Abstract: A method and mapper apparatus for reallocating bandwidth used by a data tributary comprising data units, during transport of the data tributary over a communications link by a time division multiplexing (TDM) frame (e.g., a SONET frame comprising N×STS-1s) from a source device to a sink device. Each the data unit occupies one time slot of the frame and the data units are encoded to differentiate between payload data and control codes. At the source device, a designated code (IGNORE CODE) is inserted in each unallocated time slot to identify that the time slot contains no payload data (the designated code being ignored by the sink device). New set(s) of time slots to be allocated (i.e., to increase bandwidth) or de-allocated (i.e., to decrease bandwidth) to the tributary are determined. The new set(s) of time slots are communicated to the sink device. Confirmation of the communication is received from the sink device.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for facilitating recovery of a data connection that was established between an active router and a host. The data connection is a type of connection that tracks the sequence of data sent between the router and the host. This recovery may occur after a standby router takes over for the active router. For example, a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) connection between the active router and a host may be recovered after a router switchover (e.g., when the standby router takes over for the active router in a hot standby router protocol system). To accomplish this, at least one sequence number that is associated with data sent from the active router (to the host) is sent to the standby router, and at least one sequence number from data sent from the host is also sent to the standby router. For example, the sequence numbers correspond to the initial SYN packet sent by the active router and the SYN packet sent by the host in response to the active router's SYN packet.

Abstract: A method of tracing a route between an origin node and a target node within a TCP/IP data network, consisting of sending in a dichotomy-based fashion a succession of messages for tracing the route. The advantage of this method is that it reduces the number of messages necessary for tracing the route.

Abstract: A method of providing circuit-switched and packet-switched calls on a single network comprises receiving (301), at a local switch, a plurality of calls that are comprised of at least one packet-switched call and at least one circuit-switched call and determining (305) a measure of the plurality of calls. Based on the measure of the plurality of calls, a first set of resources (117), from a plurality of resources between the local switch and a network switch, is allocated to circuit-switched calls, and a second set of resources (121), from the plurality of resources between the local switch and the network switch, is allocated to packet-switched calls.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for translating data within a cable network between a first voice-over-IP (VOIP) protocol used by a user agent and a second VOIP protocol used by a call management server, or other type of call receiver. In one embodiment, data from an SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) user agent is translated for an NCS (Network Call Signaling) call management server. In one implementation, translation mechanisms are provided within the customer premises equipment in which the respective user agent is also configured.

Abstract: A ring network provides transparent local area network (LAN) service by allocating respective proportions of data transmission capacity of the ring to different closed user groups (CUGs), each including a plurality of LAN clients. At each node of the ring, the use of a connected segment of the ring is monitored for both pass-through and locally-generated traffic by the LAN clients on a per-CUG basis. When it is detected that use of the connected segment for a CUG is approaching the allocated proportion, an active LAN client of the CUG is selected and sent a throttle message indicating that the LAN client is to reduce its data transmission rate. Rate monitoring for is accomplished using a “leaky bucket” mechanism. A “rate cache” identifying the active senders and their transmission rates can also be used in selecting a LAN client for receiving the throttle message.

Abstract: A user system uses a called number to establish a telephone call over a public telephone network to a called party. In response to the telephone call, the user system transfers a data call request to a server system over a public data network. The server system uses the called telephone number to check a database to determine if the called party is ready to receive data calls. If the called party is ready and accepts the data call, the server system exchanges computer data between the caller and called parties over the public data network.

Abstract: A method of estimating QoS for making a handoff trigger decision for a remote terminal in a wireless IP network is disclosed. At least a first and second probing packet is generated with an access router from a plurality of access points. The first and second probing packets are then sent from the access routers over a fixed core network having a plurality of routers to a correspondent access router and then back to the access routers. At least one collector packet is also generated and sent to follow the first and second probing packets to gather at least one predetermined QoS parameter from the routers after the first and second probing packets have left the routers. The QoS parameters are then processed with the access routers to make the handoff trigger decision preferentially along with layer two QoS parameters of the wireless hop.

Abstract: A packet receiving circuit splits the packet received from a transmission channel into a fixed length of cells and outputs the cells, a search key extracting circuit extracts a predetermined search key from the above-mentioned cells, a CAM performs retrieval based on the above-mentioned search key and outputs a memory address corresponding to the search key, a matching entry address receiving and associative data address transmitting circuit calculates the memory address of an associative data memory based on the above-mentioned memory address and outputs the information stored in the associative data memory as associative data, a search result (associative data) receiving circuit receives the above-mentioned associative data and performs header updating and destination address of the above-mentioned cells, and a packet transmitting circuit outputs the above-mentioned cells in the form of a packet to a transmission channel.

