Abstract: Aspects of the present invention include an N-Node virtual link trunking (VLT) system comprising a set of N nodes collectively provide a logical fabric-level view that is consistent across the set of N nodes. Embodiments of the N-Node VLT system comprise a control plane mechanism to provide Layer 2 multipathing between access network devices (switches or servers) and the core network. The N-Node VLT system provides a loop-free topology with active-active load-sharing of uplinks from access to the core. Accordingly, the N-Node VLT system eliminates the disadvantage of Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) (active-standby links) by allowing link aggregation group (LAG) terminations on multiple separate distribution or core switches and also supporting a loop-free topology. Additional benefits of an N-Node VLT system include, but are not limited to, higher resiliency, improved link utilization, and improved manageability of the network.

Abstract: A port provision system includes a packet network device having a plurality of ports. A port provisioning system is coupled to the packet network device. The port provisioning system obtains configuration information from a host device coupled to the packet network device. The configuration information includes a virtual network identification assigned to a virtual machine included on the host device. The port provisioning system then retrieves packet information from a packet sent form the host device. The port provisioning system then provisions at least one of the plurality of ports with the virtual network identification included in the configuration information in response to determining that the packet information matches the configuration information.

Abstract: In non-minimal routing, a switch determines outgoing links for preferred paths (e.g. shortest paths). Then, for another node in a preferred path, the switch determines outgoing links for paths to that node in a modified network in which each link in a previously determined path to the node is cut off. Packets can be tunneled on non-preferred paths to that node. Other features and embodiments are also provided.

Abstract: An information handling system is provided. The information handling system includes a plurality of forwarding processors, the plurality of forwarding processors each including a memory having a forwarding host table and a forwarding route table. The information handling system also includes at least one switching device coupled to the plurality of forwarding processors, the at least one switching device including a memory having a destination module and port table, a switching device host table and a switching device route table, wherein the at least one switching device is configured to perform an extended lookup in at least one of the switching device host table and switching device route table based on values included in a fabric header of information routed to the switching device to determine a destination of the information. A method for extending lookup tables is also provided that adds lookup tables in a switching device.

Abstract: In non-minimal routing, a switch determines outgoing links for preferred paths (e.g. shortest paths). Then, for another node in a preferred path, the switch determines outgoing links for paths to that node in a modified network in which each link in a previously determined path to the node is cut off. Packets can be tunneled on non-preferred paths to that node. Other features and embodiments are also provided.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention include an arbitrary N-Node virtual link trunking (VLT) system comprising a set of N nodes collectively provide a logical fabric-level view that is consistent across the set of N nodes. Embodiments of the arbitrary N-Node VLT system comprise a control plane mechanism to provide Layer 2 multipathing between access network devices (switches or servers) and the core network. The N-Node VLT system provides a loop-free topology with active-active load-sharing of uplinks from access to the core. Accordingly, the N-Node VLT system eliminates the disadvantage of Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) (active-standby links) by allowing link aggregation group (LAG) terminations on multiple separate distribution or core switches and also supporting a loop-free topology. Additional benefits of an N-Node VLT system include, but are not limited to, higher resiliency, improved link utilization, and improved manageability of the network.

Abstract: An information handling system is provided. The information handling system includes a plurality of aggregation devices configured to distribute information in a virtual link trunk and a plurality of nodes coupled to the aggregation devices. When one of the plurality of aggregation devices received a reboot command, that aggregation device is configured to transmit a first message to the nodes indicating that the aggregation device is rebooting, receive a first acknowledgement message from the nodes indicating that they will not send any information to the rebooting aggregation device.

Abstract: A system and method for forwarding network traffic includes receiving a first flow of network traffic at an ingress port on a switch, collecting flow control metrics for a plurality of egress ports assigned to a link aggregation group of the switch, selecting a first egress port from the plurality of egress ports using a hashing strategy based on at least information associated with the flow control metrics, assigning the first flow to the first egress port, directing the first flow to the first egress port, and transmitting network traffic associated with the first flow using the first egress port.

