Multiple groups collectively relay method to be applied to the virtual LAN system and virtual LAN system

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To relieve a load of a repeater and an entire network by improving a distribution efficiency in frame transmission. ;SOLUTION: Only when a repeater 1 receives directly a frame from a sender network, the repeater 1 generates a group bit and a virtual LAN identifier representing one virtual LAN group or over being a transmission object based on a relation between a destination physical address included in the frame and a number of port receiving the frame and gives them to the frame and in the case of sending the frame directly to networks NW1-NWn connecting to destination stations 2-1 to 2-n, the group bit and the virtual LAN identifier are eliminated from the frame, and on the other hand, in the case of sending a frame indirectly to the networks NW1-NWn connecting to the destination stations 2-1 to 2-n via other repeater, the group bit and the virtual LAN identifier are kept in the frame.;COPYRIGHT: (C)2000,JPO