Transient unpruning for faster layer-two convergence
AssigneeCisco Technology, Inc.
InventorsChiajen Tsai, Norman Finn, Yibin Yang, Nagabhushan K. Channabasappa, Debashis Patnala Rao
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Abstract
In one embodiment, a method includes detecting a change in network topology and broadcasting a transient unconditional unpruning message to all nodes in the network. The message is configured to instruct each network element receiving the message to start a phase timer in response to the broadcast message; unprune its operational ports; and, upon expiration of the phase timer, prune its ports in accordance with the results of a pruning protocol.
Claims19
A method comprising:
- detecting a change in a topology of a network;
- and
- broadcasting a transient unpruning (TUP) message to all nodes in the network, wherein:
- the TUP message comprises an identifier of an originating network node, a sequence number corresponding to the identifier, a duration of a phase timer, and a list of virtual local area networks (VLANs) to be unpruned;
- and
- the TUP message is configured to instruct each network node receiving the message to:
- start a phase timer;
- unprune its operational ports;
- and
- upon expiration of the phase timer, prune its ports in accordance with a pruning protocol.
An apparatus, comprising:
- one or more processors;
- one or more network interfaces;
- one or more non-transitory, computer-readable storage media embodying logic that is operable when executed by the one or more processors to:
- detect a change in a topology of a network;
- and
- broadcast, via the one or more interfaces, a transient unpruning (TUP) message to all nodes in the network, wherein:
- the TUP message comprises an identifier of an originating network node, a sequence number corresponding to the identifier, a duration of a phase timer, and a list of virtual local area networks (VLANs) to be unpruned;
- and
- the TUP message is configured to instruct each network node receiving the message to:
- start a phase timer;
- unprune its operational ports;
- and
- upon expiration of the phase timer, prune ports in accordance with a pruning protocol.
One or more non-transitory, computer-readable storage media embodying logic that is operable when executed to:
- detect a change in a topology of a network;
- and
- broadcast a transient unpruning (TUP) message to all nodes in the network, wherein:
- the TUP message comprises an identifier of an originating network node, a sequence number corresponding to the identifier, a duration of a phase timer, and a list of virtual local area networks (VLANs) to be unpruned;
- and
- the TUP message is configured to instruct each network node receiving the message to:
- start a phase timer;
- unprune its operational ports;
- and
- upon expiration of the phase timer, prune its ports in accordance with a pruning protocol.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.