(19)

(11)

EP 0 972 382 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 19.01.2000 Bulletin 2000/03 (21) Application number: 98912116.5 (22) Date of filing: 27.03.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: H04L 12/56, H04Q 11/04 (86) International application number: PCT/US9806/199 (87) International publication number: WO 9843/395 (01.10.1998 Gazette 1998/39)

(84) Designated Contracting States: DE FR GB (30) Priority: 27.03.1997 US 825201 27.03.1997 US 826235 (71) Applicant: CABLETRON SYSTEMS, INC. Rochester, NH 03867 (US)	(72) Inventor: CHARNEY, Anna Sudbury, MA 01776 (US) (74) Representative: Driver, Virginia Rozanne et al Page White & Farrer54 Doughty Street London WC1N 2LS London WC1N 2LS (GB)