Extreme Networks, Inc.

Charles E Hudnall, Jr

Michael Yip

Donald Bruce Grosser, Jr

Desikan Saravanan

Methods and systems for associating and translating VLAN tags are disclosed. In one implementation, multiple different member VLAN tags are associated with a translation VLAN tag. When a frame addressed to an unknown MAC address and containing one of the member VLAN tags is received, the frame is flooded to the translation VLAN and to ports associated with the source member VLAN other than the originating port. In the copy sent to the translation VLAN, the VLAN tag is replaced with the tag of the translation VLAN, for tagged ports. For untagged ports, the input VLAN tag may simply be stripped from the frames. When a layer 2 frame addressed to an unknown MAC address and containing the translation VLAN tag is received, the layer 2 frame is flooded to each of the member VLANs and to ports of the translation VLAN other than the originating port. The VLAN tag in the frames forwarded to each of the member VLANs may be replaced with the VLAN tag corresponding to each member VLAN, for tagged ports. For untagged ports, the input VLAN tag may simply be stripped from the frames. MAC address learning for frames received from member VLANs extends to the translation VLAN but not to other member VLANs. MAC address learning for frames from the translation VLAN extends to the member VLANs.

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Columbus, MS, United States of America

Charles E Hudnall, Jr