Abstract: A flow deflection capability is provided for deflecting data flows within a Software Defined Network (SDN) in order to provide security for the SDN. A flow forwarding rule is generated for a first network element of the SDN based on detection of a condition (e.g., TCAM utilization condition, CPU utilization condition, or the like) associated with the first network element. The flow forwarding rule is generated by a control element of the SDN or the first network element of the SDN. The flow forwarding rule is indicative that at least a portion of new flow requests received at the first network element are to be forwarded from the first network element to a second network element of the SDN. The flow forwarding rule may specify full flow deflection or selective flow deflection.

Abstract: A method is described that facilitates inter-layer dielectric fill-in among transistors in a densely-configured array of an integrated circuit. An etch process that exploits a micro-loading effect to create a T-shaped profile between transistors is disclosed. The micro-loading has a negligible effect on transistors in a peripheral region of the integrated circuit.

Abstract: A self-align method of preparing semiconductor gates for formation of a silicide, such as a cobalt silicide (CoSi) layer, is disclosed. Deposition of silicon nitride (SiN) and low-temperature oxide (LTO) liner types, the SiN liner having an overhang structure, prevent damage to the gates while forming a self-aligned source. The undamaged gates are suitable for CoSi deposition.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a manufacturing method of the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a substrate, a first dielectric layer, a first conductive layer, and an isolation structure. The substrate has a trench. The first dielectric layer is disposed on the substrate between two neighboring trenches. The first conductive layer is disposed on the first dielectric layer. The isolation structure, including a step zone and a recessed zone, is disposed in the trench, wherein an upper surface of the step zone is higher than an upper surface of the first dielectric layer.

Abstract: The invention is directed to providing cloud-based services using dynamic network virtualization. Embodiments of the invention provide a cloud-based service over a system that has a dynamic network virtualization architecture. The architecture includes a set of distributed forwarding elements with centralized control, and at least one virtual machine that is bound to one of the forwarding elements. These features enable the virtual machine to be migrated across a wide area network while maintaining its original IP address and service continuity.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method for processing data packets by a first-hop switch in a data network, including: receiving a first data packet associated with a flow; determining whether the flow associated with the first data packet is found in a flow table in the first-hop switch; modifying the first data packet by replacing a packet header field with flow definition information; and transmitting the modified first data packet based upon the flow definition information.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a method and apparatus of providing a load balancing configuration that adapts to the overall load and scales the power consumption with the load to improve energy efficiency and scalability. The energy efficient distributed and elastic load balancing architecture includes a collection of multi-tiered servers organized as a tree structure. The handling of incoming service requests is distributed amongst a number of the servers. Each server in the virtual load distribution tree accepts handles incoming service requests based on its own load. Once a predetermined loading on the receiving server has been reached, the receiving server passes the incoming requests to one or more of its children servers.

Abstract: A small contact hole having a large aspect ratio is formed by employing a stop layer with a trench formed therein. A relatively large contact hole is formed above the trench, and the small contact hole is formed below the trench, using properties of the trench and the stop layer to limit the size of the small contact hole.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method for processing data packets by a first-hop switch in a data network, including: receiving a first data packet associated with a flow; determining whether the flow associated with the first data packet is found in a flow table in the first-hop switch; modifying the first data packet by replacing a packet header field with flow definition information; and transmitting the modified first data packet based upon the flow definition information.

Abstract: The invention is directed to providing cloud-based services using dynamic network virtualization. Embodiments of the invention provide a cloud-based service over a system that has a dynamic network virtualization architecture. The architecture includes a set of distributed forwarding elements with centralized control, and at least one virtual machine that is bound to one of the forwarding elements. These features enable the virtual machine to be migrated across a wide area network while maintaining its original IP address and service continuity.

Abstract: A method is described that facilitates inter-layer dielectric fill-in among transistors in a densely-configured array of an integrated circuit. An etch process that exploits a micro-loading effect to create a T-shaped profile between transistors is disclosed. The micro-loading has a negligible effect on transistors in a peripheral region of the integrated circuit.

Abstract: A manner of providing redundancy protection for a data center network that is both reliable and low-cost. In a data center network where the data traffic between numerous access nodes and a network core layer via primary aggregation nodes, an optical network device such as and OLT (optical line terminal) is provided as a backup aggregation node for one or more of the primary aggregation nodes. When a communication path through a primary aggregation node fails, traffic is routed through the optical network device. In a preferred embodiment, a communication link is formed from a plurality of access nodes to a single port of the OLT or other optical network device via an optical splitter that combines upstream transmissions and distributes downstream transmissions. The upstream transmissions from the plurality of access nodes may occur according to an allocation schedule generated when the backup aggregation node is needed.

