Abstract: An integrated pluggable optical tap module configured to be coupled to a host interface of a network equipment for tapping a signal of an optical transport link comprises a first, a second optical interface, and an active optical receiver. The optical pluggable module also includes a passive optical tap for splitting a signal received from the first optical interface and transmitting the signal on the second optical interface and a copy of the signal to the active optical receiver. The active optical receiver converts said signal to an electrical signal for transmission to the host interface.

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 method of virtualizing a clock is executed by a network controller comprising a processor and computer-readable instructions for creating one or more virtual network elements comprising one or more virtual clocks. The method comprises retrieving, at a first virtual network element of the one or more virtual network elements, a first time of day value and a second time of day value. The method further comprises adjusting the amount of time elapsed based, in part, on a frequency adjustment value and incrementing a clock value based on the amount of time elapsed.

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 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: Disclosed herein is a method, a computer program product, and a carrier for indicating one-way latency in a data network (N) between a first node (A) and a second node (B), wherein the data network (N) lacks continuous clock synchronization, comprising: a pre-synchronisation step, a measuring step, a post-synchronisation step, an interpolation step, and generating a latency profile. The present invention also relates to a computer program product incorporating the method, a carrier comprising the computer program product, and a method for indicating server functionality based on the first aspect.

Abstract: A method for indicating one-way latency in a data network, with continuous clock synchronization, between first and second node having clocks that are not synchronized with each other includes a continuous synchronisation session and a measurement session. The method repetitively sends predetermined synchronization messages from the first node to the second node and from the second node to the first node, calculates a round trip time for each message at the first node, updates a synchronization point if the calculated round trip time is smaller than a previously calculated round trip time, stores the updated synchronization points of a synchronization window, and calculates a virtual clock from the updated synchronization points of the synchronization window. The measurement session collects multiple measurements of one-way latency between the first and second nodes using the virtual clock, and generates a latency profile by interpolating the multiple measurements.

Abstract: Technology disclosed herein includes a method to trigger protection switching on a wireless link of a network device comprised in a protection switching capable network. The method comprises monitoring one or more performance metrics on said link and sending a signal failed message when at least one metric of said one or more performance metrics fails to satisfy performance criteria related to the at least one metric of said one or more performance metrics.

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.

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: 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: A method of discovering a device in a communication network having multiple interconnected nodes includes continuously monitoring, by a device to be discovered, any IP packets sent by a discoverer. The method further includes transmitting, by the discoverer, an IP packet destined for a downstream device and receiving, by the device to be discovered, the IP packet. The method further includes determining, by the device to be discovered, whether the IP packet is intended for the device to be discovered. If the IP packet is not intended for the device to be discovered, retransmitting, by the device to be discovered, the IP packet to the downstream device via an egress port of the device to be discovered.

Abstract: A system for efficient routing of an OAM) frame in an Ethernet switch receives an OAM frame at a first port; building a first classification key dependent on an OAM frame header; classifies in a context of the first port to create a first classification; resolves action dependent on the first classification; modifies the first classification key to create a second classification key; classifies the frame in a context of the second port to create a second classification; sends the second classification key to an OAM engine coupled to the Ethernet switch for modification into a third classification key; receives the third classification key from the OAM engine; modifies the third classification key into a final classification key; modifies the header of the OAM frame with the final classification key; and sends the modified OAM frame to a switching fabric of the Ethernet switch.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a connection is maintained between a pair of ethernet ports that have circuitry connected in series with the ports and receiving power-over-ethernet (PoE) from one of the ports, by providing a controllable bypass circuit coupled to the pair of ethernet ports in parallel with the circuitry receiving power-over-ethernet, sensing a preselected condition, and opening and closing the bypass circuit in response to the presence or absence of the preselected condition. Power sourcing equipment (PSE) may supply the one of the ports with power over ethernet, and the circuitry may transports data between the pair of ethernet ports. The circuitry may also supply the switch with a control signal in response to the detection of the preselected condition.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for measuring the bandwidth of a network segment between a first location and a second location by generating a plurality of synthetic packets at the first location and marking each generated synthetic packet with a transmission timestamp indicative of a first clock time at which the synthetic packet is generated; transmitting each of the generated synthetic packets to the second location; receiving each synthetic packet at the second location and marking each received synthetic packet with a reception timestamp indicative of a second clock time at which the synthetic packet is received at the second location; calculating an inter-packet delay variation of the network segment based on the transmission timestamp and the reception timestamp of two or more synthetic packets; and deriving an available bandwidth of the network segment based on the calculated inter-packet delay variation.

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: Disclosed herein is a method, a computer program product, and a carrier for indicating one-way latency in a data network (N) between a first node (A) and a second node (B), wherein the data network (N) lacks continuous clock synchronization, comprising: a pre-synchronization step, a measuring step, a post-synchronization step, an interpolation step, and generating a latency profile. The present invention also relates to a computer program product incorporating the method, a carrier comprising the computer program product, and a method for indicating server functionality based on the first aspect.

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 method of simplifying the implementation of Synchronous Ethernet on an Ethernet device having a first port and a second port device using a predetermined protocol and signaling, comprises delivering a master clock from a Synchronous Ethernet system to the first port of the Ethernet device; transmitting the delivered master clock to the second port of the Ethernet device independently of the protocol and signaling of the Ethernet device; and transmitting the master clock from the second port of the Ethernet device to a downstream device that supports Synchronous Ethernet. In one implementation, the Ethernet device has a local clock, and the method synchronizes the local clock to the master clock. In another implementation, the Ethernet device does not have a local clock, and the master clock is transmitted from the second port of the Ethernet device to the downstream device without any synchronizing operation at the Ethernet device.