Method and system for identifying instability or a spanning tree protocol loop in a network
AssigneeCisco Technology, Inc.
InventorsMuhammad Sarosh Niazi, Muhammad Moizuddin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and systems for identifying instability or a loop in a network. In one method, a first BPDU message is received at a switch indicating a topology change. The message includes a bridge identifier identifying a network device originating the first BPDU message. A second BPDU is generated at the switch and includes the bridge identifier identifying the network device originating the first BPDU message. The method further includes transmitting the second BPDU message indicating the topology change from the switch.
Claims22
A method for identifying instability or a loop in a network, comprising:
- receiving at a switch a first Bridge Protocol Data Unit (BPDU) message indicating a topology change, said first message including a bridge identifier identifying a network device originating said first BPDU message;
- generating a second BPDU message at the switch, said second BPDU message comprising said bridge identifier identifying the network device originating said first BPDU message;
- and
- transmitting from the switch said second BPDU message indicating said topology change and comprising said bridge identifier identifying the network device originating said first BPDU message;
- wherein the switch and the network device are not root bridges.
A method for identifying instability or a loop in a network, comprising:
- receiving at a root bridge a plurality of Bridge Protocol Data Unit (BPDU) messages each indicating a topology change and comprising a bridge identifier identifying a network device originating a BPDU message upon detection of a topology change, at least a portion of said plurality of BPDU messages comprising the same bridge identifier;
- and
- identifying a source of the instability or loop by identifying the network device associated with the bridge identifier contained in a majority of said plurality of BPDU messages received at the root bridge.
An apparatus for identifying instability or a loop in a network, comprising:
- a processor;
- and
- a memory that stores instructions for execution by the processor, said instructions comprising:
- code that processes a first Bridge Protocol Data Unit (BPDU) message indicating a topology change, said first message including a bridge identifier identifying a network device originating said message;
- and
- code that transmits a second BPDU message indicating said topology change, wherein said second BPDU message comprises said bridge identifier identifying the network device originating said first BPDU message;
- wherein the network device is not a root bridge.
An apparatus for identifying instability or a loop in a network, comprising:
- a processor operable to process at a root bridge a plurality of Bridge Protocol Data Unit (BPDU) messages each indicating a topology change and comprising a bridge identifier identifying a network device originating a BPDU message upon detection of a topology change, at least a portion of said plurality of BPDU messages comprising the same bridge identifier, and identify a source of the instability or loop by identifying the network device associated with the bridge identifier contained in a majority of said plurality of BPDU messages received at the root bridge;
- and
- a memory that at least temporarily stores information from said plurality of BPDU messages, said information including one or more addresses, each of said one or more addresses corresponding to said bridge identifier identifying the network device originating said BPDU message upon detection of a topology change.
A computer program product for identifying instability or a loop in a network, said computer program product comprising:
- code that processes a first Bridge Protocol Data Unit (BPDU) message indicating a topology change, said first message including a bridge identifier identifying a network device originating said message;
- code that transmits a second BPDU message indicating said topology change, wherein said second BPDU message comprises said bridge identifier identifying the network device originating said first BPDU message;
- and
- a computer-readable medium that stores the codes;
- wherein the network device is not a root bridge.
An apparatus for identifying instability or a loop in a network, comprising:
- means for receiving at a switch, a first Bridge Protocol Data Unit (BPDU) message indicating a topology change, said first message including a bridge identifier identifying a network device originating said first BPDU message;
- means for generating a second BPDU message at the switch, said second BPDU message comprising said bridge identifier identifying the network device originating said first BPDU message;
- and
- means for transmitting from the switch said second BPDU message indicating said topology change and comprising said bridge identifier identifying the network device originating said first BPDU message;
- wherein the switch and the network device are not root bridges.
An apparatus for identifying instability or a loop in a network, comprising:
- means for receiving at a root bridge a plurality of Bridge Protocol Data Unit (BPDU) messages each indicating a topology change and comprising a bridge identifier identifying a network device originating a BPDU message upon detection of a topology change, at least a portion of said plurality of BPDU messages comprising the same bridge identifier;
- and
- means for identifying a source of the instability or loop by identifying the network device associated with the bridge identifier contained in a majority of said plurality of BPDU messages received at the root bridge.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.