RFC 2641 (rfc2641) - Page 1 of 17


Cabletron's VlanHello Protocol Specification Version 4



Alternative Format: Original Text Document



Network Working Group                                           D. Hamilton
Request for Comments: 2641                                        D. Ruffen
Category: Informational                      Cabletron Systems Incorporated
                                                                August 1999


              Cabletron's VlanHello Protocol Specification
                               Version 4

Status of this Memo

   This memo provides information for the Internet community.  It does
   not specify an Internet standard of any kind.  Distribution of this
   memo is unlimited.

Copyright Notice

   Copyright (C) The Internet Society (1999).  All Rights Reserved.

Abstract

   The VlanHello protocol is part of the InterSwitch Message Protocol
   (ISMP) which provides interswitch communication between switches
   running Cabletron's SecureFast VLAN (SFVLAN) product.  Switches use
   the VlanHello protocol to discover their neighboring switches and
   establish the topology of the switch fabric.

Table of Contents

   1. Introduction......................................  2
      1.1 Data Conventions..............................  2
   2. VlanHello Protocol Operational Overview...........  2
      2.1 Neighbor Discovery............................  2
      2.2 Port States...................................  3
      2.3 Topology Events...............................  5
      2.4 Timers........................................  9
   3. InterSwitch Message Protocol......................  9
      3.1 Frame Header.................................. 10
      3.2 ISMP Packet Header............................ 11
      3.3 ISMP Message Body............................. 12
   4. Interswitch Keepalive Message..................... 13
   5. Security Considerations........................... 16
   6. References........................................ 16
   7. Authors' Addresses................................ 16
   8. Full Copyright Statement.......................... 17






Hamilton & Ruffen            Informational