Method and apparatus providing a spanning tree protocol for a data communications network having a multi-link trunk
US6519231B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 12, 1999 |
| Grant date | Feb 11, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 12, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02D30/50
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An enhanced spanning tree protocol for data communications networks having a multi-link trunk. In one embodiment, configuration messages are transmitted from boxes of the data communications network. In one embodiment, the configuration messages that are transmitted through all physical links of the same logical link, or multi-link trunk, include the same port Identifier. A network device that receives the configuration messages is therefore able to identify all of the physical links of a logical link. The enhanced spanning tree protocol according to one embodiment of the present invention considers all of the physical links of a multi-link trunk as a single logical link when identifying and removing loops in the data communications network to form a spanning tree.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.