System, method, and apparatus for network fabric configuration in data communication networks
AssigneeAlcatel-Lucent USA Inc.
InventorsSindhu K. Mohandas, Pramoda V. Nallur, Jeremy W. Touve
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An auto fabric configuration (AFC) mode is provided to enable network elements, when added to a data communication network, to discover each other, using TLVs added to standard protocols. The AFC mode further allows for automatic configuration of the network fabric. For example, core features, such as link aggregation, Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs) and Shortest Path Bridging (SPB) adjacencies, can be automatically configured.
Claims20
A network element within a data communication network, comprising:
- a plurality of physical ports;
- a processor;
- and
- a memory storing computer-executable instructions performed by the processor for:
- transmitting Link Layer Discovery Protocol (LLDP) packets via at least one physical port of the plurality of physical ports, the LLDP packets including a Type Length Value (TLV) field indicating that an auto fabric configuration (AFC) mode is enabled on the at least one physical port;
- receiving LLDP packets from a remote device on the at least one physical port;
- determining whether the AFC mode is enabled on the remote device based on the received LLDP packets;
- if the AFC mode is not enabled on the remote device and no Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) packets are received from the remote device on the at least one physical port, configuring the at least one physical port as a standalone port;
- and
- if the AFC mode is enabled on the remote device, automatically configuring a network fabric between the at least one physical port and the remote device.
A non-transitory memory device having accessible therefrom a set of instructions interpretable by at least one processor, the set of instructions configured for causing the processor to carry out operations for:
- transmitting Link Layer Discovery Protocol (LLDP) packets via at least one physical port of a plurality of physical ports of a network element within a data communication network, the LLDP packets including a Type Length Value (TLV) field indicating that an auto fabric configuration (AFC) mode is enabled on the at least one physical port;
- receiving LLDP packets from a remote device on the at least one physical port;
- determining whether the AFC mode is enabled on the remote device based on the received LLDP packets;
- if the AFC mode is not enabled on the remote device and no Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) packets are received from the remote device on the at least one physical port, configuring the at least one physical port as a standalone port;
- and
- if the AFC mode is enabled on the remote device, automatically configuring a network fabric between the at least one physical port and the remote device.
A method for automatically configuring a network fabric between two network elements in a data communication network, the method comprising:
- transmitting Link Layer Discovery Protocol (LLDP) packets via at least one physical port of a plurality of physical ports of a first network element within the data communication network, the LLDP packets including a Type Length Value (TLV) field indicating that an auto fabric configuration (AFC) mode is enabled on the at least one physical port;
- receiving LLDP packets from a second network element on the at least one physical port;
- determining whether the AFC mode is enabled on the second network element based on the received LLDP packets;
- if the AFC mode is not enabled on the second network element and no Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) packets are received from the remote device on the at least one physical port, configuring the at least one physical port as a standalone port;
- and
- if the AFC mode is enabled on the second network element, automatically configuring the network fabric between the at least one physical port and the second network element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.