Abstract: Control and management of bandwidth at networks remote from the physical bandwidth management infrastructure. Particular implementations allow network equipment at a plurality of data centers, for example, to manage network traffic at remote branch office networks without deployment of network devices at the remote branch office networks.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling network traffic with different tags within the same connection by applying policies for each tag are disclosed. A method is disclosed in which incoming traffic is received. A traffic class is assigned to the traffic class. Outgoing traffic is controlled based on the assigned policy for the incoming traffic.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for using an application layer demarcation point are described. In one embodiment, the method comprises monitoring end-to-end performance of a network application at an application demarcation point in a network, and mediating between provider infrastructure and customer infrastructure based on results of monitoring.

Abstract: A beltway mechanism that takes advantage of atomic locking mechanisms supported by certain classes of hardware processors to handle the tasks that require atomic access to data structures while also reducing the overhead associated with these atomic locking mechanisms. The beltway mechanisms described herein can be used to control access to software and hardware facilities in an efficient manner.

Abstract: The present invention, in particular embodiments, is directed to methods, apparatuses and systems that provide an efficient compression technique for data streams transmitted to storage devices or over networks to remote hosts. Local storage as well as network transmission of streams is made more efficient by awareness and utilization of repeated sequences of data blocks. Such data blocks can be placed in a dictionary on persistent storage and shared across all streams. The dictionary is hierarchically indexed (two or more levels of indexing) to combine high efficiency search with efficient access to the stored data blocks. Additionally, data blocks, in particular implementations, are stored sequentially in order to improve overall performance.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems directed to efficient compression processing in system architectures including a control plane and a data plane. Particular implementations feature integration of compression operations and mode selection with a beltway mechanism that takes advantage of atomic locking mechanisms supported by certain classes of hardware processors to handle the tasks that require atomic access to data structures while also reducing the overhead associated with these atomic locking mechanisms.

Abstract: A data and control plane architecture for network devices. An example system architecture includes a network processing unit implementing one or more data plane operations, and a network device operably coupled to the network processing unit that implements a control plane. In a particular implementation, the network processing unit is configured to process network traffic according to a data plane configuration, and sample selected packets to the network device. The network device processes the sampled packets and adjusts the data plane configuration responsive to the sampled packets. In particular implementations, the control plane and data plane implement a server-side triggered policy caching mechanism that allows for previous classification policy decisions made for previous data flows to be applied to subsequent new flows.

Abstract: The claimed embodiments provide methods, apparatuses and systems directed to storing write records in a hierarchical index which includes a root node with one or more stem nodes, each corresponding to respective data ranges of a data file. Write records are attached to the hierarchical index as leaf nodes with a possibility of being split into two or more leaf nodes if a write record traverses multiple data ranges. Additionally, the hierarchical index can conditionally grow based on a number of leaf nodes attached to a given stem node in the hierarchical index.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems directed to improving the efficiency of bandwidth allocation schemes by adapting to slow-start mechanisms associated with network communications protocols, such as the TCP/IP protocol suite. In one implementation, the present invention scales down the initial target rate assigned to a data flow to a fraction of an initial estimate of the effective rate capacity of the communications path between two hosts. As packets are received, the target rate is gradually increased, eventually up to the detected rate capacity of the communications path. Implementations of the present invention improve the efficiency of bandwidth allocation by reducing the over-allocation of bandwidth to data flows during the slow-start phase, leaving more bandwidth available to other data flows.

Abstract: Partition configuration and creation mechanisms for network traffic management devices. In some implementations, the present invention enhances the predictability of partition hierarchies that use weighting values and fixed rate guarantees. In some implementations, the present invention includes a configuration interface that constrains the manner in which partitions can be configured to achieve predictable and efficient results. In some implementations, the present invention includes a partition creation and deletion layer that operates to dynamically create partitions based on one or more partition patterns.

