Abstract: A computer implemented method and apparatus are provided for transferring data in a logical partitioned data processing system. A receiving adapter receives data from a network. The receiving adapter transfers the data to a pre-mapped buffer if the data is to be sent to a target adapter. A virtual bridge receives the pre-mapped buffer from the receiving adapter and transfers the pre-mapped buffer to the target adapter. The target adapter receives the pre-mapped buffer from the virtual bridge and determines that the received buffer is pre-mapped. The target adapter accesses the pre-mapped buffer using pre-mapped mapping, and transmits the data contained therein.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transparent wireless bridging of communication channels are provided. A plurality of wireless bridge devices are each deployed on a wired communication channel segment and listen for traffic to build a table of MAC addresses for the network devices on each respective segment. The bridges also collectively form a wireless mesh network and publish the MAC addresses on the wireless mesh network so each bridge receives MAC address information for every segment. Accordingly, a sending device on a first segment sends a communication to a target device on a second segment. The respective first bridge passes the communication along through the wireless mesh network to the respective second bridge and the first bridge also sends an acknowledgement to the sending device on behalf of the target device.

Abstract: An extension to the Universal Serial Bus (USB) protocol that utilizes reserved bits in the OHCI Endpoint Descriptors to signal which root hub port(s) should transmit the data. Typically, all ports transmit (broadcast) data. The present invention encodes transmission information that can be used by the hardware to effectively control which port(s) need to be tri-stated. However, by setting, the “on” bits for all the ports, the present invention retains standard USB functionality. Also provided is a method to increase the bandwidth of low speed devices connected to the USB bus by increasing the data payload for such devices.

Abstract: Methods, parallel computers, and computer program products are disclosed for low latency, high bandwidth data communications between compute nodes in a parallel computer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to obtain a statistic multiplexing effect in an image transmission system using terminals stipulated by H.310 of an ITU-T recommendation. In a network including a first local area ATM network, a second local area ATM network and a public ATM network connected to the first and second ATM local area networks, multiplex gateway devices are interposed between the local area ATM networks and the public ATM network, respectively. The multiplex gateway apparatus includes ATM transmission line units 21 to 23 for calculating statistic information represented by a mean rate and a peak cell rate of ATM cells in the transmission ATM signal. A statistic multiplexing control unit 24 conducts rate addition after statistic multiplexing according to the statistic information and determines the rate addition result.

Abstract: A system and method which enables a provider network to run a loop detection protocol in a customer network communicably coupled to it. The provider network runs a loop detection protocol and the customer network either runs a different protocol or none. The provider network determines its root bridge, or designated customer bridge, which is used to control loop detection decisions for the customer network. A BPDU or other protocol packet received from the customer network is tunneled through the provider network to the designated customer bridge. The designated customer network then processes the received BPDU in accordance with a loop detection instance for the customer network. The designated customer bridge then produces control messages in response to the processing and forwards those messages to the customer network. The control messages may include port state controls for ports in the customer network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to enable a plurality of standard USB peripheral devices, utilizing the USB specification, to be distributed at various nodes across a network, wherein communications across the network may take advantage of any pre-existing network connectivity of a standard, non-modified USB host computer. In particular, a reflector function is added in order to reflect data communications towards a pre-existing transceiver. As a result, the host computer establishes a first profile and second profile for data communication purposes, and uses these profiles to communicate across the network using pre-existing data communication components.

Abstract: A test device and a test method, the test device comprising a bus controller for the transmission and reception of bus messages, the bus controller having a message memory for offering transmission data for bus messages, the message memory having a memory capacity for a bus message sequence with bus messages to be transmitted within a single transmission cycle or a transmission cycle sequence. The test device includes an intermediate memory for the storage of transmission data for bus messages with a larger storage capacity than the message memory. The test device furthermore comprises a transmission preparing means for reading transmission data from the intermediate memory and for writing, in advance of reading of the bus controller, to the message memory of the bus controller so that the bus message sequence is expanded by additional bus messages which are transmitted by the bus controller within the transmission cycle or the transmission cycle sequence on the motor vehicle bus.

Abstract: A gateway device is disclosed which processes only really necessary information for gatewaying and thereby prevents unnecessary increases in communication traffic on a communication bus to which data is sent through the gatewaying. When it is judged that the contents of received data concern a command that does not need gatewaying, the processing for gatewaying is inhibited. When it is judged that the contents of the received data show information that should be processed for gatewaying only when there is a change in the contents, the contents are compared with the latest contents of the same kind of information stored in a memory, to determine whether there is a change in the contents, and the processing for gatewaying is inhibited when it is determined that there is no change.

Abstract: A VoIP ready computer system includes a housing having an integrated audio communications device holder adapted to receive an audio communications device. The housing includes a portion adapted to contain processing circuitry operable to execute programs and a storage device coupled to the processing circuitry. The storage device stores a VoIP program and other general purpose programs for execution by the processing circuitry. An audio communications device is removably positioned in the audio communications device holder and is coupled to the processing circuitry. The audio communications device is operable to communicate audio signals during execution of the VoIP program.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gateway device, a network system and a data converting method using a plurality of network protocols different from each other. A gateway device includes a first communication controller connected to first device via a first bus in accordance with a first network protocol to exchange data with the first device in accordance with the first network protocol, a second communication controller connected to second device via a second bus in accordance with a second network protocol different from the first network protocol to exchange the data with the second device in accordance with the second network protocol, and a control unit interconverting the data in accordance with the first network protocol and the data in accordance with the second network protocol into each other so that the data is exchanged between the first device and the second device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the routing of multimedia communication related signaling in a communication system. In the method a signaling message is received to a first network node. The signaling message provides an identity associated with a user. A hash key is computed from the identity. The hash key is matched to a number of key ranges, each key range being associated with a network node. A second network node is determined by detecting that said hash key belongs to the key range of the second network node. A signaling message is provided to the second network node. Subscriber data associated with the identity is obtained in from the second network node. The signaling message is processed in the second network node based on information in the subscriber data.

Abstract: A system for management of storage devices includes compatibility with either or both of COM/RS232 port and USB port connectivity using, for example, Fibre Channel (FC) signal transmission. A USB to serial RS232 bridge device allows a storage processor (SP) to communicate with an COM/RS232 port of a universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART) coupled to downstream disk array enclosures (DAEs) to provide DAE management information without the need to modify the connection of the switch to the DAEs, which may include FC interconnects. The output from an COM/RS232 port on an SP interface and the RS232 output on the USB to Serial bridge device may be muxed at the UART, and the output signal therefrom diplexed with a high frequency differential signal and transmitted to one or more of the downstream DAEs as an FC diplexed signal.

Abstract: Methods and systems provide an asymmetric Ethernet service. An Ethernet network transports Ethernet frames over an asymmetric connection to a point of service for a subscriber located remotely from the Ethernet network, and the Ethernet connection is asymmetric in that the effective data transfer rates for uploading and downloading of data over the Ethernet connection are different. The subscriber may then have Ethernet capable network devices such as routers and computers linked to the point of service so that data transfer between the network devices of the subscriber and the Ethernet network occurs over the asymmetric Ethernet connection. The Ethernet network allows for communication between the network devices of the subscriber and any desired Ethernet network resources, such as network resources located on the Ethernet network or resources of downstream networks such as the global Internet that are available through the Ethernet network.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed which provide wireless communication systems implementing subsystems adapted for flexible deployment configurations and to resist the introduction of interference. Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a wireless communication system configuration in which an ODU subsystem is coupled to an IDU subsystem using a fiber optic link. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an ODU subsystem is adapted to provide conversion between digital and analog to thereby facilitate the use of a digital link between the ODU subsystem and a corresponding IDU subsystem. Embodiments of the present invention utilize a plurality of ODU subsystems configured according to the present invention to provide wireless communication coverage of a service area, such as to provide a wireless application termination system (WATS) hub for use in providing wireless communication links with respect to a plurality of subscriber units.

Abstract: A media and speed independent system for transmitting data to an external device includes a physical layer device (PHY). A rate adaptation layer (RAL) module that communicates with said PHY. A physical extension module that communicates with said RAL module and with the external device using a physical extension interface.

Abstract: Methods and systems for load sharing signaling messages at the MTP level are disclosed. When a signaling message is received, it is determined whether the signaling message includes a routing indication indicating route-on-point-code-subsystem-number. If the routing indicator indicates route-on-point-code-subsystem-number, it is determined whether the signaling message belongs to an MTP level 3 load sharing group. If the signaling message belongs to an MTP level 3 load sharing group, the signaling message may be routed to any of the point codes in the MTP level 3 load sharing group. Routing the signaling message to a point code in the MTP level 3 load sharing group may include replacing the destination point code in the signaling message with the destination point code of the node to which the signaling message is to be routed. Once the point code has been replaced, the signaling message is routed to the destination associated with the point code.

