Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a switch. The switch comprises one or more ports, a link management module and a load balancing module. The link management module operates a port of the one or more ports of the switch in conjunction with a remote switch to form a virtual link aggregation. The load balancing module generates an index of a weight distribution vector based on address information of a multicast group associated with the virtual link aggregation. A slot of the weight distribution vector corresponds to a respective switch participating in the virtual link aggregation. In response to the index indicating a slot corresponding to the switch, the load balancing module designates the switch as primary switch for the multicast group, which is responsible for forwarding multicast data of the multicast group via the virtual link aggregation.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a switch. The switch comprises one or more ports, a link management module and a load balancing module. The link management module operates a port of the one or more ports of the switch in conjunction with a remote switch to form a virtual link aggregation. The load balancing module generates an index of a weight distribution vector based on address information of a multicast group associated with the virtual link aggregation. A slot of the weight distribution vector corresponds to a respective switch participating in the virtual link aggregation. In response to the index indicating a slot corresponding to the switch, the load balancing module designates the switch as primary switch for the multicast group, which is responsible for forwarding multicast data of the multicast group via the virtual link aggregation.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a switch. The switch includes a virtual local area network (VLAN) configuration module. During operation, the VLAN configuration module maps local resources of the switch and/or locally coupled end device information to a global VLAN identifier, wherein the global VLAN is persistent across a fabric switch. The fabric switch is operable to accommodate a plurality of switches and operates as a single logical switch.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a switch. The switch comprises one or more ports, a link management module and a load balancing module. The link management module operates a port of the one or more ports of the switch in conjunction with a remote switch to form a virtual link aggregation. The load balancing module generates an index of a weight distribution vector based on address information of a multicast group associated with the virtual link aggregation. A slot of the weight distribution vector corresponds to a respective switch participating in the virtual link aggregation. In response to the index indicating a slot corresponding to the switch, the load balancing module designates the switch as primary switch for the multicast group, which is responsible for forwarding multicast data of the multicast group via the virtual link aggregation.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a switch in a network of interconnected switches. The switch includes a forwarding domain apparatus and a forwarding apparatus. The forwarding domain apparatus maintains a mapping between a first virtual local area network (VLAN) identifier and a first global VLAN identifier in a local storage device. The global VLAN identifier represents a layer-2 forwarding domain in the network and is distinct from a customer VLAN or a service-provider VLAN. The mapping is independent of a type of the VLAN identifier. During operation, the forwarding apparatus encapsulates a first packet belonging to the first VLAN in a network encapsulation header. The encapsulated packet is forwardable in the network based on the network encapsulation header. The forwarding apparatus includes the first global VLAN identifier in the network encapsulation header of the first packet.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a switch in a network of interconnected switches. The switch includes a forwarding domain apparatus and a forwarding apparatus. The forwarding domain apparatus maintains a mapping between a first virtual local area network (VLAN) identifier and a first global VLAN identifier in a local storage device. The global VLAN identifier represents a layer-2 forwarding domain in the network and is distinct from a customer VLAN or a service-provider VLAN. The mapping is independent of a type of the VLAN identifier. During operation, the forwarding apparatus encapsulates a first packet belonging to the first VLAN in a network encapsulation header. The encapsulated packet is forwardable in the network based on the network encapsulation header. The forwarding apparatus includes the first global VLAN identifier in the network encapsulation header of the first packet.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a switch. The switch includes a local identifier associated with the switch, a receiving interface, a loop detection mechanism, and an interface control mechanism. The receiving interface identifies a loop-detection frame which includes an identifier associated with originating switch of the frame. The loop detection mechanism detects a loop based on a match of the identifier associated with the originating switch and the local identifier. The interface control mechanism is coupled to the loop detection mechanism and precludes, in response to detecting a loop, the receiving interface from forwarding frames corresponding to the loop.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a switch. The switch comprises one or more ports, a link management module and a load balancing module. The link management module operates a port of the one or more ports of the switch in conjunction with a remote switch to form a virtual link aggregation. The load balancing module generates an index of a weight distribution vector based on address information of a multicast group associated with the virtual link aggregation. A slot of the weight distribution vector corresponds to a respective switch participating in the virtual link aggregation. In response to the index indicating a slot corresponding to the switch, the load balancing module designates the switch as primary switch for the multicast group, which is responsible for forwarding multicast data of the multicast group via the virtual link aggregation.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a switch. The switch includes a virtual local area network (VLAN) configuration module. During operation, the VLAN configuration module maps local resources of the switch and/or locally coupled end device information to a global VLAN identifier, wherein the global VLAN is persistent across a fabric switch. The fabric switch is operable to accommodate a plurality of switches and operates as a single logical switch.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a switch. The switch includes a local identifier associated with the switch, a receiving interface, a loop detection mechanism, and an interface control mechanism. The receiving interface identifies a loop-detection frame which includes an identifier associated with originating switch of the frame. The loop detection mechanism detects a loop based on a match of the identifier associated with the originating switch and the local identifier. The interface control mechanism is coupled to the loop detection mechanism and precludes, in response to detecting a loop, the receiving interface from forwarding frames corresponding to the loop.