Abstract: Provided herein is a method for a router to process time-sensitive packets, the method comprising: receiving a time-sensitive packet comprising a stack containing at least one local deadline, the stack being comprised within a header of the time-sensitive packet; retrieving a local deadline from the at least one local deadline comprised within the header; and scheduling transmission of the time-sensitive packet based on the local deadline. Also provided is a method for a router to process time-sensitive packets, the method comprising: receiving a time-sensitive packet comprising a stack containing at least one entry, each entry of the at least one entry respectively comprising, as sub-entries, a forwarding instruction and a local deadline; retrieving an entry from the stack; forwarding the time-sensitive packet according to the forwarding instruction comprised in the retrieved entry; and scheduling transmission of the time-sensitive packet based on the local deadline comprised in the retrieved entry.

Abstract: A method for an ingress node to send packets to an egress node, the method comprising: sending a plurality of service packets over a first network path; and sending a supplemental packet comprising a plurality of hash values over a second network path, wherein the plurality of packet hash values are computed respectively from the plurality of service packets. A method for an egress node to receive packets from an ingress node, the method comprising: extracting a plurality of packet hashes from a supplemental packet received from a second network path; computing a plurality of packet hash values, each hash value computed from a corresponding service packet comprised in a plurality of service packets received over a first network path; and recovering a lost service packet that is identified by comparing the plurality of computed packet hash values with the plurality of extracted packet hash values.

Abstract: A two-fiber Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable electro-optical transceiver (QSFP) currently connects to two optical fibers, one for transmission and one for reception. In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, a three-port optical circulator may be employed in order to achieve bidirectional transmission (BiDi) on a single fiber. The disclosure provides in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure a miniature optical circulator that clips onto the two-fiber QSFP without protruding from the QSFP extraction lever, and is configured to mate with the two QSFP fiber connectors on one side and a single optical fiber on the other. Another embodiment provides an integrated bidirectional QSFP that is configured to mate with a single bidirectional fiber.

Abstract: A device comprising: at least one partially reconfigurable FPGA; a Network-on-Chip (NoC) comprised in the FPGA; and at least one area on the at least one FPGA operable to house a hardware micro-service (HMS); wherein an HMS image may be loaded onto the area of the at least one FPGA via partial reconfiguration to form a new HMS, and the NoC is operable to forward information to and from the new HMS without the NoC being reloaded.

Abstract: A method for measuring one-way delays in a communications network, the method comprising: maintaining, at a third node having a reference clock, a first virtual clock state emulating a first node clock located at a first node and a second virtual clock state emulating a second node clock located at a second node; registering a timeset comprising transmission and reception times at the first node and the second node, respectively, for each packet of a plurality of packets that are transmitted from the first node to the second node and reflected from the second node back to the first node; converting times in the timeset, responsive to the first and/or second virtual clocks, into times in accordance with the reference clock; calculating, for each packet of the plurality of packets, a forward one-way delay (FOWD) and a reverse one-way delay (ROWD), responsive to the converted timeset.

Abstract: A method of determining packet loss ratio between two communications nodes, the method comprising: transmitting at least one loopback packet configured to be propagated from a first node through a second and third nodes back to the first node; upon traversal of the second node inserting into the loopback packet a first counter for a number of packets sent from the second node to the third node prior to receiving the loopback packet; upon traversal of the third node inserting into the loopback packet a second counter for a number of packets received by the third node from the second node prior to receiving the loopback packet; upon return of the loopback packet to the first node, determining a packet loss ratio between the second and third nodes responsive to the first counter number and the second counter number inserted into the loopback packet.

Abstract: A method for measuring one-way delays in a communications network, the method comprising: maintaining a virtual clock state comprising information for converting times measured with respect to remote clocks into times as would be measured with respect to a local reference clock; registering, for each packet of the plurality of packets in a communications session between the first and second nodes, a timeset comprising transmission and reception times at the first and second nodes; converting, responsive to the virtual clock, times in the timeset measured with respect to the first node clock or the second node clock, into times as would be measured with respect to the reference clock; calculating, for each packet of the series of packets, a forward one-way delay (FOWD) from the first node to the second node and a reverse one-way delay (ROWD) from the second node to the first node, responsive to the converted timeset.

Abstract: Here, we have the following examples: (1) Integrating the NID functionality in to the small foot-print of an SFP Module, with one or more of the features below: a) Mounting a NID SoC IC to an existing SFP Printed Circuit Board (PCB); b) Using the power from the SFP module, without requiring separate external power; c) NID SoC having only 2 ports, each with its own MAC and possibly PHY layer; d) NID SoC having an embedded microprocessor, RAM and ROM; e) Running a Web portal or other remote login and management software on the NID SoC; f) Miniaturizing the NID to make it cheaper, with reduced cost of inventory, shipment, and installation; and/or g) Supporting one or more (multiple of/ many) functions in NID SoC, e.g., OAM or Shaping. (2) Building the NID functionality in a Dongle. Many other examples, configurations, applications, and variations are provided.

Abstract: Apparatus for synchronizing a local clock to a master clock, the apparatus comprising: at least one port for receiving and transmitting packets; a local clock; and a packet inspector that uses time from the local clock to timestamp packets received at a port of the at least one port, copies timing information from the received packets if the packets are timing distribution packets that are transmitted between a master clock and a slave clock in order to synchronize the slave clock to the master clock, and forwards the received packets for transmission from a port of the at least one port towards a packet destination that is not a packet source from where the packets originate, wherein the local clock uses the copied timing information and timestamps to synchronize the local clock to the master clock.

