Abstract: Techniques for intelligent, load adaptive, and self optimizing master node selection in an extended bridge are provided. According to one embodiment, a controlling bridge (CB) node that is part of a plurality of CB nodes in the extended bridge can determine a set of local configuration parameters and a set of local runtime parameters. The CB node can further broadcast the set of local configuration parameters and the set of local runtime parameters to other CB nodes in the plurality of CB nodes. The CB node can also receive a set of configuration parameters and a set of runtime parameters from each of the other CB nodes in the plurality of CB nodes. The CB node can then determine a particular CB node in the plurality of CB nodes to be a master CB node of the extended bridge based on the set of local configuration parameters, the set of local runtime parameters, the received sets of configuration parameters, and the received sets of runtime parameters.

Abstract: Techniques for providing high availability for distributed network services in an extended bridge are provided. According to one embodiment, a controlling bridge (CB) of the extended bridge can detect a status change of a port extender (PE) in the bridge. The CB can further identify one or more rule contexts associated with the PE. For each rule context in the one or more rule contexts, the CB can then determine, based on the rule context, one or more packet classification rules to be programmed on the PE, and can transmit a message identifying the one or more packet classification rules to the PE.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for accurately identifying devices coupled to ports of power sourcing equipment (PSE) of a Power over Ethernet (PoE) system as either powered devices (PDs) or non-powered devices (non-PDs). A device coupled to a PSE port can be identified as a non-PD in response to determining a data link is established on the port before enabling the detection of powered devices on the port and before supplying power on the port. Another embodiment includes determining that a device has been coupled to the port, determining that a data link to the device has been established on the port, removing power from the port, and then determining whether the data link established on the port still exists.

Abstract: Techniques for performing distributed provisioning of packet classification rules in an extended bridge are provided. According to one embodiment, a controlling bridge (CB) of the extended bridge can receive a command to create or delete a packet classification rule for one or more virtual ports of the extended bridge. The CB can further determine a port extender (PE) of the extended bridge that hosts one or more physical ports corresponding to the one or more virtual ports. The CB can then transmit a message to the PE with instructions for creating or deleting the packet classification rule in a ternary content addressable memory (TCAM) of the PE.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for accurately identifying devices coupled to ports of power sourcing equipment (PSE) of a Power over Ethernet (PoE) system as either powered devices (PDs) or non-powered devices (non-PDs). A device coupled to a PSE port can be identified as a non-PD in response to determining a data link is established on the port before enabling the detection of powered devices on the port and before supplying power on the port. Another embodiment includes determining that a device has been coupled to the port, determining that a data link to the device has been established on the port, removing power from the port, and then determining whether the data link established on the port still exists.

Abstract: Techniques for performing distributed provisioning of packet classification rules in an extended bridge are provided. According to one embodiment, a controlling bridge (CB) of the extended bridge can receive a command to create or delete a packet classification rule for one or more virtual ports of the extended bridge. The CB can further determine a port extender (PE) of the extended bridge that hosts one or more physical ports corresponding to the one or more virtual ports. The CB can then transmit a message to the PE with instructions for creating or deleting the packet classification rule in a ternary content addressable memory (TCAM) of the PE.

Abstract: Techniques for providing high availability for distributed network services in an extended bridge are provided. According to one embodiment, a controlling bridge (CB) of the extended bridge can detect a status change of a port extender (PE) in the bridge. The CB can further identify one or more rule contexts associated with the PE. For each rule context in the one or more rule contexts, the CB can then determine, based on the rule context, one or more packet classification rules to be programmed on the PE, and can transmit a message identifying the one or more packet classification rules to the PE.

Abstract: Techniques for intelligent, load adaptive, and self optimizing master node selection in an extended bridge are provided. According to one embodiment, a controlling bridge (CB) node that is part of a plurality of CB nodes in the extended bridge can determine a set of local configuration parameters and a set of local runtime parameters. The CB node can further broadcast the set of local configuration parameters and the set of local runtime parameters to other CB nodes in the plurality of CB nodes. The CB node can also receive a set of configuration parameters and a set of runtime parameters from each of the other CB nodes in the plurality of CB nodes. The CB node can then determine a particular CB node in the plurality of CB nodes to be a master CB node of the extended bridge based on the set of local configuration parameters, the set of local runtime parameters, the received sets of configuration parameters, and the received sets of runtime parameters.

Abstract: A method of allocating power to ports in an Ethernet switch, including: (1) assigning a configuration power to a selected port, wherein the assigned configuration power is less than a power supplied by the selected port to a powered, (2) enabling and powering the selected port in a single indivisible step, (3) determining the power limit of a device coupled to the selected port, (4) comparing the power supplied by the selected port to the device with the configuration power assigned to the selected port, and (5) if the power supplied by the selected port to the device is greater than the configuration power assigned to the selected port, then increasing the configuration power of the selected port to correspond with the power limit of the device.

Abstract: A method of allocating power to ports in an Ethernet switch, including: (1) assigning a configuration power to a selected port, wherein the assigned configuration power is less than a power supplied by the selected port to a powered, (2) enabling and powering the selected port in a single indivisible step, (3) determining the power limit of a device coupled to the selected port, (4) comparing the power supplied by the selected port to the device with the configuration power assigned to the selected port, and (5) if the power supplied by the selected port to the device is greater than the configuration power assigned to the selected port, then increasing the configuration power of the selected port to correspond with the power limit of the device.

