Multicasting using a multitiered distributed virtual bridge hierarchy
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of forwarding a multicast data frame, the method comprising:
- receiving a multicast data frame at a distributed virtual bridge, the distributed virtual bridge comprising;
a plurality of bridge elements coupled to a plurality of computing nodes, wherein the plurality of bridge elements are configured to forward a copy of a multicast data frame to the plurality of computing nodes using group member information associated with addresses of the plurality of computing nodes;
one or more transport layer modules coupled to each bridge element of the plurality of bridge elements to provide a frame-based interface to one or more integrated switch routers, wherein the one or more integrated switch routers are configured to route copies of the multicast data frame to and from a local rack interconnect network, wherein the local rack interconnect network includes links to bridge elements of the plurality of bridge elements that are located within a same chassis and rack, and wherein the local rack interconnect network includes links to bridge elements of the plurality of bridge elements that are located in different chassis and racks; and
a controlling bridge coupled to the plurality of bridge elements, the controlling bridge configured to communicate the group member information to the plurality of bridge elements; and
forwarding a plurality of copies of the multicast data frame according to the group member information.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods to multicast data frames are provided. A particular apparatus includes a plurality of computing nodes and a distributed virtual bridge. The distributed virtual bridge includes a plurality of bridge elements coupled to the plurality of computing nodes. The plurality of bridge elements are configured to forward a copy of a multicast data frame to the plurality of computing nodes using group member information associated with addresses of the plurality of server computers. A controlling bridge coupled to the plurality of bridge elements is configured to communicate the group member information to the plurality of bridge elements.
57 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method of forwarding a multicast data frame, the method comprising:
-
receiving a multicast data frame at a distributed virtual bridge, the distributed virtual bridge comprising; a plurality of bridge elements coupled to a plurality of computing nodes, wherein the plurality of bridge elements are configured to forward a copy of a multicast data frame to the plurality of computing nodes using group member information associated with addresses of the plurality of computing nodes; one or more transport layer modules coupled to each bridge element of the plurality of bridge elements to provide a frame-based interface to one or more integrated switch routers, wherein the one or more integrated switch routers are configured to route copies of the multicast data frame to and from a local rack interconnect network, wherein the local rack interconnect network includes links to bridge elements of the plurality of bridge elements that are located within a same chassis and rack, and wherein the local rack interconnect network includes links to bridge elements of the plurality of bridge elements that are located in different chassis and racks; and a controlling bridge coupled to the plurality of bridge elements, the controlling bridge configured to communicate the group member information to the plurality of bridge elements; and forwarding a plurality of copies of the multicast data frame according to the group member information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. An apparatus comprising:
-
a plurality of computing nodes; and a distributed virtual bridge comprising; a plurality of bridge elements coupled to the plurality of computing nodes, wherein the plurality of bridge elements are configured to forward a copy of a multicast data frame to the plurality of computing nodes using group member information associated with addresses of the plurality of computing nodes, wherein a first bridge element of the plurality of bridge elements is configured to forward a first copy of the plurality of copies of the multicast data frame to a first computing node of the plurality of computing nodes, wherein the first computing node is directly coupled to a port of the first bridge element, wherein the first bridge element is configured to forward a second copy of the plurality of copies of the multicast data frame to a second bridge element, wherein the first bridge element is located on a first super node and the second bridge element is located on a second super node, wherein the second bridge element is configured to forward a third copy of the plurality of copies of the multicast data frame to a third bridge element of the second super node; and a controlling bridge coupled to the plurality of bridge elements, the controlling bridge configured to communicate the group member information to the plurality of bridge elements. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. An apparatus comprising:
-
a plurality of computing nodes; and a distributed virtual bridge comprising; a plurality of bridge elements coupled to the plurality of computing nodes, wherein the plurality of bridge elements are configured to forward a copy of a multicast data frame to the plurality of computing nodes using group member information associated with addresses of the plurality of computing nodes; one or more transport layer modules coupled to each bridge element of the plurality of bridge elements to provide a frame-based interface to one or more integrated switch routers, wherein the one or more integrated switch routers are configured to route copies of the multicast data frame to and from a local rack interconnect network, wherein the local rack interconnect network includes links to bridge elements of the plurality of bridge elements that are located within a same chassis and rack, and wherein the local rack interconnect network includes links to bridge elements of the plurality of bridge elements that are located in different chassis and racks; and a controlling bridge coupled to the plurality of bridge elements, the controlling bridge configured to communicate the group member information to the plurality of bridge elements. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
-
Specification