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System and method for a virtual chassis system

  • US 9,148,389 B2
  • Filed: 11/12/2012
  • Issued: 09/29/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/04/2010
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A network node in a virtual chassis system, comprising:

  • a plurality of virtual fabric links (VFLs) operably coupled between the network node and a plurality of other network nodes in the virtual chassis system;

    a control management module operable to generate a topology database that includes a chassis identification and local address of a master network node in the virtual chassis system and chassis identifications and local addresses of the plurality of other network nodes in the virtual chassis system, the control management module operable to;

    adopt the local address of the master network node in the virtual chassis system as a virtual chassis address of the network node for addressing of the virtual chassis system by external nodes; and

    at least a first network interface module operable to;

    store one or more address tables that include destination addresses associated with hardware device information of the plurality of other network nodes in the virtual chassis system;

    receive an incoming packet on an external port interface, wherein the incoming packet includes a first destination address;

    determine from the one or more address tables destination hardware device information of one of the plurality of other network nodes in the virtual chassis system associated with the first destination address, that includes access a first forwarding table having a list of destination address entries and associated hardware device information of the one of the plurality of other network nodes in the virtual chassis system associated with the first destination address, wherein the associated hardware device information of the one of the plurality of other network nodes includes a chassis identification of the one of the plurality of other network nodes;

    access a second address table that includes a list of chassis identifications and associated VFL identifiers, wherein the associated VFL identifiers identify at least one VFL for forwarding a packet to one of the plurality of other network nodes identified by the chassis identification;

    generate a packet with pre-pended header from the incoming packet, wherein the pre-pended header includes the destination hardware device information of the one of the plurality of other network nodes in the virtual chassis system; and

    transmit the packet with pre-pended header over one of the plurality of virtual fabric links to the one of the plurality of other network nodes in the virtual chassis system.

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