Abstract: In one embodiment, a source node monitors a quality of a primary link, and forwards one or more duplicate copies of a packet in response to poor quality of the primary link. Specifically, forwarding generally comprises transmitting a first copy of the packet on the primary link with an indication of duplicate copies, and transmitting a second copy of the packet on a backup link with an indication of duplicate copies. In another embodiment, an intermediate node receives a first copy of a packet with an indication of duplicate copies, and stores an identifier of the first copy of the packet in response to the indication. Upon receiving a second copy of the packet with the indication of duplicate copies, the node determines whether the identifier of the second copy matches the stored identifier of the first copy, such that in response to a match, the second copy is dropped.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a device in a computer network establishes a reliable map that defines a set of packet criteria for which reliability is desired over an unreliable link to a peer device. In response to receiving a first packet from the peer device over the unreliable link, the device acknowledges the first packet to the peer device when the first packet matches the packet criteria of the reliable map. Also, in response to receiving a second packet destined via the peer device over the unreliable link, the device buffers the second packet when the second packet matches the packet criteria of the reliable map and retransmits the buffered second packet over the unreliable link to the peer device until acknowledged by the peer device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a router establishes a serial-over-TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) communication session between terminal units using raw-TCP encapsulation. For the session, the router maps serial characters to TCP out-of-band (OOB) communication fields, maps serial flow control signals to TCP/IP receiver-window advertisements, and dynamically adjusts a TCP/IP priority based on serial payload priority. Accordingly, the router may thus communicate data over the serial-over-TCP/IP session based on the mappings and priority.

Abstract: A device stores forwarding information associated with fragments of a first data unit, stores information common to the fragments of the first data unit, receives fragments of a second data unit, and forwards the fragments of the second data unit based on the forwarding information of the first data unit and the information common to the first data unit.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a technique may enable control of routing convergence in a computer network during reboot of a node of a routing topology represented by a directed acyclic graph (DAG). The rebooting node, e.g., a DAG root node, may transmit a reboot notification message to nodes of the routing topology indicating that the rebooting node is unavailable during a subsequent reboot process. In response to receiving and processing the reboot notification message, the nodes of the routing topology may enter a DAG freeze state that inhibits (prevents) routing convergence in the routing topology during the reboot process so as prevent adverse consequences on network stability, such as collapse of the DAG. Thereafter upon completion of the reboot process, the rebooting node may transmit a clear message to the nodes of the routing topology that instructs the nodes to exit the DAG freeze state.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a management device in a computer network determines when nodes of the computer network join any one of a plurality of field area routers (FARs), which requires a shared-media mesh security key for that joined FAR. The management device also maintains a database that indicates to which FAR each node in the computer network is currently joined, and to which FARs, if any, each node had previously joined, where the nodes are configured to maintain the mesh security key for one or more previously joined FARs in order to return to those previously joined FARs with the maintained mesh security key. Accordingly, in response to an updated mesh security key for a particular FAR of the plurality of FARs, the management node initiates distribution of the updated mesh security key to nodes having previously joined that particular FAR that are not currently joined to that particular FAR.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a router establishes a serial-over-TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) communication session between terminal units using raw-TCP encapsulation. For the session, the router maps serial characters to TCP out-of-band (OOB) communication fields, maps serial flow control signals to TCP/IP receiver-window advertisements, and dynamically adjusts a TCP/IP priority based on serial payload priority. Accordingly, the router may thus communicate data over the serial-over-TCP/IP session based on the mappings and priority.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a first stationary router may detect a disconnected backhaul link to a destination. In response to detecting the disconnected backhaul link, the first stationary router may send a message to a first traveling mobile device, to cause the message to be sent toward the destination via a second stationary router. The second stationary router may receive the message from the first traveling mobile device, and in response to forwarding the message to the destination over its connected backhaul link, may send an acknowledgment toward the first stationary router via a second traveling mobile device. The first stationary router may then, in response to receiving the acknowledgment, cease sending copies of the message to other traveling mobile devices.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a source node monitors a quality of a primary link, and forwards one or more duplicate copies of a packet in response to poor quality of the primary link. Specifically, forwarding generally comprises transmitting a first copy of the packet on the primary link with an indication of duplicate copies, and transmitting a second copy of the packet on a backup link with an indication of duplicate copies. In another embodiment, an intermediate node receives a first copy of a packet with an indication of duplicate copies, and stores an identifier of the first copy of the packet in response to the indication. Upon receiving a second copy of the packet with the indication of duplicate copies, the node determines whether the identifier of the second copy matches the stored identifier of the first copy, such that in response to a match, the second copy is dropped.

