Maintaining point of presence for clients roaming within a layer 2 domain

摘要

In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a packet from a source wireless device at a second switch, the source wireless device previously associated with a first switch and roamed to and associated with the second switch, wherein a point of presence for the source wireless device is maintained at the first switch, inserting into the packet a direction indicator, and forwarding the packet from the second switch to the first switch, the direction indicator identifying the packet as being transmitted towards the point of presence for the source wireless device to prevent a forwarding loop. An apparatus is also disclosed.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
receiving a packet from a source wireless device at a second switch, the source wireless device previously associated with a first switch and roamed to and associated with said second switch, wherein a point of presence for the source wireless device is maintained at said first switch; identifying that the source wireless device is in a foreign state based on a source lookup; encapsulating the packet for transmittal on a tunnel extending between said first and second switches; and inserting into the packet a direction indicator and forwarding the packet from said second switch to said first switch, said direction indicator identifying the packet as being transmitted towards the point of presence for the source wireless device to prevent a forwarding loop and distinguish flow towards the point of presence for the source wireless device from flow towards a point of attachment for a destination wireless device in communication with said first switch; wherein the packet is destined for the destination wireless device in communication with said first switch, the destination wireless device having a point of attachment at said first switch.