IPv6-capble device and an IPv4-capble device has not been carried out in a system wherein the IPv6-capble device and the IPv4-capble device are mixed. An entry of a live list is retrieved when SM Device Annunciation is received from the IPv6-capble device, and a transmission IPv4 address is acquired from an IPv4 address pool if the entry is not found, thereby preparing translation rules so as to be stored in a translation rules storage section, while preparing an entry to be registered in the live list, whereby an IP address in a message is translated with reference to the translation rules. Further, a timestamp of the entry is updated every time when the SM Device Annunciation is received. Even if the address is contained in the message, the mutual communication between the IPv6-capble device and the IPv4-capble device can be carried out, and devices connected to the system can be controlled.

Abstract: A method and system for dial-up device (36) connection to a broadband facility (28) by way of a home gateway (10). The microcomputer (20) causes the dial-up modem (24) in the home gateway to serve as a host modem. The microcomputer (20) also implements the host portion of a log-in protocol that is expected by the dial up device, in this example the IRD's (34). Within the IRD (34) itself, a software download causes the dial-up modem in the IRD (34) to not go “off-hook” when starting a callback. The local office, i.e. the PSTN, will not recognize the start of a dial-up session and will not issue a dial tone. The home gateway 10 and the IRD's (34) will carry out a protocol that does not require the recognition of “off-hook”.

Abstract: The inventive method for reserving at least one node of a communication network like the Ethernet bus in the form of a predetermined fraction of the Ethernet bus bandwidth consists in circulating a token between the network nodes in such a way that they are enabled to successively transfer an Ethernet packet to a bus according to a given sequence which defines a chronological order for the token passage between nodes and in which a predetermined fraction of the bandwidth reserved for a network node corresponds in sequence to a certain number of passage occurrences of the token through the considered node. Said invention can be used for domestic communication networks like the Ethernet bus.

Abstract: A communication module system has an interface module for interconnection with at least one communication module, the interface module containing an input, via which the interface module receives first data and/or messages, a first transmission path and a second transmission path being provided in the interface module, a coupling element being provided in the second transmission path, which coupling element is implemented in such a way that the first data and/or messages are at least partially combined to form second data and/or messages.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for automatically probing endpoint in a network for performance and fault management is provided. The method may comprise receiving instructions to auto probe endpoints, the instructions comprising probe characteristics and endpoint indicators. The method may further comprise querying an information base to identify endpoints and to obtain information on the identified endpoints that conform to the endpoint indicators. Based on the instructions and the information obtained for the identified endpoints, one or more probe packets may be generating to be transmitted to the identified endpoints. The generated probe packets may further be scheduled for transmission to the identified endpoints. New endpoints may continue to get discovered based on a notification mechanism which exists. Likewise, endpoints leaving the discovery domain may be identified.

Abstract: When voice over Internet Protocol (IP) capabilities are added to a conventional network of voice switches, an IP network is normally used to replace individual trunks between voice switches and to replace telephone lines between telephones and their serving voice switches. As a result, calls across the upgraded network often pass across a series of IP hops. Accordingly, the problem of replacing a series of IP hops by a single hop, to avoid degradation of end-to-end voice quality due to repeated packetization/depacketization sequences and associated functions such as compression/decompression, is addressed.

Abstract: Limiting or controlling access to various services thereby performing a firewall function. An access router may permit or deny a packet based on at least a portion of a unique bit string (or context information) which replaced layer 2 header information (e.g., the layer 2 (e.g., MAC) address). Further, a particular quality of service may be indicated by at least a part of the unique bit string (or context information). The service provided to a group of customers, that group of customers being defined by at least a portion of the unique bit string (or context information), may be monitored. Multicast groups may be supported by checking at least a part of the unique bit string (or context information) to determine whether or not a customer associated with that port is permitted to join the multicast group.

Abstract: A method and system for routing traffic in a communication network is disclosed that may include assigning each node in a network a first subset of route repository nodes and a second subset of route repository nodes, querying the second subset of route repository nodes in order to obtain route information that is stored in the second subset of route repository nodes, computing route information by applying a route computation algorithm to the first subset of route repository nodes, and routing traffic in the communication network based on the route information obtained from the second subset of route repository nodes and the route information computed using the first subset of route repository nodes.

Abstract: An Ethernet controller, for use within an Ethernet network of other Ethernet controller connected together by a bus, is provided. The Ethernet controller includes a plurality of ports including at least one bus port associated with ports connected to other switching Ethernet controllers, a hash table for storing addresses of ports within the Ethernet network, a hash table address control, a storage buffer including a multiplicity of contiguous buffers in which to temporarily store said packet, an empty list including a multiplicity of single bit buffers, a packet storage manager, a packet transfer manager and a write-only bus communication unit. The hash table address control hashes the address of a packet to initial hash table location values, changes the hash table location values by a fixed jump amount if the address values stored in the initial hash table location do not match the received address, and provides at least an output port number of the port associated with the received address.