Patent ID: 7460492
Filing Date: 2008-12-02
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. An intermediate network device configured to receive and forward network messages, the intermediate network device having a plurality of ports to connect the intermediate network device to one or more other devices, the intermediate network device comprising: one or more processing elements configured to execute a spanning tree protocol engine, the spanning tree protocol engine to implement a Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) to transition at least some of the intermediate network device's ports among a plurality of port states, including a discarding port state, a listening port state, and a forwarding port state; and the one or more processing elements further configured to execute a loop guard engine, the loop guard engine to cooperate with the spanning tree protocol engine, the loop guard engine configured to, in response to a stoppage of a periodic receipt of bridge protocol data units (BPDUs) on a given port, prevent the given port from transitioning to the forwarding port state, if the given port is in a port state other than the forwarding port state.