Abstract: In a communication system having a plurality of physical communication ports, a hierarchical bond communication interface has a logical interface as a component of the bond at a top level of the hierarchy, and a first subjugate logical interface at a second level of the hierarchy as a component of the top-level logical interface. The communication system has a control mechanism whereby thresholds may be set to determine up or down status of hierarchical bonds for use in communication, according to characteristics of components of the bonds.

Abstract: A network architecture for implementation in a vehicle is described that comprises an Ethernet gateway module (EGM) and network interface module (NIM). The EGM comprises an Ethernet switch and router therein and is configured to provide an open data network (ODN) connection to the network architecture for a plurality of open data network devices. The NIM is configured to provide an isolated data network and comprises an Ethernet switch to connect a plurality of secure devices to an isolated data network (IDN), the secure devices related to operation and navigation of the vehicle, a router and a gateway/router. The router is configured to interface the IDN to the open data network connections and comprises a packet filtering function to determine which, if any, data from the ODN may be passed through to the IDN and applied to operation and navigation of the vehicle via the secures devices connected to the IDN.

Abstract: A household gateway subsystem, the subsystem comprises: a host device, for connecting an external network with the interior of the household, and controlling various information appliances in the household based on a digital bus; a user operating device, for communicating with the host device via a digital bus interface, and providing various user operating interfaces and control units. A digital household system is also provided, the system comprises: a household gateway subsystem, connected with an external communicating network by IP access; the household gateway subsystem comprises: a host device; a user operating device, for communicating with the host device via a digital bus interface; a number of wireless signal transceivers, connected with the host device of the household gateway subsystem.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accessing a virtualized storage volume are described. At least one volume map is copied to a virtualization switch prior to an application requesting access to a storage volume via the virtualization switch, where the volume map facilitates mapping the storage volume access request to an appropriate physical storage device and is copied from a source external to the virtualization switch.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable medium for performing network system diagnostics is provided. The method includes obtaining a respective identification of a first target device and a second target device deployed in a network; iteratively querying neighbor devices of at least one node in a communications path between the first and second target devices, wherein the neighbor devices and the first and second target device may comprise heterogeneous network nodes; and generating a layer 2 path trace that comprises identification of network devices interconnected on a physical path between the first and second target devices. A computer-readable medium includes instructions for execution by a processing system, wherein the instructions are configured to perform the foregoing method. A system includes a data processing system including a processor device for executing a diagnostics engine implemented as a set of computer-executable instructions configured to perform the foregoing method.

Abstract: Groups of network devices may be identified automatically based on interface tags associated with network device interfaces such that network devices within a group are automatically identified, periodically or otherwise, based on an association of one or more common interface tags between the group and the network device interface.

Abstract: Systems, methods, devices and techniques can be used in networks including resilient packet ring networks and other types of ring topology networks to accelerate the learning of bridge/client mapping information. Once certain bridge/client mapping information is learned, and indicator can be set to cause subsequent transmissions to particular clients to be flooded to all stations on a ring network instead of being transmitted directly to the target station. Additionally, forced flooding can be triggered at regular or irregular intervals to further enhance the learning process.

Abstract: A field bus device (2) having a control unit (18), at least one field bus port (6, 13) for connecting the control unit (18) to a field bus (7, 4), and having a serial interface (11) for the data connection of the field bus device (2) to a configuration device (12) is described. The field bus device (2) has a web server platform (14) implemented in it which can be addressed using the TCP/IP protocol, wherein the web server platform (14) is set up to configure the field bus device (2). The field bus device (2) has a protocol converter (15) for converting the data transmission protocol for the serial interface (11) to the TCP/IP protocol and vice versa such that the configuration device (12) can use the web server platform (14) for access using data packets which are transmitted via the serial interface (11) and which are based on the TCP/IP protocol.

