Abstract: Aspects of the subject technology relate to systems for arbitrating direct forwarder (“DF”) instantiation between VPC peers used to facilitating the transport of bidirectional multicast traffic over a L2/L3 network boundary. In some aspects, arbitration of DF instantiation on a given VPC peer can include determining a first set of metrics for a first VPC switch, determining a second set of metrics for a second VPC switch, and determining, at the first VPC switch, whether to instantiate a designated forwarder (DF) operation based on a comparison of the first set of metrics and the second set of metrics. Methods and machine-readable media are also provided.

Abstract: Various embodiments are disclosed for increasing Layer-3 LPM (longest prefix match) routing database in a network platform. In some embodiments, chipsets in fabric modules (FMs) can be partitioned into multiple banks. Network traffic can be directed towards a corresponding bank in the FMs by using a LPM table on a line card (LC). Entries in the LPM table on the LC can be programmed either statically or dynamically based upon LPM routes that are dynamically learned.

Abstract: A plurality of line cards with each line card having a respective network forwarding engine and a respective outgoing interface (OIF) list and at least one fabric module communicatively coupled with each line card with each fabric module can have a respective network forwarding engine. The local OIF list can be asymmetrically programmed. The network forwarding engine of a line card can be configured to receive a multicast packet, compare a multicast address associate with the received multicast packet with entries in the local OIF list of the line card and forward the received multicast packet to at least one interface associated with the multicast address in response to the comparison resulting in a match.

Abstract: A hierarchical lookup forwarding model to induce a Layer (L2) forwarding look up in a post-routed virtual local area network (VLAN). In one example, a line card of a networking device receives a packet for routing from a first virtual local VLAN to a second VLAN. The line card determines that the packet is associated with a host route having a corresponding incomplete Layer 3 (L3) adjacency. The line card steers the packet to a fabric module of the networking device. The fabric module performs an L2 lookup on the packet and floods the packet to one or more of line cards of the networking devices. The one or more line cards flood the packet on a plurality of external ports of the networking device.

Abstract: Various embodiments are disclosed for increasing Layer-3 LPM (longest prefix match) routing database in a network platform. In some embodiments, chipsets in fabric modules (FMs) can be partitioned into multiple banks. Network traffic can be directed towards a corresponding bank in the FMs by using a LPM table on a line card (LC). Entries in the LPM table on the LC can be programmed either statically or dynamically based upon LPM routes that are dynamically learned.

Abstract: A plurality of line cards with each line card having a respective network forwarding engine and a respective outgoing interface (OIF) list and at least one fabric module communicatively coupled with each line card with each fabric module can have a respective network forwarding engine. The local OIF list can be asymmetrically programmed. The network forwarding engine of a line card can be configured to receive a multicast packet, compare a multicast address associate with the received multicast packet with entries in the local OIF list of the line card and forward the received multicast packet to at least one interface associated with the multicast address in response to the comparison resulting in a match.