Abstract: A network device may include a first memory to store a primary multicast tree state table for storing next-hop information for a multicast tree corresponding to a multicast stream; a second memory to store a secondary multicast tree, different than the primary multicast tree, state table for storing the next-hop information for the multicast tree corresponding to the multicast stream; a receiver to receive a data unit from a neighbor network device, the data unit including information regarding a next-hop in the multicast tree; and one or more processors. The one or more processors may update the primary multicast tree state table based on the information regarding the next-hop in the multicast tree, and update the secondary multicast tree state table, in response to the one or more processors updates the primary multicast tree state table, based on the information regarding the next-hop in the multicast tree.

Abstract: A network device may include a first memory to store a primary multicast tree state table for storing next-hop information for a multicast tree corresponding to a multicast stream; a second memory to store a secondary multicast tree, different than the primary multicast tree, state table for storing the next-hop information for the multicast tree corresponding to the multicast stream; a receiver to receive a data unit from a neighbor network device, the data unit including information regarding a next-hop in the multicast tree; and one or more processors. The one or more processors may update the primary multicast tree state table based on the information regarding the next-hop in the multicast tree, and update the secondary multicast tree state table, in response to the one or more processors updates the primary multicast tree state table, based on the information regarding the next-hop in the multicast tree.

Abstract: A tri-core architecture for reducing MAC layer processing latency at the base stations is described. The new architecture minimizes the processing delay by introducing a pipelined approach. The fundamental concept involves splitting the Medium Access Control (MAC) layer functionality into three distinct tasks, with each processor performing a given task. All tasks will be thus performed concurrently, avoiding much of the overhead encountered while processing received packets and preparing packets to be transmitted.

Abstract: In wireless networks where multiple base stations are deployed, handsets may handoff from one base station to the other while in a voice call. In this disclosure a layer-2 hand-off mechanism for cellular systems designed to operate in unlicensed spectrum is described. More specifically a proposed method that does not use any pre-determined thresholds to initiate the hand-offs is disclosed.

Abstract: In general, techniques are described for flooding VPLS traffic with a network device according to flood groups. The network device resides within a layer 3 (L3) network and includes a control unit that executes a virtual private LAN service (VPLS) protocol that enables a VPLS domain to operate over the L3 network. The network device further includes a plurality of packet forwarding engines, each of which include a plurality of interface cards that receive a layer 2 (L2) message originating from the L2 network. The packet forwarding engines associate the L2 packet with a configurable flood group, wherein the flood group defines criteria to determine which messages to associate to the flood group and indicates a set of the interface cards for forwarding the associated messages. The packet forwarding engines further flood the L2 packet via each interface card indicated by the associated flood group.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a provisioning instruction including a device identifier from an external management entity, receiving the device identifier from a network device, associating the provisioning instruction the network device, and sending a portion of the provisioning instruction to the network device. The device identifier being associated with a virtual resource. The associating is based on the device identifier of the virtual resource and a device identifier of a network device. The portion of the provisioning instruction is sent to the network device based on the associating.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a device identifier associated with a virtual resource, determining a configuration template identifier based on the device identifier, and selecting a configuration template from a library of configuration templates based on the configuration template identifier. The receiving, determining, and selecting are at a network device. The virtual resource is hosted by a host device. The device identifier is received from the host device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes detecting a virtual resource hosted by a host device, selecting a configuration template associated with the virtual resource, and providing a provisioning instruction to a virtual switch module hosted by the host device based on the configuration template. The host device is operatively coupled to a network device. The detecting is at the network device; the selecting is at the network device; and the providing is at the network device. The virtual switch module is in communication with the virtual resource. The configuration template associated with the virtual resource is selected from a library of configuration templates accessible to the network device.

Abstract: A technique for network entry in multi-channel mobile systems is described. The procedure utilizes the channel specific information sent in the beacon of each channel to select a subset of suitable channels. It then proceeds to scan these channels to gather information on perceived interference and received signal strength. Based on collected information the device picks the most suitable channel for joining the network. Since the channels to be scanned are pre-selected based on information seen in the beacon, the overall scan latency is reduced, thereby leading to a faster and more successful network entry.

