Distributed BPDU processing for spanning tree protocols
US7729296B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 7, 2007 |
| Grant date | Jun 1, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 25, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L49/65
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A distributed spanning tree protocol is implemented on a modular packet switch. At least some port-specific spanning tree functionality, for instance a port receive state machine and/or a port transmit state machine, operates on a processor on a line port module. At least some bridge-specific spanning tree functionality operates on a processor on a management or control module. When the spanning tree is stable, the line port module processor handles routine spanning tree “hello” messages without having to involve the control module processor. This arrangement allows the switch to handle large and/or multiple spanning trees and large numbers of bridged ports without overloading the control module processor with routine spanning tree module communications.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.