Abstract: One aspect of the present technology can provide a system for facilitating in-service software upgrade (ISSU) for a switch in a virtual switching stack. During operation, the system can initiate ISSU that facilitate uninterrupted traffic flow. The system can upgrade a first set of daemons of the switch that manage operations of the switch. The system can also upgrade a database stored on the switch. The database can store operational information of the switch. The system can further upgrade a second set of daemons of the switch that configure forwarding information on the forwarding hardware of the switch and facilitate data-plane operations for the switch. The forwarding information configured on the forwarding hardware can remain unchanged during the upgrade. The system can configure the upgraded second set of daemons to obtain control-plane information from a standby switch of a conductor switch of the virtual switching stack.

Abstract: A member switch of multiple connected switches receives a stack-discovery packet from a first coupled switch and, in response, generates and transmits a stack-discovery-response packet to the first coupled switch to allow the member switch to be discovered. The member switch receives stack-configuration information from a stack-control node and forwards the stack-discovery packet to a second coupled switch to facilitate discovery of the second coupled switch. The first coupled switch, the member switch, and the second coupled switch are coupled to each other according to a predetermined order, thereby facilitating an ordered discovery of the multiple connected switches. In response to receiving, from the stack-control node, a control packet, the member switch reboots based on the received stack-configuration information.

Abstract: A member switch of multiple connected switches receives a stack-discovery packet from a first coupled switch and, in response, generates and transmits a stack-discovery-response packet to the first coupled switch to allow the member switch to be discovered. The member switch receives stack-configuration information from a stack-control node and forwards the stack-discovery packet to a second coupled switch to facilitate discovery of the second coupled switch. The first coupled switch, the member switch, and the second coupled switch are coupled to each other according to a predetermined order, thereby facilitating an ordered discovery of the multiple connected switches. In response to receiving, from the stack-control node, a control packet, the member switch reboots based on the received stack-configuration information.

Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to configuring a network switch. In an example, user-defined configuration data may be included in a startup configuration file of a network switch. A token may be defined in the startup configuration file, wherein the token may represent a command for the network switch. The user-defined configuration data included prior to defining the token may be retained in the startup configuration file. In response to an event to restore factory-default configuration data in the network switch, an option may be provided to apply the user-defined configuration data included prior to the token along with the factory-default configuration data to the network switch. In response to selection of the option, the user-defined configuration data included prior to the token may be applied along with the factory-default configuration data to the network switch.

Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to configuring a network switch. In an example, user-defined configuration data may be included in a startup configuration file of a network switch. A token may be defined in the startup configuration file, wherein the token may represent a command for the network switch. The user-defined configuration data included prior to defining the token may be retained in the startup configuration file. In response to an event to restore factory-default configuration data in the network switch, an option may be provided to apply the user-defined configuration data included prior to the token along with the factory-default configuration data to the network switch. In response to selection of the option, the user-defined configuration data included prior to the token may be applied along with the factory-default configuration data to the network switch.