Abstract: A network switch includes ports, memory, and a processor. The switch is operable to switch packets of a layer 2 network, and the memory is for storing a tunneling engine computer program. The processor executes the tunneling engine, where the processor identifies a second switch operable to switch layer-2 network packets. The identification includes detecting that the second switch is connected to the network switch over a layer 3 connection, and the tunneling engine creates a tunnel over the layer 3 connection between the switches to exchange layer-2 packets. The tunnels encapsulates and decapsulates the packets that are exchanged between the switches. When the processor determines that a packet from a first node to a second node that is connected to the second switch, the processor creates an encapsulation flow on the network switch to encapsulate packets from the first node to the second node over the tunnel.

Abstract: A network switch includes ports, memory, and a processor. The switch is operable to switch packets of a layer 2 network, and the memory is for storing a tunneling engine computer program. The processor executes the tunneling engine, where the processor identifies a second switch operable to switch layer-2 network packets. The identification includes detecting that the second switch is connected to the network switch over a layer 3 connection, and the tunneling engine creates a tunnel over the layer 3 connection between the switches to exchange layer-2 packets. The tunnels encapsulates and decapsulates the packets that are exchanged between the switches. When the processor determines that a packet from a first node to a second node that is connected to the second switch, the processor creates an encapsulation flow on the network switch to encapsulate packets from the first node to the second node over the tunnel.