Abstract: Systems and methods communicate to a primary peer node a message that indicates that a secondary peer node does not comprise an orphan port or a link that is operationally down. In various embodiments, this causes the primary node to not send broadcast, unknown unicast, or multicast (BUM) traffic to the secondary peer node such as to prevent that traffic from being unnecessarily dropped at the peer node, thus, conserving computing resources, such as an internode link bandwidth, and significantly improving overall network performance.

Abstract: When an event occurs in the network that affects an information handling system in the network, a topology change notice (TCN) may be propagated so that the network topology can be regenerated. However, currently, there is no mechanism to readily identify the source information handling system of the TCN. To address issues, in one or more embodiments, when an information handling system (such as a network switch) initiates a TCN, it sends a specialized message to keep track of the source of the TCN. In one or more embodiments, information handling systems that receive the specialized message may record information about the source and forward it to other information handling system in the network.

Abstract: A networking device credential information reset system includes credential information reset authorization devices coupled to a networking device. At least one of the credential information reset authorization devices receives a networking device credential information reset request from the networking device and, in response, generates a networking device credential information reset alert and provides it for display on an administrator device. Following the networking device credential information reset alert being provided for display on the administrator device, a first credential information reset authorization device receives first credential information for the first credential information reset authorization device from the administrator device, validates the first credential information and, in response, provides a credential information reset authorization to the networking device that is configured to cause the networking device to reset second credential information for the networking device.

Abstract: A loop prevention system includes a plurality of networking devices that are coupled together to form a Layer Two (L2) domain and at least a portion of the plurality of networking devices are coupled together in a physical loop configuration. A networking device included in the plurality of networking devices may include at least one L2 domain connection that couples the networking device to at least one of the plurality of networking devices in the L2 domain, and an edge connection that connects the networking device to a computing device that is outside of the L2 domain. The networking device may receive a data frame via the edge connection. The networking device then generates a loop breaker data frame by tagging the data frame with a loop breaker tag and forwards the loop breaker data frame via the at least one L2 domain connection.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for providing computer implemented services using managed systems are disclosed. To provide the computer implemented services, the managed systems and/or communication devices may need to operate in a predetermined manner conducive to, for example, execution of applications that provide the computer implemented services. To manage communications in such systems, a highly available service may, upon changes in topology of a deployment including managed system and communication devices, initiate a cooperative process for determining how to communicate in the deployment. The process may be performed to select a new global maximum transmission unit (MTU). Once selected, the deployment may be reconfigured based on the selected global MTU to limit the size of network data units. The global MTU may be selected to limit network data unit fragmentation, network data unit dropping, and unused space in data transmissions.

Abstract: A loop prevention system includes a plurality of networking devices that are coupled together to form a Layer Two (L2) domain and at least a portion of the plurality of networking devices are coupled together in a physical loop configuration. A networking device included in the plurality of networking devices may include at least one L2 domain connection that couples the networking device to at least one of the plurality of networking devices in the L2 domain, and an edge connection that connects the networking device to a computing device that is outside of the L2 domain. The networking device may receive a data frame via the edge connection. The networking device then generates a loop breaker data frame by tagging the data frame with a loop breaker tag and forwards the loop breaker data frame via the at least one L2 domain connection.

Abstract: A system and method of managing virtual local area network (VLAN) associations with network ports includes receiving a first packet on a first port of a network switching device, extracting first VLAN identification information from the first packet, determining one or more first VLANs associated with the first port based on the first VLAN identification information, associating the first port with each of the one or more the first VLANs, and transmitting a second packet on the first port when a second VLAN associated with the second packet is included in the one or more first VLANs. In some embodiments, the first packet is received from an end station. In some embodiments, the first packet includes a VLAN identification field selected from a group consisting of a VLAN list field, a VLAN bitmap field, a Port VLAN ID type-length-value (TLV), and a Port Protocol VLAN ID TLV.

Abstract: A system and method of configuration of link aggregation groups includes a control unit and a port coupled to the control unit and configured to couple the network switching device to a neighboring switch. The control unit is configured to transmit a probe message to the neighboring switch, receive a remote switch identifier and link aggregation group (LAG) identifier from the neighboring switch, determine whether the remote switch identifier matches a previously received remote switch identifier and the remote LAG identifier matches a previously received remote LAG identifier. When both match, determine a first LAG associated with the previously received remote switch identifier and the previously received remote LAG identifier and assign the port to the first LAG. When both do not match, to create a second LAG, assign the port to the second LAG, and associate the remote switch identifier and the remote LAG identifier with the second LAG.

Abstract: A system and method of automated Data Center Bridging (DCB) configuration of an access switch includes a control unit, a memory, and a port configured to couple the access switch to a peer device. The control unit is configured to operate the port according to a state machine including a DCB disabled state, a DCB downstream state, and a DCB upstream state. When the port is in the DCB disabled state, the control unit exchanges network traffic on the port without any DCB extensions. When the port is in the DCB upstream state, the control unit exchanges network traffic on the port using DCB extensions based on the DCB configuration and receives the DCB configuration from the peer device. When the port is in the DCB downstream state, the control unit exchanges network traffic on the port using the DCB extensions and transmits the DCB configuration to the peer device.

Abstract: A system and method of automated Data Center Bridging (DCB) configuration of an access switch includes a control unit, a memory, and a port configured to couple the access switch to a peer device. The control unit is configured to operate the port according to a state machine including a DCB disabled state, a DCB downstream state, and a DCB upstream state. When the port is in the DCB disabled state, the control unit exchanges network traffic on the port without any DCB extensions. When the port is in the DCB upstream state, the control unit exchanges network traffic on the port using DCB extensions based on the DCB configuration and receives the DCB configuration from the peer device. When the port is in the DCB downstream state, the control unit exchanges network traffic on the port using the DCB extensions and transmits the DCB configuration to the peer device.

