Abstract: A gateway device providing a search utility to determine both NAT information and forwarding information (“both pieces of information”) in a single search operation. The single search operation may be implemented using a single table storing both pieces of information necessary for processing a packet. As a result, both pieces of information can be potentially retrieved in a single memory access. Due to the single (or few) memory access, the throughput performance of a gateway may be enhanced. In an embodiment, the gateway is implemented as a service selection gateway which provides connectivity between multiple remote systems and service domains. The NAT/forwarding information is partitioned according to service domains such that the information needed to process packets from/to the same service domain is contained in the same table.

Abstract: A service selection gateway (SSG) which permits multiple access quotas associated with a pre-paid service accessed by a user. For example, the user's access may be terminated if the usage exceeds a specified time or volume of data transferred (examples of access quotas). According to another aspect, access of a service is permitted based on different tariffs. Thus, a user may be charged differently depending on the applicable tariff. In an embodiment implemented in the context of pre-paid tariffs, multiple access quotas may be received associated with the same resource, and each quota may be computed according to a corresponding tariff.

Abstract: Setting up a group of virtual circuits using a single set up message request. In an embodiment, fewer than all of the virtual circuits in the group are immediately provisioned, and the remaining virtual circuits are placed in an inactive status by appropriate configuration of all the devices in the path of the group of virtual circuits. Each of the inactive virtual circuits can be activated (complete provisioning) as and when required. The bandwidth overhead on the networks is reduced as fewer signaling messages would be used in provisioning several virtual circuits. The parsing overhead is reduced on the devices processing the signaling messages as a result.

Abstract: To send a connection control message associated with a first set of attributes, only a difference of the first set of attributes from a second set of attributes associated with an already active virtual circuit (to a common destination) may be sent (contained in the connection control message). The devices receiving the message may create the necessary configuration for the new virtual circuit by modifying a copy of the configuration of the active virtual circuit. Processing requirements may be minimized as the devices may not need to parse and decode long list of information element. The feature may be particularly important in setting up a virtual circuit for voice calls, as a long list of attributes may be associated with each virtual circuit, but the difference of attributes being only minimal.

Abstract: A gateway device providing a search utility to determine both NAT information and forwarding information (“both pieces of information”) in a single search operation. The single search operation may be implemented using a single table storing both pieces of information necessary for processing a packet. As a result, both pieces of information can be potentially retrieved in a single memory access. Due to the single (or few) memory access, the throughput performance of a gateway may be enhanced. In an embodiment, the gateway is implemented as a service selection gateway which provides connectivity between multiple remote systems and service domains. The NAT/forwarding information is partitioned according to service domains such that the information needed to process packets from/to the same service domain is contained in the same table.

Abstract: Moving a virtual circuit from one port interface to another when multiple port interfaces are present between two network devices. Such a move may be performed, for example, when a port interface fails or when needed to balance the load (e.g., aggregate amount of bandwidth of all virtual circuits presently assigned to a port interface) across multiple port interfaces. As a result, the port interfaces may be used efficiently.

Abstract: A gateway device providing a search utility to determine both NAT information and forwarding information (“both pieces of information”) in a single search operation. The single search operation may be implemented using a single table storing both pieces of information necessary for processing a packet. As a result, both pieces of information can be potentially retrieved in a single memory access. Due to the single (or few) memory access, the throughput performance of a gateway may be enhanced. In an embodiment, the gateway is implemented as a service selection gateway which provides connectivity between multiple remote systems and service domains. The NAT/forwarding information is partitioned according to service domains such that the information needed to process packets from/to the same service domain is contained in the same table.

Abstract: Setting up a group of virtual circuits using a single set up message request. In an embodiment, fewer than all of the virtual circuits in the group are immediately provisioned, and the remaining virtual circuits are placed in an inactive status by appropriate configuration of all the devices in the path of the group of virtual circuits. Each of the inactive virtual circuits can be activated (complete provisioning) as and when required. The bandwidth overhead on the networks is reduced as fewer signaling messages would be used in provisioning several virtual circuits. The parsing overhead is reduced on the devices processing the signaling messages as a result.

