Patent Abstract:
A system and method are provided for enabling a first network to detect a loop in a second network connected thereto. The first network runs a first instance of a Spanning Tree Protocol and the second network runs either a different instance or no instance. The method includes sending a Remote Loop Detection Packet (“RLDP”) from the ports in bridges of the first network which are connected to the second network. The RLDP includes identifiers such as the source bridge, port and VLAN. The system and method further includes checking for receipt of the RLDP on the same bridge which sent the RLDP. If such a receipt occurs, a loop is detected and one of the ports of the receiving/sending bridge is blocked.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/632,591, entitled “System and Method for Detecting and Isolating a Remote Loop,” filed on Aug. 1, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,558,205. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to network configuration protocols, and, more particularly, to protocols which enable remote loop detection and allow for isolation of those remote loops. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A computer network typically comprises a plurality of interconnected devices, These devices include any network device, such as a server or end station, that transmits or receives data frames. A common type of computer network is a local area network (“LAN”) which typically refers to a privately owned network within a single building or campus. LANs may employ a data communication protocol, such as Ethernet or token ring, that defines the functions performed by the data link and physical layers of a communications architecture in the LAN. In many instances, several LANs are interconnected by point-to-point links, microwave transceivers, satellite hook-ups, etc. to form a wide area network (“WAN”), that may span an entire country or continent. 
     One or more intermediate network devices are often used to couple LANs together and allow the corresponding entities to exchange information. For example, a bridge may be used to provide a bridging function between two or more LANs. Alternatively, a switch may be utilized to provide a switching function for transferring information among a plurality of LANs or end stations. In effect, a switch is a bridge among more than 2 networks or entities. The terms “bridge” and “switch” will be used interchangeably throughout this description. Bridges and switches are typically devices that operate at the Data Link layer (“layer 2”) of the Open Systems Interconnection (“OSI”) model. Their operation is defined in the American National Standards Institute (“ANSI”) Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (“IEEE”) 802.1D standard. A copy of the ANSI/IEEE Standard 802.1D, 1998 Edition, is incorporated by referenced herein in its entirety. 
     Telecommunication traffic among network devices is divided into seven layers under the OSI model and the layers themselves split into two groups. The upper four layers are used whenever a message passes to or from a user. The lower three layers are used when any message passes through the host computer, whereas messages intended for the receiving computer pass to the upper four layers. “Layer 2” refers to the data-link layer, which provides synchronization for the physical level and furnishes transmission protocol knowledge and management. 
     Networks may be designed using a plurality of distinct topologies—that is the entities in the network may be coupled together in many different ways. Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , there is shown different examples of “ring” topologies. A ring topology is a network configuration formed when “Layer 2” bridges are placed in a circular fashion with each bridge having two and only two ports belonging to a specific ring.  FIG. 1  shows a single ring  50  having bridges  52  connected by paths  54 . Each bridge  52  in ring  50  in  FIG. 1  has two ports  52   a  and  52   b  belonging to the ring.  FIG. 2  shows two adjacent rings,  50   a  and  50   b , with a single bridge  56  having two ports  56   a ,  56   b  belonging to each ring. 
     In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , no paths or bridges are shared among rings. In  FIG. 3  two rings  50   c  and  50   d  are connected and share two bridges  58 ,  60 . Bridge  58  has two ports  58   a  and  58   b  which each uniquely belong to only one ring, rings  50   c  and  50   d  respectively. Bridge  58  also has one port  58   c  connected to a path which is shared by both rings  50   c  and  50   d . If rings are assigned different priority levels, a port such as  58   c  connected to the shared link assumes the priority value of the higher priority ring, and ports  58   a  and  58   b  in shared bridge  58  and port  60   a  in bridge  60  connected to the lower priority ring are deemed to be customer (or lower priority) ports. The use of a shared link between shared bridges  58 ,  60  allows for the connection of rings and the growth of a larger network from smaller ring components; however, the shared link also presents difficulties since its failure affects both rings  50   c  and  50   d.    
     Ring topologies shown in  FIGS. 1-3  present Layer 2 traffic looping problems. As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , in a single ring topology, data traffic can circulate around in either direction past their origination and thus create repetition of messages. For example, data traffic may originate in bridge  51 , travel counter-clockwise in the ring, pass bridge  57  and return to bridge  51 ; this is called a loop. Loops are highly undesirable because data frames may traverse the loops indefinitely. Furthermore, because switches and bridges replicate (i.e., flood) frames whose destination port is unknown or which are directed to broadcast or multicast addresses, the existence of loops may cause a proliferation of data frames that effectively overwhelms the network. 
     To prevent looping, one of the paths in the ring is blocked, as shown in  FIG. 4 , by blocking data traffic in one of the ring ports—in this case, either port  51   a  or  57   a . The port is deemed to be in a “blocking” state, in which it does not learn or forward incoming or outgoing traffic. 
     A network may be segregated into a series of logical network segments. For example, any number of physical ports of a particular switch may be associated with any number of other ports by using a virtual local area network (“VLAN”) arrangement that virtually associates the ports with a particular VLAN designation. Multiple ports may thus form a VLAN even though other ports may be physically disposed between these ports. 
     The VLAN designation for each local port is stored in a memory portion of the switch such that every time a message is received by the switch on a local port the VLAN designation of that port is associated with the message. Association is accomplished by a flow processing element which looks up the VLAN designation in the memory portion based on the local port where the message originated. 
     Most networks include redundant communications paths so that a failure of any given link or device does not isolate any portion of the network. For example, in the ring networks shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , if communication is blocked preventing data from flowing counter-clockwise, the data may still reach its destination by moving counter-clockwise. The existence of redundant links, however, may also cause the formation of loops within the network. 
     To avoid the formation of loops, many network devices execute a “spanning tree algorithm” that allows the network devices to calculate an active network topology which is loop-free (e.g. has a needed number of ports blocked) and yet connects every element in every VLAN within the network. The IEEE 802.1D standard defines a spanning tree protocol (“STP”) to be executed by 802.1D compatible devices (e.g., bridges, switches, and so forth). In the STP, Bridge Protocol Data Units (“BPDUs”) are sent around the network and are used to calculate the loop free network technology. 
     Other available protocols include that shown and described in now pending NETWORK CONFIGURATION PROTOCOL AND METHOD FOR RAPID TRAFFIC RECOVERY AND LOOP AVOIDANCE IN RING TOPOLOGIES, filed Mar. 4, 2002, Ser. No. 10/090,669 and now pending SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING NETWORK ROUTE REDUNDANCY ACROSS LAYER 2 DEVICES, filed Apr. 16, 2002, Ser. No. 10/124,449. The entirety of these applications are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     All of the current protocols require devices in a network to be protocol-aware. That is, each device must be able to run and understand the protocol that is globally running in the network. A misconfigured protocol or malfunctioning device could potentially cause a loop that would impact the whole network. 
     To illustrate this problem, referring to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a network  80  comprising a core or higher priority network such as a provider  70  coupled to a customer or lower priority network  72  through a switch  74 . Core network  70  runs a conventional spanning tree protocol to avoid loops and has defined a blocked path  76 . This means that either port  78  or port  80  is blocked. Many different causes may result in involuntary loops which may collapse the entire network  80  including: STP corrupted BPDUs, unidirectional optical fibers which result, for example, when paths which typically comprise two fibers but one has shut down, and non-configured protocols in loop topologies. In the example in  FIG. 5 , someone in customer network  72  has improperly disabled the STP running in network  72  or, the STP has become disabled due to problems just mentioned. As a consequence, even though core network  70  is properly running the STP to avoid loops, since the customer in network  72  is not running the STP, a loop is created in customer network  72  and packets from customer network  72  flood core network  70 . As core network  70  and customer network  72  share the same data domain, core network  70  will be flooded with customer packets and will be affected adversely by the customer&#39;s action. Yet, it is not possible to ensure that all network administrators or devices are properly doing their respective jobs and running respective STPs. 
     Therefore, there is a need in the art for a system and method which can detect and isolate remote loops created in another network. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Systems and methods are described for enabling a first network to detect a loop in a second network connected thereto. The first network runs a first instance of a Spanning Tree Protocol and the second network runs either a different instance or no instance. The method includes sending a Remote Loop Detection Packet (“RLDP”) from the ports in bridges of the first network which are connected to the second network. The RLDP includes identifiers such as the source bridge, port and VLAN. The system and method further includes checking for receipt of the RLDP on the same bridge which sent the RLDP. If such a receipt occurs, a loop is detected and one of the ports of the receiving/sending bridge is blocked. 
     In one aspect of the invention, a method enables a first network to detect a loop in a second network. The second network is connected to the first network. The first network is running a first loop avoidance protocol such a STP. The second network is either running a different instance of a loop avoidance protocol or not running any protocol at all. 
     The method includes sending a first loop packet from a first port in a bridge running a loop avoidance protocol of the first network. The first loop packet includes a first identifier with a first reference to the first port. The method further includes receiving a second loop packet at the bridge, the second loop packet including a second identifier with a second reference to a second port. The method still further includes decoding the second loop packet to determine the second reference, comparing the second reference with the first reference, and detecting the loop in the second network when the first and second references match. 
     In another aspect of the invention a system enables a first network to detect a loop in a second network. The second network is communicably coupled to the first network. The first network is running a first loop avoidance protocol instance, the second network is not running the first loop avoidance protocol instance. The system comprises a first network, a bridge in the first network; and a first port in the bridge. The first port sends a first loop packet including a first identifier with a first reference to the first port. The bridge receives a second loop packet, the second loop packet including a second identifier with a second reference to a second port. The bridge further determines the second reference, compares the second reference with the first reference, and detects the loop in the second network when the first and second references match. 
     In yet another aspect of the invention, a bridge in a first network is communicably coupled to a second network. The first network is running a first loop avoidance protocol instance. The second network is not running the first loop avoidance protocol instance. The bridge comprises a first port. The first port sends a first loop packet including a first identifier with a first reference to the first port. The bridge receives a second loop packet, the second loop packet including a second identifier with a second reference to a second port. The bridge further determines the second reference, compares the second reference with the first reference, and detects a loop in a second network when the first and second references match. 
     In still yet another aspect of the invention, a computer readable storage medium includes computer executable code for enabling a first network to detect a loop in a second network. The second network is communicably coupled to the first network. The first network is running a first loop avoidance protocol instance. The second network is not running the first loop avoidance protocol instance. The code performs the steps of sending a first loop packet from a first port in a bridge of the first network, the first loop packet including a first identifier with a first reference to the first port. The code further performs receiving a second loop packet at the bridge, the second loop packet including a second identifier with a second reference to a second port. The code determines the second reference, compares the second reference with the first reference and detects the loop in the second network when the first and second references match. 
     In yet another aspect of the invention, a system enables a first network to detect a loop in a second network. The second network being communicably coupled to the first network. The first network running a first loop avoidance protocol instance, the second network not running the first loop avoidance protocol instance. The system comprises a first network and a plurality of bridges in the first network. The system further comprises a plurality of ports, at least one port for each of the bridges. Each port connected to the second network sends a respective first loop packet including a first identifier with a first reference to the respective port. Each bridge receives a respective second loop packet, each second loop packet including a respective second identifier with a respective second reference to a respective second port. Each respective bridge further determines the respective second reference, compares the respective second reference with the respective first reference, and detects a loop in the second network when the respective first and respective second references match. 
     Still yet another aspect of the invention is a method for enabling a first network to detect a loop in a second network communicably coupled to the first network. The first network is running a first loop avoidance protocol instance. The second network is not running the first loop avoidance protocol instance. The method comprises running a second protocol in the first network to detect a loop in the second network and protecting the first network when a loop is detected in the second network. 
