N-NODE VIRTUAL LINK TRUNKING (VLT) SYSTEMS DATA PLANE

摘要

Aspects of the present invention include an N-Node virtual link trunking (VLT) system comprising a set of N nodes collectively provide a logical fabric-level view that is consistent across the set of N nodes. Embodiments of the N-Node VLT system comprise a control plane mechanism to provide Layer 2 multipathing between access network devices (switches or servers) and the core network. The N-Node VLT system provides a loop-free topology with active-active load-sharing of uplinks from access to the core. Accordingly, the N-Node VLT system eliminates the disadvantage of Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) (active-standby links) by allowing link aggregation group (LAG) terminations on multiple separate distribution or core switches and also supporting a loop-free topology. Additional benefits of an N-Node VLT system include, but are not limited to, higher resiliency, improved link utilization, and improved manageability of the network.

主权项

1. A method for establishing one or more forwarding plane configuration settings for a plurality of nodes communicatively coupled via inter-node port links (INLs) and form an n-node virtual link trunking (VLT) system and at least some of the plurality of nodes of the n-node VLT system being communicatively coupled via one or more input/output (I/O) ports to at least one client device configured with a link aggregation group (LAG) to form a VLT corresponding to the LAG, the method comprising:
responsive to a node in the n-node VLT system not having a local egress port for a VLT associated with a client device communicatively connected to the n-node VLT system, designating a node in the n-node VLT system that does have a local egress port for that VLT as an assigned node to egress data traffic for that VLT for broadcast, unknown multicast, or unknown unicast data traffic ingressing on the node that does not have a local egress port for the VLT; and setting as a general egress rule that broadcast, unknown multicast, or unknown unicast data traffic received via an INL from an ingress node in the n-node VLT system is blocked on all VLT egress ports of the receiving nodes in the n-node VLT system, except if the receiving node is the assigned node for the ingress node for that VLT.