Abstract: One embodiment disclosed relates to a method of automated path tracing from an original mesh switch through a switching mesh to a specified destination. A mesh traceroute packet to the specified destination is built. The mesh traceroute packet is transmitted via an exit port associated with the specified destination and the returned packet is received. Another embodiment disclosed relates to a method of responding to receipt of a mesh traceroute packet during an automated path tracing. The mesh traceroute packet is received at a switch. A hop entry is appended to the mesh traceroute packet by the switch.

Abstract: One embodiment disclosed relates to a method of broadcasting packets through a network of switches. A packet is received to be broadcast through the network of switches. A broadcast path is selected from a plurality of generated broadcast paths. A broadcast path tag associated with the selected broadcast path is created and inserted into the packet. A determination is made of the port(s) by which to forward the packet, and the packet is transmitted via the port(s) to next switch(es) in accordance with the selected broadcast path.

Abstract: One embodiment disclosed relates to a switching system. The switching system includes first, second, and third sets of switches. The first set of switches is configured with a first instance of meshing software such that the switches in the first set are members of a first mesh domain. The second set of switches is configured with a second instance of the meshing software such that the switches in the second set are members of a second mesh domain. The third set of switches is configured with both the first and second instances of the meshing software such that the switches in the third set are members of both the first and second mesh domains. Another embodiment disclosed relates to a packet switch apparatus executing multiple instances of meshing software. Another embodiment disclosed relates to a method of configuring a switching system having multiple mesh domains.

Abstract: An apparatus in one example comprises a first mesh network switch that directs a path verification request along a specific path to a second mesh network switch to test operability of the specific path.

Abstract: One embodiment disclosed relates to a switching system. The switching system includes first, second, and third sets of switches. The first set of switches is configured with a first instance of meshing software such that the switches in the first set are members of a first mesh domain. The second set of switches is configured with a second instance of the meshing software such that the switches in the second set are members of a second mesh domain. The third set of switches is configured with both the first and second instances of the meshing software such that the switches in the third set are members of both the first and second mesh domains. Another embodiment disclosed relates to a packet switch apparatus executing multiple instances of meshing software. Another embodiment disclosed relates to a method of configuring a switching system having multiple mesh domains.

Abstract: One embodiment disclosed relates to a method of load balancing traffic in a switching mesh. A packet is received at a switch of the mesh. A MAC destination address is gathered from the packet. An entry in a MAC address table is found with the MAC destination address, and a switch identifier associated with the MAC destination address is obtained. An entry in a switch table is found with the switch identifier, and data associated with the switch identifier is obtained. A hash function is used on field data from the packet to generate a hash value, and the hash value and the associated data are used to generate an index value. An entry in the tag table is found with the index value, and a path tag associated with the index value is obtained. The path tag is inserted into the packet. The path tags may be weighted.