Torii-HLMAC: A distributed, fault-tolerant, zero configuration fat tree data center architecture with multiple tree-based addressing and forwarding

This paper describes Torii-HLMAC, a scalable, fault-tolerant, zero-configuration data center network fabric architecture protocol as a fully distributed alternative to PortLand for similar multiple tree network topologies. It uses multiple, fixed, tree-based positional MAC addresses for multiple path and table-free forwarding. Addresses are assigned by a simple extension of the Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol. Torii-HLMAC enhances the PortLand protocol advantages of scalability, zero configuration and high performance and adds instant path recovery, fully distributed routing and address assignment. ARP Proxy may be used to avoid ARP broadcast messages.