Abstract: A method of allocating power to ports in an Ethernet switch, including: (1) assigning a configuration power to a selected port, wherein the assigned configuration power is less than a power supplied by the selected port to a powered, (2) enabling and powering the selected port in a single indivisible step, (3) determining the power limit of a device coupled to the selected port, (4) comparing the power supplied by the selected port to the device with the configuration power assigned to the selected port, and (5) if the power supplied by the selected port to the device is greater than the configuration power assigned to the selected port, then increasing the configuration power of the selected port to correspond with the power limit of the device.

Abstract: A method of allocating power to ports in an Ethernet switch, including: (1) determining the available capacity of a power pool used to supply the ports, (2) assigning a configuration power to each of the ports, (3) selecting a port to be enabled, (4) determining whether the available capacity of the power pool exceeds the configuration power assigned to the selected port, and, if the available capacity of the power pool exceeds the configuration power assigned to the selected port, then (4) subtracting the configuration power assigned to the selected port from the available capacity of the power pool, (5) enabling and powering the selected port and simultaneously detecting whether the selected port is connected to a powered device, and (6) adding the configuration power assigned to the selected port to the available capacity of the power pool if the port is not connected to a powered device.

Abstract: An Ethernet switch includes 12-Volt and 48-Volt power sourcing modules, system software, Ethernet interface modules and optional power over Ethernet (PoE) modules. The Ethernet interface modules are motherboards that include the circuitry required to implement a non-PoE system. The PoE modules are daughter boards that include the circuitry required to supply powered devices in a PoE subsystem. A PoE module may be connected to a corresponding Ethernet interface module. During start up, all of the Ethernet interface modules are first powered up in response to the 12-Volt power sourcing module. If the system software subsequently determines that the 48-Volt power sourcing module is operational, then (and only then) the system software attempts to detect the presence of any PoE modules. Upon detecting one or more PoE modules, the PoE modules are initialized and configured, thereby enabling PoE operation.

Abstract: An Ethernet switch includes 12-Volt and 48-Volt power sourcing modules, system software, Ethernet interface modules and optional power over Ethernet (PoE) modules. The Ethernet interface modules are motherboards that include the circuitry required to implement a non-PoE system. The PoE modules are daughter boards that include the circuitry required to supply powered devices in a PoE subsystem. A PoE module may be connected to a corresponding Ethernet interface module. During start up, all of the Ethernet interface modules are first powered up in response to the 12-Volt power sourcing module. If the system software subsequently determines that the 48-Volt power sourcing module is operational, then (and only then) the system software attempts to detect the presence of any PoE modules. Upon detecting one or more PoE modules, the PoE modules are initialized and configured, thereby enabling PoE operation.

Abstract: A method of allocating power to ports in an Ethernet switch, including: (1) determining the available capacity of a power pool used to supply the ports, (2) assigning a configuration power to each of the ports, (3) selecting a port to be enabled, (4) determining whether the available capacity of the power pool exceeds the configuration power assigned to the selected port, and, if the available capacity of the power pool exceeds the configuration power assigned to the selected port, then (4) subtracting the configuration power assigned to the selected port from the available capacity of the power pool, (5) enabling and powering the selected port and simultaneously detecting whether the selected port is connected to a powered device, and (6) adding the configuration power assigned to the selected port to the available capacity of the power pool if the port is not connected to a powered device.

Abstract: A method of allocating power to ports in an Ethernet switch, including: (1) determining the available capacity of a power pool used to supply the ports, (2) assigning a configuration power to each of the ports, (3) selecting a port to be enabled, (4) determining whether the available capacity of the power pool exceeds the configuration power assigned to the selected port, and, if the available capacity of the power pool exceeds the configuration power assigned to the selected port, then (4) subtracting the configuration power assigned to the selected port from the available capacity of the power pool, (5) enabling and powering the selected port and simultaneously detecting whether the selected port is connected to a powered device, and (6) adding the configuration power assigned to the selected port to the available capacity of the power pool if the port is not connected to a powered device.

Abstract: A method of allocating power to ports in an Ethernet switch, including: (1) assigning a configuration power to a selected port, wherein the assigned configuration power is less than a power supplied by the selected port to a powered, (2) enabling and powering the selected port in a single indivisible step, (3) determining the power limit of a device coupled to the selected port, (4) comparing the power supplied by the selected port to the device with the configuration power assigned to the selected port, and (5) if the power supplied by the selected port to the device is greater than the configuration power assigned to the selected port, then increasing the configuration power of the selected port to correspond with the power limit of the device.

Abstract: An Ethernet switch includes 12-Volt and 48-Volt power sourcing modules, system software, Ethernet interface modules and optional power over Ethernet (PoE) modules. The Ethernet interface modules are motherboards that include the circuitry required to implement a non-PoE system. The PoE modules are daughter boards that include the circuitry required to supply powered devices in a PoE subsystem. A PoE module may be connected to a corresponding Ethernet interface module. During start up, all of the Ethernet interface modules are first powered up in response to the 12-Volt power sourcing module. If the system software subsequently determines that the 48-Volt power sourcing module is operational, then (and only then) the system software attempts to detect the presence of any PoE modules. Upon detecting one or more PoE modules, the PoE modules are initialized and configured, thereby enabling PoE operation.

Abstract: A method of allocating power to ports in an Ethernet switch, including: (1) determining the available capacity of a power pool used to supply the ports, (2) assigning a configuration power to each of the ports, (3) selecting a port to be enabled, (4) determining whether the available capacity of the power pool exceeds the configuration power assigned to the selected port, and, if the available capacity of the power pool exceeds the configuration power assigned to the selected port, then (4) subtracting the configuration power assigned to the selected port from the available capacity of the power pool, (5) enabling and powering the selected port and simultaneously detecting whether the selected port is connected to a powered device, and (6) adding the configuration power assigned to the selected port to the available capacity of the power pool if the port is not connected to a powered device.