Abstract: This invention discloses a method and system for detecting and reacting to unexpected communications patterns. The system consists of a plurality of end stations and a plurality of network interfaces, such that, the network interface is capable of determining the authenticity of the program used by the end station to generate and send data packets. The system further consists of a plurality of secure management servers, which continuously exchange management messages with the network interfaces. Consequently, the secure management servers have the information for detecting unexpected communications patterns. The method allows the control of end stations, and when an unexpected communication pattern is detected, selectively only packets from authenticated programs can be allowed to be transmitted.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method and system for communication that consist of an end station and a network interface, such that, the network interface is capable of determining the authenticity of the program used by the end station to generate and send data packets. The method is based on using a hidden program that was obfuscated and encrypted within the program that is used to generate and send data packets from the end station. The hidden program is being updated dynamically and it includes the functionality for generating a pseudo random sequence of security signals. Only the network interface knows how the pseudo random sequence of security signals were generated, and therefore, the network interface is able to check the validity of the pseudo random sequence of security signals, and thereby, verify the authenticity of the programs used to generate and send data packets. The method further comprises of means for coordinating the initialization of the end station and network interface.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method for delay monitoring, policing and billing the data packet traffic in a packet switching network where the switches maintain a common time reference. This invention enables designated points inside the network to ascertain the level of packet traffic in predefine time intervals, and control the flow of packets and bring it back to predetermined levels in cases where the traffic volume exceeds predetermined levels. The information collected by the designated points facilitates billing for Internet services based on network usage, and identification of faulty conditions and malicious forwarding of packets that cause excessive delay beyond predetermined value.

Abstract: This invention describes a system and a method for realizing an adjustable optical delay system that is based on using an optical switch. The outputs of the optical switch are connected to its inputs with optical fiber with predefined lengths: d1, d2, . . . , dj, . . . , dN, then changing the optical switch configuration forms an optical delay line with an optical fiber length that is the concatenation of any subset of the optical fibers with predefined lengths.

Abstract: A time frame switching method and system of data units that utilize a time frame labels and a common time reference (CTR), which is divided into a plurality of contiguous periodic time frames. The system is designed to operate with high-speed wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) links. The plurality of data units that are contained in each of the time frames are forwarded in a pipelined manner through the network switches, and can be switched from any incoming WDM channel to any subset of outgoing WDM channels responsive to the time frame labels and the common time reference. The combination of time frame labels and CTR can be further used for protection when a failure occurs.

Abstract: This invention specifies how control information is inserted in the flow of data units on a channel between two common time reference (CTR) driven switches in order to delineate time frames, sub-time frames, and time cycles. The delineation enables the receiver to unambiguously associate the received data units with time frame, sub-time frame, and time cycles. The invention further introduces a method for counting data units in order to, among other things, detect the end of a time frame, the end of a time cycle, and the position and value of other control information.

Abstract: A time-based switching method and system of SONET frames that utilize a common time reference is disclosed. Time is divided into a plurality of contiguous periodic time frames. A plurality of SONET frames is associated with a time frame; the plurality of SONET frames that are contained in each of the time frames is forwarded in a pipelined manner through the network switches. The system operates with high-speed wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) links. This switching method can be used to implement an all-optical SONET switching system.

Abstract: A time frame switching method and system of data units that utilize a global common time reference, which is divided into a plurality of contiguous periodic time frames. The system is designed to operate with high-speed wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) links, i.e., with multiple lambdas. The plurality of data units that are contained in each of the time frames are forwarded in a pipelined manner through the network switches, wherein at every stage of the pipeline is tuned to a new wavelength by using a tunable laser. Furthermore, the incoming wavelength of a time frame determines to which output port the data units in this time frame will be switched, while the new wavelength determines to which output the data units in this time frame will be switched in the next switch on the route. The outcome of this switching method is called tunable laser based fractional lambda switching.

Abstract: A time frame switching method and system of data units that utilize a common time reference, which is divided into a plurality of contiguous periodic time frames. The system is designed to operate with time frames, which have a plurality of predefined time durations. The plurality of data units that are contained in each of the time frames are forwarded in a pipelined manner through the network switches. The system operates with high-speed wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) links, i.e., with multiple lambdas, having a plurality of transmission capacities. The outcome of this method is called fractional lambda switching with a plurality of time frame durations.

Abstract: This invention describes a method for controlling the creation of data paths of predefined capacity that is needed for timely forwarding of packets in networks where the switches maintain a common time reference. The invention describes a signaling controller that is responsive to a setup request by computing a route of switches for data transmission, and a transmission schedule, which consists of predetermined time frames in which the switches along the route may forward packets of said setup request. The invention describes a switch signaling controller, which operates in every switch and which sends and is responsive to messages regarding reserving and releasing bandwidth on the switch's ports. The invention describes a protocol by which end-stations, gateways, signaling controller, and switch signaling controllers communicate to establish paths of specified capacities; and algorithms for processing signaling messages and finding transmission schedule in the network.

Abstract: Time-based grooming and degrooming methods and systems of data units that utilize a common time reference is disclosed. Time is divided into a plurality of contiguous periodic time frames with a plurality of time frame durations. The system and method enable the grooming and switching of data units from a plurality of low speed links into one or more high-speed links. The system and method further enable the grooming and switching of data units from one or more high-speed links into a plurality of low speed links. The plurality of data units that are contained in each of the time frames are forwarded in a pipelined manner through the network switches. The system operates with high-speed wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) links, i.e., with multiple lambdas. The outcome of this method is called fractional lambda grooming.

Abstract: This invention describes a method for exchanging timing messages and data packets between switches of a network with a common time reference, and between end stations and switches of such a network, over an asynchronous sub-network. The method entails transmission of messages conveying the common time reference, and data packets that are sent responsive to the timing information and predetermined scheduled time intervals. The switches of the network maintain a common time reference, which is obtained either from an external source (such as GPS-Global Positioning System) or is generated and distributed internally. The time intervals are arranged in simple periodicity and complex periodicity (like seconds and minutes of a clock).

Abstract: A time frame switching method and system of data units that utilize a global common time reference, which is divided into a plurality of contiguous periodic time frames. The system is designed to operate with high-speed wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) links, i.e., with multiple lambdas. The plurality of data units that are contained in each of the time frames are forwarded in a pipelined manner through the network switches, wherein at every stage of the pipeline is tuned to a new wavelength by using a wavelength converter. Furthermore, the incoming wavelength of a time frame and wavelength determines to which output port the data units in this time frame will be switched, while the new wavelength and time frame determine to which output the data units in this time frame will be switched in the next switch on the route. The outcome of this switching method is called wavelength conversion based fractional lambda switching.

Abstract: A system comprised of a plurality of switches and time reference signals are provided for managing data transfer of data units during a time interval, comprised of a plurality of predefined time frames. During operation a plurality of sources as a Local Time Reference (LTR) signal that collectively constitute the equivalent of a common time reference (CTR) signal. The time reference signals are coupled to each of the switches, such that there is predefined time frames for transfer into and out from each of the respective switches responsive to the time reference signals.

Abstract: This invention describes a method for transmitting and forwarding packets over a switching network using time information. The network switches maintain a common time reference, which is obtained either from an external source (such as GPS—Global Positioning System) or is generated and distributed internally. The time intervals are arranged in simple periodicity and complex periodicity (like seconds and minutes of a clock). A data packet that arrives to an input port is switched to an output port based on its order or time position in the time interval in which it arrives at the switch. The time interval duration can be longer than the time duration required for transmitting a data packet, in which case the exact position of a data packet in its forwarding time interval is predetermined. This invention provides congestion-free data packet switching for data packets for which capacity in their corresponding forwarding links and time intervals is reserved in advance.

Abstract: This invention describes a method for transmitting and forwarding packets over a switching network using time information. The network switches maintain a common time reference, which is obtained either from an external source (such as GPS—Global Positioning System) or is generated and distributed internally. The time intervals are arranged in simple periodicity and complex periodicity (like seconds and minutes of a clock). A data packet that arrives to an input port is switched to an output port based on its order or time position in the time interval in which it arrives at the switch. The time interval duration can be longer than the time duration required for transmitting a data packet, in which case the exact position of a data packet in its forwarding time interval is predetermined.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for transmitting and forwarding packets from source nodes with variable bit rates (VBR) and how it can be integrated with other types of traffic, over a packet switching network. The sources can generate traffic with predefined average and peak rates. Packets enter the network in predefined time interval and are forwarded over each link inside the network within a periodic time interval if there is sufficient capacity. When arriving packets exceed predefined average capacity, packets are rescheduled for alternative time intervals or discarded. This invention facilitates congestion-free forwarding from one input port to multiple output ports, and consequently, from one source to multiplicity of destinations for packets within the predefined average rate. Such packets that are destined to multiple destinations reach all of their destinations in redefined time intervals and with delay jitter that is no larger than one time interval.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for transmitting and forwarding packets over a packet switching network. The switches of the network maintain a common time reference, which is obtained either from an external source (such as GPS—Global Positioning System) or is generated and distributed internally. The time intervals are arranged in simple periodicity and complex periodicity (like seconds and minutes of a clock). A packet that arrives to an input port of a switch, is switched to an output port based on specific routing information in the packet header (e.g., IPv4 destination address in the Internet, VCI/VPI labels in ATM). Each switch along a route from a source to a destination forwards packets in periodic time intervals that are predefined using the common time reference. The time interval duration can be longer than the time duration required for transmitting a packet, in which case the exact position of a packet in the time interval is not predetermined.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for interfacing a packet-switched network with real-time streams from various sources, such as circuit-switched telephony network sources. The network interfaces and gateways maintain a common time reference (CmR), which is obtained either from an external source (such as GPS—Global Positioning System) or is generated and distributed intemally. A data packet that is packetized at the gateway is scheduled to be forwarded to the network in a predfined time that is responsive to the common time reference. The invention relates, in particular, to timely forwarding and delivery of data packet between voice over IP (VoIP) gateways. Consequently, the invention provides a routing service between any two VoIP gateways where the end-to-end performance parameters, such as loss, delay and jitter, have deterministic guarantees. Furthermore, the invention enables gateway functions with minimum delay.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for transmitting and forwarding packets over a packet switching network wherein the delay between two switches increases, decreases, or changes arbitrarily over time. Packets are being forwarded over each link inside the network in predefined periodic time intervals. The switches of the network maintain a common time reference, which is obtained either from an external source (such as GPS--Global Positioning System) or is generated and distributed internally. The time intervals are arranged with simple periodicity and complex periodicity (like seconds and minutes of a clock). When the delay increases at some point of time, a packet may be late for its predefined forwarding time interval. In such case, the packet is delayed until the next time interval of its virtual pipe. When the link delay decreases, packets are buffered until the first time interval of its virtual pipe.