Path information is obtained in a bridged network by generating an L2
frame with a special MAC address in the header and a target MAC address
embedded in the payload of the frame. The special MAC address in the
header of the frame triggers the collection of path information as the
frame traverses the bridged network while the target MAC address in the
payload of the frame is used to forward the frame in the bridged network.
In an embodiment, the destination MAC address of the frame is set to a
special MAC address that identifies the frame as a "trace-path" frame,
for example, a multicast MAC address.