Self-reconfiguring spanning tree
First Claim
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1. A method of modifying a spanning tree configuration for a group of packet switches in a common spanning tree domain, the method comprising:
- automatically detecting a resource change selected from the group of resource changes consisting of;
a change in the status of redundant backup hardware in the group packet switch;
a change in at least one environmental parameter detected at the group packet switch;
a chance in the rate of correctable errors detected at one or more points in the group packet switch;
a change in hardware status affecting the packet throughput of the group packet switch;
a change in status affecting the uplink capability of the group packet switch;
a change in the capability of the group packet switch to process traffic with selected traffic attributes; and
combinations thereof, that indicates the current spanning tree configuration is less than optimal for at least some traffic present in the spanning tree domain;
in response to the resource change detection, automatically modifying at least one spanning tree parameter for at least one of the packet switches; and
converging the common spanning tree domain to a new spanning tree solution in consideration of the at least one modified spanning tree parameter.
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Abstract
A dynamic multiple spanning tree protocol is described. In at least one embodiment, this protocol allows for the dynamic creation and destruction of mappings between traffic attributes and spanning tree instances with the spanning tree region. These mappings are determined based on the observation of events in the spanning tree, such as the appearance of a significant traffic stream, not mapped to any spanning tree instance, at an edge port of the region. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
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28 Claims
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1. A method of modifying a spanning tree configuration for a group of packet switches in a common spanning tree domain, the method comprising:
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automatically detecting a resource change selected from the group of resource changes consisting of;
a change in the status of redundant backup hardware in the group packet switch;
a change in at least one environmental parameter detected at the group packet switch;
a chance in the rate of correctable errors detected at one or more points in the group packet switch;
a change in hardware status affecting the packet throughput of the group packet switch;
a change in status affecting the uplink capability of the group packet switch;
a change in the capability of the group packet switch to process traffic with selected traffic attributes; and
combinations thereof, that indicates the current spanning tree configuration is less than optimal for at least some traffic present in the spanning tree domain;in response to the resource change detection, automatically modifying at least one spanning tree parameter for at least one of the packet switches; and converging the common spanning tree domain to a new spanning tree solution in consideration of the at least one modified spanning tree parameter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification