System and method for rapid peer node failure detection

摘要

A system and method for rapid peer node failure detection including a network switching unit that includes a network processing unit configured to receive and forward network traffic using one or more ports, a host CPU coupled to the network processing unit and configured to manage the network processing unit, a link controller coupled to the host CPU and configured to couple the network switching unit to a peer network switching unit using a management link, and a baseboard management controller (BMC) coupled to the host CPU and the link controller. The link controller is separate and independent from the network processing unit. The BMC is configured to monitor the host CPU and the network switching unit, detect a failure in the network switching unit, and notify the peer network switching unit of the detected failure using the management link.

主权项

1. A network switching unit in a network peer domain, the network switching unit comprising:
a network processing unit configured to receive and forward network traffic using one or more ports; a host central processing unit (CPU) coupled to the network processing unit and configured to manage the network processing unit; a link controller coupled to the host CPU and-configured to couple the network switching unit to a peer network switching unit using a management link, the link controller being separate and independent from the network processing unit; and a baseboard management controller (BMC) coupled to the host CPU and the link controller, during normal operation, the BMC being configured to:
monitor the host CPU and the network switching unit;detect a failure of the network switching unit;determine whether the failure results in a loss of an ability of the network switching unit to forward network traffic in accordance with configuration information; andwhen it is determined that the failure results in the loss of the ability of the network switching unit to forward network traffic in accordance with the configuration information, notify the peer network switching unit of the detected failure using the management link, wherein the peer network switching unit is configured to maintain operation of the network peer domain in response to the detected failure.