Abstract: A scanning technique to select the best channel a mobile handset needs when approaching handoff is described. More specifically a system and method for an adaptive proactive scanning mechanism in which the rate of scanning is determined by the necessity to handoff and battery power is disclosed.

Abstract: In this disclosure a technique of base station assisted mobility detection of handsets is described. More specifically by transmitting the subnet ID in the Beacon, a base station simplifies the process of network detection. This also leads to a significant reduction in handoff latency by giving the handset ample time to prepare for the impending handoff.

Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed where a Base Station provides assistance to a mobile device in the channel-switch process because a mobile device might have to perform frequent channel switches to overcome adverse channel conditions due to interference in the 900 MHz ISM band. The Base Station broadcasts channel-specific information that will be used by all mobile devices to accurately select prospective channels for future channel-switches, thereby cutting down the latency that is experienced during an actual switch.

Abstract: A mechanism for decreasing the latency in an IP address assignment process for mobile systems using IP as network layer protocol is described. The proposed system is aimed at supporting seamless hand-offs for real-time applications like VOIP. A set of optimized messages is defined to eliminate the need for exchanging long DHCP messages to acquire an IP address. The mechanism involves splitting the IP address assignment functionality into two parts, with the base station being responsible for assigning IP addresses to individual end user devices, and the Mobile Switching Center assigning a block of IP addresses to each base station.

Abstract: An extension to a heterogeneous MAC protocol that makes provisions for multi-frequency system architecture is described. A new frame structure for a multi-frequency xMAX system is introduced. Multi-frequency xMAX system is an extension of a single-channel xMAX system, where the available bandwidth is split into multiple channels to provide additional capacity and range. The new frame structure is followed by all channels and is designed to fulfill the requirements of multiple frequency operation. The new frame structure incorporates features that allow the handset to leverage the advantages of multiple frequency channels, especially in the event of interference. Also, a new mechanism to reduce the power consumption in the handset is discussed that significantly reduces the number of unnecessary receive operations at the handset.

Abstract: A tri-core architecture for reducing MAC layer processing latency at the base stations is described. The new architecture minimizes the processing delay by introducing a pipelined approach. The fundamental concept involves splitting the Medium Access Control (MAC) layer functionality into three distinct tasks, with each processor performing a given task. All tasks will be thus performed concurrently, avoiding much of the overhead encountered while processing received packets and preparing packets to be transmitted.

Abstract: An element-based method to automatically configure mobile handsets by the base station using a protocol that combines contention-free and contention-based MAC protocols for use in wireless VoIP systems with multiple base stations is disclosed.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a provisional hand-off mechanism to transfer handsets between base stations for a MAC protocol that combines contention-free and contention-based MAC protocols for use in wireless VoIP systems with multiple base stations that reduces packet overhead thus allowing for transmission of high bit-rate data to multiple users over wired and wireless means.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a new Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol that combines contention-free and contention-based MAC protocols into a heterogeneous MAC protocol used for forwarding VoIP traffic in VoIP systems on wireless networks using multiple base stations which addresses the need to transport high bit-rate data to multiple users over wired and wireless means.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a new interference avoidance Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol that combines contention-free and contention-based MAC protocols into a heterogeneous MAC protocol used for forwarding VoIP traffic in VoIP systems on wireless networks using multiple base stations which addresses additional interference elimination and the need to transport high bit-rate data to multiple users over wired and wireless means.

Abstract: A method for facilitating communication between at least a first user who uses a first device and a second user who uses a second device. The method may include associating possible device states with possible presence states. The possible device states pertain to the first device, and the possible presence states pertain to the first user. The method may also include determining a device state of the first device. The method may also include setting a communication presence state of the first user to be a first presence state if the device state is a first device state and setting the communication presence state of the first user to be a second presence state if the device state is a second device state. The method may also include providing information concerning the communication presence state of the first user to at least the second device.