Invalidity dossier
US 5519695
Switch element for fiber channel networks
Current assignee: Brocade Communications Systems LLC
Added 9/23/2026, 3:38:26 PM
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Patent summary
Title, assignee, inventors, filing/issue dates, abstract, and a plain-language overview of the claims.
Patent Overview — US 5,519,695 A ("Switch element for fiber channel networks")
Bibliographic data (from source): Application US08/330,155; filed 1994-10-27; priority 1994-10-27; granted/published 1996-05-21. Inventors: Robin Purohit, Bent Stoevhase, Kumar Mallavalli. Original assignee Hewlett Packard Co. Current assignee listed as Brocade Communications Systems LLC. Legal status listed as Expired – Lifetime (anticipated expiration 2014-10-27). Classifications include H04L12/28, H04L12/2852 (metropolitan area networks) and H04L12/44 (star or tree networks).
Purpose: The invention provides a fiber optic switch element for a fibre channel network that permits selective interconnection of multiple fiber optic channels. It supports both circuit switching (Class 1: a dedicated path established before data transfer and maintained until an N‑port disconnects) and frame switching (Class 2: connectionless transfer with bandwidth allocated frame-by-frame). "Intermix" combines both, reserving the full channel for a Class 1 connection while allowing Class 2 traffic on unused bandwidth.
Plain-language scope of the described embodiment: The switch element comprises a switch module connected to a fabric port (F‑port) through a channel control box; the switch module allocates switching bandwidth and includes a main distribution network (MDN), an intermix distribution network (IDN), and a control distribution network (CDN). A path allocation system — described as a specialized multi-processor subsystem with an arbitrator and a scheduler — directs frames through the switch module; the scheduler keeps a destination queue per port, each queue entry identifying a source port and a buffer in receive memory. An element controller provides centralized fabric management. Ports correspond to the network's fiber optic channels, each port having a port intelligence mechanism (transmitter and receiver) within the channel control box, which also has a memory interface system with receive memory for temporarily storing incoming frames for Class 2 transfers and bypass paths for Class 1 transfers. The architecture is described as parallel, non-blocking, cross-point with centralized control.
Not established by the excerpt: the full text of the claims and their exact scope; the complete description and omitted figures; any prior-art analysis; ownership transfers or their effect; validity or enforceability; and any litigation. The excerpt also does not supply the cited ANSI Fibre Channel standard text or later family-member documents (CA 2153918 A1, EP 0711053 A1, JP H08265369 A).
Generated 10/1/2026, 9:51:26 PM
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Litigation summary
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Assignment history
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Prior art
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Extensions
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Derivative works
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