Per-graph link cost assignment in layer 2 multipath networks
AssigneeCisco Technology, Inc.
InventorsSantosh Rajagopalan, Smita Rai, Gayatri Ramachandran, Sanjay Sane, Chandan Mishra, Hariharan Balasubramanian
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Abstract
In one embodiment, a method includes assigning at a switch in a layer 2 multipath network, costs to a link in the network, each of the link costs associated with a different graph for forwarding traffic in the network, transmitting the link costs to other switches in the layer 2 multipath network, and receiving and forwarding traffic according to one of the graphs. An apparatus is also disclosed.
Claims20
A method comprising:
- assigning at a switch in a layer 2 multipath network, costs to a link in the network, each of said link costs associated with a different graph for forwarding traffic in the network;
- transmitting said link costs to other switches in the layer 2 multipath network;
- and
- receiving and forwarding traffic at the switch according to one of said graphs, wherein an identifier associated with said graph is inserted into said traffic;
- wherein said link cost is assigned based on an amount of traffic to be carried on the link for said graph.
An apparatus comprising:
- a processor for assigning at a switch in a layer 2 multipath network, costs to a link in the network, each of said link costs associated with a different graph for forwarding traffic in the network, transmitting said link costs to other switches in the layer 2 multipath network, and receiving and forwarding traffic according to one of said graphs;
- and
- memory for storing the link costs for said graphs;
- wherein receiving traffic comprises receiving a packet from an emulated switch and wherein the processor is further configured for inserting an identifier for said first graph in said packet.
One or more non-transitory computer readable media encoded thereon instructions which when executed by a computer cause the computer to:
- assign in a layer 2 multipath network, costs to a link in the network, each of said link costs associated with a different graph for forwarding traffic in the network;
- and
- transmit said link costs to switches in the layer 2 multipath network, wherein received traffic is forwarded according to one of said graphs;
- wherein assigning a cost to the link for one of said graphs comprises assigning a high cost to the link for said graph and assigning a low cost to the link for another of said graphs to distribute traffic across available links in the network.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.