Patent ID: 8018873
Filing Date: 2011-09-13
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of exchanging link state information within a layer two (L2) broadcast network comprising: determining whether two or more broadcast networks have overlapping layer three address spaces; upon determining that the two or more broadcast networks do not have overlapping address spaces, generating, with a first network device, a first type of network link state advertisement (LSA) in accordance with a link state protocol and transmitting the first type of network LSA on the L2 broadcast network from the first network device to at least a second network device, the first type of network LSA including a first identifier for identifying the layer two (L2) broadcast network, wherein the first identifier is generated based upon layer 3 addressing associated with the L2 broadcast network; and upon determining that the two or more broadcast networks have overlapping address spaces, generating, with the first network device, a second type of network LSA in accordance with the link state protocol and transmitting the second type of network LSA from the first network device, wherein the second type of network LSA includes a second identifier for identifying the L2 broadcast network, wherein the second identifier is independent of the layer 3 addressing associated with the L2 broadcast network.