Abstract: A transmission and/or reception unit is provided. The transmission and/or reception unit includes a module for transmitting and/or receiving data over a multiplicity of channels and at least two interfaces, the multiplicity of channels being divided between the at least two interfaces. With such a transmission and/or reception unit, for example, flexible adaptation of DSL linecards with different granularities is possible.

Abstract: A method and interface are provided for using a memory that distinguishes transmission data from reception data and performs a First-In-First-Out (FIFO) operation on the transmission and reception data in a communication system. In the method, a controller receives from a register a last transmission address provided for dividing one memory module having L addresses into a transmission area having M addresses according to application, where M is less than or equal to L, and a reception area having (L-M) addresses. A codec interface allocates a first address up to the last transmission address of the memory module for the transmission area. The codec interface allocates an address increased by 1 from the last transmission address up to the last address of the memory module for the reception area.

Abstract: An edge router termed a “service gateway” operates to reassign network addresses such as Internet Protocol (IP) addresses to a subscriber, such as when the subscriber is to be transitioned from a first virtual private network (VPN) to a second VPN. The service gateway obtains a new network address routable in a second VPN and applies dynamic edge network address translation (NAT) on an interim basis to provide instant access to the second VPN (following web-based identification for example), while a prior lease for an initial network address not routable in the second VPN is still in effect. When the subscriber attempts to renew the lease in due course, the renewal request is rejected, which forces the subscriber to re-initiate dynamic host control protocol (DHCP) procedures to obtain a new network address. At this point, the interim NAT mapping is removed and the new network address is assigned directly to the subscriber via DHCP.

Abstract: Virtual network interfaces receive data from distinct subsets of receive rings of a network interface card. In other words, each virtual network interface “owns” its own subset of receive rings of the network interface card. The assignment of virtual network interfaces to particular receive rings of the network interface cards may be determined, for example, dynamically, based on priorities associated with particular virtual network interfaces, based on function type, and/or based on service need.

Abstract: A dependability measurement system for use in a communications network includes several functional components which work together to measure, analyze and report the dependability parameters and metrics. A performance measurement function measures performance parameters between a first location and a second location in the communications network. A service-affecting event computation function analyzes performance parameters measured by the performance measurement function. An equipment event measurement function monitors network elements of the communications network for occurrence of network element events. A population calculator determines components within the communications network which are related to the dependability metrics to be reported upon and calculates in-service time information for the components.

Abstract: A method for discovering a network device is disclosed for executing a discovery procedure of the network device in a Data Link Layer (i.e. Layer 2 of OSI 7 Layers Model) via a Network Management Server (NMS) within a Local Area Network (LAN) system to discover other network devices within the LAN. Firstly, sending a discovery packet from a Network Management Server (NMS), wherein the discovery packet comprises a command for requesting the network device to send back a corresponding Media Access Control (MAC) address. Then, receiving the discovery packet by at least one of the network device, and generating a response packet corresponding to the discovery packet for sending the response packet, wherein the response packet comprises the Media Access Control (MAC) address of the network device.

Abstract: A distributed spanning tree protocol is implemented on a modular packet switch. At least some port-specific spanning tree functionality, for instance a port receive state machine and/or a port transmit state machine, operates on a processor on a line port module. At least some bridge-specific spanning tree functionality operates on a processor on a management or control module. When the spanning tree is stable, the line port module processor handles routine spanning tree “hello” messages without having to involve the control module processor. This arrangement allows the switch to handle large and/or multiple spanning trees and large numbers of bridged ports without overloading the control module processor with routine spanning tree module communications.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is directed to a network peripheral device. The network peripheral device includes a plurality of antennas, network communications electronics operable with the antennas, a plurality of electronically controllable visual indicators, and circuitry that activates the selected indicators. The network peripheral device may also include networking electronics, router functionality, a modem, a base band processor, a firewall, and/or a media access control (MAC) processor. The visual indicators may comprise light emitting diodes (LEDs). The visual indicators may correspond to a particular antenna. The visual indicators may also be arranged in a pattern corresponding to an arrangement of antennas in the plurality of antennas, or in a substantially circular pattern. Other embodiments of the invention are directed to various methods and devices.

Abstract: A packet forwarding device is disclosed. The packet forwarding device includes: a transmission interface, coupled to a second network device; a processing unit, coupled to a first network device; a forwarding unit, coupled between the transmission interface and the processing unit; and an interface loop-back, coupled between the forwarding unit and the processing unit.

Abstract: A network switching device comprises first and second ports. A queue communicates with the second port, stores frames for later output by the second port, and generates a congestion signal when filled above a threshold. A control module selectively sends an outgoing flow control message to the first port when the congestion signal is present, and selectively instructs the second port to assert flow control when a flow control message is received from the first port if the received flow control message designates the second port as a target.

Abstract: A request-packet transmitting unit transmits a predetermined number of request packets having a non-unicast destination address that can be received by a target network including a network identified by a first network address, from a monitoring network identified by a second network address different from the first network address through a layer 3 relay device. A layer 2 loop detecting unit receives response packets corresponding to transmitted request packets through the layer 3 relay device, and detects a layer 2 loop in the target network based on number of received response packets and number of transmitted request packets.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an electronic system comprises a first backplane for distributing timing signals, power, and control signals to electronic circuitry coupled to the first backplane, wherein the first backplane comprises a first clock module for generating the timing signals, a second backplane for distributing timing signals, power, and control signals to electronic circuitry coupled to the second backplane, wherein the second backplane comprises a second clock module for generating the timing signals, and an electrical connector coupling the first clock module to the second clock module for communication of a timing signal, wherein the first clock module comprises a circuit for detecting the presence of the electrical connector, the first clock module providing the timing signal to an output port coupled to the electrical connector in response to the circuit, and the second clock module synchronizes to the timing signal communicated via the electrical connector.

Abstract: A user interface device for specifying network connection in a straightforward manner between information apparatus is provided. When a user wishes to connect two apparatuses, connection buttons on each apparatus are pressed down at the same time, with pressing then being released at the same time. Packets containing timing of pressing down and release of the connection buttons are then transmitted from each apparatus using multicasting. The times included in the packets are then compared with those recorded within the apparatuses, so as to enable both apparatuses to correctly identify each other. This connection method is scaleable as being able to detect duplicate connection requests. It is therefore possible to establish secure connection by exchanging public keys.

Abstract: In the adaptive connection admission control method of the present invention, a corresponding ingress edge node performs connection admission control for a new connection within the amount of bandwidth initially allocated to each of paths between the ingress and egress edge nodes. The amount of remaining bandwidth allocated to a specific path Pr is compared with an amount of bandwidth required for a call requesting new connection setup input to the corresponding ingress edge node. The amount of additional bandwidth to be requested from the bandwidth broker is predicted when the amount of the remaining bandwidth does not satisfy the amount of bandwidth required for the connection setup requesting call. The ingress edge node requests additional bandwidth from the bandwidth broker on the basis of the predicted amount of the additional bandwidth, changing bandwidth information of the corresponding path Pr, and performing connection admission control.

Abstract: An integrated security system operating over a network includes at least one network node coupled to the network which includes a unique identifier and a control program executable by said network node. The system further includes a network controller coupled to the network including a control program executable by the network controller which in response to a message including the unique identifier from the network node directs the network node to obtain a network configuration including a network address using one of several address assignment methods.

Abstract: Disclosed is a communication control method for recovering communication failures caused by a packet loop that occurs as a result of L2-level misconnection at relay switches in a communication system where data transmission/reception is carried out between a plurality of end hosts connected to the relay switches within a subnet. The method includes the steps of consecutively sending packets each having, as its originator address, a MAC address other than an originator MAC address of an end host desired to be communicated making up the subnet; thereby stopping the packet loop; and then sending packet data using, as a destination MAC address, a MAC address of a destination end host.

Abstract: A packet counter/adder for use in a multiprocessor system. The packet counter stores a counter value of data packets processed by a plurality of processors in the multiprocessor system. The packet counter comprises a first register capable of storing the counter value, wherein the counter value in the first register is incremented by a write operation to a first address associated with the first register. The counter value in the first register may be set to a specified value by a write operation to a second address associated with the first register.

Abstract: Incoming/outgoing data packets to/from a network are processed by associated receive/send rings of a network interface. A plurality of counters, disposed in hardware, are each associated with particular receive/send rings. Each of the plurality of counters maintains a count of a number of data packets processed by an associated receive/send ring.

Abstract: A method for controlling a device based on an IEEE 1394 interface includes the steps of: a) investigating a packet received from a counterpart device via the IEEE 1394 interface; b) parsing a control field of the packet, and determining category information of a specification applied to the device; c) processing a command using a Home Audio Video Interoperability (HAVi) process, if the specification is determined to be the HAVi specification through another specification.

Abstract: A stacked switch using a resilient packet ring protocol comprises a plurality of switch modules coupled to one another in a ring topology and each having a plurality of external terminals for interfacing with external devices. Each switch module includes an external interface for communicating with the external terminals, the external interface configured to communicate using a communication protocol; and an internal interface for communicating with other switches, the internal interface using a resilient packet ring (RPR) protocol. Advantages of the invention include the ability to flexibly create a high performance stacked switch with advanced features.