Abstract: A method implemented in a time-bounded resource management system for managing a resource is described. The time-bounded resource management system includes a processor communicatively coupled to a database. The method includes storing each resource consumption event of the resource as a balanced pair of entries in the database, wherein the balanced pair of entries comprise 1) a first entry comprising a start time for the resource consumption event and a positive resource consumption amount and 2) a second entry comprising an end time for the resource consumption event and a negative resource consumption amount with the same magnitude as the positive resource consumption amount; receiving a query related to the resource; performing computations on entries in the database related to the query; and providing a result based on the computations as a response to the query.

Abstract: An Ethernet packet switch configured to manage one or more packet tunnels includes one or more ports; forwarding circuitry communicatively coupled to the one or more ports; and processing circuitry communicatively coupled to the forwarding circuitry, wherein the one or more packet tunnels are configured over the one or more ports, wherein each of the one or more packet tunnels has an associated maintenance endpoint (MEP), and wherein the processing circuitry is configured to manage the one or more packet tunnels based on performance characteristics determined through one or more of the associated MEP, intermediate switches, and a Network Management System.

Abstract: A method implemented in a time-bounded resource management system for managing a resource is described. The time-bounded resource management system includes a processor communicatively coupled to a database. The method includes storing each resource consumption event of the resource as a balanced pair of entries in the database, wherein the balanced pair of entries comprise 1) a first entry comprising a start time for the resource consumption event and a positive resource consumption amount and 2) a second entry comprising an end time for the resource consumption event and a negative resource consumption amount with the same magnitude as the positive resource consumption amount; receiving a query related to the resource; performing computations on entries in the database related to the query; and providing a result based on the computations as a response to the query.

Abstract: An Ethernet packet switch configured to manage one or more packet tunnels includes one or more ports; forwarding circuitry communicatively coupled to the one or more ports; and processing circuitry communicatively coupled to the forwarding circuitry, wherein the one or more packet tunnels are configured over the one or more ports, wherein each of the one or more packet tunnels has an associated maintenance endpoint (MEP), and wherein the processing circuitry is configured to manage the one or more packet tunnels based on performance characteristics determined through one or more of the associated MEP, intermediate switches, and a Network Management System.

Abstract: Network operating methods provide a first packet switch coupled to a second packet switch via a primary packet tunnel having an active status and one or more inactive backup packet tunnels having an inactive status. The methods access data describing at least one performance characteristic of the primary packet tunnel and, based at least on the data, deactivate the primary packet tunnel while still operational and activate one of the backup packet tunnels. Network operating methods provide a first device coupled to a second device via an active primary packet tunnel and one or more inactive backup packet tunnels, access data describing performance characteristics of the one or more backup packet tunnels, and, based at least on the data, deactivate the primary packet tunnel and activate one of the backup packet tunnels.

Abstract: Network planning/provisioning systems and methods with a Generic Multi-Layer Provisioning (GMLP) service management layer that is configured to operate on any of deployed network elements and spoofed network elements to provide abstract service modeling thereon. The GMLP layer may include a spoofing engine configured to simulate network elements and provisioning functions associated therewith. The associated abstraction of the GMLP layer enables layer 0-4 topologies and services to be modeled, planned, and provisioned.

Abstract: Network planning/provisioning systems and methods with a Generic Multi-Layer Provisioning (GMLP) service management layer that is configured to operate on any of deployed network elements and spoofed network elements to provide abstract service modeling thereon. The GMLP layer may include a spoofing engine configured to simulate network elements and provisioning functions associated therewith. The associated abstraction of the GMLP layer enables layer 0-4 topologies and services to be modeled, planned, and provisioned.

Abstract: Network operating methods provide a first packet switch coupled to a second packet switch via a primary packet tunnel having an active status and one or more inactive backup packet tunnels having an inactive status. The methods access data describing at least one performance characteristic of the primary packet tunnel and, based at least on the data, deactivate the primary packet tunnel while still operational and activate one of the backup packet tunnels. Network operating methods provide a first device coupled to a second device via an active primary packet tunnel and one or more inactive backup packet tunnels, access data describing performance characteristics of the one or more backup packet tunnels, and, based at least on the data, deactivate the primary packet tunnel and activate one of the backup packet tunnels.

Abstract: If a selected packet switch connected to a neighboring packet switch makes first information identifying the neighboring packet switch available, element managers and processes retrieve the first information from the selected packet switch. The first information is derived by the selected packet switch from communication via a first protocol between the selected packet switch and the neighboring packet switch. If the first information is not available to the element manager and if the selected packet switch makes second information identifying the neighboring packet switch available to the element manager, the element managers and processes retrieve the second information from the selected packet switch. The second information is derived from communication via a second protocol between the selected packet switch and the neighboring packet switch and the first and second protocols are different protocols.

Abstract: Network operating methods provide a first packet switch coupled to a second packet switch via a primary packet tunnel having an active status and one or more inactive backup packet tunnels having an inactive status. The methods access data describing at least one performance characteristic of the primary packet tunnel and, based at least on the data, deactivate the primary packet tunnel while still operational and activate one of the backup packet tunnels. Network operating methods provide a first device coupled to a second device via an active primary packet tunnel and one or more inactive backup packet tunnels, access data describing performance characteristics of the one or more backup packet tunnels, and, based at least on the data, deactivate the primary packet tunnel and activate one of the backup packet tunnels.

Abstract: If a selected packet switch connected to a neighboring packet switch makes first information identifying the neighboring packet switch available, element managers and processes retrieve the first information from the selected packet switch. The first information is derived by the selected packet switch from communication via a first protocol between the selected packet switch and the neighboring packet switch. If the first information is not available to the element manager and if the selected packet switch makes second information identifying the neighboring packet switch available to the element manager, the element managers and processes retrieve the second information from the selected packet switch. The second information is derived from communication via a second protocol between the selected packet switch and the neighboring packet switch and the first and second protocols are different protocols.