Distributed Split Multi-Link Trunking

Distributed Split Multi-Link Trunking (DSMLT) or Distributed SMLT is a computer networking technology designed by Avaya to enhance the Split Multi-Link Trunking (SMLT) protocol. DSMLT allows the ports in a trunk to span multiple units of a stack of switches or to span multiple cards in a chassis, preventing network outages when one switch in a stack fails or one card in a chassis fails.

Fault-tolerance is a very important aspect of Distributed Split Multi-Link Trunking (DSMLT) technology. Should any one switch, port, or more than one link fail, the DSMLT technology will automatically redistribute traffic across the remaining links. Automatic redistribution is accomplished in less than half a second (typically less than 100 milliseconds^[1]) so no outage is noticed by end users. This high speed recovery is required by many critical networks where outages can cause loss of life or very large monetary losses in critical networks. Combining Multi-Link Trunking (MLT), DMLT, SMLT, DSMLT and R-SMLT technologies create networks that support the most critical networks.

Product Support

SMLT is supported on Nortel’s Ethernet Routing Switch 1600, 4500, 5500, 8300, ERS 8600 and MERS 8600 products.

See also

• Avaya
• Avaya Government Solutions
• Link aggregation
• Multi-link trunking
• R-SMLT
• Split multi-link trunking
• Nortel

References

1. ^ "Evaluation of Resilient Routing Switches for Real-Time Multimedia Traffic with Microsoft Live Communications Server 2005 and Nortel MCS 5100". The Tolly Group. http://www.tolly.com/ts/2007/Nortel/ERSswitches/Tolly207171NortelERSwitchSMLT.pdf. 

External links

• Designing a Resilient Network -Broken
• Eliminate Single Points of Failure -Broken
• Resilient Terabit Cluster - Always on Networking -Broken