Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing a call-tapping point in a switched network with point-to-multipoint functionality. The tapping point is added as an additional destination for data being sent from a source node to a first destination node. The tapping point is also added as a destination for data being sent from the first destination node to the source node. A merge operation is performed for finding and combining common segments of the paths between the source and destination, the source and tapping point, and the destination and tapping point.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining a communications path between a source and a destination in an Internet Protocol (IP) network. The method determines a path list of next-hop routers between the source and destination by selecting between a Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) query of a current router on the path, and by sending a User Datagram Protocol (UDP) probe packet having a destination field with a destination IP address and a Time-to-Live (TTL) field with a value of one greater than the number of hops to the current router. The steps are iterated until the next router is determined to be the destination. Preferably, the UDP probe packets are loose-source routed through the source. In addition, a topology information database may be accessed to resolve an unknown router, and/or resolve intrarouter devices on the path.

Abstract: Flashlights are provided with a mode of operation enabling switching at a thumb area of a human hand while retaining that flashlight with fingers of that human hand during switching of that flashlight at that thumb area. The flashlight has a battery barrel provided with a tail-end switch. That battery barrel is also provided with a reduced diameter portion spaced from that tail-end switch, and with a retention element projecting from that reduced diameter portion for engagement by at least one of the fingers of the human hand during switching of the flashlight at the thumb area.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing a call-tapping point in a switched network with point-to-multipoint functionality. The tapping point is added as an additional destination for data being sent from a source node to a first destination node. The tapping point is also added as a destination for data being sent from the first destination node to the source node. A merge operation is performed for finding and combining common segments of the paths between the source and destination, the source and tapping point, and the destination and tapping point.

Abstract: A logical representation of a communications network topology has links which represent connections within a network, and models of ports representing elements of devices which form the connections of the network. The logical representation is created and maintained in response to reports from the network, such as new neighbor reports and lost neighbor reports. A new neighbor module creates or changes the logical representation in response to new neighbor reports, based upon whether the reporting port is recently attached and whether the new neighbor port is recently attached. A lost neighbor module changes the logical representation in response to lost neighbor reports, by creating pseudo new neighbor reports, and allowing the pseudo new neighbor reports to be processed following a certain amount of time.

Abstract: A method for determining a best path from a source node to a destination node using a breadth first recursive search in parallel. The determination is based upon a plurality of metrics which are set by the system. A path's metrics are compared to respective threshold values and paths are discarded if the metrics values do not each exceed respective thresholds. In addition, if a path has no metric which is better than one of the already completed paths, the path is discarded.