Full mesh optimization for spanning tree protocol

A method comprising:

• clustering a plurality of multi-chassis fabric-backplane enterprise servers into a full-mesh topology, the clustered plurality comprising a full-mesh enterprise server cluster providing one or more Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs) therein;
• for each port of the full-mesh enterprise server cluster, identifying a type of the port as being a particular one of a set of port types including internal port, external port, and edge port, the external port and edge port types being non-internal ports of the full-mesh enterprise server cluster;
• within the full-mesh enterprise server cluster, for each VLAN, forwarding packets received from non-internal ports to all ports of the VLAN;
• and
• within the full-mesh enterprise server cluster, for each VLAN, forwarding packets received from internal ports to all non-internal ports of the VLAN as per a spanning tree protocol.

A computer-readable memory device having stored therein a set of instructions which, when executed by a processor cause the processor to manage a full-mesh enterprise server cluster by:

• clustering a plurality of multi-chassis fabric-backplane enterprise servers into a full-mesh topology, the clustered plurality comprising the full-mesh enterprise server cluster providing one or more Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs) therein;
• for each port of the full-mesh enterprise server cluster, identifying a type of the port as being a particular one of a set of port types including internal port, external port, and edge port, the external port and edge port types being non-internal ports of the full-mesh enterprise server cluster;
• within the full-mesh enterprise server cluster, for each VLAN, forwarding packets received from non-internal ports to all ports of the VLAN;
• and
• within the full-mesh enterprise server cluster, for each VLAN, forwarding packets received from internal ports to all non-internal ports of the VLAN as per a spanning tree protocol.