Updating a switch software image in a distributed fabric protocol (dfp) switching network

Abstract

A switching network has a plurality of switches including at least a switch and a managing master switch. At the managing master switch, a first capability vector (CV) is received from the switch. The managing master switch determines whether the first CV is compatible with at least a second CV in a network membership data structure that records CVs of multiple switches in the switching network. In response to detecting an incompatibility, the managing master switch initiates an image update to an image of the switch. In response to a failure of the image update at the switch, the switch boots utilizing a mini-DC module that reestablishes communication between the switch with the managing master switch and retries the image update.

1 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A program product, comprising:
 a machine-readable storage device; and   program code stored within the machine-readable storage medium for managing an image update in a switching network including a managing master switch and a plurality of switches each coupled to the managing master switch by a respective one of multiple links, wherein the program code, when processed by a machine, causes the machine to perform:
 receiving a first capability vector (CV) from the switch at the managing master switch; 
 the managing master switch determining whether the first CV is compatible with at least a second CV in a network membership data structure that records CVs of multiple switches in the switching network; 
 in response to detecting an incompatibility, the managing master switch initiating an image update to an image of the switch; and 
 in response to a failure of the image update at the switch, the managing master switch reestablishing communication with the switch as booted under a mini-DC module and retrying the image update of the switch. 
   
     
     
         10 . The program product of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the incompatibility is in at least one of a control plane and a management plane of the switch.   
     
     
         11 . The program product of  claim 9 , wherein:
 each of the first and second compatibility vectors (CV) indicates whether each feature in a feature set of multiple switch features is supported, as well as a minimum image version corresponding to the feature set.   
     
     
         12 . The program product of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the switching network is a heterogeneous packet-switched network; and   the image of the switch differs from an image of the managing master switch.   
     
     
         13 . The program product of  claim 9 , wherein the program code further causes the machine to perform:
 the managing master switch detecting failure of the image update in response to receipt of a third CV corresponding to a feature set of the switch operating under the mini-DC module.   
     
     
         14 . The program product of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the managing master switch maintains a combined image including a respective image for each of multiple switches in the switching network; and   the initiating the image update includes initiating the image update to the switch from the combined image.   
     
     
         15 . The program product of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the managing master switch provides common data, control and management planes for member switches in the switching network; and   the program code further causes the managing master switch to join the switch to the switching network in response to success of the image update at the switch.   
     
     
         16 . A switch for serving as a managing master switch for a switching network including the master switch and a plurality of other switches, the switch comprising:
 a plurality of ports by which the managing master switch can connect to the plurality of switches by multiple links;   a switch fabric permitting data exchange between the plurality of ports; and   a switch controller configured to perform:
 receiving a first capability vector (CV) from another switch in the switching network; 
 determining whether the first CV is compatible with at least a second CV in a network membership data structure that records CVs of multiple switches in the switching network; 
   in response to detecting an incompatibility, initiating an image update to an image of said another switch; and   in response to a failure of the image update at the switch, reestablishing communication with said another switch as booted under a mini-DC module and retrying the image update of said another switch.   
     
     
         17 . The switch of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the incompatibility is in at least one of a control plane and a management plane of the switch.   
     
     
         18 . The switch of  claim 16 , wherein:
 each of the first and second compatibility vectors (CV) indicates whether each feature in a feature set of multiple switch features is supported, as well as a minimum image version corresponding to the feature set.   
     
     
         19 . The switch of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the switching network is a heterogeneous packet-switched network; and   the image of said another switch differs from an image of the managing master switch.   
     
     
         20 . The switch of  claim 16 , wherein the controller is further configured to perform:
 detecting failure of the image update in response to receipt of a third CV corresponding to a feature set of the switch operating under the mini-DC module.   
     
     
         21 . The switch of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the managing master switch maintains a combined image including a respective image for each of multiple switches in the switching network; and   the initiating the image update includes initiating the image update to said another switch from the combined image.   
     
     
         22 . The switch of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the managing master switch provides common data, control and management planes for member switches in the switching network; and   the switch controller is further configured to perform joining said another switch to the switching network in response to success of the image update at said another switch.   
     
     
         23 . A switching network comprising:
 the switch of  claim 16 ; and   the plurality of switches connected to ports of the switch.   
     
     
         24 . The switching network of  claim 23 , wherein:
 the image of said another switch is a first image;   the image update is a first image update;   said another switch includes:
 a plurality of ports by which said another switch can connect to others of the plurality of switches; 
 a switch fabric permitting data exchange between the plurality of ports; and 
 a switch controller configured to perform:
 in response to receipt of the first image update, attempting to update said another switch from the first image to a second image; and 
 in response to a failure of the first image update at said another switch, automatically booting said another switch under a mini-DC module, reestablishing communication with the managing master switch, and again attempting to update said another switch in response to receipt of a second image update. 
 
   
     
     
         25 . A switch for a switching network including a plurality of switches, the switch comprising:
 a plurality of ports by which the switch can connect to others of the plurality of switches;   a switch fabric permitting data exchange between the plurality of ports; and   a switch controller configured to perform:
 receiving a first image update intended to update the switch from a first image to a second image; 
 attempting to update the switch from the first image to the second image; and 
 in response to a failure of the image update at the switch, automatically booting the switch under a mini-DC module, reestablishing communication with the switching network, and retrying an update to the switch in response to receipt of a second image update. 
   
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A program product, comprising:
 a machine-readable storage device; and   program code stored within the machine-readable storage medium for updating an image of a switch in a switching network including a plurality of switches, wherein the program code, when processed by a machine, causes the machine to perform:
 the switch receiving a first image update intended to update the switch from a first image to a second image; 
 attempting to update the switch from the first image to the second image; and 
 in response to a failure of the image update at the switch, automatically booting the switch under a mini-DC module, reestablishing communication with the switching network, and retrying an update to the switch in response to receipt of a second image update.