Abstract: A system for steering network traffic to service functions in a service function chain, the system including: a processor; a data storage module; an input interface; an output interface; a classifier configured to determine a path for a data packet in the service function chain; and a forwarder configured to determine the next location to which the data packet will be sent based on the path. A method for steering network traffic to service functions in a service function chain, the method including: classifying a data packet to determine a path for a data packet in the service function chain; and forwarding the data packet to a next location to which the data packet will be sent based on the path.

Abstract: A system for steering network traffic to service functions in a service function chain, the system including: a processor; a data storage module; an input interface; an output interface; a classifier configured to determine a path for a data packet in the service function chain; and a forwarder configured to determine the next location to which the data packet will be sent based on the path. A method for steering network traffic to service functions in a service function chain, the method including: classifying a data packet to determine a path for a data packet in the service function chain; and forwarding the data packet to a next location to which the data packet will be sent based on the path.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically configuring a network so that each switch in the network is aware of the Multiple Spanning Tree Instances (MSTI) of each other switch and the Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) that each switch uses. This is achieved through the use of controllers connected to each switch. A master switch is elected and the master switch monitors messages to determine if a switch should be using an alternative MISTI. If so, the master switch instructs a switch to use an alternative MSTI. Either a switch or a node connected to the switch may determine which VLAN to use in sending messages, subject to configuration from the controller of the master switch. Messages are periodically sent by each controller to educate other controllers to aid in learning which node is part of a group connected to a switch, the switch in turn connected to a controller.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically configuring a network so that each switch in the network is aware of the Multiple Spanning Tree Instances (MSTI) of each other switch and the Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) that each switch uses. This is achieved through the use of controllers connected to each switch. A master switch is elected and the master switch monitors messages to determine if a switch should be using an alternative MISTI. If so, the master switch instructs a switch to use an alternative MSTI. Either a switch or a node connected to the switch may determine which VLAN to use in sending messages, subject to configuration from the controller of the master switch. Messages are periodically sent by each controller to educate other controllers to aid in learning which node is part of a group connected to a switch, the switch in turn connected to a controller.