Abstract: Methods and Systems are provided for steering network packets and bridging media channels to a single processing resource. A mapping associates a processing resource with a network interface module (Netmod) or a number of line interface ports included within the Netmod. In one embodiment, the mapping is configurable within the processing resource and pushed to the Netmod. The Netmod uses the mapping to steer network packets to the processing resource when the packets conform to the mapping. Moreover, the mapping can be used to identify a specific process that is to be performed against the packets once the processing resource receives the steered packets from the Netmod.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating the sale of classified ad items are provided. According to one embodiment, a linkage is created between a print advertisement and an online counterpart. Consumers are encouraged to view and/or purchase online an item for sale in the print classified ad. For example, a graphic, text, icon or other indicia may indicate the item is also accessible in an online environment. According to another embodiment, ad data for an e-commerce enabled online classified advertisement is originated by a periodical publisher via a call center and passed to the e-commerce system. In another embodiment, consumers placing an order for an advertisement are provided with multiple e-commerce selling format options that define the manner in which an e-commerce application will attempt to sell the subject of the ad. For example, the consumer may select a fixed price, a negotiated price, or an auction selling format.

Abstract: A master node in a packet ring network periodically sends a packet containing a discovery marker into the packet ring network. As each node in turn receives the packet, each adds its own discovery marker, which contains its topology information, to the packet, saves the topology information of others, and resends the packet to the next node in the ring. Eventually, the master node receives the packet containing a chain of discovery markers for all active nodes terminated by the master's own discovery marker, so the master node then removes its own discovery marker and resends the packet in to the ring network. Each node in turn then removes its own discovery marker. In this way, all nodes in the ring see topology information for every other active node.

Abstract: A method for routing packets in a router includes establishing a flow data structure identifying a packet flow through a virtual router in the router. Next, a system executing the method receives a packet, said packet having at least one packet header. The method then compares a subset of the at least one packet header to a subset of the flow data structure. If the subset of the at least one packet header matches the subset of the flow data structure, then the packet can be hardware accelerated to a network interface. Otherwise, the packet can be either dropped, or forwarded to a general purpose processor for processing.

Abstract: A computerized method for managing network device metadata is provided. According to one embodiment, a metadata file is created which is an ASCII representation of objects in a router. The router metadata is read by an application such as a service management system application. The metadata is converted into a runtime object model. In one embodiment, the objects in the runtime object model are loaded onto a router or a service processing switch using SNMP functions. The objects are then inserted into the SNMP MIB.

Abstract: A virtual routing platform includes a line interface a plurality of virtual routing engines (VREs) to identify packets of different packet flows and perform a hierarchy of metering including at least first and second levels of metering on the packet flows. A first level of metering may be performed on packets of a first packet flow using a first metering control block (MCB). The first level of metering may be one level of metering in a hierarchy of metering levels. A second level of metering on the packets of the first packet flow and packets of a second flow using a second MCB. The second level of metering may be another level of metering in the hierarchy. A cache-lock may be placed on the appropriate MCB prior to performing the level of metering. The first and second MCBs may be data structures stored in a shared memory of the virtual routing platform. The cache-lock may be released after performing the level of metering using the MCB.

Abstract: Methods are provided for navigation user interface mechanisms. In one embodiment, a directed summary of (i) what caused the value of a selected cell within a tabular view of data; or (ii) context into which the value of the selected cell fits as part of a larger overall picture is provided by displaying at least a partial hierarchy of child/parent views relating to the value of the selected cell, then the end user may navigate to a particular level of detail within the hierarchy of preaggregated data that is desired by selecting an appropriate child/parent view. In another embodiment, period queries are specified with reference to a dialog displaying a calendar view from which date groups to be compared may be selected. The dialog receives information identifying a period associated with each date group to be compared. The periods can be either asymmetrical or symmetrical with respect to each other.

Abstract: A computerized system for providing subscriber control of network parameters includes a service processing switch having a plurality of network resources; a service provider management server communicably coupled to the service processing switch and operable to configure the plurality of network resources. The configuration includes an allocation of a subset of the network resources to a subscribing enterprise. A subscriber management server is communicably coupled to the service provider management system and is operable to further configure the subset of the network resources. The system also includes a subscriber management client communicably coupled to the subscriber management server. The client is operable to issue configuration requests to the subscriber management server.

Abstract: Methods and Systems are provided for a distributed Provider Edge (PE). A single Virtual Routing and Forwarding device (VRF) is associated with a single customer site. The VRF includes a single routing table (RIB) and a single forwarding table (FIB). The VRF also includes a plurality of Virtual Private Network (VPN) Protocol Instance Modules (VRP), where each VRP is associated with a different VPN from the customer site. Each VRP accesses the RIB directly and the FIB indirectly to acquiring addressing/routing information for a received data packet. Moreover, each VRP uses a data plane of the VRP to communicate the data packets to a PE backbone device. In turn, the PE backbone device uses the data plane to communicate with each of the VRPs, and the PE backbone device communicates with one or more tunnels.

Abstract: An information technology (IT) infrastructure may be monitored, and the data thus collected may be used to infer problems and predict future conditions. In one embodiment, the present invention may include receiving a plurality of component metrics, each component metric related to a corresponding component of an (IT) infrastructure of an enterprise, each component being associated with one or more gross-level rules, and generating an indicator set by comparing each received component metric to relevant historical values of the component metric. In one embodiment, the present invention may also include determining that a gross-level rule is out of compliance, comparing the indicator set to one or more historical indicator sets to determine whether the indicator set resembles any of the one or more historical indicator sets, and performing an appropriate action based on the result of the comparison.