Patent ID: 8948173
Filing Date: 2015-02-03
Classification: G06F,H04L

Abstract:
1. A managed network switching device providing control support for control functions of an unmanaged network switching device wherein the unmanaged network switching device is communicatively coupled to the managed network switching device via a network, the managed network switching device comprising: a plurality of ports; a switch core configured to direct data packets between the plurality of ports; a processor; a memory coupled to the processor, the memory including computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to a first protocol interface coupled to the processor to format the control message into a formatted message; a second protocol interface coupled to the first protocol interface to encapsulate the formatted message into one or more communication packets; a first communication port coupled to the second protocol interface and the network, the first communication port configured to send the one or more communication packets encapsulating the formatted message to the unmanaged network switching device via the network, wherein the first communication port handles only first protocol messages, the first protocol messages being i) encapsulated and communicated according to a second protocol, and ii) communicated between the managed network switching device and the unmanaged network switching device; and a second communication port coupled to the second protocol interface, wherein the second communication port handles traffic, other than encapsulated first protocol messages, communicated i) according to the second protocol and ii) between the managed network switching device and the unmanaged network switching device.