Abstract: A method of characterizing a communications channel between two communications nodes, the method comprising: determining at least one feature of a communications path between a first communications node and a second communications node; determining at least one feature of a communications path between the first communications node and a third communications node; transmitting at least one packet from the first node to propagate through the second and third nodes and return to the first node; and determining at least one feature of the communications channel between the second and third nodes responsive to receiving the packet at the first node, the at least one determined feature of the first node and the second node, and/or information comprised in the packet.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing timing information, the apparatus comprising: a primary reference time clock (PRTC) that provides a reference time of day (ToD) and a reference frequency; a packet master clock that receives the ToD and reference frequency and is configured to distribute timing to a slave clock in accordance with a timing over packet procedure responsive to the ToD and the reference frequency; and a housing that houses the PRTC and packet master clock which may be plugged into a conventional small form factor (SFP) compliant cage to connect the packet master clock to a packet switched network (PSN).

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring a packet switched network, the apparatus comprising: at least one port for receiving and transmitting packets; a local clock; and a packet inspector that uses time from the local clock to timestamp packets received at a port of the at least one port, and additionally copies timing information from received timing distribution packets, which are transmitted from a master clock to a slave clock in order to discipline the slave clock, and forwards the received packets for transmission from a port of the at least one port; wherein the apparatus uses the timestamp of a received timing distribution packet and the copied timing information to monitor timing distribution performance of the network.

Abstract: A method of characterizing a communications channel between two communications nodes, the method comprising: determining at least one feature of a communications path between a first communications node and a second communications node; determining at least one feature of a communications path between the first communications node and a third communications node; transmitting at least one packet from the first node to propagate through the second and third nodes and return to the first node; and determining at least one feature of the communications channel between the second and third nodes responsive to receiving the packet at the first node, the at least one determined feature of the first node and the second node, and/or information comprised in the packet.

Abstract: Apparatus configured to provide a small form-factor module (SFP) that is plugged into a socket of an SFP cage with a functionality, the apparatus comprising: a connector configured to be inserted into the cage socket; functionality circuitry that is electrically connected to the connector and provides the functionality; and a socket electrically connected to the functionality circuitry configured to receive the connector of a conventional SFP module, and to electrically connect the conventional SFP to the functionality circuitry.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing timing information, the apparatus comprising: a primary reference time clock (PRTC) that provides a reference time of day (ToD) and a reference frequency; a packet master clock that receives the ToD and reference frequency and is configured to distribute timing to a slave clock in accordance with a timing over packet procedure responsive to the ToD and the reference frequency; and a housing that houses the PRTC and packet master clock which may be plugged into a conventional small form factor (SFP) compliant cage to connect the packet master clock to a packet switched network (PSN).

Abstract: A method and system in which a Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (DSLAM) that is part of a DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) system is able to provide synchronous services to end user equipment connected to the DSLAM via a DSL link and Customer Premises Equipment (CPE). A sniffer device having direct or indirect access to a Primary Reference Clock (PRC) of the DSL system calculates the phase difference between the PRC and the DSLAM's Local Timing Reference (LTR). The phase difference is sent to the CPEs requiring accurate reference clock frequency. The CPEs are able to derive the PRC from the phase difference information transmitted by the sniffer device thus enabling synchronous end user equipment operation.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a super cage for receiving and providing a small form factor pluggable (SFP) communication module with a functionality, the super cage comprising: a sleeve dimensioned to receive an SFP communication module and be plugged into a conventional SFP cage having a socket for receiving an SFP connector of an SFP module; functionality circuitry housed in the sleeve; a cage connector electrically connected to the functionality circuitry and configured to be inserted into the conventional cage socket; and a coupling socket housed in the sleeve that receives an SFP connector of an SFP module and electrically connects the SFP connector to the functionality circuitry.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a super cage for receiving and providing a small form factor pluggable (SFP) communication module with a functionality, the super cage comprising: a sleeve dimensioned to receive an SFP communication module and be plugged into a conventional SFP cage having a socket for receiving an SFP connector of an SFP module; functionality circuitry housed in the sleeve; a cage connector electrically connected to the functionality circuitry and configured to be inserted into the conventional cage socket; and a coupling socket housed in the sleeve that receives an SFP connector of an SFP module and electrically connects the SFP connector to the functionality circuitry.

Abstract: Apparatus configured to provide a small form-factor module (SFP) that is plugged into a socket of an SFP cage with a functionality, the apparatus comprising: a connector configured to be inserted into the cage socket; functionality circuitry that is electrically connected to the connector and provides the functionality; and a socket electrically connected to the functionality circuitry configured to receive the connector of a conventional SFP module, and to electrically connect the conventional SFP to the functionality circuitry.

Abstract: An optical access network that connects customers to a core network, the access network comprising: a different Optical Network Unit (ONU) connected to each customer; a different head-end device for each ONU that receives data from the core network intended for the ONU and configures the data for transmission to the ONU in accordance with a passive optical network (PON) protocol; and an optical fiber that connects the head-end device to the ONU.