High availability ethernet backplane architecture
First Claim
1. A method for determining failure of a communications link, the steps comprising:
- setting a timer for a predetermined interval;
waiting the predetermined interval for a link heartbeat packet;
resetting the timer to the predetermined interval whenever a valid packet is received; and
changing the status of the communication link to a failure mode when the timer expires.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A high availability backplane architecture. The backplane system includes redundant node boards operatively communicating with redundant switch fabric boards. Uplink ports of the node boards are logically grouped into trunk ports at one end of the communication link with the switch fabric boards. The node boards and the switch fabric boards routinely perform link integrity checks when operating in a normal mode such that each can independently initiate failover to working ports when a link failure is detected. Link failure is detected either by sending a link heartbeat message after the link has had no traffic for a predetermined interval, or after receiving a predetermined consecutive number of invalid packets. Once the link failure is resolved, operation resumes in normal mode.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method for determining failure of a communications link, the steps comprising:
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setting a timer for a predetermined interval;
waiting the predetermined interval for a link heartbeat packet;
resetting the timer to the predetermined interval whenever a valid packet is received; and
changing the status of the communication link to a failure mode when the timer expires. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A method for a node board to handle network failure, the steps comprising:
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creating a trunk port of redundant ports;
performing a link integrity check on each of the redundant ports;
updating a media access control table when a port failure is detected; and
mapping traffic for a failed port to a working port. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for a switch fabric board having a redirect table to handle a link failure, the steps comprising:
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performing a link integrity check for each link coupled to the switch fabric board; and
enabling a link failover mode upon failure of a link integrity check, the steps of the link failover mode comprising sending link failure data to at least one other switch fabric board, updating a media access control table with link failure data, and mapping a failed port to a redirect port. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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10. A method for sending a link heartbeat message, the steps comprising:
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setting a timer; and
sending a link heartbeat packet when the timer expires. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. A media access control packet, comprising:
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a destination media access control address;
a source media access control address;
an ethertype field indicating a media access control format; and
an opcode wherein the ethertpe value in hexadecimal is 88-08. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A backplane system comprising:
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a plurality of node boards;
a plurality of switch fabric boards, each switch fabric board having a redirect table;
wherein each node of the plurality of node boards has a single link to each of the plurality of switch fabric boards wherein when a switch fabric board detects a failed link, the switch fabric board communicates failed link data to the remaining switch fabric boards, causing the other switch fabric boards to update their redirect tables. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A computer-readable medium of instructions, comprising:
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means for setting a timer for a predetermined interval;
means for waiting the predetermined interval for a link heartbeat packet;
means for resetting the timer to the predetermined interval whenever a valid packet is received; and
means for changing the status of the communication link to a failure mode when the timer expires. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. The computer-readable medium of instructions, comprising:
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means for creating a trunk port of redundant ports;
means for performing a link integrity check on each of the redundant ports;
means for updating a media access control table when a port failure is detected; and
means for mapping traffic for a failed port to a working port. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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24. A computer-readable medium of instructions, comprising:
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means for performing a link integrity check for each link coupled to the switch fabric board; and
means for enabling a link failover mode upon failure of a link integrity check, the steps of the link failover mode comprising means for sending link failure data to at least one other switch fabric board, means for updating a media access control table with link failure data, and means for mapping a failed port to a redirect port. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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Specification