Patent ID: 9124519
Filing Date: 2015-09-01
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method to assist in distribution of packets between a plurality of switch elements in a distributed switch, the method comprising: monitoring a first transmission path of a data frame from a first switch element to a first destination switch element, wherein the first transmission path includes a first surrogate switch element in a first level of a hierarchy, wherein the first transmission path is configured using a default hierarchy configuration that forwards a data frame to at least one of: (i) the first destination switch element and (ii) a second surrogate switch element, wherein the second surrogate switch element is in a second level of the hierarchy; monitoring a second transmission path of the data frame from the first switch element to the first destination switch element using a second hierarchy configuration, wherein the second hierarchy configuration modifies the default hierarchy configuration and causes the first surrogate switch element to forward the data frame to at least a third surrogate switch element, wherein the third surrogate switch element is not in the first level of the hierarchy; monitoring a third transmission path of the data frame from the first switch element to the first destination switch element using a third hierarchy configuration, wherein the third hierarchy configuration modifies the default hierarchy configuration and causes the first surrogate switch element to forward the data frame to at least a second destination switch element; generating a first transmission score, a second transmission score, and a third transmission score, for the first transmission path, the second transmission path, and the third transmission path, respectively, wherein the respective transmission score is based on a time required to transmit the data frame using the respective transmission path and an attribute of each switch element in the respective transmission path; and upon determining that one of the second and the third transmission score exceeds the first transmission score, using the second or the third transmission path to transmit the data frame to the first destination switch element.