Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing redundant link usage allows a portion of the wasted bandwidth in a redundant link system to be utilized for additional data traffic without compromising the ability of the system to respond to and correct for a failure of a link. In one embodiment, one of two independent, individually addressable links is selected as a nominal communication path, and the other as a standby communication path. The path independent traffic is sent via the nominal communication path, while the path dependent data is sent via the nominal communication path or the standby path, in accordance with the dependence of the traffic. In another embodiment, critical time sensitive traffic is sent via a nominal and standby time sensitive paths, while normal traffic is sent via nominal normal path, and non-critical traffic is sent via a standby normal path.

Abstract: A connection system for a communication switch is provided. The switch comprises a controller and shelves providing communication capabilities for the switch. The controller is able to communicate with each shelf shelves utilizing categories of communication signals. The connection system comprises connections providing signalling links for the categories of communication signals between the controller and the each shelf. The connections are bundled together in a single, collective span of cable and each connection provides its individual category communication signals independently of the other connections.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for providing a common support services infrastructure that allows a network element shelf to be used with circuit card configurations that provide enhanced and/or new data path functionality without requiring the expensive and time consuming redesign of the entire shelf unit. In one embodiment, the invention provides support services including common control and housekeeping services to a subshelf bay into which one or more subshelves may be installed. In one embodiment, the common support services that are provided include power supply services, environmental control services, information display services, and operational control and management services. In one embodiment, the subshelf bay is provided with standardized means used to supply the common support services to the subshelves. In one embodiment, each sub-shelf contains its own midplane and is operationally independent from other subshelves.

Abstract: A method for testing an internal bus of a random access memory (“RAM”) device, the RAM device having an internal cache coupled to a memory array by the internal bus, the method comprising: writing a value to an address in the RAM device, the value being stored in the internal cache, the value corresponding to at least one line of an external bus; writing a number of additional values to addresses in the RAM device other than the address to push the value from the internal cache into the memory array; reading a value from the address; and, determining whether the internal bus is faulty by comparing the value written to the value read.

Abstract: Electronic device configuration management systems and methods are disclosed. Configuration information for configuring at least one component of an electronic device is stored in a memory. A determination is made as to whether further configuration information capable of configuring the at least one component is available at the electronic device. Based on the determination, one of the configuration information and the further configuration information is loaded to configure the at least one component. The determination may be made, for example, by accessing compatibility information which is associated with the configuration information. Data structures supporting configuration management functions are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method of evaluating a shelf connected to a port of a control complex in a network element via a communications link, the shelf having shelf configuration information, and the port having a port identifier. In an embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: a) establishing communications between the shelf and the control complex; b) providing the shelf configuration information and the port identifier to the control complex; and c) utilizing the shelf configuration information and the port identifier, together with predetermined system configuration rules, to evaluate the suitability of the shelf being connected to said port. In another embodiment, the method further includes the step of assigning a shelf identifier to the shelf in response to the shelf being connected in accordance with the predetermined system configuration rules.

Abstract: A method for testing an internal bus of a random access memory (“RAM”) device, the RAM device having an internal cache coupled to a memory array by the internal bus, the method comprising: writing a value to an address in the RAM device, the value being stored in the internal cache, the value corresponding to at least one line of an external bus; writing a number of additional values to addresses in the RAM device other than the address to push the value from the internal cache into the memory array; reading a value from the address; and, determining whether the internal bus is faulty by comparing the value written to the value read.

Abstract: A system for selecting an active control path link as a communication link between a control shelf and a controlled shelf in a multi-shelf network element is provided. The system includes a first and a second control path links connecting the control shelf to the controlled shelf. The system also includes an assessment module adapted to assess health of transmissions sent through each of the first and the second control path link and a selection module associated with the assessment module. The selection module is adapted to select the active control path link as either of the first and the second control path link utilizing a health report relating to the first and the second control path link generated by the assessment module.

Abstract: A connection system for a communication switch is provided. The switch comprises a controller and shelves providing communication capabilities for the switch. The controller is able to communicate with each shelf shelves utilizing categories of communication signals. The connection system comprises connections providing signalling links for the categories of communication signals between the controller and the each shelf. The connections are bundled together in a single, collective span of cable and each connection provides its individual category communication signals independently of the other connections.

Abstract: Electronic device configuration management systems and methods are disclosed. Configuration information for configuring at least one component of an electronic device is stored in a memory. A determination is made as to whether further configuration information capable of configuring the at least one component is available at the electronic device. Based on the determination, one of the configuration information and the further configuration information is loaded to configure the at least one component. The determination may be made, for example, by accessing compatibility information which is associated with the configuration information. Data structures supporting configuration management functions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for providing redundancy on a communications switch platform having a data plane for processing data. The data plane includes an active fabric having an ingress and an egress and establishing a first datapath, a redundant fabric having an ingress and an egress and establishing a second datapath, and a fabric switch for aligning the egress of one of said fabrics to a system output. A separate and independent control plane is provided for monitoring the processing of data. The control plane includes: (i) a plurality of monitors operatively connected to monitor the status of the active and redundant fabrics in the data plane for a fault; and (ii) a fabric activity switch circuit adapted to determine whether the fault occurred in the active fabric in the data plane, and if so, to generate a fabric activity switch signal directed to said fabric switch in the data plane.

