Transient unpruning for faster layer-two convergence

摘要

In one embodiment, a method includes detecting a change in network topology and broadcasting a transient unconditional unpruning message to all nodes in the network. The message is configured to instruct each network element receiving the message to start a phase timer in response to the broadcast message; unprune its operational ports; and, upon expiration of the phase timer, prune its ports in accordance with the results of a pruning protocol.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
detecting a change in a topology of a network; and broadcasting a transient unpruning (TUP) message to all nodes in the network, wherein:
the TUP message comprises an identifier of an originating network node, a sequence number corresponding to the identifier, a duration of a phase timer, and a list of virtual local area networks (VLANs) to be unpruned; andthe TUP message is configured to instruct each network node receiving the message to:
start a phase timer;unprune its operational ports; andupon expiration of the phase timer, prune its ports in accordance with a pruning protocol.