The multiple switch-connected token passing ring networks

A pairwise switch-connection mechanism for interconnecting multiple token passing ring networks is proposed. The total number of internetwork packet store-and-forwards occurring at the bridges can be significantly reduced under the new switching method. A simple scheduling algorithm is developed to guarantee non-overlapped pairwise connection among the interconnected ring networks. Easy network access can be achieved through the use of different types of free tokens and local timers. Only simple table look-up operation is needed for the internetwork address translation. Therefore, the internetwork packets can be routed efficiently. Finally, simulation results are provided to show the fair network throughput under such switch-connection approach.<>