Abstract: A network includes an edge node configured to define the per-hop behaviors using a set of bits in an Ethernet header of a frame and a core node configured to receive the frame and to forward the frame according to the per-hop-behaviors. The network can also include a defined set of differentiated service classes, each differentiated service class associated with the set of per-hop behaviors, indicated in the set of priority bits. The network classifies the Ethernet frame based on at least one of a set of priority bits or information in at least one protocol layer in the frame header of the Ethernet frame and determines a per-hop behavior based on the classification.

Abstract: A network includes an edge node configured to define per hop behaviors using a set of bits in an Ethernet header of a frame and a core node configured to receive the frame and to forward the frame according to the per-hop-behaviors. The network can also include a defined set of differentiated service classes, each differentiated service class associated with the set of per hop behaviors, indicated in the set of priority bits. The network classifies the Ethernet frame based on at least one of a set of priority bits or information in at least one protocol layer in the frame header of the Ethernet frame and determines a per hop behavior based on the classification.

Abstract: A system for controlling packet forwarding through a point-to-point (p2p) connection between first and second end nodes of a packet network domain having a mesh topology. The system comprises a sub-ring network instantiated in the network domain, the sub-ring network comprising a pair of topologically diverse ring spans extending between the first and second end nodes. Each of the end nodes is controlled to forward packets of the p2p connection through the sub-ring network in accordance with a ring network routing scheme, and an intermediate node traversed by one of the ring spans is controlled to forward packets of the p2p connection through the ring span in accordance with a linear path routing scheme.

Abstract: An edge node of a communication network and method to classify incoming Ethernet traffic based on predetermined criteria. An ingress switch is configured to receive an incoming Ethernet frame. A frame classifier is configured to identify flows and to correlate a flow to a corresponding bandwidth profile and corresponding forwarding treatments defined for the flow.

Abstract: An edge node of a communication network and method to classify incoming Ethernet traffic based on predetermined criteria. An ingress switch is configured to receive an incoming Ethernet frame. A frame classifier is configured to identify flows and to correlate a flow to a corresponding bandwidth profile and corresponding forwarding treatments defined for the flow.

Abstract: A system for controlling packet forwarding through a dual-homed connection between first and second network domains, the dual-homed connection including two peer nodes connected to the first and second network domains. A sub-ring network is instantiated in the first network domain, and includes at least two nodes connected in a linear topology between a pair of end-nodes. Each end-node corresponds with a respective one of the peer nodes. A virtual link through the second network domain for conveys traffic of the sub-ring network between the peer nodes, and closes the sub-ring network to define a ring topology. Each of the nodes of the sub-ring network is controlled to forward packets of the sub-ring network in accordance with a ring network routing scheme.

Abstract: A method automatically discovers a topology of a communication network ring. The ring includes a plurality of nodes. Each node includes a first port and a second port. A ring topology request or a response to the ring topology request is received from at least one node on the ring. The ring topology request or the response to the ring topology request includes an identification of the at least one node and an indication of a hop count needed to reach the at least one node. The ring topology request or the response to the ring topology request is forwarded to at least one neighboring node on the ring through the first port. The topology is determined based on the identification of the at least one node, the hop count, and an identification of the first port.

Abstract: A method of routing traffic through a packet network having a mesh physical topography. At least two types of network primitive are defined, each type of network primitive providing a respective model of traffic forwarding through at least two neighbour nodes of the network. A network model encompassing at least a portion of the network is constructed using a set of two or more interconnected network primitives. The network model has nodes and links corresponding to respective nodes and lines of the network. Respective forwarding information is computed for each node of the network model. For each node of the network model, the respective computed forwarding information is installed in a forwarding database of the corresponding node of the network, such that traffic is forwarded by each node of the network in accordance with the respective computed forwarding information.

Abstract: An edge node of a communication network and method to classify incoming Ethernet traffic based on predetermined criteria. An ingress switch is configured to receive an incoming Ethernet frame. A frame classifier is configured to identify flows and to correlate a flow to a corresponding bandwidth profile and corresponding forwarding treatments defined for the flow.

