FASTER LINK LAYER DISCOVERY PROTOCOL UPDATES

Abstract

In a method for miming a computer network (2) comprising a number of devices (4a-d) comprising at least one network port (6a-c) and being interconnected by network links (8a-c) connecting two respective ports (6a-c), wherein each of the network ports (6a-c) is running the LLDP protocol (9) and comprises a remote MIB (10a-c), a change of a physical state (up, down) of a network link (8a-c) triggers an update of the information in the remote MIB (10a-c) of the ports (6a-c) associated with this link (8a-c), especially immediately after the change of the physical state (up, down). A computer network (2) comprising a number of devices (4a-d) comprising at least one network port (6a-c) and being interconnected by network links (8a-c) connecting two respective ports (6a-c), wherein each of the network ports (6a-c) is running the LLDP protocol (9) and comprises a remote MIB (10a-c) is adapted for performing the above method.

Claims

1. A method for running a computer network (2) having a number of devices (4a-d), wherein each of the devices (4a-d) comprises at least one network port (6a-c), wherein the devices (4a-d) are interconnected within the network (2) by network links (8a-c), each link (8a-c) connecting two respective ports (6a-c), the method comprising: running the LLDP protocol (9) at each of the network ports (6a-c) having a remote MIB (10a-c); and triggering an update of the information in the remote MIB (10a-c) of the ports (6a-c) associated with this link (8a-c), in response to a change of a physical state (up, down) of a network link (8a-c), especially immediately after the change of the physical state (up,down).

2. The method according to claim 1, whereby each information in the remote MIB (10a-c) comprises a TTL, wherein the information in the remote MIB (10a-c) is updated though the TTL associated with the respective information has not yet expired.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the information in the remote MIB (10a-c) is updated at least in respect of information related to the ports (6a-c) associated with the changed link (8a-c).

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein after a link state (up,down) of a link (8a-c) changes from “up” to “down”, for the ports (6a-c) associated with this link (8a-c) all information in the remote MIB (10a-c) learned via the ports (6a-c) of the changed link (8a-c) are removed, especially immediately after the change of the physical state (up,down).

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein after a link state (up,down) of a link (8a-c) changes from “down” to “up”, from the ports (6a-c) associated with this link (8a-c) an LLDPU that is updated in respect of this link (8a-c) is sent out, especially immediately after the change of the physical state (up,down).

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein after an update of the information in the remote MIB (10a-c), a receiver (12) is notified of the update, especially immediately after the update.

7. A computer network (2) comprising a number of devices (4a-d), wherein each of the devices (4a-d) comprises at least one network port (6a-c), wherein the devices (4a-d) are interconnected within the network (2) by network links (8a-c), each link (8a-c) connecting two respective ports (6a-c), wherein each of the network ports (6a-c) is running the LLDP protocol (9) and comprises a remote MIB (10a-c), wherein the computer network (2) is adapted for performing a method according claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] FIG. 1 shows a computer network.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] It will be understood that the features mentioned above and those described hereinafter can be used not only in the combination specified but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0033] The invention is diagrammatically illustrated in the drawings by means of embodiments by way of example, and is hereinafter explained in detail with reference to the drawings. It is understood that the description is in no way limiting on the scope of the present invention and is nearly an illustration of embodiments of the invention.

[0034] FIG. 1 shows a computer network 2. The network 2 comprises devices 4a-d. The devices 4a-d comprise network ports 6a-c. The devices 4a-d are interconnected within the network 2 by network links 8a-c. Each of the links 8a-c connects two of the ports 6a-c.

[0035] Each network port 6a-c is running a LLDP protocol 9, exemplarily shown for port 6a of device 4a, and comprises a remote MIB 10a-c.

[0036] The network links 8a-c can take different physical states “up” or “down”.

[0037] Each time, a network link 8a-c changes its physical state, the information in the remote MIBS 10a-c of the ports 6a-c are updated.

[0038] Once an update of the information in the MIBs 10a-c has taken place, a receiver 12, also connected to the network via port 6a of device 4c, is informed by the network 2. The receiver 12 is viewed or operated by a user. The user can then retrieve information from the MIBs 10a-c to be informed about the actual—especially changed—physical layout of the network 2.