Abstract: A method and apparatus provides QoS shaping/provisioning scheme for a data communications switch, such as a DiffServ aware router or a 802.1Q aware bridge, in which distinct internal and outbound priority values are assigned to a packet based on flow properties associated with an inbound packet. The flow properties used to assign the internal and outbound priority values may include at least one value from a packet field that is not dedicated to defining QoS. The internal priority value provides a priority to the packet during processing in the switch. The outbound priority value is applied to the packet in lieu of the inbound priority value prior to transmitting the packet from the switch. The flow properties used to determine the internal and outbound priority values may include, for example, Layer 2, Layer 3, and Layer 4 information encoded in the packet.

Abstract: A unified policy management system for an organization including a central policy server and remotely situated policy enforcers. A central database and policy enforcer databases storing policy settings are configured as LDAP databases adhering to a hierarchical object oriented structure. Such structure allows the policy settings to be defined in an intuitive and extensible fashion. Changes in the policy settings made at the central policy server are automatically transferred to the policy enforcers for updating their respective databases. Each policy enforcer collects and transmits health and status information in a predefined log format and transmits it to the policy server for efficient monitoring by the policy server. For further efficiencies, the policy enforcement functionalities of the policy enforcers are effectively partitioned so as to be readily implemented in hardware.

Abstract: A data switch includes multiple switching modules interconnected over a backplane. The data switch maintains flow integrity while path transitioning. The flow integrity can be maintained by temporarily disabling one or more of the switching modules from transmitting data units over the backplane for a flow undergoing a path transition. The disable condition is imposed when the path transition is commenced, and is lifted after the path transition is completed and an interval has passed ensuring that all data units for the flow transmitted to the backplane prior to imposing the disable condition have cleared the backplane. The backplane includes a multicast fabric and a unicast fabric, wherein flow path transitions are made from the multicast fabric to the unicast fabric upon source learning. All switching modules are temporarily disabled from transmitting data units having as a destination address an address undergoing source learning to the backplane.

Abstract: Lookup scheme in which a tuple representing a plurality of flow properties is parsed into multiple subtuples for application in recursive lookups. A first subtuple including a first subset of bits from the tuple is applied to the flow information database and returns a result including a nickname having a smaller bit count than the first subtuple. A second subtuple including a second subset of bits from the tuple and the nickname are combined and applied to the flow information database. The lookups continue until a result indicates that no recursion is required. The final lookup result includes flow information applicable to one or more of modifying, enqueuing or forwarding the packet. A truncated lookup capability enables common processing across a group of distinct flows having common flow properties.

Abstract: A dedicated bandwidth switch backplane has efficient receive processing capable of handling highly parallel traffic. Packets must pass a filtering check and a watermark check before the receive port is allowed to release them to a queue. Highly efficient algorithms are applied to conduct the checks on the packets in a way which expedites receive processing and avoids contention. A hybrid priority/port-based arbitration algorithm is used to sequence filtering checks on pending packets. A watermark comparison algorithm performs preliminary calculations on the current packet using “projected” output queue write addresses for each possible outcome of the queueing decision on the preceding packet and using the actual outcome to select from among preliminary calculations to efficiently address the outcome-dependence of the current packet's watermark check on the queueing decision made on the preceding packet.

Abstract: A digital traffic switch having DIBOC buffer control has a queue status-based control strategy to limit status traffic on the switch and status buffer requirements. Status messages are transmitted from inputs to outputs when the content status of a logical output queue has changed from “empty” to “not empty”, or vice versa, rather than on a “per cell” request basis. Status messages are transmitted from outputs to inputs when the clearance status of a logical output queue has changed from “not clear to release” to “clear to release”, or vice versa, rather than on a “per cell” grant basis. The status of each logical output queue is monitored at outputs by retaining and updating a single status bit which has a particular binary value when the logical output queue's status is “empty” and the opposite binary value when the logical output queue's status is “not empty”.

Abstract: A device and method for independent control of SDRAM memory in an SDRAM memory module. The device includes an in-line controller (ILC) coupled to receive indications of memory controller interrupt events. The ILC is coupled with the SDRAM memory, possibly through a registered buffer, in such a way that when an indication of a memory controller interrupt event is received, the ILC issues appropriate instructions to the SDRAM memory and prevents any spurious memory controller signals from being transmitted along the control bus. A memory module incorporating an ILC in communication with a memory controller and an SDRAM memory device or bank of such devices. Ultimately, a number of ILCs may be used, each controlling an individual SDRAM bank or discreet memory device.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method and an apparatus that implements the Bell Communications Research (now Telcordia) Specification of Signaling System No. 7, chapter T1.111.3 algorithm requirements in hardware in a manner that significantly improves throughput capacity and reduces event processing time. The software driven implementations of the MTP-2 algorithms satisfy the requirements of T1.111.3, but only a limited number of communications channels may be processed therewith. The number of channels that may be processed by the present invention, however, is only constrained by the available logic resources and gate delays. In the described embodiment of the invention, 64 channels of data may be processed by the inventive gate array formed to execute the MTP-2 algorithm. To achieve such results, the MLSC inventive gate array includes circuitry that parses incoming signaling into three different groups.

Abstract: A signaling link interface (10) includes a high level data link controller (12) that receives signaling information from network elements in a telecommunication network. A link state controller (14) performs message transfer part level two processing on the signaling information. The link state controller (14) generates a response message that the high level data link controller (12) provides back to the network elements. The high level data link controller (12) and the link state controller (14) are implemented in hardware as field programmable gate array devices. Information related to operation of the signaling link interface (10) may be downloaded from a remote site into the field programmable gate array devices. The signaling link interface (10) processes signaling information received from a plurality of signaling links on a link by link basis.

