Abstract: A first switch includes a processor and a memory communicatively coupled to the processor. The memory stores instructions causing the processor, after execution of the instructions by the processor, to establish a first stacking link between a first stacking port of the first switch and a first stacking port of a second switch, establish a second stacking link between a second stacking port of the first switch and a first stacking port of a third switch, and dedicate the first stacking link to a first class of traffic between the first switch and the second switch.

Abstract: A first switch includes a processor and a memory communicatively coupled to the processor. The memory stores instructions causing the processor, after execution of the instructions by the processor, to establish a first stacking link between a first stacking port of the first switch and a first stacking port of a second switch, establish a second stacking link between a second stacking port of the first switch and a first stacking port of a third switch, and dedicate the first stacking link to a first class of traffic between the first switch and the second switch.

Abstract: A network switch configured to detect protocol incompatibility and a corresponding method are described. The switch comprises one or more network ports and a memory. The memory stores a protocol set comprising one or more protocols each comprising protocol-specific identifying information and one or more actions to be taken by the network switch upon detection of the particular protocol. The memory also stores a protocol packet detection logic configured to perform at least one of the one or more actions responsive to detection of a corresponding protocol.

Abstract: A network switch configured to detect protocol incompatibility and a corresponding method are described. The switch comprises one or more network ports and a memory. The memory stores a protocol set comprising one or more protocols each comprising protocol-specific identifying information and one or more actions to be taken by the network switch upon detection of the particular protocol. The memory also stores a protocol packet detection logic configured to perform at least one of the one or more actions responsive to detection of a corresponding protocol.

Abstract: A method includes providing a plurality of communicatively coupled sensor nodes including a destination node. A first selected path from an originating node to the destination node is determined from any plurality of possible paths based on a cost of the first selected path. The cost of any path is based at least in part on a cumulative function of the remaining battery life for each sensor node in that path.