Patent ID: 7821981
Filing Date: 2010-10-26
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for interconnecting a satellite switch and a virtual switch for communication over a network, the method comprising: transmitting at the satellite switch, a packet to the virtual switch, the packet comprising a source address of the satellite switch and a payload comprising a unique satellite identifier identifying the satellite switch, over the network; receiving at the satellite switch, a response packet from the virtual switch, the response packet comprising a source address of the virtual switch and a payload comprising the unique satellite identifier, a satellite index associated with a port of the satellite switch, and a virtual switch index associated with a port of the virtual switch transmitting the response packet; and mapping at the satellite switch, the virtual switch index into a destination address, inserting the destination address into a satellite packet, and transmitting the satellite packet over the network to the virtual switch; wherein the satellite switch comprises an access layer switch and the virtual switch comprises redundant distribution layer switches, the satellite switch relying on the distribution layer switches to perform forwarding functions.