Importance

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Abstract

A buffered distributor having a plurality of network ports serving respective network nodes includes a distribution core having a filter for selectively supplying a data packet to a selected network port based on the destination address of the received data packet relative to the network address of the network node corresponding to the selected network port. The buffered distributor distributes the received data packet to all network ports. Each network port includes a transmit buffer that loads the distributed data packet in response to an enable signal from the distribution core. The filter logic outputs a filter signal that prevents generation of the enable signal for a selected transmit buffer if a review of the destination address indicates the distributed data packet is not relevant to the corresponding network port. The buffered distributor is particularly effective in a workgroup environment, where the buffered distributor will serve a plurality of clients, a server, and a predetermined network node such as a router or a switch, where it is desirable to limit client-server traffic from being unnecessarily transmitted to the switch or the router.

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First Claim