Scalable MAC address distribution in an Ethernet fabric switch
First Claim
1. A switch, comprising:
- a notification module configured to construct a single message comprising forwarding information of a plurality of end devices learned from one or more local ports of the switch;
wherein the forwarding information of a respective end device of the plurality of end devices includes a media access control (MAC) address learned from a port of the one or more local ports, a switch identifier of the switch, which is distinct from the MAC address, and an identifier of the port from which the MAC address has been learned.
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Accused Products
Abstract
One embodiment of the present invention provides a switch. The switch includes a notification mechanism. The notification mechanism constructs a single message that contains a locally learned MAC address associated with a local device, a TRILL RBridge identifier associated with the switch, and an identifier of an interface associated with the MAC address. In some embodiments, the switch includes a data structure and an entry management mechanism. The data structure stores device information learned at a remote switch, wherein the device information includes a MAC address of a device, a TRILL RBridge identifier associated with the remote switch, an identifier of an interface coupled to the device, and a type indicator of the MAC address. The entry management mechanism manages an entry in the data structure based on the RBridge identifier and the interface identifier.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A switch, comprising:
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a notification module configured to construct a single message comprising forwarding information of a plurality of end devices learned from one or more local ports of the switch; wherein the forwarding information of a respective end device of the plurality of end devices includes a media access control (MAC) address learned from a port of the one or more local ports, a switch identifier of the switch, which is distinct from the MAC address, and an identifier of the port from which the MAC address has been learned. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A switch, comprising:
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a storage device storing a data structure comprising an entry including a media access control (MAC) address of a remote end device, wherein the MAC address is learned at a port of a remote switch, and wherein the remote end device is distinct from the remote switch; and wherein the entry further includes a switch identifier of the remote switch, an identifier of the port from which the remote switch has learned the MAC address, and a type indicator of the MAC address, wherein the type indicator indicates a type of the MAC address; and an entry management module configured to manage the entry in the data structure -based on the switch identifier and the identifier of the port. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A computer-executable method, comprising:
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constructing a single message comprising forwarding information of a plurality of end devices learned from one or more local ports of a switch; wherein the forwarding information of a respective end device of the plurality of end devices includes a media access control (MAC) address learned from a port of the one or more local ports, a switch identifier of the switch, which is distinct from the MAC address, and an identifier of the port from which the MAC address has been learned. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A computer-executable method, comprising:
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storing in a storage device a data structure comprising an entry including a media access control (MAC) address of a remote end device, wherein the MAC address is learned at a port of a remote switch, and wherein the remote end device is distinct from the remote switch; and wherein the entry further includes a switch identifier of the remote switch, an identifier of the port from which the remote switch has learned the MAC address, and a type indicator of the MAC address, wherein the type indicator indicates a type of the MAC address; and managing the entry in the data structure based on the switch identifier and the interface identifier. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification