Abstract: This disclosure generally discloses a bidirectional constrained path search mechanism. The bidirectional constrained path search mechanism may be configured to determine bidirectional paths between a pair of nodes, subject to one or more constraints, such that the bidirectional paths share a common set of resources. The bidirectional constrained path search mechanism may be configured to determine bidirectional paths between a pair of nodes, subject to one or more constraints, by determining a forward path that satisfies a set of forward path constraints associated with the forward path and determining a reverse path that satisfies a set of reverse path constraints associated with the reverse path. The bidirectional constrained path search mechanism may be configured to determine bidirectional paths between a pair of nodes in a single path search iteration, such as via a traversal of a weighted directed graph, thereby improving performance.

Abstract: A network resource controller for controlling at least a first group of network elements from among a plurality of network elements in a network, includes at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the network resource controller to: enter a candidate state for electing a leader for the first group of network elements, the first group of network elements including a subset of network elements from among the plurality of network elements; transition from the candidate state to a leader state for the first group of network elements in response to determining that the network resource controller has been elected the leader for the first group of network elements; and control network elements in the first group of network elements.

Abstract: This disclosure generally discloses a bidirectional constrained path search mechanism. The bidirectional constrained path search mechanism may be configured to determine bidirectional paths between a pair of nodes, subject to one or more constraints, such that the bidirectional paths share a common set of resources. The bidirectional constrained path search mechanism may be configured to determine bidirectional paths between a pair of nodes, subject to one or more constraints, by determining a forward path that satisfies a set of forward path constraints associated with the forward path and determining a reverse path that satisfies a set of reverse path constraints associated with the reverse path. The bidirectional constrained path search mechanism may be configured to determine bidirectional paths between a pair of nodes in a single path search iteration, such as via a traversal of a weighted directed graph, thereby improving performance.

Abstract: A capability is provided for reallocating, to a first borrower that is requesting resources, resources presently allocated to a second borrower. A method for allocating a resource of a system includes receiving a request for a system resource allocation from a first borrower, determining a request priority of the first borrower based on a present resource allocation associated with the first borrower, determining a hold priority of a second borrower based on a present resource allocation associated with the second borrower, and determining, using the first borrower request priority and the second borrower hold priority, whether to reallocate any of the second borrower resource allocation to the first borrower.

Abstract: The invention is directed to providing a centralized synchronization method for redundant network elements and is particularly advantageous to routers providing network address translation (NAT) services requiring static port forwarding provisioning. Synchronization is provided by a network management system which can handle one or more backup routers or other network elements using a control protocol different from the control protocol used by the active router.

Abstract: The invention is directed to providing a centralized synchronization method for redundant network elements and is particularly advantageous to routers providing network address translation (NAT) services requiring static port forwarding provisioning. Synchronization is provided by a network management system which can handle one or more backup routers or other network elements using a control protocol different from the control protocol used by the active router.

Abstract: A capability is provided for managing resources of a system. The system resources are managed using a hierarchical organization of the system resources. The resources of the system are managed using at least one hierarchical resource pool, where a hierarchical resource pool includes a master resource pool and a plurality of virtual resource pools. The master resource pool includes a logical representation of the resources managed by the hierarchical resource pool. The virtual resource pools include logical representations of respective subsets of the resources managed by the hierarchical resource pool. A method for managing resources of a management system includes receiving, from a borrower, a resource request for one of a plurality of resources of the management system where the resources are managed using a hierarchal resource pool, identifying a virtual resource pool associated with the resource request, and determining whether to serve the resource request from the identified virtual resource pool.

Abstract: A method, system and diagnostic tool for diagnosing a problem in CSPF and non-CSPF MPLS networks, including problems with LDP tunnels. This includes one or more of the following: hopping from network element to network element; determining whether an LSP between elements is operational; determining whether the hop was strict or loose; evaluating whether there is an existing path between the elements; finding and remembering an IGP link between the elements; recognizing whether the LSP is an FRR LSP; diagnosing a cause of the LSP between the elements being down; and altering a display of a topology map of the network to indicate the cause of the problem.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for automatic discovery of logical links between network devices. In one embodiment, the present invention comprises part of a network management system (“NM”) that manages a discrete set of network devices. The NM sends SNMP queries to individual network devices managed by the NM to obtain interface configuration data for each of the network interfaces of the device. The information requested includes destination information (“next hop” or “neighbor” IP address) for data packets sent from the interface. The NM checks to see whether a logical link corresponding to the received configuration information already exists in a logical link database maintained by the NM. If such a link exists the NM checks to see if the existing information for the link is valid. If the existing link data is valid, no change is made.

Abstract: A capability is provided for managing resources of a system. The system resources are managed using a hierarchical organization of the system resources. The resources of the system are managed using at least one hierarchical resource pool, where a hierarchical resource pool includes a master resource pool and a plurality of virtual resource pools. The master resource pool includes a logical representation of the resources managed by the hierarchical resource pool. The virtual resource pools include logical representations of respective subsets of the resources managed by the hierarchical resource pool. A method for managing resources of a management system includes receiving, from a borrower, a resource request for one of a plurality of resources of the management system where the resources are managed using a hierarchal resource pool, identifying a virtual resource pool associated with the resource request, and determining whether to serve the resource request from the identified virtual resource pool.

