System and method for a pass thru mode in a virtual chassis system

摘要

A virtual chassis system includes a plurality of network nodes connected by virtual fabric link (VFLs) that provide a connection for exchange of packets between the network nodes. A network node in the virtual chassis system is operable in a pass thru mode. In pass thru mode, the network node receives packets over a VFL and transparently forwards the packet over another VFL to another network node in the virtual chassis system. However, the network node 110 disables other port interfaces, such as port interfaces connected to external nodes from the virtual chassis system. The network node 110 in pass thru mode is operable to receive management commands over one or more VFLs and can still be managed through management commands.

主权项

1. A network node operable in a virtual chassis system, comprising:
one or more network interface modules operable to:
receive data packets from one or more external nodes through one or more external port interfaces;modify the data packets to generate packets with prepended headers, wherein the prepended headers include destination chassis identifiers; andtransmit the packets with prepended headers to one or more of a plurality of network nodes in the virtual chassis system over one or more virtual fabric links (VFL), wherein the plurality of network nodes are operably coupled by the plurality of VFLs; at least one management module operable to:
receive a pass thru command, wherein the pass thru command includes a pass thru chassis identifier;configure the network node to a pass thru mode in response to the pass thru command, wherein a first chassis identifier of the network node is reconfigured to the pass thru chassis identifier;disable the one or more external port interfaces from receiving data packets from the one or more external nodes;enable at least two or more of the plurality of VFLs coupled to the network node for transmission of packets with prepended headers;determine another network node of the plurality of network nodes has a duplicate operational chassis identifier as the first chassis identifier of the network node based on a plurality of prioritized parameters; anddetermine whether the network node or the another network node changes its duplicate chassis identifier.