Method and system for initializing host location information across smart bridge topology changes

Abstract

A network includes multiple segments and bridges interconnecting the segments, with hosts coupled to the segments. The bridges are smart bridges that each perform a host location initialization function. The host location initialization function in one bridge is performed in corporation with all other bridges in the bridged network via an instance through a propagation order spanning tree (POST). The initialization method includes obtaining prior host location information which is at least a partial representation of the host locations in the bridged network before the network topology change, obtaining hints on host location changes resulting from the network topology change, and modifying the prior host location information according to the hints to construct host location information for initialization. Location information for at least a portion of the hosts in the bridged network is preserved or discovered quickly each time when the network topology changes.