Abstract: A method for measuring and reporting performance parameters in a network having at least one originator for generating test protocol data units, and multiple reflectors for relaying the test protocol data units along successive segments of a test path in the network. The method generates the test protocol data units at the originator and transmits the test protocol data unit along a test path that includes multiple reflectors. Each reflector relays the test protocol data unit to the next reflector along the test path. Measurements of performance parameters are collected from the multiple reflectors in the test protocol data unit by inserting timestamps into the test protocol data unit at the originator and each of the reflectors to identify the departure and arrival times for each test protocol data unit at the originator and each of the reflectors in both the downstream and upstream directions along the test path.

Abstract: A method of determining the latency of path segments in a communication network that uses multi-bit data packets comprises generating a test packet for use in determining the latency of path segments in the network; transmitting the test packet from a first device coupled to the network; storing in the test packet the time when a preselected bit in the test packet is transmitted from the first device; when the test packet is received by a second device coupled to the network, storing in the second device at least one of (a) the time when a preselected bit in the test packet is received by the second device and (b) the difference between (i) the time when the preselected bit in the test packet is transmitted from the first device and (ii) the time when the test packet is received by the second device.

Abstract: A small form factor pluggable (“SP”) transceiver for use in a communications network includes a transmitter adapted to be coupled to the network for supplying signals to the network, a receiver adapted to be coupled to the network for receiving signals from the network, and a programmable signal processing module coupled to the transmitter and the receiver and adapted to be programmed from a remote station coupled to the network. The module can be programmed to perform at least one service or management function on the network.

Abstract: A SOAM virtualization system for a network having at least first and second maintenance entities coupled to each other comprises a network controller coupled to at least one of the first and second maintenance entities through a tunnel for virtualizing a SOAM network function on the at least one of the first and second maintenance entities to which the network controller is coupled. The network controller may be coupled to the first and second maintenance entities through first and second tunnels, respectively. The first maintenance entity may an originator device, and the second maintenance entity may be a destination device, with the network controller virtualizing the SOAM network function on both devices. The network controller may send a packet containing a tunnel header and a SOAM frame via the first tunnel to the originator device, which then sends the packet containing the SOAM frame to the destination device.

Abstract: A system for testing Ethernet paths or links without adversely impacting non-test traffic. The system includes a test traffic generator that includes a scheduler that determines when a new test packet is generated. The test traffic generator includes a packet creator that builds a test packet and a transmitter for transmitting the test packet via the Ethernet path or link. The packet creator sends the test packet to the transmitter. The traffic generator includes a transmit credit block coupled to the transmitter or to the scheduler. The transmit credit block stores an amount of credits representing a number of bytes that are available to transmit and decrements the amount each time a non-test packet is communicated via the Ethernet path or link.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is technology to reduce latency of frames through a network device supporting various priorities. In an implementation, a method comprises configuring one or more priorities with a preemptive right over other one or more of said plurality of priorities; receiving frames in a sequence, each of the frames having a frame priority comprising of one of said plurality of priorities; queuing the received frames in a predetermined order based on a frame arrival time and the frame priority; transmitting a current frame based on a current frame priority and current frame arrival time; stopping transmission of the current frame when a later frame in the sequence is received that has a later frame priority with preemptive right over the current frame priority; transmitting an invalid frame check sequence; transmitting the later frame; and restarting the transmission of the current frame after transmitting the later frame.

Abstract: Described are various embodiments of a device and method for computing statistics of various network monitoring metrics. In one embodiment, the method includes constructing a first histogram of network traffic monitoring data acquired over a designated sampling period from said network; identifying one or more bins of said first histogram comprising each at least one of one or more desired percentile values; for each identified bin: building a second histogram centered on said identified bin, said second histogram comprising a second bin size that is smaller than said first bin size; calculating one or more bins of said second histogram comprising each at least one of said one or more desired percentile values and the values associated therewith; and converting said values associated therewith into percentile values representative of the range defined between said lower order of magnitude to said higher order of magnitude.

Abstract: A method for locating performance problems in a network comprising associating one or more metadata to a plurality of monitored objects, collecting performance data from the plurality monitored objects to create a correlation of the performance data across two or more monitored objects matching predetermined set of metadata. Displaying said correlation on a map representing a plurality of devices, wherein said correlation can be used to isolate one or more devices impacting said performance data.

Abstract: A method of determining the presence of a loopback in one or more networks comprises storing information related to a test instance; sending a loopback detection beacon (LPDB) containing information related to the test instance from a port on an originating device; monitoring the port for a predetermined time period to detect LPDBs arriving at the port during the predetermined time period; and determining whether a detected LPDB contains information corresponding to the stored information, to detect the presence of a loopback. The method may determine whether a detected loopback is a port loopback, a tunnel loopback or a service loopback. The stored information related to the test instance may be deleted if an LPDB arriving at the port and containing information corresponding to the stored information is not detected within the predetermined time period.

Abstract: A packet and inspection system for monitoring the performance of one or more flows on a packet network comprises a processor and memory coupled to each other and to a network bus. The memory stores instructions to be executed by the processor and data to be modified by the execution of the instructions. A processor-controlled arbiter is coupled with the processor and the network bus, and upon reception of a packet on the bus or prior to transmission of a packet on the bus for one of said flows, the arbiter requests execution by the processor of selected instructions stored in the memory by providing the processor with the address of the selected instructions in the memory. The memory provides the processor with data associated with the selected instructions, and the processor modifies the data upon execution of the selected instructions.

