System having central processor for transmitting generic packets to another processor to be altered and transmitting altered packets back to central processor for routing

An internetworking system for performing both routing and bridging functions to exchange packets of information between computer networks, said system comprising:

• a network interface module for connecting a computer network to said system, receiving packets from the computer network in a native packet format used by the computer network and converting each of the received native packets to a packet having a generic format common to all computer networks connected to said system, and converting each of said generic packet to the native packet format for transmission to the computer network,
• a communication channel for carrying said generic packets to and from said network interface module, said channel having bandwidth,
• a first processing module for controlling dynamic allocation and deallocation of said channel bandwidth to the computer network connected to said system via said network interface module,
• a second processing module for receiving all said generic packets put on said channel by said network interface module, determining whether each said generic packet needs to be routed or bridged to a destination network interface module, and transmitting those generic packets determined to need bridging to the destination network interface module via said channel,
• a third processing module for receiving each of said generic packets determined to need routing from said second processing module via said channel, altering those generic packets determined to need routing to contain appropriate destination information, and transmitting those altered generic packets back to said second processing module via said channel, and
• said second processing module also for receiving said altered generic packets, determining the destination network interface for each of said altered generic packets, and transmitting each of the altered generic packets to the destination network interface module.

An internetworking system for performing both routing and bridging functions, comprising:

• a network interface card for connecting a network to said system, receiving packets from the network in a native packet format used by the network and converting each received native packet to a packet having a generic format common to all networks connected to said system, and converting each said generic packet to the native packet format for transmission to the network,
• a bus for carrying said generic packets to and from said network interface card, said bus having bandwidth,
• a control processor for controlling dynamic allocation and deallocation of said bus bandwidth to the network connected to said system via said network interface card,
• a central switch processor for receiving all said generic packets put on said bus by said network interface card, determining whether each said generic packet needs to be routed or bridged to the destination network interface card, and
• a router engine for receiving and routing each said generic packet determined to need routing from said central switch processor via said bus, said router engine routing those generic packets received from said central switch processor by altering those generic packets to contain appropriate destination information and transmitting those altered packets to said central switch processor;
• said central switch processor also for receiving said altered generic packets and determining the destination network interface for each of said altered generic packets.