Patent ID: 8259569
Filing Date: 2012-09-04
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: receiving information on layer 2 topologies and Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs) at a network device in a core network, said layer 2 topology information including topology configuration and metrics, said layer 2 topologies configured to allow for different metrics on links to provide path diversity for network traffic; mapping sets of said VLANs to said layer 2 topologies, wherein said VLANs that use similar services in the core network are grouped in the same set to provide differentiated services in said layer 2 topologies; defining multiple paths between a source and a destination or multicast group for each of said layer 2 topologies to provide multipath services for said layer 2 topologies; and forwarding a packet received at the network device on one of said multiple paths; wherein each of said layer 2 topologies comprises a collection of nodes, interfaces, and link metrics, defining multiple paths comprises defining Equal Cost Multipaths (ECMPs) for unicast frames and two or more multicast graphs for multicast frames, and forwarding the packet comprises forwarding the packet on one of said ECMPs if the packet is a unicast frame and forwarding the packet on one of said multicast graphs if the packet is a multicast frame.