Patent ID: 7672227

Claim:
A loop prevention method operable in a stackable Ethernet switch system (SESS) having at least two stackable switch elements, wherein each switch element includes at least one stacking port and at least one core switch port such that said at least one core switch port is operable to be connected to a core switch, said loop prevention method comprising: monitoring control management traffic on said at least one stacking port of each of said stackable switch elements; upon determining that there is a loss of said control management traffic on a stacking port of a particular switch element of said SESS, disabling user data traffic on said stacking port of said particular switch element while continuing to keep a control/management traffic path open to avert a loop condition involving said user data traffic in said SESS; and enabling said user data traffic on said stacking port of said particular switch element upon detecting that said control management traffic on said stacking port has resumed.