Virtual port grouping for virtual cluster switching
AssigneeBrocade Communications Systems, Inc.
InventorsPhanidhar Koganti, Suresh Vobbilisetty
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Abstract
One embodiment of the present invention provides a switch. The switch includes a port that couples to a server hosting a number of virtual machines. The switch also includes a set of virtual port grouping information and a virtual port grouping mechanism. During operation, the virtual port grouping mechanism determines whether a frame is traveling from a virtual port group to the same virtual port group. If the frame is not traveling to the same virtual port group, the virtual port grouping mechanism prevents the frame from being forwarded.
Claims19
A switch, comprising:
- a port configured to couple to a server hosting a number of virtual machines;
- a set of virtual port grouping information;
- a virtual port grouping mechanism configured to:
- determine whether a frame is traveling from a virtual port group to the same virtual port group;
- and
- prevent the frame from being forwarded upon a determination that the frame is not traveling to the same virtual port group.
A system, comprising:
- a first switch coupled to a first server hosting a number of virtual machines;
- and
- a second switch coupled to a second server hosting a number of virtual machines;
- wherein the first switch comprises a virtual port grouping mechanism configured to:
- determine whether a frame is traveling from a virtual port group to the same virtual port group;
- and
- prevent the frame from being forwarded upon a determination that the frame is not traveling to the same virtual port group.
A method, comprising:
- maintaining by a switch a set of virtual port grouping information;
- determining by the switch whether a frame is traveling from a virtual port group to the same virtual port group;
- and
- preventing the frame from being forwarded upon a determination that the frame is not traveling to the same virtual port group.
A switch means, comprising:
- a port means for coupling to a server hosting a number of virtual machines;
- a virtual port grouping means for:
- determining whether a frame is traveling from a virtual port group to the same virtual port group;
- and
- preventing the frame from being forwarded upon a determination that the frame is not traveling to the same virtual port group.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.