Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for managing communication links are provided. A bridging interface that is automatically created between two or more packet gateways during a failed communications link is described. The bridging interface may be utilized during the communications link such that a user experience is not negatively impacted. Temporary ownership of internet protocol addresses may be transferred among packet gateways such that sessions are not terminated during the transfer.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for bridging communications are provided. Interfaces between multiple high speed gateways exist but are only capable of use during handovers between varying cell towers, are manually configured, and only communicate signaling information. A bridging interface that is automatically created between two or more high speed gateways during a failed communications link is described. The bridging interface is capable of communicating both signal and data information and is associated with a single cell tower. The bridging interface may be utilized during the communications link such that a user experience is not negatively impacted.

Abstract: In a computer-implemented method of generating event notifications, in-home data is received. The in-home data and environment data (e.g., weather, law enforcement, etc.) is generated by, or based on information generated by, a device located at a residence of an individual, and is analyzed to determine whether it is indicative of an event that should be reported to one or more neighboring residences and/or businesses. If the data is indicative of such an event, a notification is generated and transmitted to the relevant residences and/or businesses.

Abstract: A system includes a communication section communicably connected to a network, and configured to receive requests for data flows from user equipment attached to the network. The system may further include a flow path determination section configured to determine, for each data flow requested, an optimal signal path from among a plurality of potential signal paths based on substantially current characteristics of the potential signal paths and on characteristics of the data flow requested. The system may further include a command plane section configured to control routing of each requested data flow in accordance with the optimal signal path determined by the flow path determination section for the respective data.

Abstract: A network management module includes a network interface module, memory, and a processing module. The network interface module is operable for coupling the network management module to a vehicle communication network. The processing module is operable to manage a global vehicle network communication protocol that includes instituting a content-based network packet processing protocol and managing the vehicle communication network to support the network packet processing protocol. The content-based network packet processing protocol includes determining content type of a packet, determining a processing requirement of the packet, and prioritizing execution of the processing requirement based on the content type.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a network control system that includes a network controller and a set of hosts on which a set of managed forwarding elements operate. The network controller computes forwarding state information and pushes the computed forwarding state information to a set of managed forwarding elements to define forwarding behaviors of the managed forwarding elements. The managed forwarding elements receive the forwarding state information from the network controller and directly exchange with each other updates to the forwarding state information. The updates are exchanged between the managed forwarding elements without a network controller relaying the updates.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method of routing for an Autonomous System AS in a communication system, in which the AS comprises a plurality of network devices including a first network device and a second network device. The first network device distributes routing information to a forwarding table by calculating a first route from the first network device to the second network device. The first network device receives information of a destination network device of the communication system from the second network device, and forms a second route from the second network device to the destination network device to be stored in the forwarding table using the received information of the destination network device. When the first route fails, the first network device calculates a third route from the first network device to the second network device and updates the routing information in the forwarding table according to the third route.

Abstract: In embodiments of the present disclosure systems and methods implementing active-hot standby redundancy in server architectures are described. In an active-hot standby redundancy architecture, two matching service instances are installed in a network on different host computers. A standby service instance may maintain state information for every session maintained at an active service instance that it is poised to replace using a publish-subscribe communications network. When a failure occurs in the active instance, the standby instance may promote itself to active, and assume all aspects of the service identity and role of the Active instance it is replacing. Service to user entities continues without interruption, although transactions that are ongoing just as the failure occurs may be lost.

Abstract: Method and server entity for forwarding a message containing a host name or domain name in an interne based communications network from a User Agent (UA) to the communications network or vice versa. The method comprises the steps of querying, by a proxy entity, a Domain Name Server (DNS) for obtaining from the Domain Name Server an Internet Protocol (IP) address associated with the host name or domain name, and including the Internet Protocol address in the message prior to forwarding the message to the communications network or User Agent, respectively, by the proxy entity.