Abstract: In a token bus system a node with the token can transmit on the bus a packet that contains two destination addresses. One address specifies the node that should receive the data component (payload) of the transmitted packet. The other address specifies the node that should receive the token. The network protocol specifies that a node with the token must immediately transmit a packet containing just the token or a packet with token and data if it has data to send. When no data is being passed from one node to another on the network, the token may be passed from one node to the next in order. Each node will pass the token to the next highest node number. If a node has the token has some data for sending it transmits a packet with the token for the next node and data for any of the nodes. The bus system requires every node to receive all packets and process them to determine whether the token or the data (or both) is destined for that node.

Abstract: A relay unit capable of inquiring of a DNS comprises: an inquiry section which transfers an acquisition request of a transmission destination terminal address, sent from a transmission source terminal, to the DNS, and acquires the transmission destination terminal address and a transmission destination label corresponding to the transmission destination terminal address and transmission destination terminal; a label creation section which creates a unique relay label; a label storage section which correlates the created relay label to the acquired transmission destination terminal address and transmission destination label, and stores thus obtained label; a label transmission section which transmits the relay label and a private address of the relay unit to the transmission source terminal; and a determination section which, if a packet containing the relay label is received from the transmission source terminal, determines that the transmission destination terminal address and transmission destination label

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for handling persistent reservations. More particularly, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a routing device that routes commands from multiple initiators to a target device can assert reservations for the initiators using its own reservation key rather than a reservation key provided by an initiator. The routing device can further maintain a registry of keys for multiple initiators that access the target device through the routing device. For a persistent reservation command received using a persistent reservation key in the registry, the routing device can forward the command to the target device server using the routing device's key. Thus, reservations for the multiple initiators will be held using the routing device's key. For persistent reservation commands received from initiators registered with the routing device, the routing device can handle conflict resolution and other persistent reservation processing.

Abstract: A bridging system, comprising bridges 3, 4 and network 5, is arranged to transfer data using TCP/IP or similar between a local Storage Area Network (SAN) 1 and a remote SAN 2. In one embodiment, the bridge 3 is arranged to transfer data from a plurality of ports 12-1˜12-n in a periodic sequence. While an acknowledgement from SAN 2 for data transferred from one port 12-1 data is awaited, further data can be transferred using one or more of the remaining ports 12-2˜12-n. In other embodiments, one or more parameters, such as number of ports, Receive Window Size etc., can be optimised using artificial intelligence (AI) routines in order to control the data transfer rate between the bridges 3, 4. The bridging system may be configured to perform a self-learning routine on installation and, in some embodiments, to compile and consult a knowledge base storing optimum configurations for transferring data packets having different attributes by simulating data transfers.

Abstract: A mechanism for changing ownership over the physical power to a blade server in a blade center chassis that prevents a malfunctioning blade from jeopardizing other components in the chassis. When the management module is not present, control over power to the blade is switched to a service processor on the blade. This arbitration of control over power to a blade is accomplished by implementing a watchdog timer mechanism. The management module is responsible for tickling the watchdog timer when the present in the chassis and operating normally. This mechanism provides the management module with control over power. If the management module malfunctions or is removed, control over power is switched to the local service processor on the blade server as soon as the watchdog timer is not tickled.

Abstract: A method is provided for transmitting a packet including information describing a bus transaction to be executed at a remote device. A bus transaction is detected on a first bus and a network packet is generated for transmission over a network. The network packet includes an opcode describing the type of bus transaction. One or more control signals of the bus transaction map directly to one or more bits of the opcode to simplify decoding or converting of the bus transaction to the opcode. The packet is transmitted to a remote device and the bus transaction is then replayed at a second bus. In addition, the packet includes a data field having a size that is a multiple of a cache line size. The packet includes separate CRCs for the data and header. The packet also includes a transaction ID to support split transactions over the network. Also, fields in the packet header are provided in a particular order to improve switching efficiency.

Abstract: A system for, and method for, performing state-based signaling on behalf of a stateless client. In one embodiment, the system includes a controller, couplable to a state-based terminal, that translates at least one stateless signaling message received from the stateless client to at least one state-based signaling message for presentation to the state-based terminal thereby facilitating a media stream communications session between the stateless client and the state-based terminal over an Internet Protocol (IP)-based network.

