DIRECTING TRAFFIC IN AN EDGE NETWORK ELEMENT OPERABLE TO PERFORM LAYER 2 DATA FORWARDING AND SUPPORTING ANY OF VARIOUS SPANNING TREE PROTOCOLS

摘要

A method in a Layer 2 data forwarding network element deployed at an edge of a first network between the first network and a second network. The first network supports a link management protocol to provide redundant paths and avoid layer 2 loops. The second network does not support the link management protocol. The method includes determining to direct network traffic away from the network element while the network element is not operable to forward the network traffic to the second network and responsively directing the network traffic away from the network element. The method also includes determining to cause further network traffic to come into the network element after the network element is operable to forward the further network traffic to the second network and responsively causing the further network traffic to come into the network element. The method may help to reduce traffic loss.