Abstract: Embodiments provide systems, methods, and computer program products for network management application to automatically determine a session prompt for a network device and perform error handling. After logging in to a network device, the network management application records the first session prompt response. The network management application sends a series of empty carriage returns and random characters and records the session prompt responses. The network management application compares the responses and determines whether the prompt is a static or a dynamic prompt based on the results. The network management application elicits error responses from the network device by sending additional random characters and records the results in an error handling dictionary. The error handling dictionary is used later when running user-provided commands, enabling a determination of whether a command executed successfully.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a packet forwarding method and a network device, which are applicable to a system that includes a source node, a destination node, a first device, and a second device, where L1, L2, L3 and L4 are established, and the packet forwarding method includes: receiving, by the second device through a universal tunnel, a packet to be sent to a destination node, where the packet carries service data and one of identifiers of the L1, the L2, the L3, and the L4; according to the identifier carried in the packet, querying a preconfigured logical channel mapping in the second device, determining that a forwarding channel is the L4, and sending the service data in the packet to the destination node through the L4. By using the technical solutions, the number of ICB PWs can be reduced.

Abstract: A method for managing a degraded mode of a cell of a cellular network including a site controller for controlling, via a packet network, transmitters distributed over various sites of the cell such that transmitters implementing the same pair of frequencies over different sites form a channel which, in dynamic mode, is allocated dynamically to any communication between terminals of the cell, the channel including a master transmitter selected by the controller. The method includes, in each master transmitter on detection of a failure of the controller: switching in degraded mode of the master transmitter, by associating with the channel a predefined communication known to the terminals, and transmission from the master transmitter, via the network, of a control message informing a control console connected to the packet network of the implementation of the degraded mode so that the console participates in a communication underway in the channel.

Abstract: A method of configuring a stack includes: connecting stacking ports of a plurality of stackable devices using one or more stacking links; connecting a user console to a first one of the stackable devices; transmitting a stack setup command from the user console to the first stackable device; and establishing a stack in response to the stack setup command. The stack is established by initiating a discovery process with the first stackable device in response to the stack setup command, wherein the first stackable device requests and receives identifying information from the stackable devices over the stacking links during the discovery process. The topology of the stackable devices is displayed with the user console in response to the identifying information. The stackable devices are authenticated during the discovery process such that the stack setup is secure. The first stackable device becomes the active controller of the stack by default.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that may be employed for automatic access layer configuration, for example, to achieve correct server profile provisioning so as to enable information handling system network connectivity from a server through one or more aggregator switches that is configured to fit a given workload and/or network connectivity architecture. The disclosed systems and methods may be implemented using intelligent platform enablement and exchange of information between information handling system compute resource/s and adjacent access layer switch/es.

Abstract: A procedure, and an apparatus, system and computer program that operate in accordance with the procedure, for operating a dual homed communications network. In the procedure, a backup aggregation n ode is configured in accordance with a configuration of a primary multi-service router. A failure is detected in a first communication path that includes a primary multi-service router. In response to the detection, a second, backup communication path is activated that includes a backup multi-service router. In response to the activation, a router is negotiated with so that traffic forwarded by the router is provided to the second, backup communication path instead of the first communication path.

Abstract: A virtual tunnel method is described herein which implemented by a host and next hop routers to address a problem that is related to synchronizing active tunnel(s) and active link(s) between the host and next hop routers. Furthermore, a multiple tunnel management method is described herein which implemented by a host to address the problem that is related to synchronizing active tunnel(s) and active link(s) between the host and multiple next hop routers.

Abstract: Mechanisms, in a data processing system comprising a first adapter and second adapter, for performing a failover operation from the first adapter to the second adapter are provided. The mechanisms detect that an imminent failure of the first adapter is likely to occur and initiate a failover priming operation in the first adapter and second adapter in response to detecting the imminent failure. The failover priming operation configures ingress and egress buffers of the second adapter to have a similar configuration to ingress and egress buffers of the first adapter. The mechanisms migrate processing of ingress data traffic to the second adapter prior to failure of the first adapter such that the first adapter processes egress data traffic from the data processing system and the second adapter processes ingress data traffic to the data processing system.

Abstract: A cell processing method and device for a Switch Fabric (SF) chip are disclosed, which belong to the field of communications. The SF chip includes a unicast route table, which is multiplexed in two working modes and is looked up according to a unicast cell, and a multicast route table, which is multiplexed in the two working modes and is looked up according to a multicast cell. The cell processing method for an SF chip includes: the SF chip receives a cell and an input link number corresponding to the cell from an upstream apparatus and extracts a destination Identifier (ID) of the cell; the SF chip looks up a route table according to a working mode of the SF chip, the destination ID and the input link number to determine a first bitmap corresponding to the cell; and the SF chip performs load balancing on the first bitmap to obtain a second bitmap and outputs the cell to a downstream apparatus according to the second bitmap.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention include an N-Node virtual link trunking (VLT) system comprising a set of N nodes collectively provide a logical fabric-level view that is consistent across the set of N nodes. Embodiments of the N-Node VLT system comprise a control plane mechanism to provide Layer 2 multipathing between access network devices (switches or servers) and the core network. The N-Node VLT system provides a loop-free topology with active-active load-sharing of uplinks from access to the core. Accordingly, the N-Node VLT system eliminates the disadvantage of Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) (active-standby links) by allowing link aggregation group (LAG) terminations on multiple separate distribution or core switches and also supporting a loop-free topology. Additional benefits of an N-Node VLT system include, but are not limited to, higher resiliency, improved link utilization, and improved manageability of the network.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to the communications field and disclose a method, a local gateway, and a system for local voice survivability, to implement local voice survivability without configuring a DNS proxy function on a local gateway or configuring a server on a user terminal. A specific solution is: detecting, according to a preset detection period, an activity state of a server recorded in a server monitoring list, where the server monitoring list records a voice server on an Internet protocol IP multimedia subsystem IMS network in advance; intercepting, when it is detected that all servers in the server monitoring list are in an unavailable state, a service data stream sent by a user terminal to the server; and providing a corresponding service response for the user terminal according to content of the intercepted service data stream. The present invention applies to a process of voice survivability.

Abstract: A first information processing apparatus transmits a message storing a replica of data stored in the first information processing apparatus. The message has an unspecified destination. A first relay apparatus detects a second information processing apparatus provided in a network to which the first relay apparatus belongs. The first relay apparatus selects, as a transfer destination of the message, the second information processing apparatus or a second relay apparatus upon receiving the message. The first relay apparatus transfers the message to the selected transfer destination. The second information processing apparatus stores the replica therein upon receiving the message.

Abstract: In a source provider edge (PE) router, a method of forming a data multicast distribution tree (MDT) comprising the steps of monitoring a rate of multicast data traffic within a default MDT, determining that the rate exceeds a threshold, sending a join message to at least one receiver PE router in response to the determining, wherein the join message comprises a MDT number that identifies the data MDT, receiving a path message from the at least one receiver PE router and thereby forming the data MDT, and sending multicast data traffic via the data MDT.

Abstract: A method (200) for data transmission from a sender (110) to a receiver (120), wherein the data transmission is performed in predefined time intervals by associated transmission processes. The sender (110) is adapted to perform a subsequent transmission for the associated process in a time interval after one round trip time (502). Specific transmissions are performed among the transmissions, wherein the specific transmissions are limited to a subset of the time intervals, the subset being smaller than the number of all time intervals in a round trip time (502). The method (200) comprises the steps of determining (230) a maximum number of specific transmissions within a round trip time (502), specifying (240) a number of associated processes for the specific transmissions, wherein the specified number is the maximum number, and associating (250) the processes for the specific transmissions with the specific transmissions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for processing a data packet in a packet forwarding device. A data packet is received. A virtual local area network destination is determined for the received data packet, and a set of rules associated with the virtual local area network destination is identified. The rules are applied to the data packet. If a virtual local area network destination has been determined for the received data packet, the data packet is output to the destination, using the result from the application of the rules. If no destination has been determined, the data packet is dropped. A security system for partitioning security system resources into a plurality of separate security domains that are configurable to enforce one or more policies and to allocate security system resources to the one or more security domains, is also described.

Abstract: For operating a telecommunications network for mobile telecommunication, a network register is used holding identifiers of mobile terminals for communication via the telecommunications network and network-related user data of the terminals. This the network register is formed from a peer-to-peer network having a multiplicity of decentralized register nodes that are networked with one another and are each associated with one geographic region. Hash tables held in the register nodes hold the identifiers of the terminals as hash values, and user data is stored associated with these hash values.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example and includes receiving a current bandwidth characteristic for a link, where the current bandwidth characteristic is determined under fading conditions associated with signal propagation on the link. The method can also include calculating a new cost for the link that is different from a nominal cost associated with a nominal bandwidth of the link without the fading conditions. The method could also include routing at least a portion of a plurality of flows that are to traverse the link away from the link based, at least in part, on the new cost. Another example method includes receiving the current bandwidth characteristic for the link, comparing the current bandwidth characteristic with a preconfigured low watermark corresponding to a class-specific MTR topology associated with a class of traffic traversing the link, and removing the link from the MTR topology based on the current bandwidth characteristic.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides Optical Transport Network (OTN) port protection systems and methods using flexible switch criteria. Specifically, the OTN port protection systems and methods provide linear protection in OTN such as 1+1 Protection with Automatic Protection Switching (APS) and/or 1+1 Subnetwork Connection Protection (SNCP) Protection. The OTN Port Protection with flexible switch criteria allows a user to provision a protection application on an OTN Port and select a switch criteria, Section Monitoring, Path Monitoring, or Tandem Connection Monitoring, without considering the provisioning state of an Optical channel Data Unit level k (ODUk) entity. The ODUk entity may either be cross-connected in the LO case or terminated in the HO case. The ODUk entity may be provisioned independently, after the port protection has been established.

Abstract: A method and system for multicasting IPTV channels includes using both a designated and a redundant network routing device. When the designated routing device detects that an MCDN network connection to an IPTV multicast source is unavailable, the designated routing device reduces its designation priority to a lower value. A message is sent to the redundant routing device with an instruction to increase its designation priority to a higher value. After the designation priorities have been modified, the designated routing device may serve as a new redundant routing device, while the redundant routing device may serve as a new designated routing device. The routing devices may remain in the new configuration, even after interrupted network connections are restored.

Abstract: A manner of selecting communication traffic paths through a LAN, WAN, or similar communication network. Traffic received at a source bridge is forwarded to a destination bridge along a communication path selected from a plurality of possible, preferably EHEC paths. The paths may be discovered by a breadth first search and stored in a path selection table in association with a sequential index number. The paths are selected, for example by assigning a path to a VLAN by determining V mod N, comparing the result to indices on a path selection table that associates an unique index with each of the plurality of communication paths, and selecting the path associated with an index equal to the result, wherein N is the number of paths in the plurality of paths and V is a group identifier. The selected paths may be stored in the path selection table in association with the respective VLAN, and any received traffic for that VLAN is forwarded along the selected path.

Abstract: In a source provider edge (PE) router, a method for supporting protocol independent multicast sparse-mode (PIM-SM) using multicast resource reservation protocol-traffic engineering (mRSVP-TE) comprising the steps of creating a protocol independent multicast (PIM) state, sending a first unicast data message to a rendezvous point (RP) PE router using the PIM state, wherein the first unicast data message is a PIM register message encapsulated as a unicast multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) packet, receiving a PIM join message from the RP PE router, wherein the PIM join message triggers creating a second PIM state, sending a second unicast data message to the RP PE router via a default multicast distribution tree (MDT) using the second PIM state, receiving a PIM register-stop message from the RP PE router, wherein the PIM register-stop message suspends sending the second unicast data message.

Abstract: A path protection method that includes: establishing a point to multi-point (P2MP) tree spanning from a head node to a plurality of tail nodes, the P2MP tree providing a label switched path (LSP) from the head node to a particular tail node; identifying a first and a second pluralities of source-to-leaf (S2L) sub-LSPs for the LSP included within the P2MP tree, each corresponding pair of S2L sub-LSP in the first and second pluralities are path diverse; setting a first flag in a RSVP path message to designate the second plurality of S2L sub-LSPs as protecting respective S2L sub-LSPs in the first plurality at a baseline level of protection; setting a second flag to designate a subset of S2L sub-LSPs in the second plurality as protecting respective S2L sub-LSPs in the first plurality at an elevated level of protection; and transmitting the RSVP path message.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for rapidly resuming, at times of failures, network traffic in a connection-oriented network by using an alternative route pre-computed and stored locally in nodes along an initial route without requiring signaling of upstream nodes or a master server.

Abstract: A method of transmitting a control signal using efficient multiplexing is disclosed. The present invention includes the steps of multiplexing a plurality of 1-bit control signals within a prescribed time-frequency domain by code division multiple access (CDMA) and transmitting the multiplexed control signals, wherein a plurality of the 1-hit control signals include a plurality of the 1-bit control signals for a specific transmitting side. Accordingly, reliability on 1-bit control signal transmission can be enhanced.

