Abstract: A method for allocating port assignments for transmitting a reserved network stream across a network node comprises determining a cycle time associated with a network node. The method also comprises establishing, for at least one port of the network node, a plurality of virtual layers associated with the cycle time, wherein each of the plurality of virtual layers is divided into 2n equally-spaced slots per cycle (where n>0). The method further comprises receiving a reserved stream request associated with transmission of a reserved stream across the node, and determining a number of slots required to transmit the reserved stream. The method also comprises assigning one or more slots associated with a port of the network node to the transmission of packets associated with the reserved stream based on the determined number of slots. The method further comprises transmitting the stream according to the slot assignment associated with the port of the network node.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes detecting a change in network topology and broadcasting a transient unconditional unpruning message to multiple nodes in the network. The message is configured to instruct each of the nodes receiving the message to start a phase timer in response to the broadcast message; unprune its operational ports; and, upon expiration of the phase timer, prune its ports in accordance with the results of a pruning protocol.

Abstract: A user application may provide a hint which may be used by a compute device to select a tag to be inserted into the packets generated by the user application. Upon some event, the application transmits a hint associated with a network flow generated by the user application to a stack associated with the computing device. One of the layers of the stack—e.g., the operating system in the computing device—may include a hint database that contains rules for selecting tags using a received hint as input. The layer may then insert the tag into one or more packets of the network flow. When processing the packet, network devices in the SDN enabled network recognize the tag and perform an action corresponding to the tag.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving at a network device, a packet from a component in a virtual network device, the packet transmitted across a link aggregation bundle connecting the virtual network device to the network device and indicating if the component is a master component in the virtual network device, and determining if an error exists in operation of the component as the master component or a slave component. An apparatus for assigning services to physical links in an aggregated link bundle is also disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes detecting a change in network topology and broadcasting a transient unconditional unpruning message to all nodes in the network. The message is configured to instruct each network element receiving the message to start a phase timer in response to the broadcast message; unprune its operational ports; and, upon expiration of the phase timer, prune its ports in accordance with the results of a pruning protocol.

Abstract: A technique is provided for mitigating loops in Ethernet networks. A first port in an Ethernet device receives an Ethernet frame. The frame includes a source identifier, a destination identifier, and a Virtual Local Area Network Identifier (VLAN ID). According to various embodiments, the VLAN ID (VID) has the encoding of both a community group as well as a source bridge ID. A VID database is accessed using the destination identifier and the VID to determine whether the first port has ingress enabled. A filtering database is accessed to determine an egress port for forwarding the Ethernet frame.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, packet encapsulation is employed to facilitate bridging between bridge ports that do not reflect frames (such as 802.1 compatible bridge ports) and bridge ports that do reflect frames (such as 802.11 compatible clients). Packets from a wireless access point may be sent twice, once with a predefined multicast address for processing by 802.11 clients contained in bridges, and once with the original destination address. In particular embodiments, additional means may be employed to minimize the circumstances where packets are duplicated.

Abstract: A technique is provided for mitigating loops in Ethernet networks. A first port in an Ethernet device receives an Ethernet frame. The frame includes a source identifier, a destination identifier, and a Virtual Local Area Network Identifier (VLAN ID). According to various embodiments, the VLAN ID (VID) has the encoding of both a community group as well as a source bridge ID. A VID database is accessed using the destination identifier and the VID to determine whether the first port has ingress enabled. A filtering database is accessed to determine an egress port for forwarding the Ethernet frame.

Abstract: In particular embodiments, a first switch implementing a first virtual local area network (VLAN) registration protocol and connected to a first end of the trunk detects whether a second switch connected to a second end of the trunk implements the first VLAN registration protocol. In an embodiment, the second switch may send an unsolicited message to the first switch indicating the VLAN registration protocol implemented by the second switch. The first switch may then determine the VLAN registration protocol implemented by the second switch. Alternatively, the first switch may send a solicited message to the second switch. By receiving a response to the solicited message, the first switch can determine that the second switch implements the first VLAN registration protocol. In response to determining that the second switch implements the first VLAN registration protocol, the first switch may enable a pruning technique in accordance with the first VLAN registration protocol.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes detecting a change in network topology and broadcasting a transient unconditional unpruning message to all nodes in the network. The message is configured to instruct each network element receiving the message to start a phase timer in response to the broadcast message; unprune its operational ports; and, upon expiration of the phase timer, prune its ports in accordance with the results of a pruning protocol.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving at a network device, a packet from a component in a virtual network device, the packet transmitted across a link aggregation bundle connecting the virtual network device to the network device and indicating if the component is a master component in the virtual network device, and determining if an error exists in operation of the component as the master component or a slave component. An apparatus for assigning services to physical links in an aggregated link bundle is also disclosed.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, packet encapsulation is employed to facilitate bridging between bridge ports that do not reflect frames (such as 802.1 compatible bridge ports) and bridge ports that do reflect frames (such as 802.11 compatible clients). Packets from a wireless access point may be sent twice, once with a predefined multicast address for processing by 802.11 clients contained in bridges, and once with the original destination address. In particular embodiments, additional means may be employed to minimize the circumstances where packets are duplicated.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved unicast routing, multicast routing and unicast load sharing as compared with conventional methods. Preferred implementations of the invention provide improvements to IEEE 802.1Q. According to preferred aspects of the invention, each bridge is the root of its own multiple spanning tree instance (“MSTI”). Preferred implementations of the invention require no learning of media access control (“MAC”) addresses on the backbone of a network. Some methods of the invention can resolve spanning tree asymmetries. Preferred implementations of the invention require a very low computational load for control protocols.

Abstract: A method for data communication across a layer 2 bridged network having two or more edge nodes configured for receiving and transmitting multiprotocol data packets. The method includes creating a pseudowire circuit across the bridged network, receiving data packets at one of the edge nodes, encapsulating data packets into pseudowire frames, encapsulating the pseudowire frames inside MAC frames, and transmitting the encapsulated frames over the carrier bridged network.

Abstract: A technique efficiently manages bandwidth (BW) registration for multiple spanning tree options in a computer network. According to the novel technique, an entry bridge determines multiple spanning tree paths to other bridges of the network (namely, one or more available spanning trees rooted at one or more bridges of the network) and determines a utilized (registered) BW on each of those paths. Upon receiving a request to initiate BW registration for a data flow to a destination end point, e.g., from an application source end point, the entry bridge selects one of the spanning tree paths to utilize for the data flow. Selection of the spanning tree path from among the multiple available paths may be based on (i) available bandwidth of the paths, (ii) a shortest of the paths, and (iii) a lowest bridge identifier ID for the bridge root for the path. The entry bridge sends a registration message for the data flow towards the destination end point along the selected spanning tree path.

Abstract: A technique efficiently manages bandwidth (BW) for multipoint-to-multipoint (MP2MP) services in a provider network of a computer network. According to the novel technique, each bridge having a user-network interface (UNI) port of an MP2MP service generates a registration for the service that carries maximum BW values for each port direction (e.g., for each {service, priority, color} triple), e.g., as defined by a Service Level Agreement (SLA). The registrations are advertised among neighboring bridges throughout the network toward other UNI ports of the MP2MP service. As each bridge receives registrations from each neighboring bridge (or from the UNI port), the bridge advertises registered BW values pertaining to a particular direction on a particular one of its ports that correspond to the sum of the BW values for that direction received on all of the other ports of the bridge, up to a maximum BW value (e.g., configured or physical) for the particular port.

Abstract: A system and method runs a multiple spanning tree protocol (MSTP) in a computer network having a very large number of bridge domains. The computer network includes a plurality of intermediate network devices, each having a plurality of ports for forwarding network messages. Within each device, a plurality of bridge domains are defined, each bridge domain is identified by a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) Identifier (VID), and one or more device ports. For each port, a separate mapping of VIDs to Multiple Spanning Tree Instances (MSTIs), based on the bridge domains defined at the port, is established. Each mapping is converted to a port-based configuration digest, which is entered into Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) control messages sent from the respective port. Ports receiving STP control messages whose configuration digest values that match the configuration digests values computed for the ports are said to be in the same Multiple Spanning Tree region.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing telephony devices in a distributed network environment is disclosed. The present invention provides for checking data packets to ensure that non-voice data packets are properly tagged to be transmitted on a native virtual local area network (“VLAN”). Voice data packets transmitted on a separate VLAN with a higher priority.

Abstract: A system and method detects and responds to failures occurring in a virtual switch. The virtual switch is formed from two or more physical switches interconnected by a Virtual Switch Link (VSL). One physical switch is elected the Master, and it executes a link aggregation protocol for the virtual switch. If the VSL fails, one of the other physical switches assumes that it should become the Master for the virtual switch, and it begins executing the link aggregation protocol. By adding information unique to the physical switches in the control packets of the link aggregation protocol, remote switches can identify when the VSL fails, and report this condition to the original Master. In response, the original Master or the new Master takes corrective action.