     Yet still another aspect of the invention is a system for enabling a first network to detect a loop in a second network communicably coupled to the first network. The system comprises a first network running a first loop avoidance protocol instance. A second network is not running the first loop avoidance protocol instance. The first network runs a second loop avoidance protocol instance to detect for a loop in the second network. The first network further protects the first network when a loop is detected in the second network. 
     Still yet another aspect of the invention is a system comprising a first network running a first loop avoidance protocol instance. A second network is communicably coupled to the first network. The second network is not running the first loop avoidance protocol instance and has a loop. The first network is protected from the loop in the second network. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1-4  are network diagrams showing prior art network architecture. 
         FIG. 5  is a network diagram showing a prior art network architecture where an undesired loop has formed. 
         FIG. 6  is a network diagram detailing some of the functioning of one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a network diagram showing a blown up view of a portion of  FIG. 6  and detailing some of the functioning of one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a network diagram detailing some of the functioning of one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a flow chart detailing some of the functioning of the invention. 
         FIG. 9   a  is a flow chart detailing some of the functioning of the invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic diagram showing an example of some of the components of a switch in accordance with the invention along with an example of recording media. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As stated above, it is not possible to assure that all network administrators adhere to their task of running a STP or that all network devices operate properly. It is therefore desirable to be able to isolate a first network from other networks coupled thereto in case a loop occurs. For example, in L2 metro provider cases, a network in San Jose should not be brought down because a network administrator in San Francisco forgot to enable STP or other loop avoidance protocol on his switches or because a device or other failure in San Francisco caused STP. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , in accordance with the invention, a Remote Loop Detection Protocol (“RLDP”) is established. The RLDP is a port-VLAN oriented protocol or program used to detect loops in a network  100 . The RLDP may be run out of every port in every VLAN coupled to another network. The protocol is light and should not cause high CPU utilization. For example, core network  102  may be running a first instance of a STP while the connected networks may be running a different instance or no instance. 
     The RLDP allows for any switch in network  100  to remotely monitor any network connected to its ports. Upon detection of a loop in the remote network, the RLDP takes administrative action (discussed below) to block ports connected to the remote network with the loop. As shown in  FIG. 6 , with core network  102  communicably coupled to customer networks  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116  and  118 , RLDP is enabled in switches  104 ,  106  and  108  but not necessarily in switch  107 . Although core network  102  is shown directly coupled to customer networks  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116  and  118 , clearly these networks may also be indirectly communicably coupled through other intervening networks. Additionally, networks  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116  and  118  may choose to run RLDP in switches  124 ,  126 ,  128 ,  130 ,  132 ,  134  and  136  respectively. For the purposes of illustration the following discussion will focus on core network  102  using RLDP to detect a loop in a network connected to it. 
     Switch  104  is shown in a blow up  120  in  FIG. 6  illustrating the presence of the RLDP software module  122  which is included in switch  104 , switch  106  and switch  108 . The RLDP program may be stored in switch  104  or may be stored remotely and accessed by switch  104 . With respect to switch  104 , when a loop is detected in a particular one of customer networks  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116  or  118 , that particular customer network is isolated from core network  102  while the remaining customer networks may remain connected to core network  102 . 
     When the RLDP is enabled on a port of a switch, that port generates RLDP packets which are sent out at a constant interval—for example 0.1 seconds—which may be changed by the operator. The RLDP packets include unique information discussed below. The packets are L2 multicast packets with a MAC address of 0x030480000102. The packets are sent from ports in a VLAN where the RLDP is enabled and follow the tag mode of the particular port. If the port is tagged to a VLAN, an IEEE 802.1Q tag is added to the packet between the Media Control Access (“MAC”) address and the data portion of the packet. 
     Exemplary contents of a RLDP packet are shown immediately below: 
     
       
         
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Protocol Identifier - 2 bytes. This is encoded in the first two octets of the RLDP packet and 
               
               
                 takes the value of “1”. 
               
               
                 Protocol Version - 1 byte. This is encoded in the third octet and takes the value of “0”. 
               
               
                 VLAN Identifier - 2 bytes. This is encoded in the fourth and fifth octet and takes the value of 
               
               
                 the VLAN where the RLDP packet originated. 
               
               
                 Bridge identifier - 6 bytes. This is encoded in octets 6 through 11. It represents the bridge 
               
               
                 identification which should be unique. The first MAC address of the bridge may be used. 
               
               
                 Port Identifier - 2 bytes. This is encoded in the twelfth and thirteenth octet. It includes the port 
               
               
                 ID in the system and should be a unique number within the bridge. The SNMP (Simple Network 
               
               
                 Management Protocol) interface ID may be used. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , when a RLDP packet is received on a port of a switch running the RLDP, such as switch  108 , the RLDP determines whether the bridge identifier and port identifier of the received packet corresponds to the bridge/switch which received the received packet. If the identifiers do match, the RLDP has detected a loop in remote network  118  and action is taken to isolate that loop and the network. In order for a match to occur, the RLDP packet would have to originate in the receiving bridge, travel in a loop, and the then return to the receiving bridge. As network  102  has a blocked path, the loop must be in the customer network  118  attached to it. 
     The action taken by the RLDP includes blocking a data path either on the port  144  sending the RLDP packet or the port  142  that received the RLDP packet. The default option is that the RLDP will block the port that receives the RLDP packets. Such a situation is shown in  FIG. 7 . However, as shown in  FIG. 8 , sometimes blocking the receiving port is not desirable as such blocking may impact all of network  102 . In this situation, the sending port  146  of bridge  106  is blocked. Generally, each network administrator decides, based on the architecture of the network, which ports to be blocked when a loop is found. 
     However, referring again to  FIG. 6 , if a customer network is connected to the provider network  102  through two ports, both of which are running the RLDP, as is the case with switch  104 , a different procedure is used. As both ports  104   a  and  104   b  are sending out RLDP packets, if a loop is detected in network  110 , both ports will receive these packets and will move to a blocking state. To avoid this situation, as an alternative embodiment, if a loop is detected, the RLDP determines whether the port which received the packet is different from the port which sent the packet. If they are the not different, then the sending/receiving port is blocked. If they are different, then if the receiving port has a lower port ID than the sending port, then the receiving port is blocked. Otherwise, the sending port is blocked. Of course, the port with a higher ID could be blocked or any other method used which ensures that one port is blocked even if more than one port receives a RLDP packet indicating a loop. 
     The RLDP software continues to send and receive RLDP packets on ports that are in the blocking state. No other data is received because the port is in a blocked state. However, the RLDP packets are still received so that the switch knows when the loop is fixed. Continuing with the example shown in  FIG. 7 , if the RLDP packet corresponding to port  142  is no longer received on port  142 , it is likely that the loop is fixed. Thus, if a RLDP packet is not received in a known loop for a per port waiting time, port  142  changed from blocking to forwarding. The per port waiting time can be configured and its default value is 10 seconds. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , there is shown a flow chart summarizing the operations of the invention for a particular bridge/switch operating the RLDP. At step S 2 , the RLDP software queries whether it is time to send a RLDP packet. If it is time, the packet is sent at step S 3  and control branches to Step S 5 . If not, control still branches to step S 5  where the RLDP software queries whether a RLDP packet has been received. If such a packet has been received, control branches to step S 4 . If not, control still branches to step S 24  where the RLDP software queries whether any port is blocked. If the answer is yes, the control branches to step S 26 . If the answer in step S 24  is no, control branches back to step S 1 . 
