Providing an abstraction layer in a cluster switch that includes plural switches
First Claim
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1. A method for use in a communications network, comprising:
- providing an abstraction layer in a virtual cluster switch having plural individual switches;
communicating control traffic and data traffic over virtual tunnels between corresponding pairs of the individual switches of the cluster switch, wherein each of the virtual tunnels between a corresponding pair of the individual switches has an active channel and at least one standby channel; and
presenting, by the abstraction layer, an interface having a set of ports to upper layer logic in the cluster switch, wherein the set of ports includes a collection of ports of the individual switches,wherein providing the abstraction layer comprises providing the abstraction layer that hides underlying physical infrastructure from the upper layer logic, wherein the underlying physical infrastructure provides the virtual tunnels.
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Abstract
In a communications network, a cluster switch is provided, where the cluster switch has plural individual switches. An abstraction layer is provided in the cluster switch, such that an interface having a set of ports is provided to upper layer logic in the cluster switch. The set of ports includes a collection of ports of the individual switches. Control traffic and data traffic are communicated over virtual tunnels between individual switches of the cluster switch, where each virtual tunnel has an active channel and at least one standby channel.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for use in a communications network, comprising:
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providing an abstraction layer in a virtual cluster switch having plural individual switches; communicating control traffic and data traffic over virtual tunnels between corresponding pairs of the individual switches of the cluster switch, wherein each of the virtual tunnels between a corresponding pair of the individual switches has an active channel and at least one standby channel; and presenting, by the abstraction layer, an interface having a set of ports to upper layer logic in the cluster switch, wherein the set of ports includes a collection of ports of the individual switches, wherein providing the abstraction layer comprises providing the abstraction layer that hides underlying physical infrastructure from the upper layer logic, wherein the underlying physical infrastructure provides the virtual tunnels. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method for use in a communications network, comprising:
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providing an abstraction layer in a virtual cluster switch having plural individual switches; communicating control traffic and data traffic over virtual tunnels between individual switches of the cluster switch, wherein each virtual tunnel has an active channel and at least one standby channel; presenting, by the abstraction layer, an interface having a set of ports to upper layer logic in the cluster switch, wherein the set of ports includes a collection of ports of the individual switches; and defining a predefined priority order for the channels in each virtual tunnel. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A first switch comprising:
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a master module for a cluster switch that includes plural individual switches, the plural individual switches including the first switch, wherein the master module is configured to provide an abstraction layer that hides underlying physical infrastructure from upper layer logic in the cluster switch, and wherein the master module is configured to manage the plural individual switches in the cluster switch; one or more data planes connected to respective virtual tunnels to peer individual switches in the cluster switch, wherein each virtual tunnel has an active channel over which traffic is communicated, and at least one standby channel over which traffic is not communicated, and wherein the underlying physical infrastructure provides the virtual tunnels, wherein the abstraction layer is configured to present a set of ports that includes a collection of ports of the individual switches. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. An article comprising at least one computer-readable storage medium containing instructions that when executed cause at least one processor in a cluster switch to:
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communicate traffic over virtual tunnels interconnecting individual switches of the cluster switch, wherein each virtual tunnel has an active channel and at least one standby channel; define a master control plane in one of the individual switches to manage each of the individual switches of the cluster switch; and detect for failures of channels in the virtual tunnels to allow for selection of alternate channels in response to detected failures. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification