Automatically maximizing network link utilization using virtual networks

摘要

A system and method for automatically configuring a network so that each switch in the network is aware of the Multiple Spanning Tree Instances (MSTI) of each other switch and the Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) that each switch uses. This is achieved through the use of controllers connected to each switch. A master switch is elected and the master switch monitors messages to determine if a switch should be using an alternative MISTI. If so, the master switch instructs a switch to use an alternative MSTI. Either a switch or a node connected to the switch may determine which VLAN to use in sending messages, subject to configuration from the controller of the master switch. Messages are periodically sent by each controller to educate other controllers to aid in learning which node is part of a group connected to a switch, the switch in turn connected to a controller.

主权项

1. A networked system comprising:
a) a plurality of switches, connected to each other in a network; b) a plurality of groups of nodes, each group connected to one of the switches; c) a controller for each switch, each controller configured to:
periodically select a master controller from the controllers of said switches,configure the switch it controls to utilize a specific Multiple Spanning Tree Instance (MSTI), through the use of a communication protocol including “using” and “assign” messages, said master controller accepting a “using” message from each controller to determine which MSTI each controller is using, andif multiple controllers are using the same MSTI, said master controller further sending an “assign” message to one or more of the controllers using the same MSTI, which assigns the one or more of the controllers to a new MSTI, said one or more of the controllers including said master controller.