     Assuming that a RLDP packet has been received, at step S 4 , the RLDP decodes the bridge identifier received in the packet. At step S 6 , the RLDP determines whether the bridge identifier in the received RLDP packet matches the bridge identifier of the particular bridge. If the identifiers do not match, the frame in the RLDP packet is flooded to the applicable ports in the VLAN in step S 14  and control branches back to step S 1 . If the bridge identifiers do match, control branch to step S 8  where the VLAN and port IDs are decoded from the received RLDP packet. 
     Control then branches to step S 10 , where the RLDP software determines whether the RLDP program is running on the decoded port and VLAN. If the program is not running, control branches to step S 12  where the frame is dropped because presumably there is a log error and then control branches back to step S 1 . If the program is running on the decoded port and VLAN, control branches to step S 16  where the RLDP software determines whether the block receive mode is enabled. The block receive mode dictates whether the port sending RLDP packets or the port which received the RLDP packet should be blocked. If this mode is enabled, control branches to step S 21  where the RLDP determines whether the receiving port is already blocked. If it is, control branches to step S 1 . If not, control branches to step S 22  and the port which received the RLDP packet is blocked. If the blocking mode is not enabled at step S 16 , control branches to step S 19  where the RLDP determines whether the port whose ID is in the received RLDP packet is blocked. If it is, control branches to step S 1 . If not, control branches to step S 18  where the port whose ID is in the received RLDP packet is blocked. After either steps S 18  or S 22 , control branches to step S 20  where the current time is marked as the last time a RLDP packet was received and control branches back to S 1 . 
     Referring back to step S 24 , where the RLDP determines whether any port is blocked. If no port is blocked, control branches back to step S 1 . If a port is blocked, control branches to step S 26  where the RLDP queries whether the current time minus the last time a RLDP packet was received is greater than or equal to the per port waiting time for the blocked port. If the answer is no, control branches to step S 1 . If the answer is yes, control branches to step S 28  and the blocking port is set to a forwarding port and then control branches back to step S 1 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 9A , there is shown another flow chart summarizing some of the features of the invention. As stated above, if a customer network is connected to two ports, both running a RLDP, if a loop is detected in the customer network, both ports may end up in a blocking state. In addition to determining which port to block using step S 16 , the RLDP may include steps S 11  and S 15  as shown in  FIG. 9A . As in the prior embodiment, if a RLDP packet is received, control branches through steps S 5 , S 4 , S 6 , S 8  and S 10  as discussed above. If the answer to the query in step S 10  is yes, control branches to step S 11  where the RLDP determines whether the RLDP program is running on the received port. If the answer at step S 11  is no, control branches to step S 16  as discussed above. 
     If the answer to the query at step S 11  is yes, then control branches to step S 15  where the RLDP queries whether the receiving port ID is less than or equal to the sending port ID. If the answer is yes, control branches to step S 19  as discussed above. If the answer is no, control branches to step S 21  as discussed above. Clearly, the decision made in step S 15  could be effectuated using the port with a higher ID or any other method which ensures that one port is blocked even if more than one port receives a RLDP packet indicating a loop. Whatever method is chosen, such method will override any customer configuration. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , each switch may comprise a conventional computer  206  including a CPU  200 , a read only memory (“ROM”)  202 , a random access memory (“RAM”)  204 , a storage device  208 , a network interface (such as the ports discussed above)  210  and an input device  212  all coupled together by a bus  214 . The RLDP program may be stored on computer  206 , on storage media  216  or stored remotely. 
     Thus, by broadcasting a unique packet from each port which includes an identifier of that port, determining whether packets received at a particular port include the identifier for the port, and blocking ports based on this determination, a system and method for isolating remote loops is achieved. 
     While the invention has been described and illustrated in connection with preferred embodiments, many variations and modifications as will be evident to those skilled in this art may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and the invention is thus not to be limited to the precise details of methodology or construction set forth above as such variations and modification are intended to be included within the scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7