Importance

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Abstract

A method for handling data frames by a bridge between a first network which implements group addressing and a second network which implements functional addressing but does not permit multiple group addressing. A first memory within the bridge receives data frames from the first network and from the second network. The data frames each have a destination address. A system memory within the bridge includes an address table and a translation table. Each entry in the address table has a first field which is a destination address and a second field which indicates if the destination address addresses more than a single station. When the first memory receives from the first network a first data frame having a first destination address, a system processor within the bridge searches the address table for the first destination address to determine whether the first destination address addresses more than a single station. If so, the system processor searches the translation table for a first group address which matches the first destination address and substitutes for the first destination address a first functional address corresponding to the first group address before forwarding the first data frame on the second network.

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First Claim