Abstract: The present invention, in particular embodiments, provides methods, apparatuses and systems directed to providing a Wide Area File System that is robust against network connectivity issues. In particular implementations, the present invention provides a WAFS disconnected-mode read-write access that provides for a more seamless user experience against WAN or other network connectivity failures. Specific embodiments provide for management, at a network device such as an EFG node, of file objects previously opened during a connected state with a remote file server appliance, creation of new file objects during a disconnected state and re-synchronization of those file objects (data and meta-data) when a connection becomes available.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems directed to a network traffic synchronization mechanism facilitating the deployment of network devices in redundant network topologies. In certain embodiments, when a first network device directly receives network traffic, it copies the network traffic and transmits it to at least one partner network device. The partner network device processes the copied network traffic, just as if it had received it directly, but, in one embodiment, discards the traffic before forwarding it on to its destination. In one embodiment, the partner network devices are operative to exchange directly received network traffic. As a result, the present invention provides enhanced reliability and seamless failover. Each unit, for example, is ready at any time to take over for the other unit should a failure occur.

Abstract: Partition configuration and creation mechanisms for network traffic management devices. In some implementations, the present invention enhances the predictability of partition hierarchies that use weighting values and fixed rate guarantees. In some implementations, the present invention includes a configuration interface that constrains the manner in which partitions can be configured to achieve predictable and efficient results. In some implementations, the present invention includes a partition creation and deletion layer that operates to dynamically create partitions based on one or more partition patterns.

Abstract: A method for controlling data rate at an application layer. The method, in a particular implementation, includes identifying an application-layer message corresponding to a network application, wherein the application-layer message is transmitted in a first direction from a first host to a remote host and is operable to cause the remote host to transmit one or more responsive messages to the first host. A queuing delay is computed for the application-layer message and transmission of the application-layer message across a link to the remote host is delayed according to the queuing delay wherein the computed queuing delay is based at least in part on utilization of the link in a direction opposite the first direction of network traffic corresponding to the network application.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses allowing for dynamic partitioning of a network resource among a plurality of users. In one embodiment, the invention involves recognizing new users of a network resource; creating user partitions on demand for new users, wherein the user partition is operable to allocate a portion of a network resource; and, reclaiming inactive user partitions for subsequent new users.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems that dynamically adjust the selection of differentiated network services for selected classes of traffic or network applications in response to changing network conditions or application performance levels.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a router is deployed on a local area network (LAN) in addition to any routers deployed on a wide area network (WAN) coupled with the LAN having the router. A service management device is coupled between the two routers. The service management device provides management processing, for example, quality of service (QoS) processing, traffic shaping, type of service (ToS) processing, or class of service (CoS) processing. For messages between devices both coupled to the WAN router, the WAN router diverts the messages to the LAN router. The LAN router then returns the messages back to the WAN router through the service management device, which provides management processing. The WAN router then forwards the processed message to the destination device.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems directed to adaptive monitoring of network application performance. In one implementation, the present invention improves processes used by enterprises to track, manage, and troubleshoot performance of network applications across distributed networks. In one implementation, the present invention allows for a network application performance monitoring scheme that tracks end-to-end performance of selected network applications on a passive basis, while selectively engaging more invasive (synthetic) approaches to tracking performance and troubleshooting issues when needed.

Abstract: An example embodiment of the invention provides a process for lockless processing of hierarchical bandwidth partitions configurations in multiple processor architectures. In one embodiment, the process runs in an NPU's data plane and receives a packet for a partition from a child partition through a work queue. The process determines a suggested target bandwidth rate for the receiving partition's child partitions, based in part on a count of active child partitions, if a predefined time interval has passed. The process adopts a target bandwidth rate for the receiving partition suggested by the receiving partition's parent partition, if the receiving partition is not a root partition and the predefined time interval has passed. The process then transmits the packet to the receiving partition's parent partition through the work queue, if the receiving partition is not a root partition. Otherwise, the process transmits the packet to a port.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems directed to enhanced packet load shedding mechanisms implemented in various network devices. In one implementation, the present invention enables a selective load shedding mechanism that intelligently discards packets to allow or facilitate management access during DoS attacks or other high traffic events. In one implementation, the present invention is directed to a selective load shedding mechanism that, while shedding load necessary to allow a network device to operate appropriately, does not attempt to control traffic flows, which allows for other processes to process, classify, diagnose and/or monitor network traffic during high traffic volume periods. In another implementation, the present invention provides a packet load shedding mechanism that reduces the consumption of system resources during periods of high network traffic volume.