Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for determining that a diagnostic mode is enabled for a port of a switch, the port being part of a VLAN, and responsively designating a port of the plurality of ports as a loopback port, where a packet transmitted on the loopback port is forwarded according to an entry of a forwarding database. The disclosure further describes generating a layer 2 multicast index comprising an entry for the port and an entry for the loopback port, programming the forwarding database with an entry for a destination address of the switch pointing to the layer 2 multicast index, generating a diagnostic packet, and transmitting the diagnostic packet on the loopback port. Additionally, the disclosure describes determining that the diagnostic packet is received by any port of the plurality of ports, and responsively determining a network problem exists and causing a diagnostic protocol to be executed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for determining that a diagnostic mode is enabled for a port of a switch, the port being part of a VLAN, and responsively designating a port of the plurality of ports as a loopback port, where a packet transmitted on the loopback port is forwarded according to an entry of a forwarding database. The disclosure further describes generating a layer 2 multicast index comprising an entry for the port and an entry for the loopback port, programming the forwarding database with an entry for a destination address of the switch pointing to the layer 2 multicast index, generating a diagnostic packet, and transmitting the diagnostic packet on the loopback port. Additionally, the disclosure describes determining that the diagnostic packet is received by any port of the plurality of ports, and responsively determining a network problem exists and causing a diagnostic protocol to be executed.

Abstract: A loop prevention system includes a first networking node that includes a first direct link that connects the first networking node to a loop configuration that includes plurality of networking node devices, and a second direct link that connects the first networking node to the loop configuration. The first networking node receives, through the first direct link, first network traffic that entered the loop configuration at a second networking node in the loop configuration. The first networking node then blocks the first network traffic through the second direct link based on a first forwarding rule for network traffic that enters the loop configuration at the second networking node and that is received by the first networking node device. The first networking node also receives, through the second direct link, second network traffic that entered the loop configuration at a third networking node in the loop configuration.

Abstract: A method, an information handling system (IHS), and a virtual link trunking (VLT) system for determining VLT ports to block and unblock in an IHS. The method includes calculating a forwarding table index for a local switch of currently active and inactive switch peers for a VLT port. A pre-determined forwarding table is retrieved from a memory containing a plurality of port blocking and unblocking actions for the switch peers. Current port blocking and unblocking actions are identified in the pre-determined forwarding table corresponding to the forwarding table index. Changes are determined between the previous port blocking and unblocking actions and the current port blocking and unblocking actions. The input/output (I/O) ports are configured for the local switch based on the determined changes in the port blocking and unblocking actions.

Abstract: A loop prevention system includes a first networking node that includes a first direct link that connects the first networking node to a loop configuration that includes plurality of networking node devices, and a second direct link that connects the first networking node to the loop configuration. The first networking node receives, through the first direct link, first network traffic that entered the loop configuration at a second networking node in the loop configuration. The first networking node then blocks the first network traffic through the second direct link based on a first forwarding rule for network traffic that enters the loop configuration at the second networking node and that is received by the first networking node device. The first networking node also receives, through the second direct link, second network traffic that entered the loop configuration at a third networking node in the loop configuration.

Abstract: A method, an information handling system (IHS) and a virtual link trunking (VLT) system for determining VLT ports to block and unblock in an IHS. The method includes calculating a forwarding table index for a local switch of currently active and inactive switch peers for a VLT port. A pre-determined forwarding table is retrieved from a memory containing a plurality of port blocking and unblocking actions for the switch peers. Current port blocking and unblocking actions are identified in the pre-determined forwarding table corresponding to the forwarding table index. Changes are determined between the previous port blocking and unblocking actions and the current port blocking and unblocking actions. The I/O ports are configured for the local switch based on the determined changes in the port blocking and unblocking actions.

Abstract: A network comprises a plurality of switches coupled in a ring topology, wherein each adjacent pair of switches in the plurality of switches forms a multiple link aggregation group interswitch connection therebetween and forms a ring resiliency protocol logical node. A first switch in a first adjacent pair of the plurality of switches is coupled via a first link to a second switch in a second adjacent pair of the plurality of switches, and a third switch in the first adjacent pair is coupled via a second link to a fourth switch in the second adjacent pair. In the event of a failure of the first link, a packet flow to be transmitted from the first switch over the first link is redirected from the first switch to the third switch for transmission over the second link to the fourth switch.

Abstract: Systems, mechanisms, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed for dynamically tagging VLANs. For example, in one embodiment such means include: means for receiving a packet having identified therein a source Media Access Control (MAC) address and a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) Identifier, wherein the VLAN identifier corresponds to a VLAN which is non-existent on a network switch; means for modifying the packet received to include two VLAN tags, a first VLAN tag corresponding to the VLAN identifier identified within the packet received and a second VLAN tag, distinct from the first; means for determining no forwarding database entry exists for the modified packet; and means for creating the VLAN on the network switch to handle received packets tagged with the VLAN identifier.

Abstract: Systems, mechanisms, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed for dynamically tagging VLANs. For example, in one embodiment such means include: means for receiving a packet having identified therein a source Media Access Control (MAC) address and a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) Identifier, wherein the VLAN identifier corresponds to a VLAN which is non-existent on a network switch; means for modifying the packet received to include two VLAN tags, a first VLAN tag corresponding to the VLAN identifier identified within the packet received and a second VLAN tag, distinct from the first; means for determining no forwarding database entry exists for the modified packet; and means for creating the VLAN on the network switch to handle received packets tagged with the VLAN identifier.

Abstract: A system for providing at least one node of an n-node multi-switch link aggregation group (MLAG) includes a packet forwarding device for receiving a packet destined for at least one n-node MLAG, n being an integer greater than 2. The packet forwarding device includes a packet forwarding database for storing packet forwarding rules for the at least one n-node MLAG. The packet forwarding device further includes a processing element for forwarding, blocking forwarding of, or redirecting the packet in accordance with one of the packet forwarding rules defined for the n-node MLAG group in the packet forwarding database.

Abstract: A system for providing at least one node of an n-node multi-switch link aggregation group (MLAG) includes a packet forwarding device for receiving a packet destined for at least one n-node MLAG, n being an integer greater than 2. The packet forwarding device includes a packet forwarding database for storing packet forwarding rules for the at least one n-node MLAG. The packet forwarding device further includes a processing element for forwarding, blocking forwarding of, or redirecting the packet in accordance with one of the packet forwarding rules defined for the n-node MLAG group in the packet forwarding database.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, apparatus and method for discovery of network elements, which are adjacent within the network data plane but may or may not be adjacent in the network control plane. In one embodiment of the present invention, digital network elements, with a plurality thereof having a lambda switching capability (hereinafter “LSC”) interface, is provided. A digital network element with an LSC interface originates and sends a local advertisement to its immediate control neighbor. Using this LSC originated advertisements; a neighboring network element may be discovered that is adjacent on the network data plane.

Abstract: Systems, mechanisms, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed for dynamically tagging VLANs. For example, in one embodiment such means include: means for receiving a packet having identified therein a source Media Access Control (MAC) address and a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) Identifier, wherein the VLAN identifier corresponds to a VLAN which is non-existent on a network switch; means for modifying the packet received to include two VLAN tags, a first VLAN tag corresponding to the VLAN identifier identified within the packet received and a second VLAN tag, distinct from the first; means for determining no forwarding database entry exists for the modified packet; and means for creating the VLAN on the network switch to handle received packets tagged with the VLAN identifier.

Abstract: Systems, mechanisms, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed for dynamically tagging VLANs. For example, in one embodiment such means include: means for receiving a packet having identified therein a source Media Access Control (MAC) address and a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) Identifier, wherein the VLAN identifier corresponds to a VLAN which is non-existent on a network switch; means for modifying the packet received to include two VLAN tags, a first VLAN tag corresponding to the VLAN identifier identified within the packet received and a second VLAN tag, distinct from the first; means for determining no forwarding database entry exists for the modified packet; and means for creating the VLAN on the network switch to handle received packets tagged with the VLAN identifier.

Abstract: The subject matter described herein includes methods, systems, and computer readable media for improved multi-switch link aggregation group (MLAG) convergence. According to one aspect of the subject matter described herein, a system for improved multi-switch link aggregation group (MLAG) convergence is provided. The system includes a packet forwarding device. The packet forwarding device includes a packet processor for receiving a packet and determining that the packet is destined for a port of the packet forwarding device associated with an MLAG group. The packet forwarding device further includes an MLAG module associated with the packet processor for determining that the port is inactive, and in response to determining that the port is inactive, performing a convergence operation, wherein the convergence operation includes redirecting, using a redirection filter, the received packet towards an active port associated with the MLAG group.

Abstract: Systems, mechanisms, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed for dynamically tagging VLANs. For example, in one embodiment such means include: means for receiving a packet having identified therein a source Media Access Control (MAC) address and a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) Identifier, wherein the VLAN identifier corresponds to a VLAN which is non-existent on a network switch; means for modifying the packet received to include two VLAN tags, a first VLAN tag corresponding to the VLAN identifier identified within the packet received and a second VLAN tag, distinct from the first; means for determining no forwarding database entry exists for the modified packet; and means for creating the VLAN on the network switch to handle received packets tagged with the VLAN identifier.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, apparatus and method for discovery of network elements, which are adjacent within the network data plane but may or may not be adjacent in the network control plane. In one embodiment of the present invention, digital network elements, with a plurality thereof having a lambda switching capability (hereinafter “LSC”) interface, is provided. A digital network element with an LSC interface originates and sends a local advertisement to its immediate control neighbor. Using this LSC originated advertisements; a neighboring network element may be discovered that is adjacent on the network data plane.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, apparatus and method for discovery of network elements, which are adjacent within the network data plane but may or may not be adjacent in the network control plane. In one embodiment of the present invention, digital network elements, with a plurality thereof having a lambda switching capability (hereinafter “LSC”) interface, is provided. A digital network element with an LSC interface originates and sends a local advertisement to its immediate control neighbor. Using this LSC originated advertisements; a neighboring network element may be discovered that is adjacent on the network data plane.