Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method of selecting data links for an application in a network. The method receives, from a machine implementing the application, a set of identifiers of required link characteristics. Based on at least one of the identifiers, the method selects a transport group that includes a set of optional links matching the identifiers. From the selected transport group, the method selects a link matching the set of identifiers.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method of selecting data links for an application in a network. The method receives, from a machine implementing the application, a set of identifiers of required link characteristics. Based on at least one of the identifiers, the method selects a transport group that includes a set of optional links matching the identifiers. From the selected transport group, the method selects a link matching the set of identifiers.

Abstract: Embodiments herein generally provide techniques for upgrading a virtual router (VR) comprising first and second physical routers used to route data between network devices. Before upgrade the first physical router, one or more ports of the router are disabled which causes data paths previously flowing through the first router to flow through the second router. After performing the upgrade, the first router is rebooted and uses a unique router ID to discover the network topology of an external network coupled to the VR. Once the network topology is identified, the first router activates a routing application (e.g., a BGP routing application) which enables the router to process control plane traffic received from the second router. Once routing information is gathered, the first router is able to assume the responsibility of forwarding data packets in the network, thereby freeing the second router to be upgraded.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a logical packet switching device has its switching fabric extended between multiple physical devices, such as, but not limited to, over one or more networks (e.g., over tunnel(s), point-to-point link(s), and/or public and/or private L2 or L3 network(s)). In particular, one embodiment extends the switching fabric between multiple different physical devices by effectively merging, at least from the perspective of ingress and/or egress line cards, a switching fabric in each of these multiple different physical devices. In this regard, an ingress lookup operation in a first physical device of one embodiment produces information which is used by the switching fabric in a different physical device to forward a packet to the appropriate egress line card in the different physical device.

Abstract: Embodiments herein generally provide techniques for upgrading a virtual router (VR) comprising first and second physical routers used to route data between network devices. Before upgrade the first physical router, one or more ports of the router are disabled which causes data paths previously flowing through the first router to flow through the second router. After performing the upgrade, the first router is rebooted and uses a unique router ID to discover the network topology of an external network coupled to the VR. Once the network topology is identified, the first router activates a routing application (e.g., a BGP routing application) which enables the router to process control plane traffic received from the second router. Once routing information is gathered, the first router is able to assume the responsibility of forwarding data packets in the network, thereby freeing the second router to be upgraded.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a logical packet switching device has its switching fabric extended between multiple physical devices, such as, but not limited to, over one or more networks (e.g., over tunnel(s), point-to-point link(s), and/or public and/or private L2 or L3 network(s)). In particular, one embodiment extends the switching fabric between multiple different physical devices by effectively merging, at least from the perspective of ingress and/or egress line cards, a switching fabric in each of these multiple different physical devices. In this regard, an ingress lookup operation in a first physical device of one embodiment produces information which is used by the switching fabric in a different physical device to forward a packet to the appropriate egress line card in the different physical device.