A virtual cluster switch , comprising: a forwarding module adapted to determine an output port for a packet encapsulated based on a first protocol, wherein an egress switch identifier of the encapsulated packet identifies a remote switch in the virtual cluster switch forming a network of interconnected switches ; and a control module adapted to: run a control plane based on a second protocol; control the network of interconnected switches as a single logical switch based on the control plane, wherein the network of interconnected switches is identified by a fabric identifier, and wherein a respective switch within the network of interconnected switches is identified by a switch identifier assigned to the switch; determine that the fabric identifier is assigned to the switch in response to the switch joining the network of interconnected switches, wherein the assigned fabric identifier indicates that the switch has joined the network; and maintain a copy of configuration information for the virtual cluster switch, wherein the configuration information for the virtual cluster switch comprises a number of logical switch identifiers assigned to physical switches in the network of interconnected switches in the virtual cluster switch. a forwarding module adapted to determine an output port for a packet encapsulated based on a first protocol, wherein an egress switch identifier of the encapsulated packet identifies a remote switch in the virtual cluster switch forming a network of interconnected switches ; and a control module adapted to: run a control plane based on a second protocol; control the network of interconnected switches as a single logical switch based on the control plane, wherein the network of interconnected switches is identified by a fabric identifier, and wherein a respective switch within the network of interconnected switches is identified by a switch identifier assigned to the switch; determine that the fabric identifier is assigned to the switch in response to the switch joining the network of interconnected switches, wherein the assigned fabric identifier indicates that the switch has joined the network; and maintain a copy of configuration information for the virtual cluster switch, wherein the configuration information for the virtual cluster switch comprises a number of logical switch identifiers assigned to physical switches in the network of interconnected switches in the virtual cluster switch. run a control plane based on a second protocol; control the network of interconnected switches as a single logical switch based on the control plane, wherein the network of interconnected switches is identified by a fabric identifier, and wherein a respective switch within the network of interconnected switches is identified by a switch identifier assigned to the switch; determine that the fabric identifier is assigned to the switch in response to the switch joining the network of interconnected switches, wherein the assigned fabric identifier indicates that the switch has joined the network; and maintain a copy of configuration information for the virtual cluster switch, wherein the configuration information for the virtual cluster switch comprises a number of logical switch identifiers assigned to physical switches in the network of interconnected switches in the virtual cluster switch. <EOS>