Patent ID: 9450856
Filing Date: 2016-09-20
CPC Classification: H04L,Y02D

Claim Text:
1. A method for expanding member ports of a link aggregation group between clusters, comprising: receiving, by each apparatus in a cluster of apparatuses, a port joining link aggregation group message sent by a master control board on a master apparatus in the cluster, wherein the port joining link aggregation group message identifies a port, which is on an apparatus in the cluster, that newly joined the link aggregation group; and at each apparatus of the cluster of apparatuses: identifying the newly joined port from the port joining link aggregation group message; determining whether the newly joined port is a port on the apparatus itself and whether the newly joined port is a first member port in the link aggregation group of the cluster; in response to determining the newly joined port is a port on the apparatus itself and is a first member port in the link aggregation group, storing an association of the newly joined port with the link aggregation group at the apparatus; receiving a packet for the link aggregation group; and based on the stored association, transmitting the packet to another cluster of apparatuses via the newly joined port.