Abstract: In one embodiment, traffic flows through a root node of a primary directed acyclic graph (DAG) in a computer network are monitored to detect whether a particular traffic flow is above a path cost threshold. If so, then a corresponding source device may be instructed to cease using the primary DAG for the particular traffic flow, and specific action may be taken based on whether the particular traffic flow is point-to-point (P2P) or point-to-multipoint (P2MP). In particular, in response to the particular traffic flow being P2P, a source route may be computed and sent to the source device to cause the source device to use the source route for the particular traffic flow, while in response to the particular traffic flow being P2MP, the source device may be instructed to create a secondary DAG for the particular traffic flow with the source device as the secondary DAG root.

Abstract: In one embodiment, traffic flows through a root node of a primary directed acyclic graph (DAG) in a computer network are monitored to detect whether a particular traffic flow is above a path cost threshold. If so, then a corresponding source device may be instructed to cease using the primary DAG for the particular traffic flow, and specific action may be taken based on whether the particular traffic flow is point-to-point (P2P) or point-to-multipoint (P2MP). In particular, in response to the particular traffic flow being P2P, a source route may be computed and sent to the source device to cause the source device to use the source route for the particular traffic flow, while in response to the particular traffic flow being P2MP, the source device may be instructed to create a secondary DAG for the particular traffic flow with the source device as the secondary DAG root.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a management device in a computer network determines when nodes of the computer network join any one of a plurality of field area routers (FARs), which requires a shared-media mesh security key for that joined FAR. The management device also maintains a database that indicates to which FAR each node in the computer network is currently joined, and to which FARs, if any, each node had previously joined, where the nodes are configured to maintain the mesh security key for one or more previously joined FARs in order to return to those previously joined FARs with the maintained mesh security key. Accordingly, in response to an updated mesh security key for a particular FAR of the plurality of FARs, the management node initiates distribution of the updated mesh security key to nodes having previously joined that particular FAR that are not currently joined to that particular FAR.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a device in a computer network establishes a reliable map that defines a set of packet criteria for which reliability is desired over an unreliable link to a peer device. In response to receiving a first packet from the peer device over the unreliable link, the device acknowledges the first packet to the peer device when the first packet matches the packet criteria of the reliable map. Also, in response to receiving a second packet destined via the peer device over the unreliable link, the device buffers the second packet when the second packet matches the packet criteria of the reliable map and retransmits the buffered second packet over the unreliable link to the peer device until acknowledged by the peer device.

Abstract: A device stores forwarding information associated with fragments of a first data unit, stores information common to the fragments of the first data unit, receives fragments of a second data unit, and forwards the fragments of the second data unit based on the forwarding information of the first data unit and the information common to the first data unit.

Abstract: A device stores forwarding information associated with fragments of a first data unit, stores information common to the fragments of the first data unit, receives fragments of a second data unit, and forwards the fragments of the second data unit based on the forwarding information of the first data unit and the information common to the first data unit.

Abstract: A device stores forwarding information associated with fragments of a first data unit, stores information common to the fragments of the first data unit, receives fragments of a second data unit, and forwards the fragments of the second data unit based on the forwarding information of the first data unit and the information common to the first data unit.

Abstract: A device stores forwarding information associated with fragments of a first data unit, stores information common to the fragments of the first data unit, receives fragments of a second data unit, and forwards the fragments of the second data unit based on the forwarding information of the first data unit and the information common to the first data unit.

Abstract: A network gateway element is provided. The network gateway element appears as a single node to the external world, while it physically is maintained in at least two chassis. A routing node handles functions typically associated with routers, while another network element, such as a server, may handle functions typically associated with the server. The routing node may load-balance the traffic directed at the server. Additionally, the routing node may process packets for the server without the server having to become involved.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing an overlay network architecture called a Virtual Collapsed Backbone (VCB) are described herein. In one embodiment, a VCB provides a framework for consolidating campus network service elements in a centralized fashion, instead of distributing them at the edges of the campus network. End stations create tunnels to a new type of network device called Network Junction Point (NJP) located in the campus network and the NJP steers the traffic through service elements selected based on the traffic steering policy. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.

Abstract: A system and method is directed to synchronizing a standby route distributor in a distributed routing platform. A route distributor is configured to operate as an active route distributor. Another route distributor is configured to operate as a standby route distributor. The standby and active route distributor may reside in the same or a different distributed routing platform. A slave route distributor communicates a route to the active route distributor. The active route distributor may update its routing tables with the route. The active route distributor forwards the route to the standby route distributor to enable their routing tables to be substantially synchronized. The standby route distributor distributes the route to the slave route distributors, where the route enables an update to another routing table. In the event of a switchover, the standby route distributor resynchronizes its routing tables and may distribute route information to each slave route distributor.