Detecting and mitigating data plane bridging loops
AssigneeCisco Technology, Inc.
InventorFrancois Tallet
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Example systems and methods associated with detecting bridging loops are described. One example apparatus includes a preliminary detection logic to detect a bridging loop in a switched network based on examining MAC moves reported by a switch in the switched network. The apparatus may also include a confirmation detection logic to confirm the bridging loop by controlling a probe to be sent into the switched network and determining that the probe looped through the switched network. The apparatus may also include a response logic to selectively control switches in the network to break the bridging loop by selectively blocking data plane traffic while allowing control plane traffic.
Claims26
Logic encoded in one or more tangible media for execution and when executed operable to perform a method, the method comprising:
- determining that a bridging loop potentially exists in a switched networked, where the switched network includes two or more switches, where a switch processes data messages in a data plane and processes control messages in a control plane;
- confirming that the bridging loop actually exists in the switched networked;
- and
- providing a signal that indicates that the bridging loop exists in the switched network.
An apparatus, comprising:
- a preliminary detection logic configured to detect a bridging loop in a switched network based, at least in part, on examining MAC moves reported by a switch in the switched network;
- a confirmation detection logic configured to confirm the bridging loop in the switched network by controlling a probe to be sent into the switched network and determining that the probe looped through the switched network;
- and
- a response logic configured to selectively control one or more switches in the switched network to break the bridging loop, where breaking the bridging loop comprises controlling one or more switches to selectively block data plane traffic while allowing control plane traffic.
A system, comprising:
- means for identifying a suspicion that a bridging loop exists in a switched network;
- means for confirming the suspicion that the bridging loop exists in the switched network with an accuracy of more than 95% and with zero false positives;
- and
- means for reducing connectivity in the switched network as a function of confirming the suspicion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.