Abstract: Session independent end to end route control is provided by coordination between a pair of route control devices. Each device determines whether received traffic qualifies for end to end route control and whether the device at the other end supports end to end route control. If so, then the route control devices determine a routing mode, such as tunneling or address translation, and routing parameters. The performance of the selected path is monitored and is changed if the performance becomes unacceptable. Path performance can be measured using one-way measurement techniques that use a common inbound path or a control channel.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a system and method for data network control. Using a flow control system, embodiments of the present invention can analyze traffic flow volume and performance, incorporate usage, billing, and cost control data to yield an improved data network controller. Efficiency in data routing is improved while costs are decreased by enabling the selection of the optimal performance data route. Cost constraints and costs are minimized for an overall data load. Given a diverse set of cost structures for available transit providers, the overall system cost can be minimized by distributing traffic in a manner that takes advantage of the diverse billing structures and yet maintains acceptable performance levels. Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the present invention determine projected flow performance and projected flow volume in relation to the available bandwidth and marginal cost to a destination provider.

Abstract: Application acceleration is provided across a widely deployed network. In one embodiment a number of servers throughout the network provide address translation, acceleration, and performance measurements and are organized as service deliver points (SDPs). Collectively the SDPs form an application service network provider (ASNP) located between the client and the application server Traffic is routed from the client to a client SDP, which includes an accelerator, from the client SDP to a server SDP, which includes a matching accelerator, and from the server SDP to the application server. Return traffic follows a similar, but revere path.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling routing of data. It is determined whether at least one data flow is active, the at least one data flow having an ingress portion of a current ingress path to a first point from a second point and an egress portion of a current egress path to the second point from the first point. Another data flow is routed via a next ingress portion of a next path to the first point from the second point.

Abstract: The present invention uses proxy points for measuring different routes to a destination address space. Multiple paths to the desired destination address space are identified. Each path begins at a source and terminates at the destination address space. Proxy points are identified for each path and are associated with a point between the source and the destination address space. Measurements of the path performance from each source to the appropriate proxy point are compared to determine an optimum route.

Abstract: A system and a method for controlling routing of data over multiple networks. Accordingly, a system and method are provided for routing data between a first point and a second point. The method comprises passively monitoring at least one data flow characteristic associated with a data flow on a first path, comparing the at least one data flow characteristic, associated with the data flow on the first path, to an associated data flow requirement of a policy, switching the data flow to a second path if the at least one data flow requirement is not met, passively monitoring at least one data flow characteristic associated with the data flow on the second path, and comparing the at least one data flow characteristic associated with the data flow on the second path with the associated data flow requirement of the policy.

Abstract: A method and system for pointing a Internet user requesting access to content on a particular web site to one of a plurality of content servers associated with that web site based on one or more cost measurements associated with serving said content. The identification of the web site is mapped to the content servers associated with that web site. The user's IP address is then mapped to a particular content server based on a cost function and the IP address of the selected content server is provided to the user.

Abstract: Session independent end to end route control is provided by coordination between a pair of route control devices. Each device determines whether received traffic qualifies for end to end route control and whether the device at the other end supports end to end route control. If so, then the route control devices determine a routing mode, such as tunneling or address translation, and routing parameters. The performance of the selected path is monitored and is changed if the performance becomes unacceptable. Path performance can be measured using one-way measurement techniques that use a common inbound path or a control channel.

Abstract: A distributed network management system and method of operation. The system includes at least one hub server and at least one remote server, where the hub server and the remote server communicate with each other. The remote server additionally communicates with and monitors one or more network devices. In the event that the remote server becomes inoperational, the hub server assumes monitoring of the network device. For redundancy, primary and secondary hub servers can be provided, wherein the primary and secondary hub servers communicate with each other and are capable of communicating with the remote server. For further redundancy, primary and secondary remote servers can be provided, wherein the primary and secondary remote servers communicate with each other but independently monitor the network devices. In the peered remote configuration, the hub server is capable of communicating with either of the remote servers.

Abstract: Session independent end to end route control is provided by coordination between a pair of route control devices. Each device determines whether received traffic qualifies for end to end route control and whether the device at the other end supports end to end route control. If so, then the route control devices determine a routing mode, such as tunneling or address translation, and routing parameters. The performance of the selected path is monitored and is changed if the performance becomes unacceptable. Path performance can be measured using one-way measurement techniques that use a common inbound path or a control channel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for providing dynamic domain name system (DNS) for inbound route control. For instance, the present invention provides a method that considers load data for each of the network locations that provide an application, such online content or a web site available at multiple geographically distinct data centers, as well as performance data for paths through the various network service providers that serve the locations where the application is available. The IP address that is delivered by the DNS is dynamically controlled to select which IP address, i.e., provider, provides the best path.

Abstract: A method and system for maintaining a traffic service level for data communicated by a computer network having a source. The computer network is connected to at least one of many networks, where each of the many networks includes a number of paths for transporting the data communicated to a destination. In one embodiment of the method, the traffic service level associated with one of the paths between the source and the destination is monitored. Then, it is determined whether the traffic service level associated with that path meets one or more performance metrics. If a flow of data communicated over the monitored path fails to meet at least one of the performance metrics, then a service level violation is indicated. Upon such an indication, an alternate path is selected to resolve the service level violation.

Abstract: A system and a method for controlling routing of data over multiple networks. Accordingly, network users can define specific flow polices to ensure that a particular flow of data traffic maintains an acceptable level of performance, such as in terms of latency, loss, jitter, or an acceptable level usage that includes cost and bandwidth management across multiple networks.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling routing of data. It is determined whether at least one data flow is active, the at least one data flow having an ingress portion of a current ingress path to a first point from a second point and an egress portion of a current egress path to the second point from the first point. Another data flow is routed via a next ingress portion of a next path to the first point from the second point.

Abstract: A method and system for optimizing routing traffic to a destination when multiple routes are available. A performance monitoring and inference component measures the performance of the available paths to a large set of subnetworks, and uses those measurements to infer the performance of all available paths to an even larger set of subnetworks. A routing optimization component uses a cost function that assigns a cost to a routing table based on information from the performance monitoring and inference component, as well as other path characteristics, and further uses a minimization methodology to find a routing table with a very low cost, as defined by the cost function. A BGP bridge takes the routing table generated by the routing optimization component and communicates that information to the routers using BGP, thereby ensuring that the routers will route traffic in accordance with the routing table.

Abstract: An improvement to the Private Network Access Point (PNAP) packet switched network described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,009,081, where two customers connected to the same PNAP will exchange traffic through the PNAP without transiting over the backbones of the Internet. In addition, a multi-homed customer connected to the PNAP is provided with access to the PNAP optimized routing table so that the customer will also have the ability to know the best route for a particular destination. In this way, if a multi-homed customer connected to the PNAP is directly connected to a particular NSP to which a destination is also connected, the PNAP customer can use the PNAP information regarding the NSP to send the information to the destination through that commonly connected NSP in the most direct fashion.

Abstract: A Private Network Access Point (PNAP) packet switched network is provided where two customers connected to the same PNAP exchange traffic through the PNAP without transiting over the backbones of the Internet. In addition, a multi-homed customer connected to the PNAP is provided with access to the PNAP optimized routing table so that the customer will also have the ability to know the best route for a particular destination. In this way, if a multi-homed customer connected to a particular National Service Provider (NSP) to which a destination is also connected, the PNAP customer can use the PNAP information regarding the NSP to send the information to the destination through that commonly connected NSP in the most direct fashion.

Abstract: A method for interconnecting P-NAP customers with P-NAP providers and symmetrically routing packets between a P-NAP customer and a destination within a P-NAP provider's backbone across the P-NAP and that provider's backbone or symmetrically routing packets between a P-NAP customer and a destination not currently within a P-NAP provider's backbone across the P-NAP and a pre-defined P-NAP provider's backbone known as the default backbone. The method comprises creating a list of all P-NAP provider AS numbers and a list of all AS numbers which peer at public NAPs but which are not associated with P-NAP providers. For each P-NAP provider, take the union of all provider AS numbers and AS numbers associated with public NAPs and subtracting out AS numbers associated with the current provider.