Abstract: A noise suppression apparatus for a printed circuit board (PCB) having two PCB pad regions, each containing a boundary pad region and a mounting pad region, wherein both boundary pad regions contain via connections. A decoupling capacitor is coupled to both mounting pad regions. Both boundary pad regions are solder mask except the mounting pad regions and the via connections.

Abstract: An asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network or the like employing a method and apparatus for automatically determining the topology of the network is described. The method and apparatus provides for each switch in the network transmitting on each of its ports link advertisement messages (without processing intervention by intermediate switches). The link advertisement messages are received by neighbor switches and forwarded to a topology manager. The topology manager constructs network topology profile information based on received link advertisement messages. Further, the topology manager is able to verify bidirection links based on the received link advertisement messages.

Abstract: A method of communicating information in a computer system. First generate a send set. The send set includes a first type indicator. The first type indicator corresponds to a send object. Next, define a drag site as being associated with the send set. Register the drag site with a first exchange manager. Generate a receive set. The receive set includes the first type indicator. Define a drop site as being associated with the receive set. Register the drop site with a second exchange manager. Drag from the drag site to the drop site. Drop on the drop site. In response to the drop on the drop site, the second exchange manager requests an object corresponding to the first type indicator. The first exchange manager communicates the information, the information corresponding to the send object.

Abstract: An asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network or the like employing a method and apparatus for automatically determining the topology of the network is described. The method and apparatus provides for each switch in the network transmitting on each of its ports link advertisement messages (without processing intervention by intermediate switches). The link advertisement messages are received by neighbor switches and forwarded to a topology manager. The topology manager constructs network topology profile information based on received link advertisement messages. Further, the topology manager is able to verify bidirection links based on the received link advertisement messages.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and apparatus for determining a topology of a network. Signals are received from all source hubs in the network, wherein each of the signals contains connection information for the source hubs including destination hubs to which the source hubs are coupled, and a corresponding connection port on the source hubs through which the destination hubs are coupled. The connection information is processed by locating all unitary connections in the connection information and iteratively performing certain steps until there are no more unitary connections in the connection information. Subsequently, if the connection information is not empty and there are additional unitary connections in the connection information, then the foregoing steps are repeated until there are or more unitary connections or the processed connection information is empty. The resolved connection information is then stored for a complete topology.

Abstract: A system for routing packets in a network environment having a connection-oriented subnetwork, a plurality of routers coupled to said connection-oriented subnetwork, and a plurality of established virtual circuits. A packet is received by a router for forwarding toward a packet destination. A best existing virtual circuit across said connection-oriented subnetwork is identified from said plurality of established virtual circuits. The best existing virtual circuit is analyzed to determine whether it is both feasible and efficient for forwarding the packet toward the packet destination. If the best existing virtual circuit is both feasible and efficient, then the packet is forwarded using the best existing virtual circuit. If the best existing virtual circuit is either not feasible or inefficient, then a new virtual circuit is established to an optimal next hop router and the packet is forwarded using the new virtual circuit.

Abstract: An asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network or the like providing for dynamic client discovery. Clients transmit client registration messages over the virtual service paths of their associated switches to the central management supervisor. Responsive to receiving the client registration message, the central management supervisor updates its registration tables and transmits a client registration acknowledgement, again over the virtual service path. By using the virtual service path of their associated switch to effect communication with the central management supervisor, there is no need to incur overhead of having the transmission managed by the associated switch's (and intermediate switch's) controller. Rather, the switch merely acts to update the cell's header using the switch's switch fabric. Keep alive messages are exchanged, again over the virtual service path, between the central management supervisor and the client.

Abstract: An apparatus for acquiring a plurality of values from an agent on a network is provided. The apparatus may be accessed through a predefined interface by various network management station applications. Because the apparatus is independent from the network management applications, the functionality provided by the apparatus need not be duplicated in each network management station application. The apparatus generally includes an agent identification unit, a display mechanism, a database access unit, a storage device and an information retrieval unit. The storage device stores a database containing data representing agents, management information bases, objects and attribute groups. When a network management station application requires values from an agent, the network management station application sends the apparatus a signal identifying the agent and specifying an information category, such as performance, status, or diagnostic. The agent identification unit identifies the type of the agent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aiding in providing views of multiple network devices in a network management application. The method can include the resizing of an view to allow for presentation of multiple views. The method includes the steps of displaying a first image of a network device in a first size; selecting a second size, the second size being different than the first size; and displaying a second image of said network device in a second size.

Abstract: A packet description language which is declarative in nature and suitable for efficiently and flexibly defining data packet formats in accordance with internetwork routing device uses. Data packet formats may be defined utilizing the packet description language and then compiled to create a data structure corresponding to the defined data packet format. A routing device test platform may generate test data packets and decode received test packets by referencing the test data to the compiled data structure defined in accordance with the packet description language. The declarative language provides for assigning numerous default values and attributes to packet fields such that only a small amount of data need be specified when regression testing a new routing device.

