Managing loops between network devices by monitoring MAC moves
US7496030B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 25, 2004 |
| Grant date | Feb 24, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 2, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L43/0817
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A technique for managing loops between network devices such as customer and carrier edge devices involves monitoring the MAC moves that occur at a device to detect the existence of a loop and initiating a loop protection action if the MAC moves indicate that a loop exists. The number of MAC moves that indicates the existence of a loop is user programmable and pre-established in the device configuration. The number of MAC moves can be expressed as a MAC move threshold, which is defined in terms of, for example, a MAC move rate or a number of MAC moves. Typically, the loop protection action that is initiated in response to a detected loop involves blocking the flow of the looping packets at the corresponding device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.