Patent ID: 8422504
Filing Date: 2013-04-16
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. In a network switch having a plurality of ports configured for switching message traffic between the ports according to switching logic, the switching logic responsive to control fields in a message packet, a method of forwarding packets comprising: disabling the switching logic responsive to predetermined control fields in a message packet; defining a static forwarding interconnecting a group of ports with an aggregation port, the aggregation port forwarding all message packets received by the group of ports; overriding the control fields by storing a packet classification in the control fields, the packet classification for subsequent routing of the message packet, the control fields ignored by routing logic because of the disabling of the switching logic; wherein the control field include a destination module and a destination port field, the destination module field indicative of a switching device and the destination port field indicative of a port on the switching device, the stored packet classification superseding the destination module and destination port; and initializing the stackable network switch by storing instructions into the forwarding rules, the instructions for: disabling examination of the control fields in the trunk header; redirecting the group of ports for ingress to the designated port; determining the packet classification information of incoming traffic; and storing the packet classification information in the control fields for passive transport via the designated port.