Abstract: A virtual LAN (VLAN) has a number of segments connected by connections in a connection-oriented network. The topology of the VLAN is defined by a spanning tree. Cell sources on the connections send continuity checking cells in a direction toward the spanning tree root to corresponding cell sinks. The cell sinks can trigger a change in the topology of the VLAN if the reception of continuity checking cells is interrupted. The connection-oriented network may be an ATM network. The continuity checking cells may be OAM cells.

Abstract: A system and method of operating a communications network having a plurality of interconnected nodes is provided by: establishing a connection path from an ingress node to an egress node through intermediate nodes; associating the connection path with a network-wide unique identification; on the ingress node, storing the path identification so as to indicate that the path originates at the ingress node; on each intermediate node, storing the path identification so as to indicate that the path transits the intermediate node; and on the egress node, storing the path identification so as to indicate that the path terminates at the ingress node.

Abstract: A method of administratively dividing an emulated local area network (LANE) into multiple independent forwarding realms thereby restricting the connectivity of a particular local area network (LAN) to other LANs. The method also introduces the ability of allocating a number of forwarding realms to a service user (Customer).

Abstract: A signal testing system and method for evaluating wireless communication signals transmitted between a base station and a communication site is provided. The signal testing system comprises an antenna located at the communication site for communicating the wireless communication signals between the base station and the communication site, an adjustable mount associated with the antenna for orienting the antenna in a plurality of pan orientations and a plurality of tilt orientations, an adjustable boom associated with the adjustable mount for positioning the antenna at a plurality of heights and a communication unit to measure characteristics of the wireless communication signals. The adjustable mount is fixed in a set pan orientation and a set tilt orientation and the adjustable boom is fixed height when the communication unit measures the characteristics of the wireless communication signals. The method uses the system.

Abstract: A system and method of selecting a routing datapath between an active datapath and a redundant datapath for a communication device are provided. The system and method are embodied in a first step of monitoring for a fault occurring in the active datapath and the redundant datapath and upon detection of the fault, a second step of evaluating severity of the fault against a threshold. Further, if the severity of the fault exceeds the threshold and if the fault is associated with the active datapath, then switching the routing datapath from the active datapath to the redundant datapath. If the severity of the fault exceeds the threshold and if the fault is associated with the redundant datapath, then switching the routing datapath of the communications from redundant datapath to the active datapath.

Abstract: The present invention provides method and system for identifying a faulty component in a group of components, the group comprising in a connected configuration at least a first component connected to a second component, and further connected to at least a third component. In an embodiment, the method comprises: (i) monitoring for at least one fault at a component connection interface; and (ii) upon detection of a fault, identifying the faulty component utilising information from the fault and at least one rule for identifying the faulty component. The rules are defined from at least one characteristic of the fault, such as location and frequency, and at least one characteristic of the configuration.

Abstract: A method of establishing a transmission power level for signals transmitted in a conductor is provided in an environment where signal interference is present between the signals in the conductor and separate signals carried in a proximate conductor. The method includes the steps of determining a reference signal interference level at an end of the proximate conductor from a reference signal capable of being propagated from an opposing end of the proximate conductor and determining a transmission power level for the signals to provide a signal interference level based on the reference signal interference level. A system embodying the method is also provided.

Abstract: A multi-services access platform is presented for supporting metallic test access in switching or multiplexing devices such as digital subscriber line access multiplexers (DSLAMs). The multi-services access platform includes a chassis within which a predetermined number of card slots are included. Each of the card slots includes a number of input/output ports. A backplane runs along the chassis and includes a metallic test access bus. The metallic test access bus is operable to selectively couple to one or more input/output ports within the line card slots of the chassis to establish one or more metallic test paths. A relay matrix may be used to provide the selective coupling for the metallic test access bus, and the flexibility provided by the configuration of the relay matrix supporting the metallic test access bus allows for a variety of different test access ports (TAPs) to be supported.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for supporting virtual path aggregations (VPAs) in a communications network is presented. To establish a VPA in the network, a request for the VPA is received, where the request indicates a desired data path between a source switch and a destination switch. Based on the request, it is determined whether or not there are resources available to create the VPA. If the resources are present, the VPA is created. Once created, connections may be established using the VPA by first determining whether or not the needs of the connection are satisfied by the capabilities of the VPA. If the VPA is capable of supporting the connection, the connection is established using the VPA. If the VPA is not capable of supporting the connection, the connection may either be established using other resources or rejected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing distributed communication routing includes a route computation engine operably coupled to a plurality of forwarding engines within a logically distributed router. Registration information is provided to the route computation processor by the forwarding engines, and the forwarding engines are recognized and identified by the route computation processor in response. The registration information includes information regarding interfaces or connections amongst the forwarding engines and external routers and other external destinations. The route computation processor provides control information to at least one of the plurality of forwarding engines for distributed routing maintenance and/or specific data forwarding operations.

