Patent ID: 7463597
Filing Date: 2008-12-09
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: receiving, from a plurality of layer two (L2) Ethernet bridges associated with a plurality of different L2 networks coupled to an intermediate network, plurality of L2 communications in accordance with a loop detection protocol, wherein the L2 communications includes one or more bridge protocol data units (BPDUs) containing L2 spanning tree information associated with the loop detection protocol; selecting a subset of the L2 spanning tree information contained within the BPDUs; generating a layer three (L3) routing protocol communication that includes the selected subset of the L2 spanning tree information to present the plurality of Ethernet bridges as a single Ethernet bridge and at least one advertised route through a network; and outputting the L3 routing protocol communication to communicate the selected subset of L2 spanning tree information through the intermediate network via a routing device in accordance with the L3 routing protocol.