Automatically maximizing network link utilization using virtual networks
US8855020B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 9, 2007 |
| Grant date | Oct 7, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 19, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L45/484
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system and method for automatically configuring a network so that each switch in the network is aware of the Multiple Spanning Tree Instances (MSTI) of each other switch and the Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) that each switch uses. This is achieved through the use of controllers connected to each switch. A master switch is elected and the master switch monitors messages to determine if a switch should be using an alternative MISTI. If so, the master switch instructs a switch to use an alternative MSTI. Either a switch or a node connected to the switch may determine which VLAN to use in sending messages, subject to configuration from the controller of the master switch. Messages are periodically sent by each controller to educate other controllers to aid in learning which node is part of a group connected to a switch, the switch in turn connected to a controller.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.