Abstract: A single shelf network system capable of providing expansion to a multiple shelf mode is described. In one embodiment, slots are provided in a single shelf network system that are capable of accepting either I/O cards or expansion cards. When such a single shelf network system is to be operated in a single shelf mode, such slots may be provided with I/O cards to maximize the data transport capability of the single shelf network system. However, to expand the single shelf network system to function as a multiple shelf network system, the slots are provided with expansion cards. The expansion cards serve to couple a control card of the single shelf network system to one or more expansion shelves, thereby allowing the control card to exert control over the one or more expansion shelves. Since a single expansion card can support multiple expansion shelves, the number of slots of the single shelf network system needed to support expansion does not increase as additional expansion shelves are added.

Abstract: A connection system for a communication switch is provided. The switch comprises a controller and shelves providing communication capabilities for the switch. The controller is able to communicate with each shelf shelves utilizing categories of communication signals. The connection system comprises connections providing signalling links for the categories of communication signals between the controller and the each shelf. The connections are bundled together in a single, collective span of cable and each connection provides its individual category communication signals independently of the other connections.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for providing redundancy on a communications switch platform having a data plane for processing data. The data plane includes an active fabric having an ingress and an egress and establishing a first datapath, a redundant fabric having an ingress and an egress and establishing a second datapath, and a fabric switch for aligning the egress of one of said fabrics to a system output. A separate and independent control plane is provided for monitoring the processing of data. The control plane includes: (i) a plurality of monitors operatively connected to monitor the status of the active and redundant fabrics in the data plane for a fault; and (ii) a fabric activity switch circuit adapted to determine whether the fault occurred in the active fabric in the data plane, and if so, to generate a fabric activity switch signal directed to said fabric switch in the data plane.

Abstract: A connection system for a communication switch is provided. The switch comprises a controller and shelves providing communication capabilities for the switch. The controller is able to communicate with each shelf shelves utilizing categories of communication signals. The connection system comprises connections providing signalling links for the categories of communication signals between the controller and the each shelf. The connections are bundled together in a single, collective span of cable and each connection provides its individual category communication signals independently of the other connections.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for optimizing redundant link usage so as to allow a portion of the wasted bandwidth in a redundant link system to be utilized for additional data traffic without compromising the ability of the system to respond to and correct for a failure of a link. In one embodiment, two independent, individually addressable links are established between to endpoints. One of the links is selected as a nominal communication path, and the other as a standby communication path. Data traffic between the endpoints is divided into path independent traffic and path dependent traffic. The path independent traffic is sent via the nominal communication path, while the path dependent data is sent via the nominal communication path or the standby path, in accordance with the dependence of the traffic. In another embodiment, the nominal communication path and standby communication path each comprise a time sensitive path and a normal path.

Abstract: A system for selecting an active control path link as a communication link between a control shelf and a controlled shelf in a multi-shelf network element is provided. The system includes a first and a second control path links connecting the control shelf to the controlled shelf. The system also includes an assessment module adapted to assess health of transmissions sent through each of the first and the second control path link and a selection module associated with the assessment module. The selection module is adapted to select the active control path link as either of the first and the second control path link utilizing a health report relating to the first and the second control path link generated by the assessment module.

Abstract: A single shelf network system capable of providing expansion to a multiple shelf mode is described. In one embodiment, slots are provided in a single shelf network system that are capable of accepting either I/O cards or expansion cards. When such a single shelf network system is to be operated in a single shelf mode, such slots may be provided with I/O cards to maximize the data transport capability of the single shelf network system. However, to expand the single shelf network system to function as a multiple shelf network system, the slots are provided with expansion cards. The expansion cards serve to couple a control card of the single shelf network system to one or more expansion shelves, thereby allowing the control card to exert control over the one or more expansion shelves. Since a single expansion card can support multiple expansion shelves, the number of slots of the single shelf network system needed to support expansion does not increase as additional expansion shelves are added.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method of evaluating a shelf connected to a port of a control complex in a network element via a communications link, the shelf having shelf configuration information, and the port having a port identifier. In an embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: a) establishing communications between the shelf and the control complex; b) providing the shelf configuration information and the port identifier to the control complex; and c) utilizing the shelf configuration information and the port identifier, together with predetermined system configuration rules, to evaluate the suitability of the shelf being connected to said port. In another embodiment, the method further includes the step of assigning a shelf identifier to the shelf in response to the shelf being connected in accordance with the predetermined system configuration rules.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for providing a common support services infrastructure that allows a network element shelf to be used with circuit card configurations that provide enhanced and/or new data path functionality without requiring the expensive and time consuming redesign of the entire shelf unit. In one embodiment, the invention provides support services including common control and housekeeping services to a subshelf bay into which one or more subshelves may be installed. In one embodiment, the common support services that are provided include power supply services, environmental control services, information display services, and operational control and management services. In one embodiment, the subshelf bay is provided with standardized means used to supply the common support services to the subshelves. In one embodiment, each sub-shelf contains its own midplane and is operationally independent from other subshelves.