| 摘要 |
An arrangement controls a plurality of nodes in a network to establish a spanning tree, with controlled fan-out, which may be used, inter alia, for efficient transmission of link state protocol message packets thereamong. Each node in the network has an associated node identifier, each node further having a plurality of ports each connected to a respective one of the communication links. The arrangement includes a port communication value generator and a spanning tree establishment element. The port communication value generator is configured to generate a communication cost value associated with respective ones of the ports, the communication cost value being reflective of a communication cost associated with a path to an assumed spanning tree root node and a path selection discouragement value associated with the respective port. The spanning tree establishment element is configured to enable the nodes to establish a spanning tree in relation to the identifiers associated with the nodes and communication cost values assigned to the ports. The selection of the particular path discouragement selection value in connection with respective ports of a node renders it more or less likely that a path from neighboring nodes through the node through those ports will be included in the spanning tree, thereby controlling fan-out of the spanning tree at that node. |