Abstract: A self-align method of preparing semiconductor gates for formation of a silicide, such as a cobalt silicide (CoSi) layer, is disclosed. Deposition of silicon nitride (SiN) and low-temperature oxide (LTO) liner types, the SiN liner having an overhang structure, prevent damage to the gates while forming a self-aligned source. The undamaged gates are suitable for CoSi deposition.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for generating a multi-protocol fault management (FM) packet by using a field-programmable gate array, including: setting information related to FM in a plurality of local maintenance entity group end points (LMEPs); performing a polling process of the plurality of LMEPs according to the packet types after obtaining send instructions related to a certain packet type; determining a protocol type of the plurality of LMEPs; obtaining information related to the protocol type; acquiring information related to the packet type under the protocol type; generating a corresponding number of FM packets in accordance with the information related to the protocol type and the at least one set of field information related to the packet types; and outputting the FM packets. The method enables transmission of CCM, LCK and AIS packets under ETH, ITU and IETF packets to be achieved. Therefore, compatibility and competitiveness of products are improved.

Abstract: A method of eliminating overhang in a contact hole formed in a contact film stack is described. A liner layer is overlaid on the contact film stack, the liner also coating the contact hole. A portion of the liner is removed to expose the overhang, and the exposed overhang is removed. The liner is also used to fill-in a bowing profile of the contact hole, thereby rendering sidewalls of the contact hole smooth and straight suitable for metal fill-in while suppressing piping defects.

Abstract: A capability for scale-up of a control plane of a Software Defined Network (SDN) using a virtual switch based overlay is presented. A central controller (CC) of the SDN that is providing control functions for a physical switch (pSwitch) of the SDN, based on a determination that the control plane between the CC and the pSwitch is congested, modifies the default flow forwarding rule on the pSwitch from a rule indicating that new traffic flows are to be forwarded to the central controller to a rule indicating that new traffic flows are to be forwarded to a virtual switch (vSwitch). Upon receipt of a first packet of a new traffic flow at the pSwitch, the pSwitch provides the first packet of the new traffic flow to the vSwitch, which in turn provides an indication of the first packet of the new traffic flow to the CC for processing by the CC.

Abstract: A manner of providing redundancy protection for a data center network that is both reliable and low-cost. In a data center network where the data traffic between numerous access nodes and a network core layer via primary aggregation nodes, an optical network device such as and OLT (optical line terminal) is provided as a backup aggregation node for one or more of the primary aggregation nodes. When a communication path through a primary aggregation node fails, traffic is routed through the optical network device. In a preferred embodiment, a communication link is formed from a plurality of access nodes to a single port of the OLT or other optical network device via an optical splitter that combines upstream transmissions and distributes downstream transmissions. The upstream transmissions from the plurality of access nodes may occur according to an allocation schedule generated when the backup aggregation node is needed.

Abstract: A capability is provided for allocating and migrating cloud resources in a distributed cloud system. A cloud resource request is received and an associated cloud resource allocation is determined. The cloud resource request includes cloud resource request information. The cloud resource request information includes a cloud resource allocation parameter associated with allocation of requested cloud resources responsive to the cloud resource request and a cloud resource migration parameter associated with migration of cloud resources allocated responsive to the cloud resource request. The cloud resource allocation includes cloud resource allocation information specifying allocation of cloud resources within the cloud system responsive to the cloud resource request and cloud resource migration information specifying migration of cloud resources allocated within the cloud system responsive to the cloud resource request.

Abstract: Sessions, such as on-line gaming sessions, are maintained by proxy agents on behalf of users even when the users are inactive. The agents, along with other components, form a novel “always-on” architecture that greatly reduces the time it takes to initiate and carry out sessions.

Abstract: A self-align method of preparing semiconductor gates for formation of a silicide, such as a cobalt silicide (CoSi) layer, is disclosed. Deposition of silicon nitride (SiN) and low-temperature oxide (LTO) liner types, the SiN liner having an overhang structure, prevent damage to the gates while forming a self-aligned source. The undamaged gates are suitable for CoSi deposition.