Abstract: In a network device, unidirectional port aggregation can be used by aggregating corresponding ports that represent a single underlay next hop. A common layer 2 address (e.g., Media Access Control (MAC) address) can be shared across aggregated destination network devices to allow these network devices to accept traffic forwarded over the unidirectional multi-destination bond port. Port aggregations (e.g., “bonds”, “trunks”, etc.) are controlled by dynamic route updates propagating through a network of devices. Dynamic route updates can be implemented as part of routing protocols. The route updates can be interpreted by the network switches as including a port aggregation signal. Policy may be applied to these route updates to adjust the behavior of the port aggregation mechanism. The resulting port aggregation is installed in the forwarding table of network devices so that the corresponding prefixes resolve to the underlay next hop representing the aggregated port.

Abstract: A network device includes a forwarding information base (FIB). The FIB includes a first number of entries and a default entry. The network device includes a routing information base that includes a second number of entries. The network device includes a FIB entry optimizer that ranks a first portion of the second number of entries based on access information of the first number of entries; ranks a second portion of the second number of entries based on access information of the default entry; and updates at least one entry of the FIB based on the ranks of the first portion of the second number of entries and the ranks of the second portion of the second number of entries. The first number of entries is less than the second number of entries.

Abstract: A network device includes a routing information base including a first plurality of entries, a forwarding information base including a second plurality of entries; a forwarding information base entry optimizer that programs the second plurality of entries of the forwarding information base using, at least in part, the first plurality of entries; and a network processor that forwards packets based on the second plurality of entries of the forwarding information base. The second plurality of entries is less than the first plurality of entries.

Abstract: A network device includes a forwarding information base (FIB). The FIB includes a first number of entries and a default entry. The network device includes a routing information base that includes a second number of entries. The network device includes a FIB entry optimizer that ranks a first portion of the second number of entries based on access information of the first number of entries; ranks a second portion of the second number of entries based on access information of the default entry; and updates at least one entry of the FIB based on the ranks of the first portion of the second number of entries and the ranks of the second portion of the second number of entries. The first number of entries is less than the second number of entries.

Abstract: A network device includes a forwarding information base (FIB). The FIB includes a first number of entries and a default entry. The network device includes a routing information base that includes a second number of entries. The network device includes a FIB entry optimizer that ranks a first portion of the second number of entries based on access information of the first number of entries; ranks a second portion of the second number of entries based on access information of the default entry; and updates at least one entry of the FIB based on the ranks of the first portion of the second number of entries and the ranks of the second portion of the second number of entries. The first number of entries is less than the second number of entries.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of a device that updates boot images of a network segment of a network is described. In an exemplary embodiment, the device receives a configuration point for the network segment, where the network segment includes a heterogeneous mix of a plurality of network elements. For each of the plurality of network elements in the network segment, the device identifies a boot image for that network element corresponding to the configuration point and updates the network element. The boot image for a network element includes the software that network element runs and a configuration of this software.

Abstract: A network device includes a routing information base including a first plurality of entries, a forwarding information base including a second plurality of entries; a forwarding information base entry optimizer that programs the second plurality of entries of the forwarding information base using, at least in part, the first plurality of entries; and a network processor that forwards packets based on the second plurality of entries of the forwarding information base. The second plurality of entries is less than the first plurality of entries.

Abstract: A network device includes a routing information base including a first plurality of entries, a forwarding information base including a second plurality of entries; a forwarding information base entry optimizer that programs the second plurality of entries of the forwarding information base using, at least in part, the first plurality of entries; and a network processor that forwards packets based on the second plurality of entries of the forwarding information base. The second plurality of entries is less than the first plurality of entries.

Abstract: In general, embodiments of the invention relate to a method for programming a network element to granularly track network traffic traversing through one or more network elements.

Abstract: In general, embodiments of the invention relate to a method for programming a network element to granularly track network traffic traversing through one or more network elements.

Abstract: A network device includes a routing information base including a first plurality of entries, a forwarding information base including a second plurality of entries; a forwarding information base entry optimizer that programs the second plurality of entries of the forwarding information base using, at least in part, the first plurality of entries; and a network processor that forwards packets based on the second plurality of entries of the forwarding information base. The second plurality of entries is less than the first plurality of entries.

Abstract: A network device includes a routing information base including a first plurality of entries, a forwarding information base including a second plurality of entries; a forwarding information base entry optimizer that programs the second plurality of entries of the forwarding information base using, at least in part, the first plurality of entries; and a network processor that forwards packets based on the second plurality of entries of the forwarding information base. The second plurality of entries is less than the first plurality of entries.

Abstract: A network device includes a forwarding information base (FIB). The FIB includes a first number of entries and a default entry. The network device includes a routing information base that includes a second number of entries. The network device includes a FIB entry optimizer that ranks a first portion of the second number of entries based on access information of the first number of entries; ranks a second portion of the second number of entries based on access information of the default entry; and updates at least one entry of the FIB based on the ranks of the first portion of the second number of entries and the ranks of the second portion of the second number of entries. The first number of entries is less than the second number of entries.

Abstract: A network device includes a routing information base including a first plurality of entries, a forwarding information base including a second plurality of entries; a forwarding information base entry optimizer that programs the second plurality of entries of the forwarding information base using, at least in part, the first plurality of entries; and a network processor that forwards packets based on the second plurality of entries of the forwarding information base. The second plurality of entries is less than the first plurality of entries.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of a device that updates boot images of a network segment of a network is described. In an exemplary embodiment, the device receives a configuration point for the network segment, where the network segment includes a heterogeneous mix of a plurality of network elements. For each of the plurality of network elements in the network segment, the device identifies a boot image for that network element corresponding to the configuration point and updates the network element. The boot image for a network element includes the software that network element runs and a configuration of this software.