Abstract: A device receives traffic; identifies an address associated with the traffic; determines whether the address is associated with an aggregate interface, the aggregate interface being associated with a first port and a second port. The first port corresponds to a first node in a first state, that indicates that the first node is available to forward the traffic, and the second port corresponds to a second node in a second state, that indicates that that the second node is not available to forward the traffic. The device transmits the traffic to the first node via the first port and to the second node, via the second port, when the address is associated with the aggregate interface. Transmitting the traffic enables the second node to forward the traffic when the first node changes from the first state to the second state.

Abstract: Network devices provide Internet Protocol (IP) and Label Distribution Protocol (LDP) fast reroute for unicast and multicast traffic. The approach described herein for fast reroute for IP and LDP uses maximally redundant trees (MRTs). MRTs are a pair of trees where the path from any node X to the root R along the first tree and the path from the same node X to the root along the second tree share the minimum number of nodes and the minimum number of links. A network device, such as a router, computes a pair of MRTs for each destination and installs one or more MRT alternate next-hops in its forwarding plane for use in forwarding network traffic to a destination in the event a failure occurs that renders a primary next-hop unusable for reaching the destination.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a Bidirectional Forwarding Detection (BFD) asynchronous mode session is established between two packet switching devices interconnected by one or more physical links. Prior to L2 or L3 services being established, each of these packet switching devices does not know the Media Access Control (MAC) nor Internet Protocol (IP) addresses of each interface of the other packet switching device that is connected to one of these link(s). A request to establish a BFD session is sent from one packet switching device to the other, with a MAC frame including the request being addressed to a group, broadcast, or other address that the receiving packet switching device will recognize and thus process the received request. Based on information contained in this received MAC frame, the receiving packet switching device has the information it needs, and sends a BFD control frame to the other packet switching device.

Abstract: A system that incorporates the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method for receiving and granting, by a first session border controller, registration requests from a plurality of communication devices, where the plurality of communication devices are assigned to a second session border controller as a primary source for communication services, and where the registration requests are received responsive to the second session border controller being unable to provide services to the plurality of communication devices. The method can further include receiving, by the first session border controller, a re-registration request from one of the plurality of communication devices, and transmitting, by the first session border controller, a message to the one of the plurality of communication devices responsive to receiving the re-registration request to cause the one of the plurality of communication device to register with the second session border controller. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A network includes a plurality of interconnected nodes utilizing an all-broadcast architecture for a plurality of wavelengths therebetween; a routing protocol configured to compute a loop-free path through the plurality of interconnected nodes, wherein the loop-free path is computed for at least one wavelength of the plurality of wavelengths using routing constructs adapted to a photonic domain; and at least one blocking element configured to selectively block the at least one wavelength based on the computed loop-free path. A routing method photonic node are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for updating a table of correspondence between a logical address associated to a user unit in a communication network and a unique identification number associated to one of a group of user units managed by a management center, a method where messages are exchanged between said management center and a specific user unit of said group by using said communication network, these messages being forwarded to the logical address of the specific user in said network, the method including searching in said table for the logical address of the user unit in said communication network corresponding to the unique identification number of the specific user unit; sending of messages to the user unit having the concerned unique identification number, to the logical address corresponding to said communication network; and if the messages are received incorrectly, sending a request containing an identifier of said specific user unit.

Abstract: In a method for 802.1X authentication, used in a network which comprises an access device and an access control device, a WLAN security template and a 802.1X client template is enabled at the access device, a 802.1X client template is enabled at the access device, and a 802.1X device template is enabled at a tunnel port of the access control device. The access control device establishes a 802.1X authentication tunnel with the access device, receive a packet transmitted by a client at the access control device through the 802.1X authentication tunnel, authenticates the client after receiving the packet, and assists the access device through the 802.1X authentication tunnel to obtain a session key.

Abstract: Systems, methods and interfaces are provided for the modeling of network data capacity for a network corresponding to a set of nodes interconnected via point-to-point network paths. A network capacity processing system obtains demand estimates for the nodes and network paths of the network. The network capacity processing system then identifies a set of failure scenarios for the network nodes and network paths. The network capacity processing system then generates of a set of processing results corresponding to load estimates for the network paths of the network and based on applying the set of failure scenarios to the model of network data capacity. Utilizing data capacity models, failure scenarios and set of processing results, the network capacity processing system can provide for network capacity planning or contingency planning.