Abstract: An information handling system is provided. The information handling system includes a plurality of routing bridges coupled to at least one node. The node may be multihomed and logically coupled to the rest of the information handling system through a virtual routing bridge. Methods and systems are provided to allow multicast packets originating behind the virtual routing bridge to be properly handled to comply with reverse path forwarding. This may be accomplished by creating and selectively using a plurality of routing trees that include the paths between the virtual routing bridge and neighboring physical routing bridges.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention include extending routing capabilities to improve networking efficiencies. In embodiments, a spine-leaf network configuration may be provisioned as a single router to solve at least two issues: (1) local routing within a leaf; and (2) scalability of the hardware ARP table. In embodiments, one or more tables in the leaf node may be programmed so that data traffic coming from a first host in a first subnet or VLAN on the leaf and intended for a second host in a second subnet or VLAN on the leaf may be forwarded locally to the second host in the second subnet or VLAN without traversing to the spine layer.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention include an N-Node virtual link trunking (VLT) system comprising a set of N nodes collectively provide a logical fabric-level view that is consistent across the set of N nodes. Embodiments of the N-Node VLT system comprise a control plane mechanism to provide Layer 2 multipathing between access network devices (switches or servers) and the core network. The N-Node VLT system provides a loop-free topology with active-active load-sharing of uplinks from access to the core. Accordingly, the N-Node VLT system eliminates the disadvantage of Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) (active-standby links) by allowing link aggregation group (LAG) terminations on multiple separate distribution or core switches and also supporting a loop-free topology. Additional benefits of an N-Node VLT system include, but are not limited to, higher resiliency, improved link utilization, and improved manageability of the network.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention include an N-Node virtual link trunking (VLT) system comprising a set of N nodes collectively provide a logical fabric-level view that is consistent across the set of N nodes. Embodiments of the N-Node VLT system comprise a control plane mechanism to provide Layer 2 multipathing between access network devices (switches or servers) and the core network. The N-Node VLT system provides a loop-free topology with active-active load-sharing of uplinks from access to the core. Accordingly, the N-Node VLT system eliminates the disadvantage of Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) (active-standby links) by allowing link aggregation group (LAG) terminations on multiple separate distribution or core switches and also supporting a loop-free topology. Additional benefits of an N-Node VLT system include, but are not limited to, higher resiliency, improved link utilization, and improved manageability of the network.

Abstract: A provided information handling system includes a plurality of aggregation devices configured to distribute information in a virtual link trunk and a plurality of nodes coupled to the aggregation devices. When an aggregation device receives a reboot command, that aggregation device is configured to transmit a first message to the nodes indicating that the aggregation device is rebooting, and receive a first acknowledgement message from the nodes indicating that they will not send any information to the rebooting aggregation device. The aggregation device is then configured to reboot, receive a second message from the nodes indicating the nodes are ready to receive information from the rebooted aggregation device, transmit a second acknowledgement message to the nodes indicating that the rebooted aggregation device has rebooted and is capable of receiving information, and receive information from one of the nodes for transmission to another node.

Abstract: In non-minimal routing, a switch determines outgoing links for preferred paths (e.g. shortest paths). Then, for another node in a preferred path, the switch determines outgoing links for paths to that node in a modified network in which each link in a previously determined path to the node is cut off. Packets can be tunneled on non-preferred paths to that node. Other features and embodiments are also provided.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and computer program product display multiple slices of a three-dimensional body in a computer drawing application. A first view of a 3D body is displayed. One or more slice sketches are defined on the first view. A single slice view of the three dimensional body is displayed. The single slice view simultaneously depicts all of the slices with a zero-depth representation of each slice.

Abstract: A system and method for forwarding network traffic includes receiving a first flow of network traffic at an ingress port on a switch, collecting flow control metrics for a plurality of egress ports assigned to a link aggregation group of the switch, selecting a first egress port from the plurality of egress ports using a hashing strategy based on at least information associated with the flow control metrics, assigning the first flow to the first egress port, directing the first flow to the first egress port, and transmitting network traffic associated with the first flow using the first egress port.

Abstract: An information handling system is provided. The information handling system includes a first network device that forms at least part of a first set of network devices. The first network device provides an interface between a local first server rack and a cloud and has one or more processors in communication with a memory. The first network device is configured to receive information from a second set of network devices that identifies a default gateway for a virtual machine running on a remote server rack. The first network device is also configured to create a local destination address entry associated with information, to store the entry in an address table in the memory, and to receive a packet having the information identifying the default gateway as a destination address. The first network device is further configured to forward the packet into the cloud on in proxy for the default gateway.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and computer program product display multiple slices of a three-dimensional body in a computer drawing application. A first view of a 3D body is displayed. One or more slice sketches are defined on the first view. A single slice view of the three dimensional body is displayed. The single slice view simultaneously depicts all of the slices with a zero-depth representation of each slice.

Abstract: A packet switch receives a management packet sent for discovery on a data flow's path through a network. The switch creates a test packet (310T) which looks like a packet belonging to the data flow of interest. The test packet is processed by the switch like the data flow of interest except that the test packet is not necessarily transmitted. The processing results may include the egress ports for the test packet, and if the ports are part of a LAG or ECMP group, the results provide the group and the group members associated with the egress ports. Firewall actions and other information can be included. The switch may forward the results to the originator of the management packet. The switch may insert the results into the management packet and forward the management packet on the ports determined as egress ports for the test packet. Other features are also provided.

Abstract: An extended bridge structure that includes a controlling bridge and port extenders is disclosed. A port extender according to some embodiments of the present invention includes a processor that processes receives packets in a way that executes at least one procedure that substitutes for a function of the controlling bridge. A controlling bridge according to the present invention provides data to the port extender that enables it to execute the at least one procedure that substitutes for a function of the controlling bridge.