Patent ID: 8755383
Filing Date: 2014-06-17
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method for packet switching in a Transparent Interconnect of Lots of Links (TRILL) network, the computer-implemented method comprising: receiving a data packet at a first data switching device, the data packet having an existing header and being received from a customer network, the first data switching device being an ingress RBridge of a TRILL network; encapsulating the data packet using a TRILL header, the TRILL header having a data structure that includes a transport device address space and a TRILL device address space; encapsulating the data packet includes setting a first portion of bits, within the transport device address space, such that the first portion of bits indicates a data switching device address that is a node within the TRILL network; encapsulating the data packet includes setting a second portion of bits, within the transport device address space, such that the second portion of bits indicates information distinct from the data switching device address that is a node within the TRILL network; encapsulating the data packet includes setting bits within TRILL device address spaces such that the bits indicate an ingress RBridge nickname and an egress RBridge nickname; and forwarding the data packet via the TRILL network.