Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A network infrastructure comprises a number of connective devices (routers, repeaters, bridges, etc.) to form a communication network for a plurality of end nodes. Message packets originating with an end node are assigned an input virtual network and workgroup identification at the port at which the packet enters the network. This assigned input virtual network and workgroup identification is compared, at each port from which the packet can exit the network infrastructure, with output virtual network and workgroup identification assigned the particular port. If the input virtual network information does not match the output virtual network information, the packet is prohibited from exiting that port. Even if there is a match between the input and output virtual network information, there must also be a match between at least one bit of the input workgroup identification and the output workgroup identification before the packet can exit the port.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim