Patents Assigned to Packeteer
  • Publication number: 20090019345
    Abstract: The present invention, in particular embodiments, is directed to methods, apparatuses and systems that provide an efficient compression technique for data streams transmitted to storage devices or over networks to remote hosts. Local storage as well as network transmission of streams is made more efficient by awareness and utilization of repeated sequences of data blocks. Such data blocks can be placed in a dictionary on persistent storage and shared across all streams. The dictionary is hierarchically indexed (two or more levels of indexing) to combine high efficiency search with efficient access to the stored data blocks. Additionally, data blocks, in particular implementations, are stored sequentially in order to improve overall performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: Packeteer, Inc.
    Inventors: Lev S. Kaufman, Murali Rangarajan, Shirish H. Phatak
  • Publication number: 20090003204
    Abstract: An example embodiment of the invention provides a process for lockless processing of hierarchical bandwidth partitions configurations in multiple processor architectures. In one embodiment, the process runs in an NPU's data plane and receives a packet for a partition from a child partition through a work queue. The process determines a suggested target bandwidth rate for the receiving partition's child partitions, based in part on a count of active child partitions, if a predefined time interval has passed. The process adopts a target bandwidth rate for the receiving partition suggested by the receiving partition's parent partition, if the receiving partition is not a root partition and the predefined time interval has passed. The process then transmits the packet to the receiving partition's parent partition through the work queue, if the receiving partition is not a root partition. Otherwise, the process transmits the packet to a port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: Packeteer, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon Eric Okholm, Guy Riddle
  • Publication number: 20080316922
    Abstract: A data and control plane architecture for network devices. An example system architecture includes a network processing unit implementing one or more data plane operations, and a network device operably coupled to the network processing unit that implements a control plane. In a particular implementation, the network processing unit is configured to process network traffic according to a data plane configuration, and sample selected packets to the network device. The network device processes the sampled packets and adjusts the data plane configuration responsive to the sampled packets. In particular implementations, the control plane and data plane implement, a server-side triggered policy caching mechanism that allows for previous classification policy decisions made for previous data flows to be applied to subsequent new flows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: Packeteer, Inc.
    Inventors: Guy Riddle, Jon Eric Okholm
  • Publication number: 20080298391
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems directed to improving the efficiency of bandwidth allocation schemes by adapting to slow-start mechanisms associated with network communications protocols, such as the TCP/IP protocol suite. In one implementation, the present invention scales down the initial target rate assigned to a data flow to a fraction of an initial estimate of the effective rate capacity of the communications path between two hosts. As packets are received, the target rate is gradually increased, eventually up to the detected rate capacity of the communications path. Implementations of the present invention improve the efficiency of bandwidth allocation by reducing the over-allocation of bandwidth to data flows during the slow-start phase, leaving more bandwidth available to other data flows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Packeteer, Inc.
    Inventors: Azeem Feroz, Wei-Lung Lai, James J. Stabile
  • Publication number: 20080291910
    Abstract: Packet switch operating methods and packet switches provision a plurality of tunnels on a packet switch by associating each of the plurality of tunnels with a packet switch port and by configuring the packet switch to modify packets relayed by the tunnel to include a transport identifier associated with the tunnel. The tunnels of the plurality relay packets when permitted by a tunnel index. The plurality of tunnels and the tunnel index are associated with a virtual interface. The methods and packet switches also permit a first tunnel of the plurality of tunnels to relay packets by configuring the tunnel index to indicate the first tunnel. The tunnel index indicates only one tunnel. The methods and packet switches also enable a second tunnel of the plurality of tunnels to relay packets by configuring the tunnel index to indicate the second tunnel, thereby preventing the first tunnel from relaying packets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: World Wide Packets, Inc.
    Inventors: Srinivasa Tadimeti, Asheesh Jadav, Kelly Donald Fromm, Keith Michael Bly
  • Patent number: 7457870
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems that facilitate the classification of web services network traffic. In one implementation, the present invention provides an automated mechanism that facilitates synchronization of a web services traffic classification database with the current or latest definitions of one to a plurality of web services of interest. In one implementation, the present invention processes interface definitions corresponding to a given Web service to construct a traffic classification configuration for the Web service, including one or more traffic classes and corresponding matching rules or attributes for each traffic class. In one implementation, the present invention automatically creates traffic classes and matching rules that allow for differentiation between the operations supported by a Web service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Packeteer, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek Leigh Lownsbrough, Edward G. Bruck
  • Patent number: 7453804
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems directed to an aggregate bandwidth utilization control scheme including fair share bandwidth allocation and dynamic allocation of bandwidth in response to detected traffic utilization. In one implementation, the present invention includes a weighted, fair share aggregate bandwidth allocation mechanism that dynamically responds to observed bandwidth utilization to provide unutilized or excess bandwidth to flows and partitions that require it. In another implementation, the present invention features a weighted fair share allocation scheme for hierarchical partition configurations. In other implementations, the present invention provides a per-flow target rate assignment mechanism that prevents spiraling decline of data flow rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Packeteer, Inc.
    Inventors: Azeem Feroz, Wei-Lung Lai, Roopesh R. Varier, James J. Stabile, Jon Eric Okholm
  • Patent number: 7443321
    Abstract: The present invention, in particular embodiments, is directed to methods, apparatuses and systems that provide an efficient compression technique for data streams transmitted to storage devices or over networks to remote hosts. Local storage as well as network transmission of streams is made more efficient by awareness and utilization of repeated sequences of data blocks. Such data blocks can be placed in a dictionary on persistent storage and shared across all streams. The dictionary is hierarchically indexed (two or more levels of indexing) to combine high efficiency search with efficient access to the stored data blocks. Additionally, data blocks, in particular implementations, are stored sequentially in order to improve overall performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Packeteer, Inc.
    Inventors: Lev S. Kaufman, Murali Rangarajan, Shirish H. Phatak
  • Patent number: 7433304
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems facilitating hierarchical network traffic classification and resource allocation schemes. In one embodiment, the present invention provides traffic classification data structure facilitating creation and configuration of multi-dimensional, hierarchical network resource allocation schemes. The present invention features a hierarchical network traffic classification scheme that allows users to logically embed (or otherwise associate) one or more reference trees within selected traffic class nodes of a given traffic classification tree. In one embodiment, an administrator can create a pool of referenceable traffic classification trees and select such trees or sub-trees from the pool to achieve a variety of different traffic classification configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Packeteer, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Galloway, George Powers
  • Patent number: 7433943
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems allowing for deployment of volume-based network policies across a computer network. In one embodiment, the present invention monitors network utilization of a plurality of users and detects the occurrence of network utilization milestones or other events for individual users, such as exceeding a data transfer allotment or threshold. To enforce the allotment or threshold, the present invention is operative to deny, degrade, or otherwise affect a characteristic associated with network access provided to such users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Packeteer, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Vernon Ford
  • Publication number: 20080239956
    Abstract: A data and control plane architecture for network devices. An example system architecture includes a network processing unit implementing one or more data plane operations, and a network device operably coupled to the network processing unit that implements a control plane. In a particular implementation, the network processing unit is configured to process network traffic according to a data plane configuration, and sample selected packets to the network device. The network device processes the sampled packets and adjusts the data plane configuration responsive to the sampled packets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: Packeteer, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon Eric Okholm, Guy Riddle
  • Patent number: 7426181
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems directed to improving the efficiency of bandwidth allocation schemes by adapting to slow-start mechanisms associated with network communications protocols, such as the TCP/IP protocol suite. In one implementation, the present invention scales down the initial target rate assigned to a data flow to a fraction of an initial estimate of the effective rate capacity of the communications path between two hosts. As packets are received, the target rate is gradually increased, eventually up to the detected rate capacity of the communications path. Implementations of the present invention improve the efficiency of bandwidth allocation by reducing the over-allocation of bandwidth to data flows during the slow-start phase, leaving more bandwidth available to other data flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Packeteer, Inc.
    Inventors: Azeem Feroz, Wei-Lung Lai, James J. Stabile
  • Patent number: 7420992
    Abstract: An adaptive compression mechanism that dynamically selects compression algorithms applied to network application traffic to improve performance. One implementation includes an arbitration scheme that reduces the impact on computing resources required to analyze different compression algorithms for different network applications. The adaptive compression functionality of the present invention can be integrated into network application traffic management or acceleration systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Packeteer, Inc.
    Inventors: Li Fang, Mary Louise Laier
  • Patent number: 7406522
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses allowing for dynamic partitioning of a network resource among a plurality of users. In one embodiment, the invention involves recognizing new users of a network resource; creating user partitions on demand for new users, wherein the user partition is operable to allocate a portion of a network resource; and, reclaiming inactive user partitions for subsequent new users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Packeteer, Inc.
    Inventor: Guy Riddle
  • Patent number: 7398407
    Abstract: An apparatus for on-demand power management including a system controller, a clock domain manager coupled to the system controller and a power distribution manager coupled to the system controller. The system controller monitors a processing demand in a processing system. The clock domain manager provides one or more clock frequencies and, in response to the processing demand, switches between a first set of clock frequencies and a second set of clock frequencies without halting the processing system. The power distribution manager provides one or more operating voltages and, in response to the processing demand, switches between a first set of voltages and a second set of voltages without halting the processing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Packet Digital
    Inventors: Joel A. Jorgenson, Divyata Kakumanu, Brian M. Morlock
  • Publication number: 20080150703
    Abstract: A collaborative wireless micro-control system applied to a detached space comprises a main control unit, and a plurality of interior control unit. Wherein, the main control unit has a microprocessor, a transmitter, and a receiver. The receiver receives the outside wireless signal from the electronic apparatus. The microprocessor parses the outside wireless signal and sends out a wireless control signal inside the detached space by using the transmitter. Each of the interior control units has a microprocessor, a transmitter, and a receiver. The control unit is utilized as a user interface (human machine interface) for controlling a respective electronic apparatus. The receiver of the interior control unit receives the wireless control signal from the main control unit. The microprocessor of the interior control unit tells whether the wireless control signal can trigger the respective electronic apparatus or not.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: Unified Packet Systems Corp.
    Inventor: Wei-Cheng Lin
  • Patent number: 7391771
    Abstract: The method is for sending information through a topology. A first and second node each having a first node having a first access port, a second access port and a first uplink connected to a first router and a second router, respectively. A third node is provided that has a first access port and a first uplink, the first uplink of the third node being connected to the second access port of the first node. A first packet is sent via the first access port to the second node. The second node adds a first port number to a tag of the first packet and sends the first packet via the first uplink of the second node to the first access port of the first node. The first node receives the first packet via the first access port of the first node. The first node adds the first port number to the tag and adds a first port number of the first access port of the first node to the tag. The first node sends the first packet via the first uplink of the first node to a first router.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Metro Packet Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Fredrik Orava, Lars Ramfelt
  • Patent number: 7385924
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems directed to a flow-based, traffic-classification-aware data collection and reporting system that combine flow-based data collection technologies with enhanced traffic classification functionality to allow for analysis and reporting into aspects of network operations that prior art systems cannot provide. Embodiments provide enhanced views into the operation of computer network infrastructures to facilitate monitoring, administration, compliance and other tasks associated with networks. When a traffic flow terminates, a traffic monitoring device emits a flow data record (FDR) containing measurements variables and other attributes for an individual flow. A data collector gathers the flow data records and enters them into a database. A network management application can then query the database with selected commands to derive reports characterizing operation of the network suitable to diagnose problems or view conditions associated with the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Packeteer, Inc.
    Inventor: Guy Riddle
  • Patent number: 7376080
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems directed to enhanced packet load shedding mechanisms implemented in various network devices. In one implementation, the present invention enables a selective load shedding mechanism that intelligently discards packets to allow or facilitate management access during DoS attacks or other high traffic events. In one implementation, the present invention is directed to a selective load shedding mechanism that, while shedding load necessary to allow a network device to operate appropriately, does not attempt to control traffic flows, which allows for other processes to process, classify, diagnose and/or monitor network traffic during high traffic volume periods. In another implementation, the present invention provides a packet load shedding mechanism that reduces the consumption of system resources during periods of high network traffic volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Packeteer, Inc.
    Inventors: Guy Riddle, Curtis Vance Bradford, Maddie Cheng
  • Patent number: 7376731
    Abstract: A system and method for providing statistics gathering within a packet network is disclosed. The system comprises a network processor, a traffic manager, a host processor, and a field programmable gate array. The network processor adds a header to received multimedia packets and the traffic manager measures and enforces multimedia flow rates. The host processor performs multimedia flow quality measurement services on a per flow basis, wherein the multimedia flow quality measurement services comprise maintaining current statistics for multimedia flows within the network processor including aggregate and minimum/maximum statistics for the multimedia flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Acme Packet, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohiuddin Mohammed Khan, Patrick John MeLampy, Pietro Botticelli, Ephraim Webster Dobbins, Robert Flagg Penfield