Extreme Networks, Inc.
Automated mirroring and remote switch port analyzer (RSPAN) functions using fabric attach (FA) signaling

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for automated mirroring is presented. A network device running as a Fabric Attach (FA) server configured to mirror traffic to a Remote Switch Port Analyzer (RSPAN) Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN), issues an FA Type Length Value (TLV) on its uplink to the FA server. The TLV includes a request to associate said RSPAN VLAN with a Service Identifier (I-SID) used to carry mirror traffic in a network. The network device sends the mirrored traffic on the RSPAN VLAN on its uplink to the FA server. The network device signals the I-SID into the network, and detects receive interest in the I-SID. The network device delivers the mirrored traffic to devices that expressed a receive interest in the mirrored traffic.