Abstract: A method of installing forwarding state in a link state protocol controlled network node having a topology database representing a known topology of the network, and at least two ports for communication with corresponding peers of the network node. A unicast path is computed from the node to a second node in the network, using the topology database, and unicast forwarding state associated with the computed unicast path installed in a filtering database (FDB) of the node. Multicast forwarding state is removed for multicast trees originating at the second node if an unsafe condition is detected. Subsequently, a “safe” indication signal is advertised to each of the peers of the network node. The “safe” indication signal comprises a digest of the topology database. A multicast path is then computed from the network node to at least one destination node of a multicast tree originating at the second node.

Abstract: A consistent tie-breaking decision between equal-cost shortest (lowest cost) paths is achieved by comparing an ordered set of node identifiers for each of a plurality of end-to-end paths. Alternatively, the same results can be achieved, on-the-fly, as a shortest path tree is constructed, by making a selection of an equal-cost path using the node identifiers of the diverging branches of the tree. Both variants allow a consistent selection to be made of equal-cost paths, regardless of where in the network the shortest paths are calculated. This ensures that traffic flow between any two nodes, in both the forward and reverse directions, will always follow the same path through the network.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a virtual private communication network to transport customer data between a set of customer devices coupled to a provider network. A committed information rate is advertised to a provider tandem. The provider tandem determines whether sufficient network resources exist to successfully transport to a destination customer device all offered data from the set of customer devices.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a virtual private communication network to transport customer data between a set of customer devices coupled to a provider network. A committed information rate is advertised to a provider tandem. The provider tandem determines whether sufficient network resources exist to successfully transport to a destination customer device all offered data from the set of customer devices.

Abstract: A system for increasing the call capacity of an access point in a WLAN, allowing the number of WLAN phones that can be supported to be increased. The system determines whether a maximum total voice path delay would be exceeded if the packetization delay is increased for packets in a call. In the event that the packetization delay can be increased without the total delay exceeding the maximum delay, the disclosed system increases the size of packets used in the call, if all participating devices can process the increased packet size. The maximum delay may be predetermined, and reflect a maximum delay that cannot be exceeded without adversely impacting the voice quality of a call. If the two end points for a call are determined to be physically “local” to each other, packetization delay for the call may be increased based on the assumption that the increased packetization delay will not decrease the voice quality of the call.