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: A method and system for dynamic call type detection for circuit and packet-switched networks. A network endpoint, such as a gateway, will receive an incoming signal and make an examination of the signal to detect characteristics of the signal. Upon detection of a characteristic of the signal, the gateway will generate a data packet, identifying the characteristic, and send the packet to a receiving network endpoint. The initial gateway will continue to examine the incoming signal and continue to send packets identifying characteristics of the signal as more characteristics are detected. The receiving gateway may then begin reproducing the signal in part by generating a signal that has the characteristics as indicated by the data packets. Once the initial gateway no longer receives the incoming signal, and determines that an event has occurred, the gateway will send a packet to the receiving gateway to inform it of the event.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for facilitating the handoff of a mobile terminal from a first access device in a first network to a second access device in a second network. Prior to performing a handoff operation, the first access device inquires as to whether the mobile terminal is authorized to be handed off to the second access device and, in response thereto, completes the handoff. If the mobile terminal is not authorized to be handed off to the second access device, the handoff operation is inhibited, preferably without using any radio frequency resources of the second access device.

Abstract: To eliminate interruption of a service used by a user and reset of communication caused by switching of an operating server such as a process migration or the like. On receiving a session migration start request, server/network cooperation control means 2 issues an operating server-switching control start notification to an operating server switching control means 3 (step S702). On receiving the operating server switching control start notification, the operating server switching control means 3 switches an operating server. Next, on receiving an operating server switching control completion notification, the server/network cooperation control means 2 sends a connection destination target network-switching request to a connection control means 4 (step S707).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an Ethernet-capable field-bus device that can be connected to an arbitrary Ethernet-based communications unit by means of which data is transmitted using a predetermined communications protocol stack. For this purpose, a network management channel is initially established between the Ethernet-capable field-bus device (50) and a management device (30) connected to the communications network (20) using an Ethernet-based network management protocol that is installed both in the field-bus device (50) and also in the management device (30). The communications protocol stack installed in the management device (20) is then transmitted using the predetermined network management protocol from the management device (30) to the Ethernet-capable field-bus device (50), where it is stored.

Abstract: The invention relates to a routing facility (1) for a subsea electronics module (7), comprising on a single circuit board (2) means (5) for routing data packets between segments of a differential serial bus, and at least one input/output interface (14, 15, 16) for digital and/or analogue process values, wherein said process values are accessible via said differential serial bus.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for routing a multimedia message sent by a user agent to one of a plurality of multimedia message service centers, the user agent applying a pre-determined determined destination address to the multimedia message. The multimedia message is received at the pre-determined destination address, a target multimedia message service center is selected and the multimedia message is forwarded to the target multimedia message service center. Routing is based on address information contained in the multimedia message, session identification information associated with the multimedia message, load-balancing and fault-tolerance information associated with each one of the plurality of multimedia message service centers, service identifying information contained in the multimedia message and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A system and method creates multiple, symmetric spanning trees within a network. Bridges within the network generate, send and process Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) control messages that are updated as they are propagated across the network to reflect the paths followed by the messages. The bridges, moreover, utilize the path indication value of received STP control messages to compute the spanning trees. The path indication values are preferably derived from the sum of Bridge Identifiers (IDs) corresponding to the bridges through which the STP control message has passed from the root bridge to the current bridge processing the STP control message. Each bridge also tags newly received messages with the Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) identifier (VID) associated with the spanning tree for which the bridge is the root, thereby causing the messages to follow more optimal paths through the network.

Abstract: Low communication latency, low cost and high scalability can be achieved by allowing PCI or PCI-X or PCI Express for connectivity between computers or embedded systems and network switches and for connectivity between network switches. These technologies can also be used for interconnecting storage area network switches, computers and mass-memory controllers. PCI Express root bridges in computers or embedded systems can be connected directly to network switch ports.

Abstract: A solution is provided for controlling universal serial bus (USB) messages between a plurality of host computers and a USB device. First and second USB servers may communicate with first and second host computers, respectively. A USB client may then communicate with the USB device. A first control path between the USB client and the first USB server and a second control path between the USB client and the second USB server may be established. Then a first data transfer path may be established between the USB client and the first USB server, the first data transfer path enabling the sending of data between the USB client and the first USB server over a data network. Then a busy message may be sent from the USB client to the second USB server over the second control path when the first data transfer path is established with the first USB server.

Abstract: An audio management apparatus manages simultaneous streams of packet-switched audio data for a network conference tool, and allows the combining of conferences that are not co-located. The apparatus uses at least two audio bridges, each of which receives audio inputs from a plurality of local connection points, does mixing of the audio data for each local connection point and provides the audio outputs thereto. Also provided is a communications link between the two audio bridges, and each of the audio bridges creates an audio mix from its local connection points and outputs it over the communications link to the other audio bridge. Each bridge may treat the audio data from the other audio bridge as it does any other call. In this way, the combining of the two conferences is accomplished in a simple and straightforward manner.

