Patent ID: 6388995
Filing Date: 2002-05-14
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
An intermediate network device for forwarding messages among a plurality of network entities of a computer network, the intermediate network device comprising:a plurality of ports; a spanning tree state machine engine operatively coupled to the plurality of ports and configured to execute a spanning tree algorithm so as to elect a root and to transition the ports among a plurality of spanning tree port states including blocking, forwarding and one or more intermediary states; and means for detecting a failure at the plurality of ports, wherein the spanning tree state machine is arranged to place a first port that provides connectivity to the root in the forwarding spanning tree port state, and to place all other ports providing upstream connectivity to the root relative to the root in the blocking spanning tree port state, and further wherein, in response to a failure at the first port, the spanning tree state machine engine transitions a selected one of the other ports providing upstream connectivity to the root from blocking directly to the forwarding spanning tree port state without transitioning the selected port through the one or more intermediary spanning tree port states.