Discovery of unknown MAC addresses using load balancing switch protocols

A method operable within a plurality of network switches for discovering a path to a device owning an unknown destination MAC address wherein at least a portion of said plurality of network switches have ports in a load balance domain, said method comprising the steps of:

• receiving a packet on a first port of a first network switch of said network switches wherein said packet has a destination MAC address unknown to said first network switch wherein said first port is not within said load balance domain;
• propagating a query message on a port of said first network switch that is within said load balance domain to other network switches of said plurality of network switches wherein said query message requests information regarding said path to said device;
• sending test messages on ports of said first network switch that are outside said load balance domain;
• receiving a reply message on any port of said first network switch in response to propagation of said query message or in response to sending of said test messages wherein said reply message provides addressing information regarding said unknown destination MAC address;
• updating addressing tables in said first network switch in response to receipt of said reply message to indicate said path provided by said addressing information;
• and
• forwarding said packet to said device via said path.

A network switch including a computer readable storage medium tangibly embodying a method operable within said network switch for discovering a path to a device owning an unknown destination MAC address comprising the steps of:

• receiving a packet on a first port of said network switch wherein said packet has a destination MAC address unknown to said network switch and wherein said network switch is a member of a load balance domain comprising at least one other network switch;
• sending a query message on a port of said network switch requesting information regarding said path wherein said query message is of a first type when said first port is within said load balancing domain and wherein said query message is of a second type when said first port is not within said load balancing domain;
• receiving a reply message on a port of said network switch in response to sending of said query message wherein said reply message provides addressing information regarding said unknown destination MAC address;
• updating addressing tables in said network switch in response to receipt of said reply message to indicate said path provided by said addressing information;
• and
• forwarding said packet to said device via said path.

A system including a plurality of network switches each of said switches including a computer readable storage medium tangibly embodying a method operable within said plurality of network switches for discovering a path to a device owning an unknown destination MAC address wherein at least a portion of said plurality of network switches have ports in a load balance domain, said method comprising the steps of:

• receiving a packet on a first port of a first network switch of said network switches wherein said packet has a destination MAC address unknown to said first network switch wherein said first port is not within said load balance domain;
• propagating a query message on a port of said first network switch that is within said load balance domain to other network switches of said plurality of network switches wherein said query message requests information regarding said path to said device;
• sending test messages on ports of said first network switch that are outside said load balance domain;
• receiving a reply message on any port of said first network switch in response to propagation of said query message or in response to sending of said test messages wherein said reply message provides addressing information regarding said unknown destination MAC address;
• updating addressing tables in said first network switch in response to receipt of said reply message to indicate said path provided by said addressing information;
• and
• forwarding said packet to said device via said path.