Patent ID: 8885518

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for routing table synchronization in a distributed network switch that includes a first switch module and a second switch module, the computer-implemented method comprising: receiving, by the first switch module, a first frame having a source address and a destination address, wherein each switch module comprises a plurality of bridge elements and a routing table, wherein the routing table in each switch module is shared among the plurality of bridge elements in the respective switch module; upon determining that the routing table of the first switch module does not include any routing entry for the source address: generating a routing entry for the source address in the routing table of the first switch module, based on routing information determined for the source address; and sending, to the second switch module, an indication to generate a corresponding entry for the source address in the routing table of the second switch module; and upon determining, by operation of one or more computer processors, that the routing table of the first switch module does not include any routing entry for the destination address: generating a routing entry for the destination address in the routing table of the first switch module, based on routing information determined for the destination address; and sending, to the second switch module, an indication to perform a routing entry refresh for the destination address in the routing table of the second switch module, wherein the routing entry refresh is performed only upon a determination that the second switch module is designated as owner of the destination address, wherein the routing entry for the destination address is generated by the owner of the destination address, prior to any non-owner of the destination address generating a corresponding routing entry for the destination address.