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Interface bundles in virtual network devices

  • US 8,990,430 B2
  • Filed: 02/19/2004
  • Issued: 03/24/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2004
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A system comprising:

  • a virtual link bundle comprising a first plurality of communication links, whereinthe first plurality of communication links is configured to couple a virtual network device to a first network device external to the virtual network device,the first virtual network device operates in a distribution layer,a first end of each of the first plurality of communication links is configured to be coupled to the first network device,a second end of a first one of the first plurality of communication links is configured to be coupled to a first virtual network device sub-unit within the virtual network device,a second end of a second one of the first plurality of communication links is configured to be coupled to a second virtual network device sub-unit within the virtual network device,the first virtual network device sub-unit is coupled to the second virtual network device sub-unit via a virtual network device link,the first network device comprises a first plurality of ports,each of the first plurality of ports is configured to communicate packets with a respective client,the first network device is configured to append a header to a packet before sending the packet to the virtual network device via one of the first plurality of communication links, andthe header identifies a one of the first plurality of ports having received the packet,the first plurality of communication links provides redundant connections between the first network device and the virtual network device; and

    a second virtual link bundle comprising a second plurality of communication links, whereinthe second plurality of communication links is configured to couple the virtual network device to a second network device external to the virtual network device,a first end of each of the second plurality of communication links is configured to be coupled to the second network device,a second end of a first one of the second plurality of communication links is configured to be coupled to the first virtual network device sub-unit within the virtual network device,a second end of a second one of the second plurality of communication links is configured to be coupled to the second virtual network device sub-unit within the virtual network device,the second network device comprises a second plurality of ports,the second plurality of communication links provides redundant connections between the second network device and the virtual network device,the first network device and the second network device operate in an access layer,the first network device and the second network device are satellite network devices which do not perform layer two forwarding or layer three routing,the first plurality of communication links and the second plurality of communication links are uplinks,the second virtual network device sub-unit is configured todisable transmission of the second packet via the virtual link bundle in response to determining that the second packet was received via the virtual network device link,detect a failure of all links of the virtual link bundle coupled to the second virtual network device sub-unit, andenable transmission of the second packet via the virtual link bundle in response to the failure.

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