Patent ID: 8730793

Claim:
A computer-implemented method in which a computer system performs operations comprising: providing a first tunnel across a layer 3 network from a first network device to a second network device, said second network device a member of a cluster of network devices; providing a first virtual interface (VI) on said second network device, said first VI assigned to said first tunnel; passing information related to said first tunnel and said first VI to a third network device, said third network device a member of said cluster; providing a second tunnel across a layer 3 network from said third device to said first network device; providing a second virtual interface (VI) on said third network device, said second VI assigned to said second tunnel; exchanging forwarding information learned on said first VI to said third network device and exchanging forwarding information learned on said second VI to said second network device; and wherein said first network device, said second network device and said third network device comprise network switches.