Abstract: A network layout between network elements and routers using network redundancy to improve reliability of network communication is disclosed. Upon detecting a link failure associated with a primary link between an access switch and a primary router by the access switch via a connectivity verification protocol, the access switch sends a message to the primary router indicating connection defect via the connectivity verification protocol such as IEEE 802.1ag standard. After enabling protection switching mechanism to activate a secondary link between the access switch and a backup router for network communication, routing data streams are routed between the access switch and the router via the secondary link. In one aspect, the protection switching mechanism is operated in accordance with G.8031 under International Telecommunication Union (“ITU”) standard.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automating the configuration of network entities with a network management system. More particularly, a graphical user interface incorporates a template to allow administrators to configure attributes of network entities. The graphical user interface and template reduce the number of blocks required to configure network entities and also minimize user errors. The graphical user interface also allows an administrator to add and manage templates for future use. The method and apparatus are also for monitoring the progress of configuring network entities and generating an operation log.

Abstract: Service providers can reduce multiple overlay networks by creating multiple logical service networks (LSNs) on the same physical or optical fiber network through use of an embodiment of the invention. The LSNs are established by the service provider and can be characterized by traffic type, bandwidth, delay, hop count, guaranteed information rates, and/or restoration priorities. Once established, the LSNs allow the service provider to deliver a variety of services to customers depending on a variety of factors, for example, a customer's traffic specifications. Different traffic specifications are serviced on different LSNs depending on each LSN's characteristics. Such LSNs, once built within a broadband network, can be customized and have its services sold to multiple customers.

Abstract: A method for reporting events relating to objects of a network element manageable by a network management device, using a network management protocol, and devices, a network, and computer-readable storage medium storing control logic, that operate in accordance with the method. Events for each object are detected, event information is generated for detected events, generated event information for multiple events is packaged into a trap message for each object type, the trap message is communicated from the network element to the network management device, and the event information from the communicated trap message is unpacked at the network management device. In this manner, network congestion and processor overload at the network management device can be reduced.

Abstract: A network layout between network elements and routers using network redundancy to improve reliability of network communication is disclosed. Upon detecting a link failure associated with a primary link between an access switch and a primary router by the access switch via a connectivity verification protocol, the access switch sends a message to the primary router indicating connection defect via the connectivity verification protocol such as IEEE 802.1 ag standard. After enabling protection switching mechanism to activate a secondary link between the access switch and a backup router for network communication, routing data streams are routed between the access switch and the router via the secondary link. In one aspect, the protection switching mechanism is operated in accordance with G.8031 under International Telecommunication Union (“ITU”) standard.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for enhancing data integrity during router recovery using dual-homed host configuration are disclosed. A process of routing resumption, in one embodiment, is able to recover or reset a network element (“NE”) such as a primary router from system failure. A first link configured to transmit data packets between the NE and a network device is reestablished. Upon reestablishing a second link configured to transmit data packets between the NE and other NEs, a network discovery process utilizing network reachability protocol is initiated to identify routing paths associated with the NE. A routing table in the NE is updated in accordance with the routing paths. A ready message is issued from the NE to the network device when the routing table is at least partially completed.

Abstract: Differentiated services for network traffic using weighted quality of service is provided. Network traffic is queued into separate per flow queues, and traffic is scheduled from the per flow queues into a group queue. Congestion management is performed on traffic in the group queue. Traffic is marked with priority values, and congestion management is performed based on the priority values. For example, traffic can be marked as “in contract” if it is within a contractual limit, and marked as “out of contract” if it is not within the contractual limit. Marking can also include classifying incoming traffic based on Differentiated Service Code Point. Higher priority traffic can be scheduled from the per flow queues in a strict priority over lower priority traffic. The lower priority traffic can be scheduled in a round robin manner.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to portions of a switch fabric having a single logical stage and at least one physical stage. In addition, the data paths and the control paths of the switch fabric can be decoupled thereby allowing additional processing to be performed than would otherwise be the case with control rates that matched the high data rates. In other words, data cells received on high speed links can be spread over many lower speed links; consequently, the data cells can transit the switch fabric at that high speed while the control information associated with the data can be processed at that lower speed. Because the control information can be processed at a lower speed (associated with the control path), the control information can be processed over a greater period of time.

Abstract: A network processing device having multiple processing engines capable of providing multi-context parallel processing is disclosed. The device includes a receiver and a packet processor, wherein the receiver is capable of receiving packets at a predefined packet flow rate. The packet processor, in one embodiment, includes multiple processing engines, wherein each processing engine is further configured to include multiple context processing components. The context processing components are used to provide multi-context parallel processing to increase throughput.

Abstract: A bus scheduling device having a group of direct memory access (“DMA”) engines, a group of target modules (“TM”), a read pending memory, and a bus arbiter is disclosed. A common bus, which is coupled with the DMA engines, TMs, and the read pending memory, is employed in the device for data transmission. DMA engines are capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from TMs via the common bus. The read pending memory is capable of storing information indicating the read status of the DMA engines. The arbiter or bus arbiter arbitrates bus access in response to a bus allocation scheme and the information stored in the read pending memory.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for improving efficiency of data transfer utilizing packet resizing to optimize network management traffic are disclosed. After obtaining a maximum link capacity of a link which is capable of transmitting information, a process of dynamic packet resizing compares the maximum link capacity with a network management system (“NMS”) maximum packet size. The outbound packet size of a network element (“NE”) is set to the maximum link capacity if the maximum link capacity of the link is smaller than the NMS maximum packet size.

Abstract: A process capable of tracking bugs across multiple product releases using multiple scopes is disclosed. Upon receipt of a bug report, a process creates a defect record in a storage memory wherein the record describes the bug in accordance with the bug report. After allocating a first scope associated with a first product release and a second scope associated with a second product release, the process displays the defect record together with the first scope and the second scope on a screen. The first scope allocates a portion of the storage space to track a bug status associated with the first product release and the second scope allocates another portion of the storage space to track the bug status associated with the second product release.

Abstract: A processing system includes a group of processing units (“PUs”) arranged in a daisy chain configuration or a sequence capable of parallel processing. The processing system, in one embodiment, includes PUs, a demultiplexer (“demux”), and a multiplexer (“mux”). The PUs are connected or linked in a sequence or a daisy chain configuration wherein a first PU is located at the beginning of the sequence and a last digital PU is located at the end of the sequence. Each PU is configured to read an input data packet from a packet stream during a designated reading time frame. If the time frame is outside of the designated reading time frame, a PU allows a packet stream to pass through. The demux forwards a packet stream to the first digital processing unit. The mux receives a packet steam from the last digital processing unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving packet processing employing a network flow control mechanism are disclosed. A network process, in one embodiment, suspends distribution of incoming packet(s) to one or more, packet processing engines (“PEs”) upon detecting a stalling request. After identifying currently executing operations initiated by one or more kicking circuits before the issuance of stalling request, the process allows the currently executing operations to complete despite the activation of the stalling request.

Abstract: A network processing device having multiple processing engines capable of providing multi-context parallel processing is disclosed. The device includes a receiver and a packet processor, wherein the receiver is capable of receiving packets at a predefined packet flow rate. The packet processor, in one embodiment, includes multiple processing engines, wherein each processing engine is further configured to include multiple context processing components. The context processing components are used to provide multi-context parallel processing to increase throughput.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of a network system between a host and a group of routers using virtual router redundancy protocol (“VRRP”) messages and bidirectional forwarding detection (“BFD”) sessions are disclosed. The network system is capable of facilitating a first communication between a host and a master router of multiple VRRP routers and establishing a BFD session between the host and the master router. When the BFD session fails, the priority of the master router is subsequently lowered and a backup router is activated. In one embodiment, the backup router capable of performing functions of the master router becomes a new master until the BFD session resumes.

Abstract: Service providers can reduce multiple overlay networks by creating multiple logical service networks (LSNS) on the same physical or optical fiber network. The LSNs are established by the service provider and can be characterized by traffic type, bandwidth, delay, hop count, guaranteed information rates and/or restoration priorities. Once established, the LSNs allow the service provider to deliver a variety of services to customers depending on customer's traffic specifications. Different traffic specifications are serviced on different LSNS, depending on each LSN's characteristics. Such LSNS, once built within a broadband network, can be customized and sold to multiple customers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of a network system between a host and a group of routers using virtual router redundancy protocol (“VRRP”) messages and bidirectional forwarding detection (“BFD”) sessions are disclosed. The network system is capable of facilitating a first communication between a host and a master router of multiple VRRP routers and establishing a BFD session between the host and the master router. When the BFD session fails, the priority of the master router is subsequently lowered and a backup router is activated. In one embodiment, the backup router capable of performing functions of the master router becomes a new master until the BFD session resumes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for improving network efficiency for data transfer utilizing partial node discovery a during system recovery are disclosed. Upon retrieving a saved last sequence number associated with a network element (“NE”) from a database in a network management system (“NMS”), a process of the partial node discovery obtains a current last sequence number associated with the NE from the NE. After identifying missing sequence numbers associated with the NE, sequence events associated with the NE in the database are updated in accordance with the missing sequence numbers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for using a direct memory access (“DMA”) to facilitate netflow statistics are disclosed. A network device such as a router or a switch, in one embodiment, includes a statistic component, a local memory, and a memory access controller. The statistic component is configured to gather information relating to net usage from packet flows or netflows in response to corresponding index values or tags. While the local memory such as a cache provides the index values or tags assignable to packet flows, the memory access controller such as a DMA transfers at least a portion of the index values or tags between the local memory and a main memory for enhancing capacity of the local memory.