System using routing bridges to transparently interconnect multiple network links to form a single virtual network link

A computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform a method for transparently interconnecting multiple network links into a single virtual network link, the method comprising:

• receiving a packet at a routing bridge (Rbridge), wherein the Rbridge belongs to a set of one or more Rbridges that transparently interconnect the multiple network links into the single virtual network link;
• if a destination for the packet resides on the same virtual network link, routing the packet to the destination, wherein the route can be an optimal path to the destination, and is not constrained to lie along a spanning tree through the set of Rbridges;
• and
• automatically obtaining information at the Rbridges specifying which endnodes are located on the multiple network links without the endnodes having to proactively announce their presence to the Rbridges.

An apparatus that transparently interconnects multiple network links into a single virtual network link, comprising:

• a routing bridge (Rbridge) that belongs to a set of one or more Rbridges that transparently interconnect the multiple network links into the single virtual network link;
• a receiving mechanism within the Rbridge configured to receive a packet;
• a link state determination mechanism, which is configured to automatically obtain information specifying which endnodes are located on the multiple network links without the endnodes having to proactively announce their presence to the Rbridges;
• and
• a routing mechanism within the Rbridge, wherein if a destination for the packet resides on the same virtual network link, the routing mechanism is configured to route the packet to the destination, wherein the route can be an optimal path to the destination, and is not constrained to lie along a spanning tree through the set of Rbridges.