초록 ▼

A local area network switch includes input and output ports for receiving and transmitting broadcast and unicast data transmissions from and to corresponding network stations and a crosspoint switch for selectively routing data transmissions between the ports. All input ports have one connection to

A local area network switch includes input and output ports for receiving and transmitting broadcast and unicast data transmissions from and to corresponding network stations and a crosspoint switch for selectively routing data transmissions between the ports. All input ports have one connection to the crosspoint switch for forwarding incoming broadcast and unicast data transmissions to the crosspoint switch. Each output port has a unique unicast link to the crosspoint switch for receiving unicast transmissions directed solely to its corresponding network station. All output ports also share a second broadcast link to the crosspoint switch for receiving broadcast transmissions directed to all network stations. The crosspoint switch routes each unicast transmission from an input port only to the appropriate output port via the output port's unicast link and routes broadcast transmission from an input port to all output ports via the common broadcast link. Each output port can receive and store both unicast and broadcast transmissions routed concurrently through the crosspoint switch and can thereafter forward the stored transmissions sequentially to its corresponding network station.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A network switch for routing unicast and broadcast data transmissions between network stations, wherein each unicast data transmission is directed to a selected one of said network stations and wherein a broadcast data transmission is directed to a plurality of said netwo

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A network switch for routing unicast and broadcast data transmissions between network stations, wherein each unicast data transmission is directed to a selected one of said network stations and wherein a broadcast data transmission is directed to a plurality of said network stations, the network switch comprising:routing means including a plurality of input lines for receiving unicast and broadcast data transmissions, a plurality of output lines, and a broadcast line, for selectively routing a unicast data transmission arriving on any one of said input lines to any one of said output lines and for routing a broadcast data transmission arriving on any one of said input lines to said broadcast line;a plurality of input ports each connected to a corresponding one of said input lines and to a corresponding one of said network stations for receiving unicast and broadcast data transmissions from the corresponding network station and for forwarding the received data transmissions to said routing means via the corresponding input line; anda plurality of output ports, each connected to a corresponding one of said output lines for receiving unicast data transmissions routed thereto by said routing means, each connected to said broadcast line for receiving broadcast data transmissions routed thereto by said routing means, and each forwarding received unicast and broadcast data transmissions to a corresponding one of said network stations wherein each of said output ports comprises means connected to the broadcast line and to the output port's corresponding output line for concurrently receiving and storing broadcast and unicast data transmissions routed thereto.