Packet data unit (PDU) structure for supporting distributed relay control protocol (DRCP)

A network device supporting a distributed resilient network interconnect (DRNI), wherein the network device and a neighbor network device are included in a portal of a link aggregation group (LAG), wherein the network device is coupled to the neighbor network device via an intra-portal port (IPP), the network device comprising:

• ports coupled to one or more physical or aggregation links of the link aggregation group;
• and
• a processor coupled to the ports, executing a DRNI function, the DRNI function operative to cause encapsulation of a distributed relay control protocol data unit (DRCPDU) in a frame, and further operative to cause transmission of the frame encapsulating the DRCPDU from the network device to the neighbor network device via the IPP,
• wherein the DRCPDU includes a protocol data unit (PDU) structure, including:
• a type field indicating that the DRCPDU is for DRCP,
• a version field indicating a version number of the DRCP, and
• a set of type/length/values (TLVs) including:
• a terminator TLV indicating an end of the PDU structure,
• a portal information TLV indicating characteristics of the portal,
• a portal configuration information TLV indicating configuration information of the portal,
• a DRCP state TLV indicating variables associated with the IPP,
• a home ports information TLV indicating a current status of the network device, and
• a neighbor ports information TLV indicating a current status of the neighbor network device.