Topology database synchronization

A method of synchronizing topology databases in a network comprising a plurality of switches interconnected by inter-switch links, the method including:

• (a) among a plurality of ports electrically connecting a local switch to a neighboring switch, selecting one of said ports to be a master;
• (b) updating a link state record containing connectivity information regarding a newly established inter-link switch between said local switch and a neighboring switch;
• and
• (c) transmitting said updated link state record over said master port.

A network, comprising:

• a plurality of interconnected switches including a local switch connected to a first neighboring switch;
• each of said switches including a plurality of ports usable to connect to other switches and a topology database indicating the connection between switches in the network;
• wherein, when said local switch detects an electrical connection over one of its ports to said first neighboring switch, and said local switch:
• determines whether another port is already connected to said first neighboring switch;
• and
• if the local switch does not include another port already connected to said first neighboring switch, said local switch transmits its topology database to said first neighboring switch;
• or
• if the local switch does include another port already connected to said first neighboring switch, said local switch does not transmit its topology database to said first neighboring switch.

A network, comprising:

• a local switch having a plurality of local switch ports;
• a first neighboring switch connected to said local switch via at least one of said local switch ports;
• and
• a second neighboring switch connected to said local switch via a plurality of said local switch ports;
• wherein said local switch:
• updates a link state record containing connectivity information regarding the connection between the local switch and the first neighboring switch;
• and
• transmits said updated link state record to said second neighboring switch via only one of said plurality of local switch ports.

A network device, comprising:

• a CPU;
• a plurality of ports usable to connect to other network devices;
• memory coupled to said CPU and including a topology database;
• wherein, when said CPU is adapted to detect an electrical connection over one of its ports to a first neighboring switch, said CPU:
• is adapted to determine whether another port is already connected to said first neighboring switch;
• and
• if the network device does not include another port already connected to said first neighboring switch, said CPU is adapted to transmit the topology database to said first neighboring switch;
• or
• if the network device does include another port already connected to said first neighboring switch, said CPU does not transmit the topology database to said first neighboring switch.

A network device, comprising:

• a plurality of ports usable to connect to other network devices;
• memory including link state records;
• a CPU coupled to said memory, said CPU is adapted to:
• update a link state record containing connectivity information regarding connections between the network device and a first neighboring switch;
• and
• transmit said updated link state record to a second neighboring switch via only one port.

A computer readable storage medium for storing an executable set of software instructions that are executable by a processor, said software instructions being operable to synchronize topology databases in a network comprising a plurality of switches interconnected by inter-switch links, comprising:

• (a) means for detecting an electrical connection between a port on a local switch and a first neighboring switch;
• (b) means for determining whether another port on the local switch has already been connected to the first neighboring switch;
• and
• (c) if no other port on the local switch is already connected to the first neighboring switch, means for transmitting the local switch's topology database to the first neighboring switch;
• or
• (d) if another port on the local switch is already connected to the first neighboring switch over which the local switch's topology database was previously transmitted, means for not transmitting the local switch's topology database to the first neighboring switch over the electrical connection detected in (a).

A computer readable storage medium for storing an executable set of software instructions that are executable by a processor, said software instructions being operable to synchronize topology databases in a network comprising a plurality of switches interconnected by inter-switch links, comprising:

• (a) among a plurality of ports electrically connecting a local switch to a neighboring switch, a means for selecting one of said ports to be a master;
• (b) a means for updating a link state record containing connectivity information regarding a newly established inter-link switch between said local switch and a neighboring switch;
• and
• (c) a means for transmitting said updated link state record over said master port.