Abstract: The digital data stream (e.g. ATM cell stream) replicating device features an input port for receiving a continuous digital data stream at an input transmission rate; a broadcast mechanism for replicating the input digital data stream N times; N output ports for transmitting each such replicated digital data stream through a separate output port at an output transmission rate at least equal to the input transmission rate; and a delay mechanism for introducing a relative delay for each said output digital data stream with respect to the input digital data stream such that the output streams are identical but out of phase with one another. Use of such a device enables a multi-port digital data communications device such as an ATM network switch to be tested using only one (expensive) performance test generator while still respecting the statistical multiplexing advantages of the multi-port digital data communications device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method of mediating cell traffic between an asynchronous transmission mode (ATM) network and an adjacent network, each cell in said cell traffic having a set of transmission parameters related to the ATM network and a respective ATM connection for the cell.

Abstract: An apparatus for scheduling multi-service category ATM cell traffic through contention points in an ATM network is provided. The service categories have predefined delivery priorities according to quality of service guarantees. To satisfy these priorities while maintaining fair treatment to low priority connections, aging markers are incrementally assigned to queued cells and these markers in combination with priority data are used to determine which connection is serviced next. A method of scheduling traffic through the network is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of initiating a plurality of requests for statistics to be sent to an associated plurality of nodes in a segment of a communication network is provided. One or more requests are associated with an individual node. Each node has one or more node attributes. The method includes defining a sequence for initiating the requests to be sent to the nodes. The sequence is based on a value of a selected node attribute of each node. The method also includes initiating the requests according to the sequence.

Abstract: A system and method for increasing the data rate of a system bus without making modifications to existing (legacy) devices connected to the bus. A logical bus is overlaid onto one or more physical buses in a TDM manner. The overlaying is done by transmitting data into the one or more existing buses during a previously unused phase of the bus clock having no effect on existing devices connected to the buses. The additional devices are capable of latching data on either phase bus clock.

Abstract: There is provided a method for transmitting non-real time traffic in a connection oriented communications network. The network includes a network core that has a source and a destination with a path between them. The non-real time traffic is received at the source from a number of connections and each of the connections is associated with one of many classes of transmission service. The method includes the first step of aggregating at the source the non-real time traffic received from the connections onto the path. The non-real time traffic is transmitted on the path without regard to the connections with which the non-real time traffic is associated. The method includes the second step of segregating at the destination the non-real time traffic so transmitted on the path within the core according to the corresponding connections with which the non-real time traffic is associated.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for tracking utilization data for an electronic device, the electronic device having a non-volatile data storage component associated therewith for retaining the utilization data. In an embodiment, the method includes the steps of: a) after passage of a utilization interval, reading a first utilization data value for the electronic device stored in the non-volatile data storage component; b) incrementing said read value; and c) storing said incremented value into the non-volatile data storage component. In an embodiment, the electronic device is a circuit card operating in a communication switch, and the utilization data value is a time value indicating cumulative time of operation of the circuit card in the communication switch.

Abstract: A system and method of tracking an error condition detectable in a communication network is provided. The method includes generating first derived communication attributes from collected statistics from the communication network in a first time interval and retaining the first derived communication attributes. The method further includes generating second derived communication attributes from collected statistics from the communication network in a second time interval, comparing values for the first and the second derived communication attributes to generate a comparison result and utilizing the comparison result as a factor in determining a status of the error condition.

Abstract: The method for the non-disruptive monitoring of a packet flow from a target point (e.g., a specific port/VPI/VCI) to a counterpart point in a packet switch having one or more interface devices, connected to an internal bus, for servicing the target point, the counterpart point and a monitor test access connection (TAC) point comprises the steps of: (a) configuring the device servicing the TAC point to retrieve from the bus packets addressed thereto which use a multicast addressing scheme for routing packets from the target point to the counterpart point and from the target point to the monitor TAC point; (b) configuring the device servicing the counterpart point to additionally retrieve the multicast packets from the bus; and (c) configuring the device servicing the target point to address packets received thereat to the counterpart point and the monitor TAC point using the multicast address scheme only after step (b) is completed.

Abstract: Data traffic such as cell streams in an ATM communication network frequently contain data destined for multiple output ports having different transmission data rates. In order to accurately schedule such traffic a clocking signal unique to each output data rate is required. This invention provides systems and methods for generating the necessary clock signals utilizing a single timing reference.