Abstract: Methods and systems to operate an Ethernet ring protection switching (ERPS) network. In one embodiment, a method performed by a network device in the ERPS network device is disclosed. The ERPS network comprises a major ring and a sub-ring, where the network device is a first interconnection network device that is on both major ring and sub-ring. The method comprises determining that a topology change notification is received from the sub-ring, identifying a link that is coupled to the network device and that is towards a second interconnection network device, where the second interconnection network device is also on both major ring and sub-ring. The method further comprises terminating the topology change notification and transmitting a first message using the link towards the second interconnection network device, where the first message is a filtering database (FDB) flush message.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for enhancing multicast group membership protocols are described. An adjacent multicast network device, coupled with a plurality of host NDs, determines the number of host NDs that are to receive query messages. The adjacent multicast ND determines its current processing capacity for processing group membership reports to be received from the host NDs. The adjacent multicast ND determines a query response interval based on the number of host NDs and its current processing capacity. The adjacent multicast ND transmits, to each one of the plurality of host NDs, a query message including the query response interval. The query message causes the adjacent multicast ND to receive from each one of the plurality of host NDs a group membership report at a time interval defined based on the query response interval.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for enhancing multicast group membership protocols are described. An adjacent multicast network device, coupled with a plurality of host NDs, determines the number of host NDs that are to receive query messages. The adjacent multicast ND determines its current processing capacity for processing group membership reports to be received from the host NDs. The adjacent multicast ND determines a query response interval based on the number of host NDs and its current processing capacity. The adjacent multicast ND transmits, to each one of the plurality of host NDs, a query message including the query response interval. The query message causes the adjacent multicast ND to receive from each one of the plurality of host NDs a group membership report at a time interval defined based on the query response interval.