Abstract: A mobile communication method for performing communications between an originating terminal and a terminating terminal through a radio access network and a core network, includes: sending a bearer setup request, in the originating terminal, to a first session control device controlling a location area of the originating terminal, the bearer setup request requesting to set a bearer for the communications between the originating terminal and the terminating terminal; and performing a process of sending a communication start request for the terminating terminal in response to the bearer setup request in parallel with a process of commanding a bearer setup device to set the bearer, in the first session control device.

Abstract: A subscriber of a communication system includes a microprocessor, at least two communication controllers and a peripheral bus. The microprocessor is connected to the communication controllers via the peripheral bus and is also connected via the communication controllers respectively to a communication link of the communication system, via which messages are transmitted. In order to optimize the gateway functionality within the subscriber, a provision is made that at least one of the communication controllers has an active interface via which the communication controller is connected to the peripheral bus and has a logic circuit for independently implementing a gateway functionality.

Abstract: A method is provided for transmitting a packet including information describing a bus transaction to be executed at a remote device. A bus transaction is detected on a first bus and a network packet is generated for transmission over a network. The network packet includes an opcode describing the type of bus transaction. One or more control signals of the bus transaction map directly to one or more bits of the opcode to simplify decoding or converting of the bus transaction to the opcode. The packet is transmitted to a remote device and the bus transaction is then replayed at a second bus. In addition, the packet includes a data field having a size that is a multiple of a cache line size. The packet includes separate CRCs for the data and header. The packet also includes a transaction ID to support split transactions over the network. Also, fields in the packet header are provided in a particular order to improve switching efficiency.

Abstract: A transmitter forms each subcarrier group of only frequency locations of subcarriers to which at least one pilot signal is allocated, and conducts transmission by allocating a macro-diversity signal into the subcarrier group and allocating a non-macro-diversity signal to other frequencies (outside the subcarrier group). As for the macro-diversity signal, a receiver conducts channel estimation on the basis of the pilot signal in the same subcarrier group as the macro-diversity signal. As for the non-macro-diversity signal outside the subcarrier group, the receiver conducts channel estimation on the basis of the pilot signal, and results of channel estimations of the macro-diversity signal and other non-macro-diversity signals.

Abstract: A relay device 10 is a relay device for relaying a communication message on a packet-by-packet basis, which comprises an order determiner 13 for determining whether a packet received is one received in an order to be received, a packet holder 14 for, when it is determined that the packet is not one received in the order to be received, holding the packet, and for performing such a control as to relay the packet, a merger 15 for merging a payload of the received packet with a payload of the held packet, a verifier 16 for verifying whether a payload of a packet satisfies a predetermined rule, and a relay controller 17 for, when a packet satisfies the rule, performing such a control as to execute relay of the packet. This prevents an increase of a communication delay and enables detection of an irregular communication message in an application layer protocol, irrespective of types of protocols.

Abstract: There is provided with a bridging device that is connected to a first and a second network, including: a connection detecting unit that detects an appliance on the second network; a state holding unit that holds either a first or a second state; an arbitration unit that determines that the detected appliance is subjected to bridging processing in a case where the second state is held by the state holding unit, and, determines whether the detected appliance is subjected to the bridging processing on the basis of a predetermined confirmation condition where the first state is held by the state holding unit and, in a case where it is determined that the appliance is subjected to the bridging processing, sets the state holding unit in the second state; and a bridging unit that subjects the appliance, which is determined to be subjected to the bridging processing, to the bridging processing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for prioritizing source Media Access Control (MAC) address miss processing is described. In one embodiment of the invention, a network bridge receives multiple frames (each including a source MAC address) at multiple ports of multiple line cards. If a source MAC address of a received frame is associated with a different port than which it was received on, the network bridge places a source MAC miss message in a high priority MAC move miss queue. If a source MAC address of a received frame is not associated with any of the ports of the network bridge, the network bridge places a source MAC miss message in a low priority unknown MAC miss queue. The network bridge processes those source MAC miss messages in the high priority queue with a higher priority than processing those source MAC miss messages in the low priority queue.