Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein, which provide a network element comprising a network port to receive production network data that is used for purposes other than testing the performance of a network, a data plane coupled to the network port, the data plane including a timing module to append a time stamp to a set of one or more time stamps included within the production network data, and a control plane coupled to the data plane, the control plane including a latency analyzer to analyze the set of one or more time stamps included within the production network data.

Abstract: In general, embodiments of the invention relate to configuring network elements to prevent the formation of logical loops in a network. More specifically, embodiments of the invention provide a mechanism to associate a port policy with all or a portion of the ports of a network element and to enforce certain types of behavior.

Abstract: A method for transmitting MAC frames between hosts/remote machines and virtual machines across network elements (e.g., switches, routers, and multilayer switches) that conventionally do not hold capacity to address VXLAN encapsulation to any and all possible destination VTEPs within expanding data centers. More specifically, the method permits a network element the functionality of retaining VXLAN encapsulation table entries corresponding to VTEPs on Top of Rack (ToR) switches versus to VTEPs on hosts that reside under those ToR switches. This use of indirect VXLAN bridging may reduce the number of required VTEPs stored on a network element for the purposes of performing VXLAN encapsulation, thereby once again establishing the capability for packets to reach any arbitrary destination VTEP as data centers scale.

Abstract: Described herein are various embodiments of a network element to process routing entries in a forwarding information base (FIB) for hosts that are directly attached to a multi-layer network element to encode address resolution protocol (ARP) data into forwarding equivalence class (FEC) entries for the directly attached hosts. One embodiment provides for a network element comprising a control plane including a forwarding agent and a data plane coupled to the control plane. The data plane can include a forwarding engine to forward a unit of network data from an ingress interface to an egress interface. The forwarding agent can be configured to program the forwarding engine with a forwarding information base having data-link layer forwarding data encoded into a network-layer forwarding entry.

Abstract: A network device for performing bidirectional forwarding detection (BFD) includes a processor that receives packets from a peer; a session state machine that manages a session with the peer; a receive module that determines whether the packet indicates no change to the session; and a transmit module. The transmit module transmits BFD packets at an interval determined by the session state machine and transmits a session change packet in response to a configuration update by the session state machine.

Abstract: A method and system for efficiently processing command line interface (CLI) instructions on a network element. Specifically, the disclosed method and system analyze CLI statements to determine whether a given CLI statement should be processed by a command specific sub-agent or a non-specific sub-agent. The presence of a bypass statement included in the CLI statement may indicate that the CLI statement should be processed by a command specific sub-agent to reduce the computational load of executing the command specified by the CLI statement. The presence of a regular statement, rather than a bypass statement, in the CLI statement may indicate that the CLI statement should be processed by a nonspecific sub-agent. Processing of a CLI statement that includes a bypass statement may be expedited by bypassing generic runtime processes performed by a nonspecific sub-agent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of a network element that includes a line card without retimers between an ASIC and either a network connector or mid-plane connector is described. In an exemplary embodiment, the network element includes a line card coupled to a fabric card. The line card includes a plurality of mid-place connectors, a plurality of network connectors, and a plurality of application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). In addition, one of plurality the mid-plane connectors couple the line card with the fabric card. Furthermore, the plurality of network connectors to communicate data with devices coupled to the network element and each of the plurality of ASICs process the data.

Abstract: A method for detecting abnormalities in network element operation. The method includes monitoring at least a portion of the network element for abnormalities and making a determination that an abnormality exists, in response to the monitoring, and based on the determination, tracking the abnormality. An abnormality includes a measured performance that deviates from a nominal performance, but that does not cause erroneous behavior of the network element.

Abstract: An optical module includes an optoelectronic transceiver. The optical modules includes a heat sink. The heat sink includes a heat radiating element aligned along a length of the heat sink. The heat sink radiates heat received from the optoelectronic transceiver. The optical modules includes a housing. The optoelectronic transceiver is encapsulated by the heat sink and the housing.

Abstract: A method for determining that a defect applies to a network device that includes receiving, at a monitoring module, network device information from the network device. The network device information includes state information for the network device and does not include hardware and software version information. The method includes storing, in a network device database, the network device information from the network device and receiving, at the monitoring module, defect information about a defect. The defect information includes network device criteria specifying what state information is required for a network device to be affected by the defect. The method includes storing the defect information in a defect database, determining that the defect applies to the network device based on analyzing the network device information and the defect information from their respective databases, and, based on the determination, informing a defect alert recipient that the defect applies to the network device.

