Methods, Routing Device and Further Routing Device for Managing Data Frames In Switched Networks

A method, performed by a routing device of an switched network, for managing data frames travelling in the switched network, wherein the routing device is addressable by a virtual Media Access Control (MAC) address for assignment to routers, wherein the routing device is configured to send, in a periodic manner, a periodic message for conveying information about the virtual MAC address throughout the switched network, the method comprising:

• sending a data frame comprising a source MAC address field, which includes a unicast MAC address of the routing device;
• and
• sending a message including information about the virtual MAC address.

A method, performed by a further routing device of an switched network, for managing data frames, wherein the further routing device and a routing device are addressable by a virtual Media Access Control (MAC) address, wherein the routing device and the further routing device form a virtual router, the method comprising:

• receiving at least one data frame;
• and
• sending, to the routing device, a request instructing the routing device to send an alert message for conveying information about the virtual MAC address throughout the switched network.

A non-transitory computer readable recording medium storing a computer program product for managing data frames travelling in a switched network, wherein a routing device of the switch network is addressable by a virtual Media Access Control (MAC) address for assignment to routers, wherein the routing device is configured to send, in a periodic manner, a periodic message for conveying information about the virtual MAC address throughout the switched network, the computer program product comprising software instructions which, when run on processing circuitry of the routing device, causes the routing device to:

• send a data frame comprising a source MAC address field, which includes a unicast MAC address of the routing device;
• and
• send a message including information about the virtual MAC address.

A non-transitory computer readable recording medium storing a computer program product for managing data frames, wherein a further routing device of a switched network and a routing device are addressable by a virtual Media Access Control (MAC) address, wherein the routing device and the further routing device form a virtual router, the computer program product comprising software instructions which, when run on processing circuitry of the further routing device, causes the further routing device to:

• receive at least one data frame;
• and
• send, to the routing device, a request instructing the routing device to send an alert message for conveying information about the virtual MAC address throughout the switched network.