Two-layer switch apparatus avoiding first layer inter-switch traffic in steering packets through the apparatus
US8289977B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 10, 2009 |
| Grant date | Oct 16, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 14, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L45/60
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Link-level data communications implemented in switching apparatus comprising modular switches disposed within a modular computer cabinet that includes modular computer systems; the switching apparatus configured as two layers of switches, the first layer switches coupled to one another for communications by inter-switch links, each second layer switch coupled for communications to the modular computer systems; all the switches stacked by a stacking protocol that shares administrative configuration information among the switches through the inter-switch links and presents all the switches as a single logical switch; the switching apparatus including ports coupling the apparatus to networks and to service applications and terminating applications on the modular computer systems; and sending the packet from network to modular computer system to which the packet is directed, or from modular computer system to network to which the packet is directed, the packet traversing none of the inter-switch links among the first layer switches.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.