Abstract: The present invention guarantees that voice data (and other information types) will switch within a predetermined time period. Systems and methods consistent with the present invention accomplish this guarantee by, among other things, establishing permanent virtual paths between each network element, guaranteeing each voice line a slot in a packet in each frame, employing both octet switching and packet switching, synchronizing the operation of the network elements to a reference clock, and providing several levels of network redundancy.

Abstract: A system and a method of selecting gateways using stored metrics associated with each route out of the domain and with each destination is presented. The metrics represent some measure to be minimized by the routing system, such as cost or delay. The route is selected quasi-deterministically. A first selection is made deterministically based on the stored metrics in order to attempt to use the optimum path. If a connection can not be established through the deterministically selected gateway, an alternate gateway is selected randomly from among the remaining gateways capable of reaching the destination at a reasonable cost.

Abstract: Multiple connections between switches that share the same Quality of Service (QoS) requirements are multiplexed onto a single virtual connection or switched path. The switched path may be established using a known standard or proprietary protocol, or even without knowledge of the underlying protocol. Provisioning and management software provided on the switches create originating and destination end points. When the network operator provisions an end point, a switched path call setup request is made to a networking interface which establishes a connection using a selected routing system through the network having the provisioned characteristics, such as bandwidth and QoS, of the switched path.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of managing a router table that includes inter-router protocol information indexes the routing table to the inter-router protocol information. Such inter-router protocol information may include data identifying the name of protocol itself, or other related information. To that end, the routing information within the routing table first is indexed based upon the inter-routing protocol information to produce indexed routing information. A given routing information request then may be received. The given request requests both routing information from the routing table, and information relating to a given inter-router protocol. The indexed routing information then is accessed to retrieve the information requested in the request.

Abstract: The present invention guarantees that voice data (and other information types) will switch within a predetermined time period. Systems and methods consistent with the present invention accomplish this guarantee by, among other things, establishing permanent virtual paths between each network element, guaranteeing each voice line a slot in a packet in each frame, employing both octet switching and packet switching, synchronizing the operation of the network elements to a reference clock, and providing several levels of network redundancy.

Abstract: A technique for establishing a shortcut Virtual Channel Connection (VCC) in a Multi-Protocol Over ATM (MPOA) system detects a packet flow, and then determines whether to establish the shortcut VCC based upon an expected MPOA server response time. Specifically, an expected MPOA server response time is determined based upon an MPOA server response time history. The expected MPOA server response time is then compared to a predetermined MPOA server response time threshold to determine whether the expected MPOA server response time is within the predetermined MPOA server response time threshold. The shortcut VCC is established if the expected MPOA server response time is within the predetermined MPOA server response time threshold. Upon establishing the shortcut VCC, the MPOA server response time history is updated to reflect an actual MPOA server response time incurred when establishing the shortcut VCC.

Abstract: An apparatus and method, utilized by a receiving node in a multicast for authenticating a message received from a transmitting node, uses tags to determine if the transmitting node is in the multicast. More particularly, a first tag received with the message is located and utilized to determine if the transmitting node is in the multicast. The first tag includes data associated with at least one of the receiving node and the transmitting node. A second tag then is generated if the transmitting node is determined to be in themulticast. Once generated, the second tag is transmitted with the message to a third node in the multicast. Among other things, the second tag includes data indicating that the receiving node is in the multicast.

Abstract: In Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) communications networks, certain congestion control features, such as Partial Packet Discard (PPD) and Early Packet Discard (EPD), operate on ATM cells that have been segmented from ATM Adaptation Layer #5 (AAL5) frames (packets). AAL5 frames are automatically detected by observing transitions of an indicator in the ATM cell header unique to AAL5 traffic. Automatic detection of AAL5 traffic allows enablement of packet-aware cell discarding techniques such as PPD and EPD on a Virtual Channel Connection (VCC) basis, whether in a switch for a VCC or for a Virtual Path Connection (VPC) to which the VCC belongs.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for associating private branch exchange (PBX) equipment with a remote access device over a packet network. The remote access device can be connected to a number of communication devices suitable for processing voice or data. The PBX equipment receives a request to initiate communication from the communication device over a signaling virtual channel provisioned from the packet network, provisions a communication virtual channel from the packet based network to carry communication information provided by the communication device, transmits control signals over the signaling virtual channel to control the timing and transfer of information associated with the communication device and the corresponding remote access device, exchanges communication information over the communication virtual channel, and transmits control signals over the signaling virtual channel that terminates the communication virtual channel and relinquishes resources provisioned from the packet network.

Abstract: A fixture for testing an electronic assembly including a printed circuit board includes a pin housing. An array of electrical pins are mounted to and extend from the pin housing. An electrical connector is in logic communication with the electrical pins. A structure is provided which aligns the pin housing with respect to the printed circuit board with the electrical pins facing the printed circuit board. A device is provided which serves to secure the pin housing to the printed circuit board.