Patent ID: 8000266
Filing Date: 2011-08-16
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: configuring a single port of a network device to operate as a port of a first virtual device and operate as a port of a second virtual device such that the single port carries traffic associated with the first virtual device and carries traffic associated with the second virtual device, wherein the port carries traffic belonging to a first set of network classifications supported by the first virtual device and a second set of network classifications supported by the second virtual device, and wherein the network device runs a port-centric protocol; and forming a single internal spanning tree instance for both the first virtual device and the second virtual device such that the first virtual device and the second virtual device share the single internal spanning tree instance, wherein forming the single internal spanning tree instance for both the first virtual device and the second virtual device such that the first virtual device and the second virtual device share the single internal spanning tree instance comprises: