Abstract: In one embodiment, a copy of an original packet of a traffic flow is created at an ingress leaf node of a cloud switch. The ingress leaf node forwards the original packet along a less-specific path through the cloud switch, the less-specific path based on a domain index of an egress domain for the original packet. The copy of the original packet is modified to create a more specific path learn request packet. The ingress leaf node forwards the more specific path learn request packet along the less-specific path through the cloud switch. The ingress leaf node received back a more specific path learn request reply packet that includes an indication of a fabric system port. The ingress leaf node then programs a forwarding table based on the indication of the fabric system port, to have subsequent packets of the traffic flow forwarded along a more-specific path.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a copy of an original packet of a traffic flow is created at an ingress leaf node of a cloud switch. The ingress leaf node forwards the original packet along a less-specific path through the cloud switch, the less-specific path based on a domain index of an egress domain for the original packet. The copy of the original packet is modified to create a more specific path learn request packet. The ingress leaf node forwards the more specific path learn request packet along the less-specific path through the cloud switch. The ingress leaf node received back a more specific path learn request reply packet that includes an indication of a fabric system port. The ingress leaf node then programs a forwarding table based on the indication of the fabric system port, to have subsequent packets of the traffic flow forwarded along a more-specific path.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a copy of an original packet of a traffic flow is created at an ingress leaf node of a cloud switch. The ingress leaf node forwards the original packet along a less-specific path through the cloud switch, the less-specific path based on a domain index of an egress domain for the original packet. The copy of the original packet is modified to create a more specific path learn request packet. The ingress leaf node forwards the more specific path learn request packet along the less-specific path through the cloud switch. The ingress leaf node received back a more specific path learn request reply packet that includes an indication of a fabric system port. The ingress leaf node then programs a forwarding table based on the indication of the fabric system port, to have subsequent packets of the traffic flow forwarded along a more-specific path.

Abstract: A monitoring session associated with a virtual nickname may be established in a TRILL network. A monitoring station may be connected to an edge switch of the TRILL network specifying the virtual nickname for the monitoring session. The monitoring station is set as a destination for the monitoring session and the virtual nickname is flooded throughout the TRILL network. A source may then be configured to the monitoring session by specifying the virtual nickname of the monitoring session without knowing the destination tied to the monitoring session. Network traffic through the source may then be forwarded to the destination tied to the monitoring session.

Abstract: The methods and devices discussed herein provide service clustering within a TRILL network without relying on an additional service insertion framework. A TRILL network can include one or more flow distribution RBridges for distributing flows to service nodes. Each flow distribution RBridge can have a virtual base identifier and one or more virtual cluster identifiers. An example method can include maintaining service cluster load balancing structures and receiving a packet that is encapsulated with an inner header and an outer header. The method can include determining whether the egress RBridge identifier is a virtual cluster identifier, and if so, selecting a service node from one of the service cluster load balancing structures. The method can include forwarding the packet to the selected service node.

Abstract: Accelerating network convergence may be provided. Consistent with embodiments of the disclosure, a mapping server may be configured to map an interconnection of various network elements comprising at least the following: a wireless host, at least two access switches, a plurality of distribution switches, a core switch, a mobility controller, and a mapping database. The mapping server may then receive an indication from the mobility controller that the wireless host has roamed from a first access switch to a second access switch. In response to the indication, the mapping server may remap the interconnection of network elements in the mapping database to update network routing information associated with the wireless host.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting overlay end points which are a single physical hop away and employing a simplified overlay header instead of a regular overlay header for communications with the identified end points. The simplified overlay header may carry overlay protocol related forwarding and peer information and may be designed to carry locally significant forwarding information which avoids overlay lookup related overhead on encapsulation and decapsulation operations. The simplified overlay header may be handled in the same forwarding pipeline pass as the handling of the inner frame and may work across different forwarding engines. Upon detection of a single hop link/keepalive failure, the backup overlay (original overlay header) may be used for forwarding.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a copy of an original packet of a traffic flow is created at an ingress leaf node of a cloud switch. The ingress leaf node forwards the original packet along a less-specific path through the cloud switch, the less-specific path based on a domain index of an egress domain for the original packet. The copy of the original packet is modified to create a more specific path learn request packet. The ingress leaf node forwards the more specific path learn request packet along the less-specific path through the cloud switch. The ingress leaf node received back a more specific path learn request reply packet that includes an indication of a fabric system port. The ingress leaf node then programs a forwarding table based on the indication of the fabric system port, to have subsequent packets of the traffic flow forwarded along a more-specific path.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a copy of an original packet of a traffic flow is created at an ingress leaf node of a cloud switch. The ingress leaf node forwards the original packet along a less-specific path through the cloud switch, the less-specific path based on a domain index of an egress domain for the original packet. The copy of the original packet is modified to create a more specific path learn request packet. The ingress leaf node forwards the more specific path learn request packet along the less-specific path through the cloud switch. The ingress leaf node received back a more specific path learn request reply packet that includes an indication of a fabric system port. The ingress leaf node then programs a forwarding table based on the indication of the fabric system port, to have subsequent packets of the traffic flow forwarded along a more-specific path.

Abstract: A monitoring session associated with a virtual nickname may be established in a TRILL network. A monitoring station may be connected to an edge switch of the TRILL network specifying the virtual nickname for the monitoring session. The monitoring station is set as a destination for the monitoring session and the virtual nickname is flooded throughout the TRILL network. A source may then be configured to the monitoring session by specifying the virtual nickname of the monitoring session without knowing the destination tied to the monitoring session. Network traffic through the source may then be forwarded to the destination tied to the monitoring session.

