Patent ID: 9461831
Filing Date: 2016-10-04
CPC Classification: H04L

Claim Text:
1. A packet forwarding system, comprising: a control apparatus; a group of first relay apparatuses that are connected to each other, the group of first relay apparatuses being centrally and externally controlled by the control apparatus; and a second relay apparatus that comprises a plurality of ports and that is connected to each of the first relay apparatuses, the second relay apparatus not being controlled by the control apparatus; wherein the control apparatus configures a trunk(s) serving as a virtual logical link(s) by using physical links among the first and second relay apparatuses; wherein the control apparatus determines a designated port from ports of the first relay apparatuses included in the trunk; and wherein, when a relay apparatus included in the group of first relay apparatuses receives a predetermined control target packet, the control apparatus controls the group of first relay apparatuses to transmit the received control target packet via a relay apparatus having the designated port.