Abstract: Methods and apparatus for operating a virtual node in a LAG that includes a first virtual node and a second virtual node are disclosed. The first virtual node includes at least a first fellow node and a second fellow node. In one exemplary method, the first fellow node receives, from the second virtual node, first control information comprising a system ID and first configuration information associated with the LAG. The first control information is compared with reference configuration information representing previously established expected configuration information associated with the LAG. Based on that comparison, and at least one additional criterion, a split brain condition may be determined to exist in the LAG. In a complementary fashion, a fellow node of the second virtual node may be configured to alter its transmitted configuration information depending on whether it is able to communicate with its fellow node in the second virtual node.

Abstract: A method of supporting service chaining at a network device of a data network is disclosed. The data network offers a set of services associated with a set of network devices, where subscribers of the data network are served by chains of one or more services. The method starts upon receiving a frame, and the network device selects a chain of one or more services for the frame to be processed by the data network. The network device encapsulates the frame with a reflected frame message (RFM) header, the RFM header containing source information associated with the network device, destination information associated with an immediate next service for the frame to be processed, an operation code indicating the frame being an RFM frame. Then the network device sends the encapsulated frame out of the network device according to the destination information of the encapsulated frame.

Abstract: A method of updating operational states of a network device in a distributed resilient network interconnect (DRNI) of a link aggregation group is disclosed. The method starts with initializing the network device for link aggregation, wherein the initialization includes setting variables of the network device for a first portal as configured by administrative settings, where the first portal includes the network device and at least one neighbor network device. The method continues with determining that an operational state associated with the first portal is changed and updating a set of operational states of the network device for link aggregation in response to the operational state change, where the set of operational states of the network device for link aggregation includes an operational state of the gateway of the network device.

Abstract: A method of configuring a set of conversation identifiers (IDs) at a network device in a distributed resilient network interconnect (DRNI) of a link aggregation group is disclosed. The method starts with initializing the set of conversation IDs, wherein the initialization includes setting entries of a Boolean vector associated with the set of conversation IDs to be a sequence of zeroes, and wherein the Boolean vector includes values indicating processing the set of conversation IDs through the single gateway or the single aggregator of the network device. The method continues with determining that distribution of the set of conversation IDs needs to be updated, setting values of an operational vector indexed by the conversation IDs, and setting values of the Boolean vector, wherein the Boolean vector lists whether the single gateway or the single aggregator of the network device is associated with each of the conversation IDs.

Abstract: A method of updating conversation allocation in link aggregation is disclosed. The method starts with verifying that an implementation of a conversation-sensitive link aggregation control protocol (LACP) is operational at a network device of a network for an aggregation port. Then it is determined that operations through enhanced link aggregation control protocol data units (LACPDUs) are possible. The enhanced LACPDUs can be used for updating conversation allocation information, and the determination is based at least partially on a compatibility check between a first set of operational parameters of the network device and a second set of operational parameters of a partner network device. Then a conversation allocation state of an aggregation port of the link aggregation group is updated based on a determination that the conversation allocation state is incorrect, where the conversation allocation state indicates a list of conversations transmitting through the aggregation port.

Abstract: A method supporting a distributed resilient network interconnect (DRNI) in a link aggregation group upon communication failure at a network device is disclosed. The method starts with determining that the network device no longer communicates with its neighbor network device. The network device then determines that its partner network device no longer communicates with the partner network device's neighbor network device. The network device determines that the first portal that the network device belongs to has a higher portal priority than the second portal that the partner network device belongs to, wherein each portal is assigned a portal priority, and it determines that the network device has a lower network device priority than the neighbor network device, wherein each network device is assigned a network device priority. Then the network device halts transmitting and receiving frames of the link aggregation group at the network device.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that is to be executed for supporting operator commands in a link aggregation group at a network device. The method starts with receiving a local operator command for changing aggregation port priority of the link aggregation group, where the local operator command contains operator command attributes including an operator command aggregation port prioritized list. The method continues with determining that the operator command aggregation port prioritized list is different from a remote aggregation port prioritized list used at the remote network device. The network device then transmits a set of operator command attributes associated with the local operator command to the remote network device and performs the local operator command by setting a local aggregation port prioritized list to be consistent with the operator command aggregation port prioritized list for the link aggregation group.

