Abstract: Some embodiments provide a managed forwarding element (MFE that includes a set of flow tables including a first set of flow entries for processing packets received by the MFE. The MFE includes an aggregate cache including a second set of flow entries for processing packets received by the MFE. Each of the flow entries of the second set is for processing packets of multiple data flows. At least a subset of packet header fields of the packets of the multiple data flows have a same set of packet header field values, and a same set of operations is applied to said packets. The MFE includes an exact-match cache including a third set of flow entries for processing packets received by the MFE. Each of the flow entries of the third set is for processing packets for a single data flow having a unique set of packet header field values.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a switching element that receives a packet and processes the packet by dynamically generating a flow entry with a set of wildcard fields. The switching element then caches the flow entry and processes any subsequent packets that have header values that match the flow entry's non-wildcard match fields. In generating the flow, the switching element initially wildcards some of all of match fields and generates a new flow entry by un-wildcarding each match field that was consulted or examined to generate the flow entry.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for reducing the transmission of connection validating control signals when they are not needed. Network entities transmit connection validating control signals over network connections at regular intervals to validate that the network connections and the network entities remain functional. The method monitors data traffic fluctuations on the network connections to determine when connection validating control signals may not be needed. The method reduces unnecessary connection validating control signals in order to optimize the usage of network resources.

Abstract: Two-port optical retro-reflectors with high isolation and high return loss are described. Such retro-reflectors are designed to increase the number of optical filtering using one or more filters uniquely disposed to increase the isolation and return loss.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a switching element that receives a packet and processes the packet by dynamically generating a flow entry with a set of wildcard fields. The switching element then caches the flow entry and processes any subsequent packets that have header values that match the flow entry's non-wildcard match fields. In generating the flow, the switching element initially wildcards some of all of match fields and generates a new flow entry by un-wildcarding each match field that was consulted or examined to generate the flow entry.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for reducing the transmission of connection validating control signals when they are not needed. Network entities transmit connection validating control signals over network connections at regular intervals to validate that the network connections and the network entities remain functional. The method monitors data traffic fluctuations on the network connections to determine when connection validating control signals may not be needed. The method reduces unnecessary connection validating control signals in order to optimize the usage of network resources.

Abstract: Techniques for micro-optics alignment and assembly are described. By attaching a needle pin to an optical component to be assembled, the optical component can be placed and aligned within a limited space. After the aligned optical component is permanently bonded to a substrate or to another component, the needle pin is detached from the component. This technique allows a user to place and align a small optical component to a right position.

Abstract: Techniques for designing compact free-space optical device with all input/output ports on one side are disclosed. Instead of folding a fiber, a beam folding means is provided to turn a light beam to significantly reduce the size of the device. In one embodiment, there are a first collimator, a second collimator, and a beam folding means to turn a light beam from the first collimator back to the second collimator by two turns so that a first light path from the first collimator to the beam folding means and a second light path from the second collimator to the beam folding means are parallel. A substrate is provided to which the first and second collimators and filters are boned thereto.

