Since the early 1980s, network bridging has been based on the spanning tree protocol. Spanning tree works by blocking ports resulting in congestion and inefficient paths. To improve this situation, the Internet Engineering Task Force has chartered the TRILL (TRansparent Interconnection of Lots of Links) Working Group. It's goal is to design a solution for shortest-path frame routing in multi-hop IEEE 802.1 compliant Ethernet networks with arbitrary topologies using an existing link-state routing protocol.
RBridges are devices which implement the IETF TRILL protocol. RBridges provide optimal pair-wise frame forwarding with zero configuration, safe forwarding even during periods of temporary loops, and support for multipathing of both unicast and multicast traffic. They are compatible with previous IEEE 802.1 customer bridges, as well as IPv4 and IPv6 routers and end nodes, and support VLANs.
This seminar is a joint presentation of IEEE Computer and Communication Societies and GBC/ACM.
Donald Eastlake 3rd is co-chair of the IETF TRILL Working Group and editor of the RBridge base protocol specification. He is the Chief Technology Officer for Stellar Switches and an author of books on XML Security and the Internet Open Trading Protocol. Donald is the author of 48 IETF RFCs, including the only IETF RFC with the word 'sex' in its title, and an inventor on five issued patents and seven published patent filings still being pursued.