Abstract: A method of supporting a distributed resilient network interconnect (DRNI) at a network device is disclosed. The method starts with initializing the network device for operating distributed resilient control protocol (DRCP) on an intra-portal port (IPP) coupled to a neighbor network device using an intra-port link (IPL). The method continues with the network device checking that DRCP is enabled at the IPP and then enters an expired state. The network device then receives a DRCPDU and determines that the received DRCPDU is associated with the first portal it is assigned to. It determines that the received DRCPDU is compatible with the network device, and records neighbor network device's state information included in the received DRCPDU as state operational variables of the neighbor network device at the network device, wherein the neighbor network device's state information includes DRCP variables for the IPP.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for monitoring a Maintenance Association (MA) for Connectivity Fault Management (CFM) in a network supporting Equal Cost Multiple Paths (ECMP). A set of ECMP paths is generated for sending data between endpoints in the network. Furthermore, a set of ECMP MAs is created that are used for monitoring the generated ECMP paths between the endpoints. The created set of ECMP MAs is subsequently used for sending monitoring packets. ECMP path MAs therefore conform to existing CFM operation and are compatible with both ECMP point to point path MAs and ECMP multipoint path MAs.

Abstract: A method supporting distributed resilient network interconnect (DRNI) in a link aggregation group at a network device is disclosed. The method starts with encapsulating a distributed relay control protocol data unit (DRCPDU) in a frame, wherein the DRCPDU includes a protocol data unit (PDU) structure. The PDU structure includes a type field indicating that the DRCPDU is for DRCP, a version field indicating a version number of the DRCP, and a set of type/length/values (TLVs) including: a terminator TLV indicating an end of the PDU structure, a portal information TLV indicating characteristics of the first portal, a portal configuration information TLV indicating configuration information of the first portal, a DRCP state TLV indicating variables associated with an intra-portal link (IPP), a home ports information TLV and a neighbor ports information TLV. The method continues with transmitting the frame encapsulating the DRCPDU from the network device to a neighbor network device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for operating a virtual node in a LAG that includes a first virtual node and a second virtual node are disclosed. The first virtual node includes at least a first fellow node and a second fellow node. In one exemplary method, the first fellow node receives, from the second virtual node, first control information comprising a system ID and first configuration information associated with the LAG. The first control information is compared with reference configuration information representing previously established expected configuration information associated with the LAG. Based on that comparison, and at least one additional criterion, a split brain condition may be determined to exist in the LAG. In a complementary fashion, a fellow node of the second virtual node may be configured to alter its transmitted configuration information depending on whether it is able to communicate with its fellow node in the second virtual node.

Abstract: A method supporting network and intra-portal link (IPL) sharing in a link aggregation group at a network device is disclosed. The method starts with transmitting frames on the IPL at the network device, where the physical link or aggregation link of the link aggregation group is dedicated to the IPL. The network device determines that the network device is configured with a network and IPL sharing method that is consistent with the neighbor network device, the network and IPL sharing method including sharing by at least one of time, tag, and encapsulation, where the network and IPL sharing method indicates sharing of the physical link or link aggregation between frames for the IPL and frames for another IPL or a network link of the link aggregation group. Then the network device transmits the frames between the network device and the neighbor network device using the network and IPL sharing method.

Abstract: A method and Bridge in a Provider Backbone Bridge Network, PBBN, for enabling frames from a Higher Layer Entity attached alternatively to a Provider Instance Port on an I-Component of a Backbone Edge Bridge or to a Customer Backbone Port on a B-Component of the Backbone Edge Bridge, to reach an intended entity in the PBBN. A Virtual Instance Port Service Access Point, VIP SAP, is configured for every VIP and every Higher Layer Entity configured on the I-Component. An Enhanced VIP Port Connectivity function utilizes the VIP SAP to tunnel customer-initiated Layer 2 Control Protocols, L2CPs. A Special Multiplexed SAP handles the frames of the Higher Layer Entity, and is assigned an I-SID value that is universally recognized to identify the L2CPs. A Service Instance Multiplex Entity utilizes the Special Multiplexed SAP to transfer frames between the Provider Instance Port or the Customer Backbone Port and the entity inside the PBBN.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for monitoring a Maintenance Association (MA) for Connectivity Fault Management (CFM) in a network supporting Equal Cost Multiple Paths (ECMP). A set of ECMP paths is generated for sending data between endpoints in the network. Furthermore, a set of ECMP MAs is created that are used for monitoring the generated ECMP paths between the endpoints. The created set of ECMP MAs is subsequently used for sending monitoring packets. ECMP path MAs therefore conform to existing CFM operation and are compatible with both ECMP point to point path MAs and ECMP multipoint path MAs.