Abstract: In general, embodiments of the invention relate to a system and method for processing Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) frames. More specifically, embodiments of the invention relate to a method and system for implementing aliasing using Media Access Control (MAC)-Virtual Routing Function (VRF) labels on a per-Ethernet VPN Instance (EVI) basis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of a network element that dynamically establishes a first virtual private network (VPN) tunnel is described. In an exemplary embodiment, the network element detects data destined for a first private subnet. In response to the detecting, the network element determines that a next hop for the data does not have an established VPN tunnel that allows access to the first private subnet. The network element further establishes the VPN tunnel and sends the data using the VPN tunnel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of a network element that hitlessly upgrades a network element operating system of a network element is described. In an exemplary embodiment, the network element hitlessly upgrades the network element operating system by instantiating a second container and starts a second set of processes using a second image of the network element operating system in the second container. In addition, the network element executes a first image of the network element operating system as a first set of processes in a first container. The network element additionally synchronizes state data between the first set of processes and the second set of processes. Furthermore, the network element sets the second set of processes as managing a plurality of hardware tables, and stops the first set of processes within the first container.

Abstract: In general, embodiments of the invention relate to a method for modifying a targeted subset of a table row (consisting of assorted data) on a network element. More specifically, a network element agent, executing on the network element, may request that changes be applied to a portion of the assorted data, hence the targeted subset, without affecting the remainder of the table row (which may include data relevant to the responsibilities of other network element agents). Through the application of masking, changes applied only to the targeted subset may be achieved.

Abstract: A busbar and connector assembly is provided. The busbar and connector assembly includes a printed circuit board having an attached connector arranged to couple to a first busbar and a second busbar coupled to the connector. The busbar and connector assembly includes the connector arranged to distribute a first portion of current from the first busbar to the printed circuit board and distribute a second portion of the current from the first busbar to the second busbar.

Abstract: An electromagnetic interference absorber for an integrated circuit is provided. The absorber includes a geometric ring of electromagnetic energy absorbing material, dimensioned to fit over a ball grid array (BGA) integrated circuit package assembled to a substrate. The geometric ring has at least one projection arranged to fit into a gap between the substrate and a body of the BGA integrated circuit package so as to retain the geometric ring to the BGA integrated circuit package. Methods to contain electromagnetic interference and to manufacture an electromagnetic interference absorber are also provided.

Abstract: A method for transmitting MAC frames between remote and/or virtual machines, across network devices (i.e., switches, multilayer switches, and routers) that conventionally do not hold capacity to address MAC rewrites to any and all possible destinations within expanding data centers. More specifically, a network device retains MAC rewrite table entries corresponding to Top of Rack (ToR) switches versus to the hosts and virtual machines that reside under those ToR switches. This use of a ToR switch as an overlay routing intermediate point may reduce the number of required MAC addresses stored on a network device for the purposes of performing rewrites, thereby once again establishing the capability for packets to reach any arbitrary destination as data centers scale.

Abstract: In general, the invention relates to a method for programming a network device to perform routing of data packets between and/or within networks. More specifically, the method provides a more efficient process for updating the forwarding equivalence class (FEC) table with minimal impacting of the mappings in the forward information base (FIB) of the network device.

Abstract: An adapter for a communication transceiver is provided. The adapter includes a main body having a first end and opposed second end. The first end of the main body has an OSFP (octal small form factor pluggable) edge connector arranged for electrical and physical connection to an OSFP host connector in an OSFP host port. The main body has a QSFP (quad small form factor pluggable) host connector arranged to receive a QSFP edge connector of a QSFP transceiver through the second end of the main body so that the adapter adapts the QSFP transceiver to an OSFP host. A method of using a communication adapter is also provided.

Abstract: A method and system for steering network traffic towards a service device. Specifically, the disclosed method and system entail the installation of multiple service devices around a network. Service policies are cloned across the multiple service devices, and further, each service device is assigned common virtual routing and bridging addresses. Using at least these common virtual routing and bridging addresses, intercept virtual tunnel end points (VTEPs) redirect or bridge network traffic to a service device.