Network connection device, switching circuit device, and method for learning address

A method for learning an address, the method being executed by a network connection device including a processor and a switch, the processor executing a management program for performing a process of learning a specified address, the switch outputting a packet received from a primary port out of plural ports to a secondary port, the switch managing a table capable of storing an entry, the entry including a specific address of a specific device connected to a specific port out of the plural ports, status data indicating whether the specific address has been learned, and an identifier of the specific port, the method comprising:

• generating, by the switch, a first entry of the table in the absence of a first address in the table,
• the first address being included in a first packet received from a first port as a source address,
• the first entry including
• the first address,
• first status data indicating that the processor is learning the first address, and
• a first identifier of the first port;
• requesting the processor to learn the first address in the absence of the first address in the table;
• withholding requesting the processor to learn a second address upon receiving a second packet from the first port,
• the second packet including the second address as a source address,
• the second address being included, along with second status data indicating that the processor is learning the second address, in a second entry of the table;
• and
• updating the first status data to indicate that the processor has learned the first address, in response to a request from the processor.

A switching circuit device for outputting a packet received from a primary port out of plural ports to a secondary port, the switching circuit device comprising:

• a storage for storing a table capable of storing an entry, the entry including
• a specific address of a specific device connected to a specific port out of the plural ports,
• status data indicating whether the specific address has been learned by a processor for executing a management program for performing a process of learning a specified address, and
• an identifier of the specific port;
• and
• a manager configured to
• generate a first entry of the table in the absence of a first address in the table,
• the first address being included as a source address in a first packet received from a first port,
• the first entry including
• the first address,
• first status data indicating that the processor is learning the first address, and
• a first identifier of the first port,
• request the processor to learn the first address in the absence of the first address in the table,
• withhold requesting the processor to learn a second address upon receiving a second packet from the first port,
• the second packet including the second address as a source address,
• the second address being included, along with second status data indicating that the processor is learning the second address, in a second entry of the table, and
• update the first status data to indicate that the processor has learned the first address, in response to a request from the processor.