Cisco Technology, Inc.

Krishna Rao Chennapragada

Charles S Slater

Keith Waldorf

A group of network devices, such as Ethernet switches, are logically configured as a single cluster, with one commander device and one or more expansion devices. Each device in the cluster contains an embedded HTML server that facilitates configuration and management of the network device via a management station running a Web browser. Each device in the cluster is identified by a unique Universal Resource Locator ('URL'). However, only the cluster commander is required to have an IP address. The cluster commander redirects and translates configuration and management requests from the Web browser on the management station so that requests are processed by the appropriate device in the cluster. The exchange of information between the Web browser on the management station and the devices in a cluster is accomplished via redirection of HTTP GET and POST methods. This provides a consistent, device-independent interface between the device and the Web browser on the management station.

HTTP redirection of configuration data for network devices

A mechanism for supplying a stream of data to a browser is provided. The browser periodically refreshes a frame document, transmitting a request for the frame document to an HTTP server. When a network element receives a request from a browser for a frame document, it generates a new frame document, and supplies it to the browser. The new version of the frame document may include new definitions for functions, that, as redefined, reflect the current status of a network element. The updates may be retrieved by invoking functions.

Providing a stream of data to a browser to update properties on a page

A group of network devices, such as Ethernet switches, are logically configured as a single cluster, with one commander device and one or more expansion devices. Each device in the cluster contains an embedded HTML server that facilitates configuration and management of the network device via a management station running a Web browser. Each device in the cluster is identified by a unique Universal Resource Locator (&ldquo;URL&rdquo;). However, only the cluster commander is required to have an IP address. The cluster commander redirects and translates configuration and management requests from the Web browser on the management station so that requests are processed by the appropriate device in the cluster. The exchange of information between the Web browser on the management station and the devices in a cluster is accomplished via redirection of HTTP GET and POST methods. This provides a consistent, device-independent interface between the device and the Web browser on the management station.

System for managing cluster of network switches using IP address for commander switch and redirecting a managing request via forwarding an HTTP connection to an expansion switch

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San Jose, CA, United States of America

Krishna Rao Chennapragada