Abstract: A stacking system that includes multiple computer network devices (such as a switch or a router) is described. This stacking system may include: an active computer network device that implements software for control protocols and user configuration of the stacking system, and a standby computer network device that provides switchover backup for the active computer network device. During operation of the stacking system, when a switchover from the active computer network device to the standby computer network device occurs, at least the standby computer network device performs an action based at least in part on differences between system control tables for the active computer network device and the standby computer network device, wherein the action comprises: reprograming at least part of the system control tables; reprogramming at least part of hardware in the stacking system; or downloading at least the part of the system control tables to the hardware.

Abstract: An electronic device that includes a stack of multiple computer network devices (such as switches) that implement a spanning tree using a distributed spanning tree protocol (STP) is described. A given computer network device may create a virtual internal stacking port. This virtual internal stacking port is included in the spanning tree and provides stacking interface logic that allows the given computer network device to connect to a virtual hub in the stack that is common to the multiple computer network devices. Moreover, the given computer network device may run an instance of the distributed STP that controls ports in the given computer network device, where the instance of the distributed STP run by the given computer network device uses a bridge identifier that is common to the multiple computer network devices.

Abstract: A computer network device (such as a switch or a router) that prevents loop occurrence is described. During operation, the computer network device communicates, via one or more ports, data packets with a corresponding one or more second ports in a second computer network device, where a given data packet includes a source address and a destination address, and where the one or more ports and the second one or more ports specify a link between the computer network device and the second computer network device. Moreover, when the link goes down and then comes back up, the computer network device may block forwarding, via the one or more ports, of additional data packets based at least in part on a predefined delay.

Abstract: A stacking system that includes multiple computer network devices (such as a switch or a router) is described. This stacking system may include: an active computer network device that implements software for control protocols and user configuration of the stacking system, and a standby computer network device that provides switchover backup for the active computer network device. During operation of the stacking system, when a switchover from the active computer network device to the standby computer network device occurs, at least the standby computer network device performs an action based at least in part on differences between system control tables for the active computer network device and the standby computer network device, wherein the action comprises: reprograming at least part of the system control tables; reprogramming at least part of hardware in the stacking system; or downloading at least the part of the system control tables to the hardware.

Abstract: A computer network device (such as a switch or a router) that implements a trunk is described. During operation, the computer network device may receive a link aggregation group (LAG) command. In response, the computer network device may access a user LAG configuration and information specifying events for ports. Moreover, the computer network device may receive packet data units (PDUs) associated with the ports. Then, the computer network device may determine a dynamic LAG based at least in part on the user LAG configuration, the information and the PDUs. Next, the computer network device may implement the trunk having member ports in a physical layer based at least in part on the dynamic LAG, where the member ports in the trunk include at least a subset of member ports in the dynamic LAG.

Abstract: An electronic device that includes a stack of multiple computer network devices (such as switches) that implement a spanning tree using a distributed spanning tree protocol (STP) is described. A given computer network device may create a virtual internal stacking port. This virtual internal stacking port is included in the spanning tree and provides stacking interface logic that allows the given computer network device to connect to a virtual hub in the stack that is common to the multiple computer network devices. Moreover, the given computer network device may run an instance of the distributed STP that controls ports in the given computer network device, where the instance of the distributed STP run by the given computer network device uses a bridge identifier that is common to the multiple computer network devices.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a switch capable of auto-configuration of client devices for a link aggregation. The switch includes a packet processor, an auto-configuration module, and a link-aggregation management module. During operation, the packet processor extracts an identifier of a client device from a notification message received via a local port. The auto-configuration module, which is coupled to the packet processor, associates the local port with the identifier of the client device. If the packet processor recognizes the identifier of the client device in a message received from a remote switch, the link-aggregation management module forms a multi-switch link aggregation for the client device in conjunction with the remote switch.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a switch capable of auto-configuration of client devices for a link aggregation. The switch includes a packet processor, an auto-configuration module, and a link-aggregation management module. During operation, the packet processor extracts an identifier of a client device from a notification message received via a local port. The auto-configuration module, which is coupled to the packet processor, associates the local port with the identifier of the client device. If the packet processor recognizes the identifier of the client device in a message received from a remote switch, the link-aggregation management module forms a multi-switch link aggregation for the client device in conjunction with the remote switch.