Patent ID: 8279752
Filing Date: 2012-10-02
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. An Ethernet packet switch operating method comprising: detecting, at the packet switch, a change in a first tunnel's ability to relay packets between the packet switch and another packet switch, the packet switch and the other packet switch being coupled together by the first tunnel and a second tunnel, wherein the first tunnel and the second tunnel comprise Ethernet tunnels; and in response to the detecting, sending an Ethernet control packet to the other packet switch, the Ethernet control packet indicating a particular one of the tunnels is active on the packet switch and the Ethernet control packet is an Ethernet connectivity fault management protocol data unit (CFMPDU); wherein the packet switch transmits Ethernet control packets on both of the tunnels and non-control packets on the one of the tunnels that is active, and wherein the Ethernet control packet comprises fields designating which of the tunnels is currently active and inactive in addition to the Ethernet control packet monitoring an operational status of its associated tunnel; and wherein the Ethernet control packet is compliant with the IEEE 802.1 ag standard, and wherein the Ethernet control packet is a continuity check message (CCM) and one or more type length value (TLV) fields of the Ethernet control packet provide the indication that the particular one of the tunnels is active on the packet switch.