Abstract: A network navigator interface system and method incorporating a client/server architecture in which a network coarse-grained model (or single object) (NameSpaceObject) is used to create a fine-grained object model is disclosed. The disclosed invention permits a client application to discover the detailed interface provided by each object instance in the fine-grained model. A client application wishing to invoke an operation on a server-side object first obtains an object reference (IOR) to a NameSpaceObject instance. Each NameSpaceObject instance stores a pointer to an object in the fine-grained model. The NameSpaceObject interface provides operations to move this pointer around in a hierarchical model. Once the pointer is set to reference a certain object in the fine-grained model, this object becomes the target for all further operations. The available operations include object contents discovery/manipulation, object interface discovery and operation invocation.

Abstract: A telecommunications system, service control point and method are provided that can establish specialized dialing plan(s) utilizing one or more of the unused country codes in the traditional international dialing plan. In particular, the telecommunications system could translate the digits of a telephone call having an international access code and a previously unused country code to direct the telephone call to a service provider instead of a foreign country. The service provider could then manage one of the new dialing plans and offer a variety of services to their customers including, for example, global vanity numbers, global local number portability, global Internet access, and private dialing plans.

Abstract: In particular embodiments, the present invention provides a system for managing signaling messages in a telecommunication system. The system includes a first control module that is operable to receive signaling messages from a plurality of signaling links, process the signaling messages, and send the processed signaling messages through a communication network interface. The system also includes a second control module that is operable to receive the signaling messages from the plurality of signaling links, process the signaling messages, and send the processed signaling messages through a communication network interface. The system further includes a Matelink coupled to the first control module and the second control module. The Matelink is operable to communicate the status of the first control module to the second control module and the status of the second control module to the first control module.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for bridging of Ethernet frames between a subscriber LAN and the ATM network. In accordance with the invention a novel (time window discovery) method is used, with coordination of the network administrator and an access management system to provision a network bridging element or bridge with a set of provisioned devices authorized to forward data packets across the bridge. The bridge is allowed within a time window to learn machine-specific MAC addresses for the provisioned table. After the window is expired, or terminated by access management system, the bridge is switched back to learning mode to learn additional MAC addresses for a learned table in the traditional manner. The devices learned during the learning phase are not authorized to forward data packets across the bridge.

Abstract: Matrix recovery and link maintenance for a signaling node in an SS7 network. The signaling node comprises a planar redundant switching matrix with master and standby sides. End devices for trunk interfacing and channel data control receive data and timing from the master side, de-coupled from data and timing paths of the standby side. In steady-state, revenue traffic between the SS7 network and the signaling node runs on the master side in a pulse code modulated (PCM) form. Test channels are set up on both sides. Test patterns are propagated on the test channels for monitoring failures of timing path, PCM data, and device communication. When a failure condition is detected on the master side, the signaling node transmits idle signaling to the network, so that the revenue traffic is suspended and the link is maintained in an in-service state.

Abstract: A system for distributing a synchronization signal in a telecommunications network is provided that includes a timing generator, a lower level distribution module, a bus control module and a plurality of cards. The timing generator is operable to provide a synchronization signal comprising timing and control signals. The lower level distribution module is coupled to the timing generator. The lower level distribution module is operable to receive and distribute the synchronization signal. The bus control module is coupled to the lower level distribution module. The bus control module is operable to receive and distribute the synchronization signal. The plurality of cards are coupled to the bus control module. Each card is operable to receive the synchronization signal and to synchronize based on the timing signals.

Abstract: A distributed telecommunications switching subsystem (100) receives and distributes data packets passed between a plurality of switching subsystems or channel banks (102, 104, 106) and a data packet switch (110). Each channel bank (102) has a stored list of addresses. When a channel bank (102) receives a data packet, it compares the address of the data packet to its stored list of addresses, and transmits the data packet to another channel bank (104) if the address of the data packet does not correspond to any of the addresses in its stored list of addresses. The data packet is passed on until it reaches a channel bank (106) with a matching address or else it is appropriately handled by a last channel bank (106) in the chain. If the address of data packet matches an address in its stored list of addresses, the channel bank (102) passes the data packet through a subscriber interface card (120) to a customer premises equipment unit (108) corresponding to the address of the data packet.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for transferring data between servers and subscribers. A central office employs DSL circuit cards. Each DSL circuit card encodes a digital signal using a discrete multitone technology (DMT) scheme, and sends an encoded signal on a subscriber line. A disclosed architecture allows the functions of a faulty DSL circuit card to be assumed by another card, without substantial disruption of subscriber service. Further, the architecture allows the faulty DSL to be physically replaced, with minimal disruption of subscriber service. Another aspect of the architecture allows for the testing of subscriber lines.

Abstract: Congestion control is provided in a first telecommunications element by receiving a congestion state for a second telecommunications element coupled to the first telecommunications element. An internal congestion state is set in the first telecommunications element for the second telecommunications element based on the congestion state. The internal congestion state for the second telecommunications element is maintained in the first telecommunications element independently of receiving a disparate congestion state for the second telecommunications element.

Abstract: A system, controller and method are described that can effectively alert a mobile subscriber about an emergency situation including, for example, a weather alert, a hostage situation or a hazardous material leak. In particular, the system includes an emergency warning system capable of generating information identifying a geographic area in which there is an emergency situation. The system also includes a controller capable of receiving the information identifying the troubled geographic area and is further capable of requesting and receiving from a wireless communications network a list of the mobile subscribers currently located within the troubled geographic area. Thereafter, the controller is capable of initiating an emergency notification message that is sent to at least one of the mobile subscribers. The emergency notification message can be in the form of a page, a voice message or a short text message.