Abstract: A self-equalizing photo-detector (SEPD) includes, in part, a multitude of optical splitters and photo detectors, and at least one optical delay element. The first optical splitter splits an optical signal into second and third optical signals. The optical delay element delays the second optical signal to generate a fourth optical signal. The second optical splitter splits a signal representative of the fourth optical signal to generate fifth and sixth optical signals. The first photo detector receives the third optical signal via a first optical path, has an anode terminal coupled to an output terminal of the detector and a cathode terminal coupled to a first supply voltage. The second photo detector receives the sixth optical signal via a second optical path, has an anode terminal coupled to a second supply voltage and a cathode terminal coupled to the output terminal of the detector.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a managed forwarding element (MFE that includes a set of flow tables including a first set of flow entries for processing packets received by the MFE. The MFE includes an aggregate cache including a second set of flow entries for processing packets received by the MFE. Each of the flow entries of the second set is for processing packets of multiple data flows. At least a subset of packet header fields of the packets of the multiple data flows have a same set of packet header field values, and a same set of operations is applied to said packets. The MFE includes an exact-match cache including a third set of flow entries for processing packets received by the MFE. Each of the flow entries of the third set is for processing packets for a single data flow having a unique set of packet header field values.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for reducing the transmission of connection validating control signals when they are not needed. Network entities transmit connection validating control signals over network connections at regular intervals to validate that the network connections and the network entities remain functional. The method monitors data traffic fluctuations on the network connections to determine when connection validating control signals may not be needed. The method reduces unnecessary connection validating control signals in order to optimize the usage of network resources.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for reducing the transmission of connection validating control signals when they are not needed. Network entities transmit connection validating control signals over network connections at regular intervals to validate that the network connections and the network entities remain functional. The method monitors data traffic fluctuations on the network connections to determine when connection validating control signals may not be needed. The method reduces unnecessary connection validating control signals in order to optimize the usage of network resources.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a switching element that receives a packet and processes the packet by dynamically generating a flow entry with a set of wildcard fields. The switching element then caches the flow entry and processes any subsequent packets that have header values that match the flow entry's non-wildcard match fields. In generating the flow, the switching element initially wildcards some of all of match fields and generates a new flow entry by un-wildcarding each match field that was consulted or examined to generate the flow entry.

Abstract: A pluggable platform in small form factor is described. In one embodiment, the pluggable platform is designed to accommodate passive optical devices and may retrofit into an existing system. Further, the pluggable platform in small form factor is provided with an interface for tractability of the passive optical devices being supported.

Abstract: Designs of optical devices providing multiplexing or demultiplexing functions are disclosed. According to one embodiment, an optical device or an assembly employs an array of micro lenses, an array of filters and a mirror or an array of mirrors all bonded onto a substrate to provide multiplexing or demultiplexing functions. To compensate for possible errors caused by some or all of these components, one or more compensatory optical plates are provided to respectively correct these errors. Depending on implementation, the compensatory optical plates may be designed differently to correct various errors.

Abstract: A network content service apparatus includes a set of compute elements adapted to perform a set of network services; and a switching fabric coupling compute elements in said set of compute elements. The set of network services includes firewall protection, Network Address Translation, Internet Protocol forwarding, bandwidth management, Secure Sockets Layer operations, Web caching, Web switching, and virtual private networking. Code operable on the compute elements enables the network services, and the compute elements are provided on blades which further include at least one input/output port.

Abstract: New designs of optical devices, particularly for adding or dropping a selected wavelength or a group of wavelengths as well as multiplexing a plurality of signals into a multiplexed signal or demultiplexing a multiplexed signal into several signals are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, an isolator core is built into the optical devices to stop a reflected signal from an optical file in the optical devices. As a result, the optical devices are amenable to small footprint, broad operating wavelength range, enhanced impact performance, lower cost, and easier manufacturing process.

Abstract: A network content service apparatus includes a set of compute elements adapted to perform a set of network services; and a switching fabric coupling compute elements in said set of compute elements. The set of network services includes firewall protection, Network Address Translation, Internet Protocol forwarding, bandwidth management, Secure Sockets Layer operations, Web caching, Web switching, and virtual private networking. Code operable on the compute elements enables the network services, and the compute elements are provided on blades which further include at least one input/output port.

Abstract: A network content service apparatus includes a set of compute elements adapted to perform a set of network services; and a switching fabric coupling compute elements in said set of compute elements. The set of network services includes firewall protection, Network Address Translation, Internet Protocol forwarding, bandwidth management, Secure Sockets Layer operations, Web caching, Web switching, and virtual private networking. Code operable on the compute elements enables the network services, and the compute elements are provided on blades which further include at least one input/output port.

Abstract: Attenuators used to regulate optical signals are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, an assembly including an IR source and an IR sensor is provided to sense blockage of optical signals transmitted between two collimators via a fixed common light blocker that is driven by a stepper motor. The movement of the light blocker is sensed by a sensing assembly including an IR source and IR sensor. By detecting the photocurrent from the IR sensor and a feedback circuit, the attenuation of the optical signals can be well controlled.