Abstract: A capability is provided for reallocating, to a first borrower that is requesting resources, resources presently allocated to a second borrower. A method for allocating a resource of a system includes receiving a request for a system resource allocation from a first borrower, determining a request priority of the first borrower based on a present resource allocation associated with the first borrower, determining a hold priority of a second borrower based on a present resource allocation associated with the second borrower, and determining, using the first borrower request priority and the second borrower hold priority, whether to reallocate any of the second borrower resource allocation to the first borrower.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a method for network management that allows the configuration of IP links in one step, via a GUI form, even though the management protocols available at the two end links (routers) may differ. According to one embodiment, the method comprises gathering information from the user, validating this information, and then sending this information to the appropriate router(s). According to one embodiment, the method enables a user to specify various configurations when provisioning an IP link, for example, the type of IP link (Point-to-Point, Point-to-IP, or Point-to-Subnet), the numbering type (Numbered or Unnumbered), the application type (MPLS and/or IP Forwarding), and the sub-layer interfaces to be used (Packet Over Sonet, Asynchronous Transfer Mode, GigEthernet, and others).

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention sends SNMP queries to sets and/or ranges of IP numbers to determine whether a network device exists at each IP number and whether the network device has IP forwarding capabilities. The set of IP numbers searched may be specified by specifying ranges or subnets or by providing a list of discrete IP numbers. When a new network device with IP forwarding capabilities is discovered, that network device is added to a list of discovered network devices. The list is displayed to the network manager. In one embodiment, in addition to discovering newly added devices via IP number polling, the invention also discovers newly added devices from SNMP messages (“traps”) broadcast by a newly added device. In one embodiment, each network device discovered as a result of a SNMP trap is added to the newly discovered device list.

Abstract: A method, system and diagnostic tool for diagnosing a problem in CSPF and non-CSPF MPLS networks, including problems with LDP tunnels. This includes one or more of the following: hopping from network element to network element; determining whether an LSP between elements is operational; determining whether the hop was strict or loose; evaluating whether there is an existing path between the elements; finding and remembering an IGP link between the elements; recognizing whether the LSP is an FRR LSP; diagnosing a cause of the LSP between the elements being down; and altering a display of a topology map of the network to indicate the cause of the problem.

Abstract: Techniques for managing tiered communication services in a composite communication service are disclosed. Component communication services for providing a composite communication service are arranged into tiers in a structure of the composite communication service. The tiers and order facilitate visualization of composite communication services and assessment of the effects of events which impact a portion of a composite communication service on other portions of the composite communication service, for example. Related data structures and user interfaces are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for managing the distribution of multicast content are provided. The method involves creating a list of multicast group addresses to be made available to user units supported by a group of nodes. The list is distributed to all of the nodes in the group of nodes. Filters are created to limit the multicast content that each user unit can receive. The filters are created by referencing the list of multicast addresses previously created. The filters are distributed to the appropriate nodes and applied on customer ports.

Abstract: A method and human-machine interface for backbone Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) provisioning in bridged networking environments are provided. The method includes steps of provisioning backbone VLAN support on every backbone data transport trunk and by extension of every stackable data trunk port in the associated data transport network. The human-machine interface enables an operator to expediently effect VLAN provisioning abstracting the intricacies of the data transport network over which VLAN services are provisioned. Advantages are derived from backbone VLAN provisioning independent of an underlying in-use active spanning-tree topology. In particular backbone VLANs are provisioned over spanning-tree stand-by designated backbone data transport trunk links and therefore preprovisioned in the case of spanning-tree re-configuration. Customer VLANs are mapped onto backbone VLANs ensuring data traffic differentiation, and providing standard VLAN identifier portability.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for managing a group of communication services as a single composite communication service are disclosed. When a composite communication service, to be provided by one or more communication services which are supported in a communication system, has been defined, a representation of that composite communication service can be provided. This representation may be in the form of a visual representation displayed on a display or a representation stored in a memory, for example. The composite communication service may be defined manually by a user or automatically detected by a management system on the basis of configuration information associated with the actual configuration of communication equipment in the communication system. Related data structures and user interfaces are also disclosed.

Abstract: Techniques for managing tiered communication services in a composite communication service are disclosed. Component communication services for providing a composite communication service are arranged into tiers in a structure of the composite communication service. The tiers and order facilitate visualization of composite communication services and assessment of the effects of events which impact a portion of a composite communication service on other portions of the composite communication service, for example. Related data structures and user interfaces are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for managing the distribution of multicast content are provided. The method involves creating a list of multicast group addresses to be made available to user units supported by a group of nodes. The list is distributed to all of the nodes in the group of nodes. Filters are created to limit the multicast content that each user unit can receive. The filters are created by referencing the list of multicast addresses previously created. The filters are distributed to the appropriate nodes and applied on customer ports.