Patent ID: 8325630
Filing Date: 2012-12-04
Classification: H04L,Y02D

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method to prevent spanning tree protocol operations from removing redundancy provided by a multi-chassis trunk (MCT), the method comprising: maintaining a multi-chassis port channel (MCPC) priority vector for a port of a first switch in a network topology, wherein the first switch is connected to a second switch in the network topology via an MCT to form an MCPC complex, and wherein the MCPC priority vector includes a switch identifier field, a designated switch identifier field, and at least one of a root identifier field and a cost field, wherein the switch identifier field is configured to store a value indicating whether the port is used to establish the MCT in the MCPC complex, wherein the MCPC complex is configured to: when performing the spanning tree protocol operations to remove one or more loops in the network topology, determining, based on the switch identifier field, whether the port is used to establish the MCT in the MCPC complex; upon determining that the port is used to establish the MCT in the MCPC complex: upon determining that the port is not used to establish the MCT in the MCPC complex: