Abstract: A method of operating a load balancing switch may include providing a flow entry in a flow table, the flow entry may include a match pattern that is satisfied by a data flow identification, and the flow entry may identify a first server. A first data packet including a first data flow identification may be received, and the first data packet may be transmitted to the first server responsive to the first data flow identification satisfying the match pattern. After transmitting the first data packet to the first server, the flow entry may be modified so that the flow entry identifies the first server and a second server. After modifying the flow entry, a second data packet including a second data flow identification may be received, and the second data packet may be transmitted to the first and second servers responsive to the second data flow identification satisfying the match pattern.

Abstract: A method of operating a load balancing switch may include providing a flow entry in a flow table, the flow entry may include a match pattern that is satisfied by a data flow identification, and the flow entry may identify a first server. A first data packet including a first data flow identification may be received, and the first data packet may be transmitted to the first server responsive to the first data flow identification satisfying the match pattern. After transmitting the first data packet to the first server, the flow entry may be modified so that the flow entry identifies the first server and a second server. After modifying the flow entry, a second data packet including a second data flow identification may be received, and the second data packet may be transmitted to the first and second servers responsive to the second data flow identification satisfying the match pattern.

Abstract: Scalable data forwarding techniques in a switched network are described herein. In one embodiment, an example of a process for forwarding data includes, in response to a first packet received from a first local node over a local area network (LAN) and destined to a first remote node over a provider network, a provider edge (PE) device of the provider network substituting a source MAC (media access control) address of the first packet with a virtual MAC address associated with the PE device, and the PE device transmitting the first packet having the virtual MAC address as the source MAC address to the first remote node over the provider network. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.

Abstract: Scalable data forwarding techniques in a switched network are described herein. In one embodiment, an example of a process for forwarding data includes, in response to a first packet received from a first local node over a local area network (LAN) and destined to a first remote node over a provider network, a provider edge (PE) device of the provider network substituting a source MAC (media access control) address of the first packet with a virtual MAC address associated with the PE device, and the PE device transmitting the first packet having the virtual MAC address as the source MAC address to the first remote node over the provider network. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.

Abstract: Provided are a method and system that allow one or more network protocol emulators, composed of one or more network protocol emulation controllers and one or more network protocol emulation entities, which are overlaid onto the one or more base networks utilizing different communications protocols for the purpose of allowing said one or more networks to be accessed and utilized as if the one or more networks were utilizing protocols emulated by the one or more network protocol emulators. The method and system utilize the following steps. Apprising the one or more network protocol emulation controllers of network capability information inherent within protocols utilized by the one or more networks onto which the one or more network protocol emulation controllers are overlaid.