Abstract: A method for detecting anomalies in one or more network performance metrics stream for one or more monitored object comprising using a discrete window on the stream to extract a motif from said stream for a first of said network performance metric for a first of said monitored object. Maintaining an abnormal and a normal cluster center of historical time series for said first network performance metric for said first monitored object. Classifying said motif based on a distance between said new time series and said abnormal and said normal cluster center. Determining whether an anomaly for said motif occurred based on said distance and a predetermined decision boundary.

Abstract: A method for measuring and reporting performance parameters in a network having at least one originator for generating test protocol data units, and multiple reflectors for relaying the test protocol data units along successive segments of a test path in the network. The method generates the test protocol data units at the originator and transmits the test protocol data unit along a test path that includes multiple reflectors. Each reflector relays the test protocol data unit to the next reflector along the test path. Measurements of performance parameters are collected from the multiple reflectors in the test protocol data unit by inserting timestamps into the test protocol data unit at the originator and each of the reflectors to identify the departure and arrival times for each test protocol data unit at the originator and each of the reflectors in both the downstream and upstream directions along the test path.

Abstract: A system for out-of-line testing of performance of a network, comprising a multiplexer at an input to the network; a demultiplexer at an output from the network; the multiplexer further comprising a traffic generator to insert synthetic traffic, and a first switch to accept an incoming customer traffic stream and join the incoming customer traffic stream with a synthetic traffic stream to form a total traffic stream, the total traffic stream fed to the input to the network; and the demultiplexer comprising a second switch to receive the total traffic stream from the output of the network, and separate the total traffic stream into the synthetic traffic stream and the customer traffic stream, and a traffic analyzer to analyze the separated synthetic traffic stream.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the collection of performance metrics by establishing service operations administration and maintenance (OAM) sessions between an actuator and a plurality of reflectors in a communication network. Test packets from an actuator simultaneously reach a plurality of reflectors along a test path. Each single test packet results into a plurality of test results, one per reflector, with quasi-synchronous performance metrics to sectionalize a network and more efficiently isolate fault or performance problems without the need for additional test packets to isolate the issue. Another method is disclosed wherein an actuator generates and transmits a plurality of simultaneous test packets, one per NID device, resulting into a plurality of test results, one per reflector, with quasi-synchronous performance metrics to sectionalize a network and more efficiently isolate fault or performance problems without the need for additional test packets to isolate the issue.

Abstract: Described are various embodiments of a device and method for computing statistics of various network monitoring metrics. In one embodiment, the method includes constructing a first histogram of network traffic monitoring data acquired over a designated sampling period from said network; identifying one or more bins of said first histogram comprising each at least one of one or more desired percentile values; for each identified bin: building a second histogram centered on said identified bin, said second histogram comprising a second bin size that is smaller than said first bin size; calculating one or more bins of said second histogram comprising each at least one of said one or more desired percentile values and the values associated therewith; and converting said values associated therewith into percentile values representative of the range defined between said lower order of magnitude to said higher order of magnitude.

Abstract: A small form factor pluggable (“SFP”) transceiver for use in a communications network includes a transmitter adapted to be coupled to the network for supplying signals to the network, a receiver adapted to be coupled to the network for receiving signals from the network, and a programmable signal processing module coupled to the transmitter and the receiver and adapted to be programmed from a remote station coupled to the network. The module can be programmed to perform at least one service or management function on the network.

Abstract: A system for testing Ethernet paths or links without adversely impacting non-test traffic. The system includes a test traffic generator that includes a scheduler that determines when a new test packet is generated. The test traffic generator includes a packet creator that builds a test packet and a transmitter for transmitting the test packet via the Ethernet path or link. The packet creator sends the test packet to the transmitter. The traffic generator includes a transmit credit block coupled to the transmitter or to the scheduler. The transmit credit block stores an amount of credits representing a number of bytes that are available to transmit and decrements the amount each time a non-test packet is communicated via the Ethernet path or link.

Abstract: A method of discovering addressing information of one or more upstream devices to respond to specific messages by a second device on behalf of the one or more upstream devices in a network includes acquiring the addressing information in an upstream direction from one or more downstream devices to the one or more upstream devices. The method further includes acquiring the addressing information in a downstream direction from the one or more upstream devices to the one or more downstream devices. The method further includes responding to specific messages using the acquired addressing information about the one or more upstream devices.

Abstract: A system for negotiating Ethernet link settings between interconnected nodes in a network having an Ethernet protocol stack that includes a PCS sub-layer with an auto-negotiation function. The system comprises connecting an intermediate device coupled between two network nodes via optical or copper interfaces, with the link settings between each node and the connected intermediate device being the same, thereby bypassing the auto-negotiation of the PCS sub-layer in the intermediate device. The intermediate device may transparently send negotiation messages from each node to the other during the link negotiation phase without interacting with those messages. Instead of the intermediate device, a single form pluggable (SFP) device may be connected between the two network nodes via optical or copper interfaces on the network side and via an SFP slot on the device side.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a method for efficient capture and streaming of data packets in a network device comprises capturing data packets matching predetermined filters, packaging said data packets into samples, and aggregating one or more samples in a high speed bus payload. The method also comprises transferring said high speed bus payload to a CPU, extracting said samples from the high speed bus payload and storing said samples in a shared memory of the CPU, and accessing said samples from the shared memory for streaming to one or more client.