Nodal MPs
Nodal MPs provide both MEP and MIP functionality for SPBM deployments. Nodal MPs are associated with a B-VLAN and are VLAN encapsulated packets. The Nodal MEP provides traceability and troubleshooting at the system level for a given B-VLAN. Each node (chassis) has a given MAC address and communicates with other nodes. The SPBM instance MAC address is used as the MAC address of the Nodal MP. The Nodal B-VLAN MPs supports eight levels of CFM and you configure the Nodal B-VLAN MPs on a per B-VLAN basis. Virtual SMLT 10 MAC addresses are also able to respond for LTM and LBM.
Nodal B-VLAN MEPs
The Nodal B-VLAN MEPs created on the CP and function as if they are connected to the virtual interface of the given B-VLAN. Because of this they are supported for both port and MLT based B-VLANs. To support this behavior a MAC Entry is added to the FDB and a new CFM data-path table containing the B-VLAN and MP level are added to direct CFM frames to the CP as required.
Nodal B-VLAN MIPs
The Nodal MIP is associated with a B-VLAN. VLAN and level are sufficient to specify the Nodal MIP entity. The Nodal MIP MAC address is the SPBM system ID for the node on which it resides. If the fastpath sends a message to the CP, the MIP responds if it is not the target and the MEP responds if it is the target.
Nodal B-VLAN MIPs with SMLT
When Nodal MEPs or MIPs are on SPBM B-VLANs the LTM code uses a unicast MAC DA. The LTM DA is the same as the target MAC address, which is the SPBM MAC address or the SMLT MAC address of the target node.
The switch supports SMLT interaction with SPBM. This is accomplished by using two B-VIDs into the core from each pair of SMLT terminating nodes. Both nodes advertise the Nodal B-MAC into the core on both B-VIDS. In addition each node advertises the SMLT virtual B-MAC on one of the two B-VLANs.
The Nodal MEP and MIP are expanded to respond to both the Nodal MAC address as well as the Virtual SMLT MAC address if both MACs are being advertised on its B-VLAN. In addition a source mode is added to the LTM and LBM command to use either the Nodal MAC or the SMLT virtual MAC address as the source MAC in the packet.