Abstract: A switch may be configured to support a point-to-multi-point PVC which can be used to support a point to multi-point application. The signaling overhead is reduced due to the use of PVC, and the available bandwidth is used efficiently due to the use of the point-to-multi-point connection. Another aspect of the present invention minimizes the resources required while providing such point-to-multi-point virtual connections. A switch may minimize allocation of resources to branches that are not active. For example, a switch may determine that a branch is inactive based on the absence of reception of OAM cells in a specified duration and delete the forwarding information for the inactive branch. The switch may thus scale to support many point-to-multi-point virtual circuits having many branches.

Abstract: The services offered (e.g., bandwidth) by a PVC can be changed, potentially as and when desired. An end system (of a PVC) may send a request to initiate a change of a service. Each intermediate system may first determine whether the service change can be supported, and passes the request to the next system in the path until the request is received by the other end system of the PVC. Assuming the other end system also can support the change, an acceptance response is propagated in the reverse direction of the same path. Each system may effect the service change upon receiving the acceptance response.

Abstract: To send a connection control message associated with a first set of attributes, only a difference of the first set of attributes from a second set of attributes associated with an already active virtual circuit (to a common destination) may be sent (contained in the connection control message). The devices receiving the message may create the necessary configuration for the new virtual circuit by modifying a copy of the configuration of the active virtual circuit. Processing requirements may be minimized as the devices may not need to parse and decode long list of information element. The feature may be particularly important in setting up a virtual circuit for voice calls, as a long list of attributes may be associated with each virtual circuit, but the difference of attributes being only minimal.

Abstract: A service selection gateway (SSG) which enables a service provider to conveniently provide access of the same services to a group of hosts. The service provider may specify the specific services each group of hosts is permitted to access, and the SSG forwards packets from the hosts only to the corresponding specified services. In an embodiment implemented substantially in the form of software, the access information (specifying the server addresses which can be accessed from each group of hosts) is stored in the form of data structures in which the same copy of access information is shared by many (all) hosts in the corresponding group.

Abstract: An edge router which associates multiple virtual circuits (e.g., PVCs) with an internet protocol (IP) route. The data transfer load on the IP route is distributed on the virtual circuits. As a result, high aggregate effective bandwidth can be provided between edge routers, potentially without having to use a correspondingly high bandwidth physical connections.

Abstract: A service selection gateway (SSG) which receives data indicating tariff switching points, and sends accounting records enabling accurate computation of traffic volumes in each switching duration is described. In one embodiment, a counter value indicating the traffic volume for each tariff duration is sent. In an alternative embodiment, at least one accounting record containing two counters is sent in each duration, with one counter indicating an aggregate count of traffic volume (e.g., since the subscriber started a session) and another counter containing a marginal (or incremental) value since a switching point. Such an accounting record can be sent at any time point in a tariff duration, and the traffic volume in each tariff duration can be computed accurately.

Abstract: A gateway using multiple NAT tables to translate network addresses (e.g., Internet Protocol Addresses). The gateway may comprise a service selection gateway connecting remote systems to service domains. The gateway translates local addresses of remote systems to external addresses, and vice versa. The external addresses (bound to the respective local addresses) may be provided by the service domains. The NAT information is partitioned according to service domains such that the external addresses related to the same service domain are stored in the same NAT table. If there is no overlap of external addresses provided by two service domains, the two service domains may share the same NAT table. Due to the partitioning of the NAT information, each table may be limited to be of small size, and the accesses to individual tables may be fast. As a result, a gateway may be able to process and forward packets quickly.

Abstract: A service selection gateway (SSG) which allows a subscriber to access services operating using a changing set of access addresses. The SSG may be initially configured to forward packets related to a set of addresses associated with a service. The SSG may then accept a request to a change the set of addresses. In response to the request, the SSG may be configured to forward packets related to the changed set of addresses.