Link aggregation protection

• US 8,213,296 B2
• Filed: 08/28/2009
• Issued: 07/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Shannon, Frank M., Krzanowski, Roman, Alesi, Vincent A., Bjorkman, William A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yao, Kwang B
• Assistant Examiner(s): Elpenord, Candal
• Application Number:
  US12/549,733
• Publication Number:
  US 20100293408A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,040 Days
• Field of Search: 370/216, 370/241, 370/241.1, 370/242, 370/254, 370/245, 370/395.53, 370248-249, 709223-224
• US Class Current: 370/216
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0681 Configuration of triggering conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/08 Configuration management of networks or network elements address allocation H04L61/50
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0873 Checking configuration conflicts between network elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/245 Link aggregation, e.g. trunking

Abstract

A method includes detecting, by a first network device, a configuration problem at a second network device, where the first and second network devices are associated with a link aggregation group (LAG) coupling the first and second network devices. The method also includes de-activating, by the first network device, one or more links in the LAG in response to detecting the configuration problem. The method further comprises maintaining at least one of the links in the LAG as an active link and allowing traffic to be forwarded on the active link in the LAG.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

monitoring, by at least one interface device coupled to a least one link in a link aggregation group (LAG) comprising a plurality of links, a status of the LAG;

detecting, by the at least one interface device, a problem with the LAG; and

signaling, by the at least one interface device, first and second end point devices associated with the LAG to terminate transmission of data via the LAG, wherein each of the plurality of links in the LAG is connected to the first and second end point devices,

wherein the monitoring comprises;

monitoring link aggregation control protocol (LACP) messages being transmitted by the end point devices, and

wherein the detecting comprises;

detecting an absence of LACP messages transmitted from at least one of the end point devices, and wherein the signaling comprises;

transmitting, by the at least one interface device, a first message to the first end point device, the first message instructing the first endpoint device to terminate transmission via ports associated with the LAG, and

transmitting, by the at least one interface device, a second message to the second end point device, the second message instructing the second endpoint device to terminate transmission via ports associated with the LAG.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, by the first and second end point devices, the signaling from the at least one interface device; and

shutting down ports on the first and second network devices in response to receiving the signaling.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one interface device comprises two network interface devices, each of the two network interface devices located between the first and second end point devices, and wherein the monitoring comprises:

monitoring, by each of the two network interface devices, LACP messages transmitted by the first and second end point devices.

4. A network interface device, comprising:

communication logic configured to communicate with first and second network devices coupled to each other via a link aggregation group (LAG) comprising a plurality of links, wherein each of the plurality of links in the LAG is connected to the first and second network devices; and

monitoring logic configured to;

monitor a status of the LAG by monitoring link aggregation control protocol (LACP) messages being transmitted by the first and second network devices,

detect a problem with the LAG, in response to detecting an absence of LACP messages transmitted from at least one of the first or second network device, and

signal the first and second network devices associated with the LAG to terminate transmission of data via the LAG, in response to detecting the problem, wherein when signaling the first and second network devices, the monitoring logic is configured to;

transmit, via the communication logic, a first message to the first network device, the first message instructing the first network device to terminate transmission via ports associated with the LAG, and

transmit, via the communication logic, a second message to the second network device, the second message instructing the second network device to terminate transmission via ports associated with the LAG.