Patent ID: 7145864
Filing Date: 2006-12-05
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A redundant link management switch for use in a stack of switches forming a closed-loop link topology, comprising: a stacking module, having an uplink port and a downlink port, the uplink port for connecting a next-higher switch in the stack, the downlink port for connecting a next-lower switch in the stack; a processor, for instructing the stacking module to disable a downlink control bus within the downlink port when receiving a disconnect command, for instructing the stacking module to enable the downlink control bus when receiving a reconnect command, and the processor providing a link status; and a management module, for performing a redundant link management function, the management module asserting the disconnect command to the processor if the link status indicates that the redundant link management switch and the stack of switches are stacked into the closed-loop link topology, and asserting the reconnect command to the processor to recover a redundant link if the management module detects that the closed-loop link topology is changed; wherein the redundant link is connected between the downlink port of the redundant link management switch and the next-lower switch.