Abstract: A technique for controlling a multiplicity of time-sorted queues with a single controller and supporting memory, which may be software-configured so as to allow the use of the controller in an implementation having a multiplicity and variety of output lines or channels. The technique includes receiving a plurality of packets from one or more packet flows at a respective time-based output port queue of the network switch, in which each packet has a timestamp associated therewith. Next, each packet is inserted into a respective timeslot of the output port queue, as indexed by its associated timestamp. The binary value of the timestamp is then partitioned into a plurality of sub-fields, each sub-field comprising one or more bits and corresponding to a predetermined level of acceleration bit-strings. Next, the values at respective locations in at least one memory configured to store a plurality of levels of acceleration bit-strings are asserted, as indexed by the respective sub-fields of bits.

Abstract: A system for supporting translation of virtual IP addresses to Ethernet/MAC addresses in a multi-Virtual Network environment, in which address resolution tables are generated and maintained by Virtual Networking Devices. Virtual Networking Device (VND) sends and/or receives Virtual Network-specific ARP traffic. The Virtual Network-specific ARP traffic includes ARP requests or responses that map a MAC address to an IP address in the private IP address space of an associated Virtual Private Network. The disclosed Virtual Networking Devices can therefore operate in configurations in which multiple independent entities operate on separate Virtual Networks, and where servers may be accessible via virtual IP addresses within the private IP address spaces of associated Virtual Networks.

Abstract: A system and method for configuring a control plane within a network device. One of a pair of control processors is selected to act as the master of the control plane and the other control processor is specified as a standby control processor in normal operation. In the case of a failover or switchover event, the standby control processor assumes the role of the master of the control plane and updates configuration information within line cards in the network device as necessary. A state machine within the control processor is employed to manage state transitions for the control processor. Each control processor generates at least one signal that indicates whether it is capable of serving as the master of the control plane. Master selection logic selects one of the control processors as the master for the control plane and in one embodiment advertises the identification of the master control processor via triply redundant signals.

Abstract: A redundant control plane for a network device such as a network switch or a router. The control plane is isolated from a data plane for the network device that carries network traffic. The redundant control plane includes first and second Router Control Processor (RCP)/Bridge Hotswap Card (BHC) pairs, and first and second switch cards (SCs). A first RCP/BHC pair is selected as the master and the second pair becomes the master in the event of a failure or the need to perform maintenance on the first pair. Redundant control paths are provided from each RCP/BHC pair to first and second pluralities of line cards to allow for downloading of forwarding tables, control and configuration information. Redundant Switch cards are provided and one of the Switch Cards is selected as the master Switch card to permit communication between the RCPs. The control plane may continue to function in the event of a single failure of any component or bus within the control plane.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a system and method for generating a service level agreement (SLA) template are disclosed. The SLA template generated by the disclosed system enables deployment of resources to support a number of SLAs and associated VPNs. The SLA template generated by operation of the disclosed system may include a first graphical user interface (GUI) template that specifies, at least in part, a GUI for use by a customer service representative (CSR) when accepting a service request or order from a customer. The disclosed SLA template may further include a number of SLA defaults, which may consist of default values and or software program code logic. The SLA defaults enable an SLA GUI to be configured such that a relatively small amount of information can be collected and used to derive other necessary configuration data.

Abstract: A dense virtual router packet switching system includes a memory divided into context areas for a set of virtual private routed networks (VPRNs). Each context area includes a routing table and routing protocol state information for a corresponding VPRN. Each of a set of different routing tasks operates with a separate routing table and separate routing protocol state information to realize a corresponding virtual router. Context selection logic selectively couples the routing tasks to the different context areas of the memory to realize a set of virtual routers for all the VPRNs. The system supports a large number of routes by exploiting the segmentation of the VPRNs. Rather than having a single large routing table and associated routing process, which can load hardware resources in proportion to the square of the number of routes in the routing table, routes are distributed among a number of VPRNs having generally smaller tables and correspondingly less processing demand.