Patent ID: 9130865
Filing Date: 2015-09-08
Classification: H04L,H04W

Abstract:
1. A method in an active network element that is coupled with a standby network element by an inter-chassis communication channel used to synchronize session state for sessions handled by the active network element from the active network element to the standby network element, and that is deployed in a Layer 3 network that is used to transmit Layer 2 data, the method one of limiting disruption in the handling of the sessions, the method comprising steps of: monitoring a Layer 2 interface of the active network element for failures; monitoring a Layer 3 interface of the active network element for failures; detecting a failure on the Layer 2 interface; and communicating with the standby network element over the inter-chassis communication channel, in response to detecting the failure on the Layer 2 interface, to redirect traffic associated with the sessions received on the Layer 3 interface of the active network element to a Layer 2 interface of the standby network element, wherein the communicating includes: transmitting data, associated with the sessions and received on the Layer 3 interface of the active network element, over the inter-chassis communication channel to the standby network element to be transmitted out of the standby network element over the Layer 2 interface of the standby network element while avoiding the use of the Layer 2 interface of the active network element, receiving data from the Layer 2 interface of the standby network element over the inter-chassis communication channel, and transmitting the data received from the standby network element over the inter-chassis communication channel through the Layer 3 interface of the active network element.