Abstract: A packet routing apparatus has a plurality of routing units, connected by a first connecting mechanism. The plurality of routing units comprise a first routing unit, connected to at least one port, and a second routing unit, connected to an extended function processor. The first routing unit transmits a packet, received from the port, to another first routing unit and/or a second routing unit. The second routing unit transmits the packet, received from the first connecting mechanism, to the extended function processor.

Abstract: A virtual LAN (VLAN) has a number of segments connected by connections in a connection-oriented network. The topology of the VLAN is defined by a spanning tree. Cell sources on the connections send continuity checking cells in a direction toward the spanning tree root to corresponding cell sinks. The cell sinks can trigger a change in the topology of the VLAN if the reception of continuity checking cells is interrupted. The connection-oriented network may be an ATM network. The continuity checking cells may be OAM cells.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for enabling multicast synchronization of initially unicasted content. Multiple unicast streams are synchronized in order to convert the unicast streams into a multicast stream. Each unicast stream may be accelerated or slowed down in relation to a reference stream to a common point within each stream upon which the unicast streams are replaced by a multicast stream of the same content.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a Voice-over Internet Protocol (VoIP) system configured to allow voice data to be transmitted and received over a network. The VoIP system includes a network including at least two VoIP proxy servers configured to allow voice data to be transmitted and received over the network. The VoIP system also includes at least two VoIP clients operatively coupled to the network to transmit and receive voice data over the network and a load balancing proxy server device configured to determine an identity of a VoIP proxy server with a lowest workload. The load balancing proxy server device is also configured to provide the identity of the VoIP proxy server with the lowest workload to one of the at least two VoIP clients so that the one of the at least two VoIP clients can connect to the VoIP proxy server with the lowest workload in order to transmit and receive voice data in relation to another of the at least two VoIP clients.

Abstract: A system and methods for traffic gating in a computer network comprising a plurality of subnets are developed. One of the methods implemented in a data-over-cable system includes, responsive to receiving a first address resolution request message on a cable modem from a first host to a second host, generating a second address resolution request message on the cable modem and sending it to the second host. If the second host does not respond with an address resolution protocol reply message to the second request message, the cable modem determines a network subnet associated with the first host. Based on the network subnet, the cable modem determines a network address of a network element arranged to provide routing services to hosts on the subnet associated with the first host. Next, the cable modem generates an address resolution reply message including the network address of the network element and sends it to the first host.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a Voice-over Internet Protocol (VoIP) system is disclosed. The VoIP system includes a network including at least two VoIP proxy servers configured to allow voice data to be transmitted and received over the network. The VoIP system also includes at least one VoIP client operatively coupled to the network to transmit and receive voice data over the network and a load monitor device configured to monitor workload on the at least two VoIP proxy servers and determine an identity of the VoIP proxy server with a lowest workload. The load monitor device is also configured to provide the identity of the VoIP proxy server with the lowest workload to the at least one VoIP client so that the at least one VoIP client can connect to the VoIP proxy server with the lowest workload to transmit and receive voice data.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that provides an ordered sequence of reassignments of communications paths to new routes. The network may have multiple excessively long communications paths, referred to as out-of-kilter paths, while other communications paths are of acceptable length, referred to as in-kilter paths. The method approximately optimizes a predefined objective such as maximizing the number of reassigned out-of kilter communications paths. The method may reassign multiple in-kilter paths to new routes in order to free up capacity and allow the reassignment of an out-of-kilter path. Reassignments are executed one at a time according to the ordered sequence determined by the method, and no capacity violations are incurred on any network link at any point in time during the execution of the sequence of reassignments. All reassigned communications paths will be in-kilter.

Abstract: A system for authorizing new or ongoing functional use of an adaptable device. The device generates usage information including the times that the device is used, types of functionality provided, indication of amount and type of resources used, and other information. The usage information is transmitted back to a controlling entity, such as an original manufacturer of the adaptable device. The controlling entity can act to enable or prevent use of the provided functionality, as desired. Part of the requirement for using functionality can be monetary, by predetermined agreement, or by other criteria.

Abstract: This invention provides a method, system and computer program product for reducing transmission time and improving network utilization while broadcasting over a filly connected network, wherein it comprises simultaneous transmission of individual sequential packets by the broadcaster to each recipient in a round robin sequence until all the packets have been transmitted, retransmission of received packets by each recipients to each other recipient, and reassembly of received packets at each recipient in the original sequence of said transmission. The said transmission and said retransmission are overlapped in time.