Method and Network Element Configured for Limiting the Number Virtual Local Area Networks Creatable by GVRP

Abstract

A Layer 2 device configured for providing at least one of bridging and switching functionality in a local area network comprising computer readable instructions for providing GVRP functionality and computer-readable instructions for limiting the number of dynamic VLANs that the GVRP functionality creates on a Layer 2 device of a local area network and on all ports of a data plane card of the Layer 2 device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a Layer 2 device of a LAN having GVRP functionality implemented as a fully distributed application.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a method for facilitating VLAN creation functionality in accordance with the present invention.

Claims

1. A Layer 2 device configured for providing at least one of bridging and switching functionality in a local area network, comprising: computer-readable instructions for providing GVRP functionality; andcomputer-readable instructions for limiting the number of dynamic VLANs that said GVRP functionality creates on a Layer 2 device of a local area network and on all ports of a data plane card of the Layer 2 device.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said limiting the number of dynamic VLANs includes: determining that a dynamic VLAN advertised on a GVRP PDU frame requires creation of a new dynamic VLAN;determining whether a prescribed maximum number of dynamic VLANs permitted on the Layer 2 device will be exceeded by creation of the new dynamic VLAN; anddetermining whether a prescribed maximum number of dynamic VLANs permitted on all ports of any data plane card of the Layer 2 device will be exceeded by creation of the new dynamic VLAN.

3. The device of claim 2, further comprising: computer-readable instructions for precluding creation of the new dynamic VLAN in response to determining that creation of the new dynamic VLAN will cause the maximum number of dynamic VLANs permitted on the Layer 2 device or on any data plane card of the Layer 2 device to be exceeded; andcomputer-readable instructions for creating the new dynamic VLAN in response to determining that creation of the new dynamic VLAN will not cause the maximum number of dynamic VLANs permitted on the Layer 2 device or on any data plane card of the Layer 2 device to be exceeded.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said providing GVRP functionality includes receiving the GVRP PDU frame on a data plane card application of the Layer 2 device.

5. The device of claim 3, further comprising: computer-readable instructions for incrementing a VLAN counter by a single counter unit in response to creating the new dynamic VLAN.

6. The device of claim 3, further comprising: computer-readable instructions for sending a VLAN creation notification to a control plane card of the Layer 2 device;computer-readable instructions for updating an information repository of the control plane card to reflect new information corresponding to the new dynamic VLAN; andcomputer-readable instructions for distributing at least a portion of said new information to at least one other data plane card of the Layer 2 device and to at least one requesting application of the control plane card.

7. The device of claim 6, further comprising: computer-readable instructions for incrementing a VLAN counter by a single counter unit in response to creating the new dynamic VLAN, wherein said providing GVRP functionality includes receiving the GVRP PDU frame on a data plane card application of the Layer 2 device.

8. A method, comprising: receiving a GVRP PDU frame on a data plane card application of a Layer 2 device of a local area network;determining that a dynamic VLAN advertised on the GVRP PDU frame requires creation of a new dynamic VLAN;determining whether a prescribed maximum number of dynamic VLANs permitted on the Layer 2 device of a local area network will be exceeded by creation of the new dynamic VLAN;determining whether a prescribed maximum number of dynamic VLANs permitted on all ports of any data plane card of the Layer 2 device will be exceeded by creation of the new dynamic VLAN; andcreating the new dynamic VLAN in response to determining that creation of the new dynamic VLAN will not cause the maximum number of dynamic VLANs permitted on the Layer 2 device or on any data plane card of the Layer 2 device to be exceeded.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising: precluding creation of the new dynamic VLAN in response to determining that creation of the new dynamic VLAN will cause the maximum number of dynamic VLANs permitted on the network system or on the data plane card to be exceeded.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising: incrementing a VLAN counter by a single counter unit in response to creating the new dynamic VLAN.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising: sending a VLAN creation notification to a control plane card of the Layer 2 device;updating an information repository of the control plane card to reflect new information corresponding to the new dynamic VLAN; anddistributing at least a portion of said new information to at least one other data plane card of the Layer 2 device and to at least one requesting application of the control plane card.

12. A local area network including a Layer 2 device, the Layer 2 device comprising: at least one data processing device;instructions processable by said at least one data processing device; andan apparatus from which said instructions are accessible by said at least one data processing device;wherein said instructions are configured for enabling said at least one data processing device to facilitate: providing GVRP functionality; andlimiting the number of dynamic VLANs that said GVRP functionality creates on the Layer 2 device and on all ports of any data plane card of the Layer 2 device.

13. The local area network of claim 12 wherein said limiting the number of dynamic VLANs includes: determining that a dynamic VLAN advertised on a GVRP PDU frame requires creation of a new dynamic VLAN;determining whether a prescribed maximum number of dynamic VLANs permitted on the Layer 2 device will be exceeded by creation of the new dynamic VLAN; anddetermining whether a prescribed maximum number of dynamic VLANs permitted on all ports of any data plane card of the network system will be exceeded by creation of the new dynamic VLAN.

14. The local area network of claim 13 wherein said instructions are configured for enabling said at least one data processing device to facilitate: precluding creation of the new dynamic VLAN in response to determining that creation of the new dynamic VLAN will cause the maximum number of dynamic VLANs permitted on the Layer 2 device or on any data plane card of the Layer 2 device to be exceeded; andcreating the new dynamic VLAN in response to determining that creation of the new dynamic VLAN will not cause the maximum number of dynamic VLANs permitted on the Layer 2 device or on any data plane card of the Layer 2 device to be exceeded.

15. The local area network of claim 14 wherein said providing GVRP functionality includes receiving the GVRP PDU frame on a data plane card application of the Layer 2 device.

16. The local area network of claim 14 wherein said instructions are configured for enabling said at least one data processing device to facilitate: incrementing a VLAN counter by a single counter unit in response to creating the new dynamic VLAN.

17. The local area network of claim 14 wherein said instructions are configured for enabling said at least one data processing device to facilitate: sending a VLAN creation notification to a control plane card of the Layer 2 device;updating an information repository of the control plane card to reflect new information corresponding to the new dynamic VLAN; anddistributing at least a portion of said new information to at least one other data plane card of the Layer 2 device and to at least one requesting application of the control plane card.

18. The local area network of claim 17 wherein: said instructions are configured for enabling said at least one data processing device to facilitate incrementing a VLAN counter by a single counter unit in response to creating the new dynamic VLAN; andsaid providing GVRP functionality includes receiving the GVRP PDU frame on a data plane card application of the Layer 2 device.