Abstract: A networking system and automatic method in a networking system comprising at least one switching device and a plurality of at least one end-station interconnected with the at least one switching device, wherein the at least one switching device and at least one end-station are interconnected in a topology. A configuration device is included which has a configuration modification detection circuit for detecting the modification of the topology. A configuration policy maintenance circuit is provided for storing policies related to reconfiguring the at least one switching device upon the modification of the topology. A policy evaluation circuit is provided for determining which at least one end-station and ports should be grouped together upon the detection of the modification of the topology in a first manner. A reconfiguration circuit is provided for reconfiguring the at least one switching device in the first network to enable at least one end-station and ports to be grouped together in the first manner.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a plurality of output files based on a Management Information Base (MIB) specification is provided. The system includes one or more MIB compilers designed to produce outputs based on a MIB specification. Each of the MIB compilers reads a set of directives that are maintained separate from the MIB specification. The set of directives indicate which of the modules and items defined in the MIB specification are to be processed during a given MIB compilation operation. The set of directives may also specify MIB additional attributes and values for items that are defined in the MIB specification. The set of directives may also specify that, for the purposes of the MIB compilation operation, a MIB item is to be treated as though it had a different attribute than an attribute specified for the MIB item in the MIB specification.

Abstract: A method for filtering and forwarding local broadcast traffic across network boundaries. According to one embodiment, the method comprises the step of providing a broadcast list for a source network wherein the broadcast list includes at least one entry that specifies a network address. When a local broadcast packet is received from the source network, a copy of the local broadcast packet is made for each entry in the broadcast to produce a copied packet. The destination address of each copied packet is replaced with a corresponding destination address of a broadcast list to produce a modified packet, and the modified packets are transmitted such that the modified packets are delivered to networks specified by the broadcast list.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus providing for a switching hub in which an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switch is utilized as a backplane bus to which a plurality of LAN and ATM modules are coupled. Each LAN or ATM module is an autonomous switching module. Thus, for example, an Ethernet LAN module may receive Ethernet packets on one of its ports and transmit the packets out another one of its ports according to well known standards and techniques for bridging such packets, without the need for such packets to be translated into ATM cells and transmitted across the ATM switch backplane bus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus providing for a switching hub in which an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switch is utilized as a backplane bus. Bus arbitration, i.e., allocation of bandwidth, on the bus for autonomous ATM and LAN switching modules coupled thereto is dynamically controlled according to the needs of the various modules. In particular, the present invention allows time division multiplexing of the bus under programmatic control such that each module, e.g., an Ethernet or Token Ring module, is allowed a desired number of cell slots on the bus during which to transfer data, which the module has translated into ATM cells, across the bus.

Abstract: A system of discovering the active topology of the LANs (local area networks) connected via any apparent bridges that conform to the IEEE 802.1D standard. A discovered active topology of the present invention consists of the active bridges, the LANs and the NMMs (network management modules) that constitute the bridged LAN. The system of the present invention advantageously utilizes the standard (IEEE 802.1D) defined behaviors of transparent bridges to discover the active topology. In so doing, the present invention does not require the bridges to issue any special proprietary frames for development of the active topology. The IEEE 802.1D conforming bridges have the property of forming a path between two conversing end stations. If the two end stations reside in adjacent LANs, the path between these two LANs only has the connecting bridge and no other LAN in between.

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: A method and apparatus for controlling data flow within a switching device are provided. The switching device includes a cell-switched backplane. Both packet switched and cell switched network interface cards may be coupled to the cell-switched backplane. A destination tag is created for each unique destination port and for each unique set of destination ports. The destination tags are used to index a master destination tag table. The entry of the master destination tag table that corresponds to a given destination tag includes a destination mask that indicates which ports are destination ports the given destination tag. Local tables are built and maintained within each network interface card based on the information contained in the master destination tag table. When a network interface receives data from an external device, the network interface determines the destination tag associated with the data.

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 and approach for providing improved performance in a CSMA/CD-type network utilizing transmission of block encoded congestion sense signaling to allow full duplex transmission of data over a communication link segment. In addition, the method and apparatus for providing in-band signaling of congestion conditions is described. The improved method and apparatus are implemented with minimal changes to existing standards and allow for compatibility, above the MAC sublayer, with existing installed hardware and software bases.

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: A multi-segment agent topology mechanism for use by multi-segment network devices in an Ethernet network. Topology information packets exchanged between topology agents in a network include segment identifier information as well as IP address of the sending agent. A device's topology agent maintains and updates topology information in topology tables which identifies interconnected network devices, such as concentrators and bridges, by IP address and segment identifier information as well as incoming slot and port information for eventual use by a network management system in evaluating a networks topology map, and in automatically determining changes in the network's topology.

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.