Method and system for inter-domain loop protection using a hierarchy of loop resolving protocols

A network comprising:

• a plurality of physical loop free network topology domains;
• inter-domain switches, wherein each inter-domain switch is a member of at least two of the plurality of physical loop free network topology domains;
• and
• a logical domain abstracted from the inter-domain switches and logical links connecting the inter-domain switches, wherein each logical link represents one of the plurality of physical loop free network topology domains.

An article of manufacture comprising:

• a machine accessible medium including content that when accessed by a machine causes the machine to:
• receive messages from at least two inter-domain switches, wherein each switch is a member of at least one virtual local area network and a plurality of physical loop free network topology domains;
• abstract a logical domain, wherein the logical domain comprises the inter-domain switches and at least one logical link that connects the inter-domain switches, each logical link representing one of the plurality of physical loop free network topology domains;
• and
• eliminate loops formed by the logical links in the logical domain.