| 摘要 |
<p>A method and apparatus for adapting existing packet-switched LAN infrastructures (e.g. packet-switched Ethernet) so as to be able to provide reserved-bandwidth virtual-circuit switching services in addition to their conventional capabilities. A centralized control point is incorporated within the infrastructure, preferably via a firmware upgrade to an existing enterprise-class switch, that maintains a map of paths between endstations in the network, as well as the bandwidth capabilities of all links and switches along the paths. When a virtual circuit connection between endstations is requested, the centralized control point determines whether the requested bandwidth is available all along the path. If so, the resources along the path are reserved for the connection. Existing switches in the LAN infrastructure are adapted to give priority to packets belonging to the connection, thereby providing the desired QoS for that connection.</p> |
