Scalable management plane for a modular network element

A modular network element managed as a single entity, the modular network element comprising:

• a plurality of line modules;
• and
• zero or more switch modules in a chassis, wherein the plurality of line modules are located separate from the chassis and from one another, and connected to the chassis and/or to one another via cabling,
• wherein a management plane is operated between the plurality of line modules and the zero or more switch modules via one or more dedicated links in the cabling,
• wherein the plurality of line modules and the zero or more switch modules are managed as the single entity utilizing a chassis management protocol over the management plane, and wherein the chassis management protocol is a two-way protocol for indicating presence, a physical position of each of the plurality of line modules based on a position sensor on each line module, and status between the plurality of line modules and the zero or more switch modules, and
• one of a controller in the chassis and a processor in one of the plurality of line modules operating as a virtual controller is designated as primary for the chassis management protocol.

An apparatus configured to manage a modular network element, the apparatus comprising:

• a processor and memory storing instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to
• operate a management plane between the plurality of line modules and the zero or more switch modules via one or more dedicated links in cabling between the plurality of line modules and the zero or more switch modules;
• and
• manage the plurality of line modules and the zero or more switch modules as a single entity utilizing a chassis management protocol over the management plane, wherein the chassis management protocol is a two-way protocol for indicating presence, a physical position of each of the plurality of line modules based on a position sensor on each line module, and status between the plurality of line modules and the zero or more switch modules,
• wherein the apparatus is designated as a primary in the chassis management protocol, and the apparatus is physically separate from at least one of the plurality of line modules and the zero or more switches.