Data frame forwarding using a distributed virtual bridge
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of racks, wherein each rack of the plurality of racks includes a plurality of chassis, wherein each chassis of the plurality of chassis includes a plurality of server computers; and
a distributed virtual bridge coupled to the plurality of server computers, wherein the distributed virtual bridge is coupled to a plurality of adapters, and wherein the distributed virtual bridge comprises;
a plurality of bridge elements coupled to the plurality of server computers and configured to forward a data frame between the plurality of server computers to server computers of different racks of the plurality of racks, different chassis of the plurality of chassis, or any combination thereof; and
a controlling bridge coupled to the plurality of bridge elements, the controlling bridge including a global forwarding table that includes address data accessible to the plurality of bridge elements, wherein at least one bridge element of the plurality of bridge elements is configured to send a query to the controlling bridge for information for forwarding the data frame.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods to forward data frames are provided. A particular method may include receiving a data frame at a distributed virtual bridge. The distributed virtual bridge includes a first bridge element coupled to a first server computer and a second bridge element coupled to the first bridge element and to a second server computer. The distributed virtual bridge further includes a controlling bridge coupled to the first bridge element and to the second bridge element. The controlling bridge includes a global forwarding table. The data frame is forwarded from the first bridge element to the second bridge element of the distributed virtual bridge using address data associated with the data frame. A logical network associated with the frame may additionally be used to forward the data frame.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of racks, wherein each rack of the plurality of racks includes a plurality of chassis, wherein each chassis of the plurality of chassis includes a plurality of server computers; and a distributed virtual bridge coupled to the plurality of server computers, wherein the distributed virtual bridge is coupled to a plurality of adapters, and wherein the distributed virtual bridge comprises; a plurality of bridge elements coupled to the plurality of server computers and configured to forward a data frame between the plurality of server computers to server computers of different racks of the plurality of racks, different chassis of the plurality of chassis, or any combination thereof; and a controlling bridge coupled to the plurality of bridge elements, the controlling bridge including a global forwarding table that includes address data accessible to the plurality of bridge elements, wherein at least one bridge element of the plurality of bridge elements is configured to send a query to the controlling bridge for information for forwarding the data frame. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of forwarding a data frame, the method comprising:
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receiving a data frame at a distributed virtual bridge comprising; a first bridge element coupled to a first server computer of a first chassis of a first rack; a second bridge element coupled to the first bridge element and to a second server computer of a second chassis, a second rack, or any combination thereof; and a controlling bridge coupled to the first bridge element and to the second bridge element, the controlling bridge including a global forwarding table configured to store address data received from the first bridge element; and sending, from the first bridge element, a query to the controlling bridge for information for forwarding the data frame; and forwarding the data frame from the first bridge element to the second bridge element of the distributed virtual bridge using the address data. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A program product, comprising:
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program code resident within a memory and configured to be executed by a processor to forward a data frame between server computers by receiving a data frame at a distributed virtual bridge comprising a first bridge element coupled to a first server computer of a first chassis of a first rack, a second bridge element coupled to the first bridge element and to a second server computer of a second chassis, a second rack or any combination thereof, and a controlling bridge coupled to the first bridge element and to the second bridge element, the controlling bridge including a global forwarding table, wherein the program code is further configured to be executed by the processor to send, from the first bridge, a query to the controlling bridge for information for forwarding the data frame, wherein the program code is further configured to be executed by the processor to forward the data frame from the first bridge element to the second bridge element of the distributed virtual bridge using address data associated with the data frame; and a non-transitory computer readable medium bearing the program code.
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Specification