Virtual switch framework for network switching

A method comprising:

• generating a mapping of a first set of physical ports of a network device and a second set of physical ports of the network device to a single set of virtual ports, wherein the network device comprises:
• first switch circuitry associated with a first set of physical ports;
• second switch circuitry associated with a second set of physical ports, the first switch circuitry being distinct from the second switch circuitry;
• and
• a communication link coupling the first switch circuitry and the second switch circuitry;
• and
• wherein the first set of physical ports and the second set of physical ports collectively form a combined set of physical ports so that, according to the mapping, the first switch circuitry and the second switch circuitry appear to be a single logical entity with each physical port of the combined set of physical ports having a respective virtual port in the single set of virtual ports;
• and
• presenting the mapping of the first set of ports and the second set of ports as the single set of virtual ports.

A system comprising:

• one or more processors;
• memory;
• and
• a network device comprising:
• first switch circuitry associated with a first set of physical ports;
• second switch circuitry associated with a second set of physical ports, the first switch circuitry being distinct from the second switch circuitry, wherein the first set of physical ports and the second set of physical ports and collectively forming a combined set of physical ports;
• a communication link coupling the first switch circuitry and the second switch circuitry;
• mapping storage storing a mapping of the first set of physical ports and the second set of physical ports to a single set of virtual ports such that the mapping presents the first set of ports and the second set of ports as the single set of virtual ports, wherein the mapping presents the first switch circuitry and the second switch circuitry as a unified logical switch with each physical port of the combined set of physical ports having a respective virtual port in the single set of virtual ports;
• program storage storing a program that includes instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the network device to:
• receive a transmission on a first physical port of the combined set of physical ports;
• access the mapping to determine a first virtual port of the single set of virtual ports that corresponds to the first physical port;
• and
• generate an indication of the first virtual port as a communication port for the transmission.