Abstract: A packet data network gateway, P-GW, is located in a second network for supporting control plane data in a wireless communications system that additionally comprises a first network having a first P-GW operably couplable to the P-GW, and a serving gateway, S-GW. The P-GW comprises a processor arranged to: monitor and build terminal device context information for a plurality of terminal devices being served with user plane data by the second network; and determine an operational status of at least one of: the backhaul link, first P-GW. In response to the processor determining that at least one of: the backhaul link, first P-GW, is unavailable, the processor is arranged to perform at least one of: terminate signalling between the first network and at least one of a mobility management entity, MME, the S-GW; defer signalling between the first network and at least one of the MME, the S-GW; perform at least some functionality of the first P-GW.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method and a device for processing a communication path. The method includes: obtaining a path processing parameter from local configuration information or from a control layer device, obtaining path information and/or a restarting counter parameter from the control layer device; increasing a path with an opposite-end device when the path information is of increasing a path, identifying the state of the path and/or the state of the opposite-end device using the path processing parameter and/or the restarting counter parameter the opposite-end device; reporting the fault state of the path and/or the reset state of the opposite-end device to the control layer device when the path fails and/or the opposite-end device is reset, releasing sessions on the failed path and/or on a path connected with the reset opposite-end device.

Abstract: An emergency wireless connection system which operates as a normal information terminal in normal times and operates as a terminal to send and receive emergency information in emergency situation includes a line detection unit which detects an emergency communication network capable of communicating when emergency situation occurs, and a control unit which makes the emergency wireless connection system conform to a procedure of the emergency communication network based on channel information of the emergency communication network detected by the line detection unit.

Abstract: A virtual computer system includes virtualization software, and one or more physical network interfaces for connecting to one or more computer networks. The virtualization software supports one or more virtual machines (VMs), and exports one or more virtual network interfaces to the VM(s) to enable the VM(s) to access the computer network(s) through the physical network interface(s). The virtualization software modifies and filters network data frames from the VM(s) and from the physical network interface(s) to restrict one or more VMs to one or more virtual local area networks (VLANs) that are implemented within a VLAN topology. Restricting a VM to a VLAN limits the broadcast domain to which the VM belongs, which may reduce security risks facing the VM. Implementing the VLAN functionality within the virtualization software provides the functionality to every VM in the computer system, without requiring every VM to provide the functionality.

Abstract: An example method transmits a path message to an egress node, via intermediate nodes, that configures OAM monitoring of an entire connection between an ingress node and the egress node and also configures OAM monitoring of at least one segment of the connection shorter than the entire connection by at least one intermediate node. The path message comprises a LSP attributes object and an ERO. The LSP object comprises technology-specific attributes defining descriptors for configuring the egress node in accordance with a communication protocol utilized for the connection; and technology-independent OAM parameters that, irrespective of the communication protocol, define an OAM type to be used by the egress node, and define desired monitoring actions for the egress node to perform. The ERO comprises a respective HOP Attributes sub-object for configuring each of the at least one intermediate nodes.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for detecting failure of switching elements of a distributed switch configured to forward Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) frames. Periodic discovery advertisement messages, which include a fabric name fieldm, are transmitted between a controlling Fibre Channel Forwarder (cFCF) and a FCoE data forwarder (FDF). The cFCF determines a FDF has failed out of the switch fabric based on a reserved value in the fabric name field of a received discovery advertisement message, such as a zero or null value, and de-instantiates virtual links with that FDF.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example and includes communicating a first request message to a first network element functioning as a point of local repair for a backup label switched path. The first request message includes a first network address having a predetermined value and an indication of a forwarding equivalence class associated with the backup label switched path. The method further includes receiving a first reply message from the first network element. The first reply message includes at least one backup path parameter associated with the backup label switched path.

Abstract: Measures for operating a data link, including handling transfer of operation from a primary to a backup device in the link without taking down and re-establishing the link.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving a downstream data packet transported on a backhaul link at a first network element, the downstream data packet is associated with a user equipment; identifying whether a downstream tunnel used to communicate the data packet to the user equipment has become dormant; and communicating an in-band message to a second network element that the downstream tunnel is dormant. In other examples, the method can include dropping the data packet when a network address port translation binding has expired or does not exist. In certain implementations, the method can include identifying the downstream tunnel as dormant when an activity timer has expired, or identifying the downstream tunnel as dormant based on a stale state setting.