Abstract: A synchronous transfer mode (ATM) network or the like employing a method and apparatus for automatically determining the topology of the network is described. The method and apparatus provides for each switch in the network transmitting on each of its ports link advertisement messages (without processing intervention by intermediate switches). The link advertisement messages are received by neighbor switches and forwarded to a topology manager. The topology manager constructs network topology profile information based on received link advertisement messages. Further, the topology manager is able to verify bidirection links based on the received link advertisement messages.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting broadcast storms in an emulated Local Area Network are provided. The broadcast rates of the nodes in the emulated Local Area Network are monitored during monitoring periods. The broadcast rate for a node is the rate at which a LAN emulation server receives broadcast messages from the node during a monitoring period. Each of the broadcast rates is compared with a maximum allowed broadcast rate. If any of the broadcast rates exceeds the maximum allowed broadcast rate, then it is determined that a broadcast storm is occurring. Once it is determined that a broadcast storm is occurring, various countermeasures can be taken. For example, a warning indication may be generated, messages from the node that is causing the broadcast storm may be ignored until the broadcast storm stops, or the node that is causing the broadcast storm may be removed from the emulated Local Area Network.

Abstract: A system for routing packets in a network environment having a connection-oriented subnetwork, a plurality of routers coupled to said connection-oriented subnetwork, and a plurality of established virtual circuits. A packet is received by a router for forwarding toward a packet destination. A best existing virtual circuit across said connection-oriented subnetwork is identified from said plurality of established virtual circuits. The best existing virtual circuit is analyzed to determine whether it is both feasible and efficient for forwarding the packet toward the packet destination. If the best existing virtual circuit is both feasible and efficient, then the packet is forwarded using the best existing virtual circuit. If the best existing virtual circuit is either not feasible or inefficient, then a new virtual circuit is established to an optimal next hop router and the packet is forwarded using the new virtual circuit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying an agent based on a decision tree is provided. The apparatus transmits a series of queries to the agent and the agent transmits responses to the queries back to the apparatus. Based on the responses, the apparatus determines the identity of the agent. The apparatus determines the series of queries by traversing the decision tree based on responses sent by the agent to previous queries. When the traversal arrives at a leaf node of the decision tree, an agent associated with the leaf node is used to identify the agent. If the traversal fails before arriving at a leaf node, then a weight is determined for each supported agent based on the responses sent by the agent, and the agent with the greatest weight is used to identify the agent.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring and displaying the status of a local area network. The network includes a hub with ports for connection to various data terminal equipment in a star configuration and for connection to other hubs of the network. The hubs each have different types of plug-in modules which have ports for connecting the hub to different types of network cable such as fiber optic cable, unshielded twisted pair cable and shielded twisted pair cable. Information is automatically provided to a control console identifying the types of modules and the location of the modules in the hub so that an image of the actual hub can be displayed on the screen of the control console. The actual hub image shows the location and types of modules installed in the hub. In addition, information regarding the connection of each of the hubs to other hubs of the network is obtained and provided to the control console.

Abstract: A method for minimizing advertising of metrics in a network. The described invention minimizes advertising of metrics by providing for each node to identify to the other nodes the metrics it will utilize in path selection. Each node then advertises only those metrics which are utilized by at least one other node in the network.

Abstract: An asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network or the like employing a method and apparatus for automatically determining the topology of the network is described. The method and apparatus provides for each switch in the network transmitting on each of its ports link advertisement messages (without processing intervention by intermediate switches). The link advertisement messages are received by neighbor switches and forwarded to a topology manager. The topology manager constructs network topology profile information based on received link advertisement messages. Further, the topology manager is able to verify bidirection links based on the received link advertisement messages.

Abstract: An asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network or the like employing a method and apparatus for automatically determining the topology of the network is described. The method and apparatus provides for each switch in the network transmitting on each of its ports link advertisement messages (without processing intervention by intermediate switches). The link advertisement messages are received by neighbor switches and forwarded to a topology manager. The topology manager constructs network topology profile information based on received link advertisement messages. Further, the topology manager is able to verify bidirection links based on the received link advertisement messages.

Abstract: An internetwork routing protocol which supports virtual networks. Routing tables are maintained in routers or gateways which identify whether or not a destination is directly reachable by the router listed in the routing information entry, or whether it is merely part of a virtual network served by the listed destination routers. For directly reachable connections, datagrams may be directly delivered to any router claiming such status with respect to the network with assurance of likely delivery to the destination. Routers in communication with a virtual network must first be queried for the identity of a particular destination router address before packets are delivered to eliminate the need of packet forwarding.

Abstract: A packet processing method and apparatus efficiently process a binary data packet based upon information contained in the header portion of the packet. The method and apparatus employ a binary tree search method for determining ranges of key elements of the packet and associating with each of the ranges a user supplied data and filter mask. The binary search process employs a unique binary tree storage structure which both conserves storage memory and enables efficient processing to reach a final node of the binary tree decision table. Nodes can be added or deleted from the table by the user as the data packet processing needs change.