Patent ID: 10419337

Abstract:
A method and a routing device (110) for managing data frames as well as a method and a further routing device (120) for managing data frames are disclosed. The routing device (110) is addressable by a virtual Media Access Control address, “virtual MAC address”, for assignment to routers. The routing device (110) sends (205) a data frame comprising a source MAC address field, which includes a unicast MAC address of the routing device (110). The routing device (110) sends (208) a message including information about the virtual MAC address. The routing device (110) is configured to send, in a periodic manner, a periodic message for conveying information about the virtual MAC address throughout the switched network (100). In another embodiment, the further routing device (120) receives (201) at least one data frame. The further routing device (120) sends (202) a request which instructs the routing device (110) to send an alert message for conveying information about the virtual MAC address. Corresponding computer programs and carriers therefor are also disclosed.