Abstract: A monitoring session associated with a virtual nickname may be established in a TRILL network. A monitoring station may be connected to an edge switch of the TRILL network specifying the virtual nickname for the monitoring session. The monitoring station is set as a destination for the monitoring session and the virtual nickname is flooded throughout the TRILL network. A source may then be configured to the monitoring session by specifying the virtual nickname of the monitoring session without knowing the destination tied to the monitoring session. Network traffic through the source may then be forwarded to the destination tied to the monitoring session.

Abstract: The methods and devices discussed herein provide service clustering within a TRILL network without relying on an additional service insertion framework. A TRILL network can include one or more flow distribution RBridges for distributing flows to service nodes. Each flow distribution RBridge can have a virtual base identifier and one or more virtual cluster identifiers. An example method can include maintaining service cluster load balancing structures and receiving a packet that is encapsulated with an inner header and an outer header. The method can include determining whether the egress RBridge identifier is a virtual cluster identifier, and if so, selecting a service node from one of the service cluster load balancing structures. The method can include forwarding the packet to the selected service node.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting overlay end points which are a single physical hop away and employing a simplified overlay header instead of a regular overlay header for communications with the identified end points. The simplified overlay header may carry overlay protocol related forwarding and peer information and may be designed to carry locally significant forwarding information which avoids overlay lookup related overhead on encapsulation and decapsulation operations. The simplified overlay header may be handled in the same forwarding pipeline pass as the handling of the inner frame and may work across different forwarding engines. Upon detection of a single hop link/keepalive failure, the backup overlay (original overlay header) may be used for forwarding.

Abstract: The methods and devices discussed herein provide service clustering within a TRILL network without relying on an additional service insertion framework. A TRILL network can include one or more flow distribution RBridges for distributing flows to service nodes. Each flow distribution RBridge can have a virtual base identifier and one or more virtual cluster identifiers. An example method can include maintaining N service cluster load balancing structures and receiving a packet that is encapsulated with an inner header (source/destination addresses) and an outer header (ingress/egress RBridge identifiers). The method can include determining whether the egress RBridge identifier is a virtual cluster identifier, and if so, applying a hash function to a predetermined flow tuple and selecting a service node associated with the hash value from one of the N service cluster load balancing structures. The method can include forwarding the packet to the selected service node.

Abstract: A monitoring session associated with a virtual nickname may be established in a TRILL network. A monitoring station may be connected to an edge switch of the TRILL network specifying the virtual nickname for the monitoring session. The monitoring station is set as a destination for the monitoring session and the virtual nickname is flooded throughout the TRILL network. A source may then be configured to the monitoring session by specifying the virtual nickname of the monitoring session without knowing the destination tied to the monitoring session. Network traffic through the source may then be forwarded to the destination tied to the monitoring session.

Abstract: Accelerating network convergence may be provided. Consistent with embodiments of the disclosure, a mapping server may be configured to map an interconnection of various network elements comprising at least the following: a wireless host, at least two access switches, a plurality of distribution switches, a core switch, a mobility controller, and a mapping database. The mapping server may then receive an indication from the mobility controller that the wireless host has roamed from a first access switch to a second access switch. In response to the indication, the mapping server may remap the interconnection of network elements in the mapping database to update network routing information associated with the wireless host.

Abstract: The methods and devices discussed herein provide service clustering within a TRILL network without relying on an additional service insertion framework. A TRILL network can include one or more flow distribution RBridges for distributing flows to service nodes. Each flow distribution RBridge can have a virtual base identifier and one or more virtual cluster identifiers. An example method can include maintaining N service cluster load balancing structures and receiving a packet that is encapsulated with an inner header (source/destination addresses) and an outer header (ingress/egress RBridge identifiers). The method can include determining whether the egress RBridge identifier is a virtual cluster identifier, and if so, applying a hash function to a predetermined flow tuple and selecting a service node associated with the hash value from one of the N service cluster load balancing structures. The method can include forwarding the packet to the selected service node.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a copy of an original packet of a traffic flow is created at an ingress leaf node of a cloud switch. The ingress leaf node forwards the original packet along a less-specific path through the cloud switch, the less-specific path based on a domain index of an egress domain for the original packet. The copy of the original packet is modified to create a more specific path learn request packet. The ingress leaf node forwards the more specific path learn request packet along the less-specific path through the cloud switch. The ingress leaf node received back a more specific path learn request reply packet that includes an indication of a fabric system port. The ingress leaf node then programs a forwarding table based on the indication of the fabric system port, to have subsequent packets of the traffic flow forwarded along a more-specific path.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for efficient transmission of data between storage area networks. According to some aspects of the invention, novel methods are provided for processing data packets sent by, or received from, a storage area network. Some such aspects of the invention involve storing a packet (or a portion of a packet) in a single memory location during an encapsulation or de-encapsulation process. Instead of repeatedly copying the packet during processing, pointer information is passed along that indicates the single memory location. In some aspects of the invention, the segment boundaries of a packet are retained after data transmission. If data in the packet need to be re-transmitted, the packet is re-transmitted with the same segment boundaries.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for efficient transmission of data between storage area networks. According to some aspects of the invention, novel methods are provided for processing data packets sent by, or received from, a storage area network. Some such aspects of the invention involve storing a packet (or a portion of a packet) in a single memory location during an encapsulation or de-encapsulation process. Instead of repeatedly copying the packet during processing, pointer information is passed along that indicates the single memory location. In some aspects of the invention, the segment boundaries of a packet are retained after data transmission. If data in the packet need to be re-transmitted, the packet is re-transmitted with the same segment boundaries.