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Abstract

A novel system and method of automatically detecting a change in network node connection in a multiport data switching system having receive ports for receiving data packets from network nodes, and a decision making engine for controlling data forwarding. Data blocks representing received data packets are placed in data queues corresponding to the receive ports. The data queues are transferred to logic circuitry for processing in accordance with a predetermined algorithm. This processing includes automatically detecting a change in connection between at least one of the network nodes and at least one of the receive ports, based on a search of an address table having address information relating to the receive ports. The address table may be searched for an address entry having a source address and VLAN address information that match a source address and VLAN address information of the received data packet. Receive port data written in the address entry having matching address information are checked to determine whether these data identify a receive port arranged in the same trunk as the receive port, from which the data packet is transferred. The address entry is automatically updated with new information, if the receive port identified in the address entry and the actual receive port are in different trunks.

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First Claim