Abstract: A system and method of automated Data Center Bridging (DCB) configuration of an access switch includes a control unit, a memory, and a port configured to couple the access switch to a peer device. The control unit is configured to operate the port according to a state machine including a DCB disabled state, a DCB downstream state, and a DCB upstream state. When the port is in the DCB disabled state, the control unit exchanges network traffic on the port without any DCB extensions. When the port is in the DCB upstream state, the control unit exchanges network traffic on the port using DCB extensions based on the DCB configuration and receives the DCB configuration from the peer device. When the port is in the DCB downstream state, the control unit exchanges network traffic on the port using the DCB extensions and transmits the DCB configuration to the peer device.

Abstract: A system and method of automated Data Center Bridging (DCB) configuration of an access switch includes a control unit, a memory, and a port configured to couple the access switch to a peer device. The control unit is configured to operate the port according to a state machine including a DCB disabled state, a DCB downstream state, and a DCB upstream state. When the port is in the DCB disabled state, the control unit exchanges network traffic on the port without any DCB extensions. When the port is in the DCB upstream state, the control unit exchanges network traffic on the port using DCB extensions based on the DCB configuration and receives the DCB configuration from the peer device. When the port is in the DCB downstream state, the control unit exchanges network traffic on the port using the DCB extensions and transmits the DCB configuration to the peer device.

Abstract: A system and method of configuration of link aggregation groups includes a control unit and a port coupled to the control unit and configured to couple the network switching device to a neighboring switch. The control unit is configured to transmit a probe message to the neighboring switch, receive a remote switch identifier and link aggregation group (LAG) identifier from the neighboring switch, determine whether the remote switch identifier matches a previously received remote switch identifier and the remote LAG identifier matches a previously received remote LAG identifier. When both match, determine a first LAG associated with the previously received remote switch identifier and the previously received remote LAG identifier and assign the port to the first LAG. When both do not match, to create a second LAG, assign the port to the second LAG, and associate the remote switch identifier and the remote LAG identifier with the second LAG.

Abstract: A system and method of automated Data Center Bridging (DCB) configuration of an access switch includes a control unit, a memory, and a port configured to couple the access switch to a peer device. The control unit is configured to operate the port according to a state machine including a DCB disabled state, a DCB downstream state, and a DCB upstream state. When the port is in the DCB disabled state, the control unit exchanges network traffic on the port without any DCB extensions. When the port is in the DCB upstream state, the control unit exchanges network traffic on the port using DCB extensions based on the DCB configuration and receives the DCB configuration from the peer device. When the port is in the DCB downstream state, the control unit exchanges network traffic on the port using the DCB extensions and transmits the DCB configuration to the peer device.

Abstract: A system and method of configuration of link aggregation groups includes a control unit and a port coupled to the control unit and configured to couple the network switching device to a neighboring switch. The control unit is configured to transmit a probe message to the neighboring switch, receive a remote switch identifier and link aggregation group (LAG) identifier from the neighboring switch, determine whether the remote switch identifier matches a previously received remote switch identifier and the remote LAG identifier matches a previously received remote LAG identifier. When both match, determine a first LAG associated with the previously received remote switch identifier and the previously received remote LAG identifier and assign the port to the first LAG. When both do not match, to create a second LAG, assign the port to the second LAG, and associate the remote switch identifier and the remote LAG identifier with the second LAG.

Abstract: A system and method of automated Data Center Bridging (DCB) configuration of an access switch includes a control unit, a memory, and a port configured to couple the access switch to a peer device. The control unit is configured to operate the port according to a state machine including a DCB disabled state, a DCB downstream state, and a DCB upstream state. When the port is in the DCB disabled state, the control unit exchanges network traffic on the port without any DCB extensions. When the port is in the DCB upstream state, the control unit exchanges network traffic on the port using DCB extensions based on the DCB configuration and receives the DCB configuration from the peer device. When the port is in the DCB downstream state, the control unit exchanges network traffic on the port using the DCB extensions and transmits the DCB configuration to the peer device.

Abstract: A system and method of managing virtual local area network (VLAN) associations with network ports includes receiving a first packet on a first port of a network switching device, extracting first VLAN identification information from the first packet, determining one or more first VLANs associated with the first port based on the first VLAN identification information, associating the first port with each of the one or more the first VLANs, and transmitting a second packet on the first port when a second VLAN associated with the second packet is included in the one or more first VLANs. In some embodiments, the first packet is received from an end station. In some embodiments, the first packet includes a VLAN identification field selected from a group consisting of a VLAN list field, a VLAN bitmap field, a Port VLAN ID type-length-value (TLV), and a Port Protocol VLAN ID TLV.

Abstract: A system and method of configuration of link aggregation groups includes a control unit and a port coupled to the control unit and configured to couple the network switching device to a neighboring switch. The control unit is configured to transmit a probe message to the neighboring switch, receive a remote switch identifier and link aggregation group (LAG) identifier from the neighboring switch, determine whether the remote switch identifier matches a previously received remote switch identifier and the remote LAG identifier matches a previously received remote LAG identifier. When both match, determine a first LAG associated with the previously received remote switch identifier and the previously received remote LAG identifier and assign the port to the first LAG. When both do not match, to create a second LAG, assign the port to the second LAG, and associate the remote switch identifier and the remote LAG identifier with the second LAG.