Advanced link tracking for virtual cluster switching
AssigneeBrocade Communications Systems, Inc.
InventorsSuresh Vobbilisetty, Phanidhar Koganti
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
One embodiment of the present invention provides a switch system. The switch includes a port that couples to a server hosting a number of virtual machines. The switch also includes a link tracking module. During operation, the link tracking module determines that reachability to at least one end host coupled to a virtual cluster switch of which the switch is a member is disrupted. The link tracking module then determines that at least one virtual machine coupled to the port is affected by the disrupted reachability, and communicates to the server hosting the affected virtual machine about the disrupted reachability.
Claims17
A switch, comprising:
- a port configured to couple to a server hosting a number of virtual machines;
- and
- a link tracking module configured to:
- determine that reachability to at least one end host coupled to a virtual cluster switch of which the switch is a member is disrupted;
- determine that at least one virtual machine coupled to the port is affected by the disrupted reachability;
- and
- communicate to the server hosting the affected virtual machine about the disrupted reachability.
A system, comprising:
- a first switch coupled to a first network interface of a server which hosts a number of virtual machines;
- and
- a second switch coupled to a second network interface of the server;
- wherein the first switch comprises a link monitoring mechanism configured to:
- determine that reachability via the first switch to at least one end host coupled to the system is disrupted;
- determine that at least one virtual machine is affected by the disrupted reachability;
- and
- communicate to the server about the disrupted reachability.
A method, comprising:
- communicating with a server hosting a number of virtual machines;
- determining that reachability to at least one end host coupled to a virtual cluster switch of which the switch is a member is disrupted;
- determining that at least one virtual machine coupled to the port is affected by the disrupted reachability;
- and
- communicating to the server hosting the affected virtual machine about the disrupted reachability.
A switch means, comprising:
- a port means for coupling to a server hosting a number of virtual machines;
- a link tracking means for:
- determining that reachability to at least one end host coupled to a virtual cluster switch of which the switch is a member is disrupted;
- determining that at least one virtual machine coupled to the port is affected by the disrupted reachability;
- and
- communicating to the server hosting the affected virtual machine about the disrupted reachability.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.