Redundant control architecture for a network device

摘要

A redundant control plane for a network device such as a network switch or a router. The control plane is isolated from a data plane for the network device that carries network traffic. The redundant control plane includes first and second Router Control Processor (RCP)/Bridge Hotswap Card (BHC) pairs, and first and second switch cards (SCs). A first RCP/BHC pair is selected as the master and the second pair becomes the master in the event of a failure or the need to perform maintenance on the first pair. Redundant control paths are provided from each RCP/BHC pair to first and second pluralities of line cards to allow for downloading of forwarding tables, control and configuration information. Redundant Switch cards are provided and one of the Switch Cards is selected as the master Switch card to permit communication between the RCPs. The control plane may continue to function in the event of a single failure of any component or bus within the control plane.