Abstract: A networking system may facilitate Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) switchover between an active BGP process and a standby BGP process. A method is provided that includes using the active BGP process to establish a first communication session with a peer and a second communication session with the standby BGP process and using an active kernel associated with the active BGP process to receive a packet from the peer, to transmit the packet to the standby BGP process, and to receive the packet returning from the standby BGP process. The active kernel can optionally be used to determine whether any packets are in-flight to and from the standby BGP process.

Abstract: A load balancing technique for use in a switch fabric balances network traffic from a plurality of end node devices based on the volume of traffic on the peripheral links, not simply the rated bandwidth of the peripheral links. In one embodiment, weight values, based on the volume of peripheral link traffic, are used to modify default cost values associated with the peripheral links. The modified default cost values are then used in the load balancing process. In another embodiment, the costs of the peripheral links are adjusted commensurate with the volume of peripheral link traffic.

Abstract: A load balancing technique for use in a switch fabric balances network traffic from a plurality of end node devices based on the volume of traffic on the peripheral links, not simply the rated bandwidth of the peripheral links. In one embodiment, weight values, based on the volume of peripheral link traffic, are used to modify default cost values associated with the peripheral links. The modified default cost values are then used in the load balancing process. In another embodiment, the costs of the peripheral links are adjusted commensurate with the volume of peripheral link traffic.