Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining an indication that a state associated with a node is to be changed and preventing data from being received on a first link. The method also includes updating at least one selected from a group including an incoming interface check (IIC) table and an outgoing interface (OIF) table to reflect the state. The state indicates that a second link is to be activated. Finally, the method includes allowing the data to be received on the second link after updating either or both the IIC table and the OIF table and after the timer duration for the NULL value for IIC has expired.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes assigning at a switch in a layer 2 multipath network, costs to a link in the network, each of the link costs associated with a different graph for forwarding traffic in the network, transmitting the link costs to other switches in the layer 2 multipath network, and receiving and forwarding traffic according to one of the graphs. An apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: Consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure, systems and methods are disclosed for providing per-group ECMP for multidestination traffic in a DCE/TRILL network. Embodiments enable per-group load balancing of multidestination traffic in DCE/L2MP networks by creating a new IS-IS PDU to convey the affinity of the parent node for a given multicast group. For broadcast and unknown unicast flooded traffic, the load balancing may be done on a per-vlan basis.

Abstract: Techniques are described which facilitate multi-destination forwarding in a Layer 2 Multipath (L2MP) network which includes an emulated switch. The emulated switch may correspond to two or more underlying peer link switches in the L2MP network, in which each of the peer link switches is linked to a Classical Ethernet (CE) switch over a virtual port channel (vPC). Traffic received by one of the peer link switches over the vPC is automatically forwarded to the other peer link switch (or switches). Multi-destination frames originating from the L2MP network addressed to hosts within the CE network are sent over only one of the peer link switches.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes assigning at a switch in a layer 2 multipath network, costs to a link in the network, each of the link costs associated with a different graph for forwarding traffic in the network, transmitting the link costs to other switches in the layer 2 multipath network, and receiving and forwarding traffic according to one of the graphs. An apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes establishing a link between two N_Port Identifier Virtualization (NPIV) switches, the link having a high cost assigned thereto. The NPIV switches are in communication with a plurality of hosts through an N_Port Virtualization (NPV) device. The method further includes receiving at a first of the NPIV switches, an indication of a failure at a second of the NPIV switches, receiving data at the first NPIV switch, the data destined for one of the hosts associated with a domain of the second NPIV switch, and forwarding the data to the NPV device for delivery to the host, wherein a Fibre Channel Identifier (FCID) of the host is the same before and after the failure at the second NPIV switch. An apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a routing tree may be determined by facilitating communication of a first network and a second network. The first network comprises first switches and uses a first routing protocol, and the second network comprises second switches and uses a second routing protocol. The intersection of the first and second switches comprises gateway switches. A gateway switch enables creation of a second routing tree of the second routing protocol. The second routing tree has virtual links and a virtual root switch representing a first root switch of the first network. The second switches generate minimum link cost tunnels using information from the second routing protocol. A first routing tree of the first routing protocol is extended with the tunnels to merge the first routing tree and the second routing tree.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving at a processor at a node, notification of an error in a VLAN to topology mapping at the node, receiving a multi-destination packet from the VLAN in the VLAN to topology mapping, the multi-destination packet including a tree identifier associated with one of the topologies, and transmitting the multi-destination packet to all forwarding ports at the node in an unpruned tree corresponding to the tree identifier contained in the multi-destination packet. An apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining an indication that a state associated with a node is to be changed and preventing data from being received on a first link. The method also includes updating at least one selected from a group including an incoming interface check (IIC) table and an outgoing interface (OIF) table to reflect the state. The state indicates that a second link is to be activated. Finally, the method includes allowing the data to be received on the second link after updating either or both the IIC table and the OIF table and after the timer duration for the NULL value for IIC has expired.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving at a processor at a node, notification of an error in a VLAN to topology mapping at the node, receiving a multi-destination packet from the VLAN in the VLAN to topology mapping, the multi-destination packet including a tree identifier associated with one of the topologies, and transmitting the multi-destination packet to all forwarding ports at the node in an unpruned tree corresponding to the tree identifier contained in the multi-destination packet. An apparatus is also disclosed.