Method and apparatus for automatically configuring a network device to support a virtual network

An automatic method in a configuration device in a physical networking system having at least one switching device adapted to implement a virtual network within said physical networking system, and at least one end-station interconnected with said at least one switching device, wherein said at least one switching device and said at least one end-station are interconnected in a first topology, and said virtual network comprises a logical grouping of end-stations within said physical networking system, said automatic method comprising the steps of:

• a. storing a policy defining said virtual network upon modification of said first topology, according to a predetermined logical criteria, as including said logical grouping of end-stations within said physical networking system;
• b. detecting said modification of said first topology;
• c. determining a manner in which to reconfigure said at least one switching device to implement said virtual network upon said detection of said modification of said first topology, said manner being determined in accordance with said policy;
• and
• d. automatically reconfiguring said at least one switching device in said manner.

A method for managing a virtual network in a switched, physical networking system comprising at least one end-station, a switching device and a configuration device, wherein said virtual network comprises a logical, sub-grouping of end-stations within said physical network defined according to a predetermined logical criteria, said method of managing said virtual network comprising the following steps:

• a. said configuration device communicating with said switching device to determine changes of connectivity of at least one end-station and said switching device in said switched networking system;
• b. said configuration device referencing a policy for management of said virtual network in said switched networking system in order to determine reconfiguration of said switching device for said management of said virtual network;
• c. said configuration device determining said reconfiguration of said switching device;
• and
• d. said configuration device automatically performing said reconfiguration of said switching device for said management of said virtual network.

Network management apparatus for use in a physical networking system, said physical networking system having at least one switching device capable of implementing a virtual network and at least one end-station interconnectable with said switching device, wherein said at least one switching device and said at least one end-station are interconnected in a first topology, and wherein said virtual network comprises a sub-group of end-stations of said physical networking system allocated to a virtual network grouping according to a predetermined logical criteria, said network management apparatus comprising:

• a. a configuration modification detection circuit to detect the modification of said first topology;
• b. a policy evaluation circuit to identify said at least one end-station as being allocated to said virtual network grouping utilizing a policy upon said detection of said modification of said first topology;
• and
• c. a reconfiguration circuit automatically to reconfigure said switching device to implement said virtual network grouping of said at least one end-station.

Network management apparatus in a networking system including a plurality of end-stations, said networking system having at least one switching device capable of supporting a virtual network and at least one end-station interconnected with said at least one switching device, wherein said at least one switching device and said at least one end-station are interconnected in a first topology, and wherein said virtual network comprises a logical sub-grouping of end stations defined according to a predetermined logical criteria, said network management apparatus comprising:

• a. a configuration policy maintenance circuit for storing a policy defining said virtual network and allocating said at least one end-station to said virtual network according to said predetermined logical criteria;
• b. a configuration modification detection circuit for detecting modification of said first topology;
• c. a policy evaluation circuit for determining said allocation of said at least one end-station to said virtual network, by referencing said policy stored in said configuration policy maintenance circuit, upon said detection of said modification of said first topology;
• and
• d. a reconfiguration circuit for automatically reconfiguring said at least one switching device upon said detection of said modification of said first topology to implement said virtual network.

An automatic method for configuration of a networking system having at least one switching device capable of supporting a virtual network and at least one end-station interconnectable with said at least one switching device, wherein said at least one switching device and at least one end-station are interconnected in a first topology, and wherein said virtual network comprises a plurality of end-stations allocated to a logical grouping defined according to a predetermined logical criteria, said method comprising the following steps:

• storing a policy defining said logical grouping of said end-stations according to said predetermined logical criteria;
• detecting modification of said first topology;
• upon detection of said modification, determining said logical grouping of said at least one end-station to form said virtual network according to said policy;
• and
• upon said detection of said modification, automatically reconfiguring said at least one switching device in said network to support said logical grouping of said at least one end-station.