Abstract: A method is executed by a network device for implementing conversation-sensitive collection for frames received on a port of a link of a link aggregation group. The network device executes an aggregator to collect the frames for aggregator clients, where each frame is associated with a service identifier and a conversation identifier. The service identifier identifies a data flow at a link level for a service. The conversation identifier identifies the data flow at a link aggregation group level, where each conversation data flow consists of an ordered sequence of frames, and where the conversation-sensitive collection maintains the ordered sequence by discarding frames of conversations not allocated to the port.

Abstract: A method of updating conversation allocation in link aggregation is disclosed. The method starts with verifying that an implementation of a conversation-sensitive link aggregation control protocol (LACP) is operational at a network device of a network for an aggregation port. Then it is determined that operations through enhanced link aggregation control protocol data units (LACPDUs) are possible. The enhanced LACPDUs can be used for updating conversation allocation information, and the determination is based at least partially on a compatibility check between a first set of operational parameters of the network device and a second set of operational parameters of a partner network device. Then a conversation allocation state of an aggregation port of the link aggregation group is updated based on a determination that the conversation allocation state is incorrect, where the conversation allocation state indicates a list of conversations transmitting through the aggregation port.

Abstract: A method and Bridge in a Provider Backbone Bridge Network, PBBN, for enabling frames from a Higher Layer Entity attached alternatively to a Provider Instance Port on an I-Component of a Backbone Edge Bridge or to a Customer Backbone Port on a B-Component of the Backbone Edge Bridge, to reach an intended entity in the PBBN. A Virtual Instance Port Service Access Point, VIP SAP, is configured for every VIP and every Higher Layer Entity configured on the I-Component. An Enhanced VIP Port Connectivity function utilizes the VIP SAP to tunnel customer-initiated Layer 2 Control Protocols, L2CPs. A Special Multiplexed SAP handles the frames of the Higher Layer Entity, and is assigned an I-SID value that is universally recognized to identify the L2CPs. A Service Instance Multiplex Entity utilizes the Special Multiplexed SAP to transfer frames between the Provider Instance Port or the Customer Backbone Port and the entity inside the PBBN.

Abstract: A method of supporting a distributed resilient network interconnect (DRNI) at a network device is disclosed. The method starts with initializing the network device for operating distributed resilient control protocol (DRCP) on an intra-portal port (IPP) coupled to a neighbor network device using an intra-port link (IPL). The method continues with the network device checking that DRCP is enabled at the IPP and then enters an expired state. The network device then receives a DRCPDU and determines that the received DRCPDU is associated with the first portal it is assigned to. It determines that the received DRCPDU is compatible with the network device, and records neighbor network device's state information included in the received DRCPDU as state operational variables of the neighbor network device at the network device, wherein the neighbor network device's state information includes DRCP variables for the IPP.

Abstract: A method of configuring a set of conversation identifiers (IDs) at a network device in a distributed resilient network interconnect (DRNI) of a link aggregation group is disclosed. The method starts with initializing the set of conversation IDs, wherein the initialization includes setting entries of a Boolean vector associated with the set of conversation IDs to be a sequence of zeroes, and wherein the Boolean vector includes values indicating processing the set of conversation IDs through the single gateway or the single aggregator of the network device. The method continues with determining that distribution of the set of conversation IDs needs to be updated, setting values of an operational vector indexed by the conversation IDs, and setting values of the Boolean vector, wherein the Boolean vector lists whether the single gateway or the single aggregator of the network device is associated with each of the conversation IDs.

Abstract: A method is executed by a network device for implementing conversation-sensitive collection for frames received on a port of a link of a link aggregation group. The network device executes an aggregator to collect the frames for aggregator clients, where each frame is associated with a service identifier and a conversation identifier. The service identifier identifies a data flow at a link level for a service. The conversation identifier identifies the data flow at a link aggregation group level, where each conversation data flow consists of an ordered sequence of frames, and where the conversation-sensitive collection maintains the ordered sequence by discarding frames of conversations not allocated to the port.