Abstract: A network includes an edge node configured to define per hop behaviors using a set of bits in an Ethernet header of a frame and a core node configured to receive the frame and to forward the frame according to the per-hop-behaviors. The network can also include a defined set of differentiated service classes, each differentiated service class associated with the set of per hop behaviors, indicated in the set of priority bits. The network classifies the Ethernet frame based on at least one of a set of priority bits or information in at least one protocol layer in the frame header of the Ethernet frame and determines a per hop behavior based on the classification.

Abstract: A system for controlling packet forwarding through a dual-homed connection between first and second network domains, the dual-homed connection including two peer nodes connected to the first and second network domains. A sub-ring network is instantiated in the first network domain, and includes at least two nodes connected in a linear topology between a pair of end-nodes. Each end-node corresponds with a respective one of the peer nodes. A virtual link through the second network domain for conveys traffic of the sub-ring network between the peer nodes, and closes the sub-ring network to define a ring topology. Each of the nodes of the sub-ring network is controlled to forward packets of the sub-ring network in accordance with a ring network routing scheme.

Abstract: A network includes an edge node configured to define per hop behaviors using a set of bits in an Ethernet header of a frame and a core node configured to receive the frame and to forward the frame according to the per-hop-behaviors. The network can also include a defined set of differentiated service classes, each differentiated service class associated with the set of per hop behaviors, indicated in the set of priority bits. The network classifies the Ethernet frame based on at least one of a set of priority bits or information in at least one protocol layer in the frame header of the Ethernet frame and determines a per hop behavior based on the classification.

Abstract: A method and system for rerouting data in a communication network ring. The ring includes a plurality of nodes and a plurality of links. Each node includes a first port and a second port. Each first port is connected to a neighboring second port through a link of the plurality of links. The topology of the communication network ring is discovered and a forwarding database table is populated with static entries according to the discovered topology. Upon receiving notice of a failed link, which includes a source address of a node adjacent to the failed link, the topology and the source address of the node adjacent to the failed link is used to reconfigure the forwarding database table. Data is forwarded using the reconfigured forwarding database table without flooding the ring.

Abstract: A method automatically discovers a topology of a communication network ring. The ring includes a plurality of nodes. Each node includes a first port and a second port. A ring topology request or a response to the ring topology request is received from at least one node on the ring. The ring topology request or the response to the ring topology request includes an identification of the at least one node and an indication of a hop count needed to reach the at least one node. The ring topology request or the response to the ring topology request is forwarded to at least one neighboring node on the ring through the first port. The topology is determined based on the identification of the at least one node, the hop count, and an identification of the first port.

Abstract: A method of supporting multiple quality of service (QoS) levels for data being transmitted between two networking devices, such as customer equipment (CE), that use Ethernet and Frame Relay (FR). The method supports multiple QoS services in a network where a first CE is connected to a first edge device (interworking unit) using the Ethernet protocol and a second CE is connected to a second edge device using the FR protocol. The edge devices may be directly connected together or they may be connected through a network backbone using any generally accepted network protocol. The first CE may be connected to the first edge device using a single Ethernet port, multiple Ethernet ports, a single virtual local area network (VLAN), or multiple VLAN's. The second CE is connected to an edge device using a single data link connection (DLC), or multiple DLC's. The method ensures QoS for data transmitted between the first and the second CE via the Ethernet protocol to the FR protocol and vice versa.

Abstract: A method and system for interworking between an Ethernet communication network and an ATM network, in which a first network interface is operable to communicate with the Ethernet communication network using an Ethernet communication protocol. A second network interface is operable to communicate with the ATM communication network using an ATM protocol. A processing unit is in communication with the first network interface and the second network interface, in which the processing unit encapsulates frames received from the Ethernet network into ATM frames, decapsulates frames received from the ATM network to recover Ethernet frames and maps parameters corresponding to the received one of the ATM and Ethernet frames into the other of the ATM and Ethernet frames, the mapped parameters including connection configuration control plane information and data plane parameters corresponding to individual frames.

Abstract: A method and system for interworking between an Ethernet communication network and a frame relay network, in which a first network interface is operable to communicate with the Ethernet communication network using an Ethernet communication protocol. A second network interface is operable to communicate with the frame relay communication network using a frame relay protocol. A processing unit is in communication with the first network interface and the second network interface, in which the processing unit terminates frames received from a one of the frame relay communication network and the Ethernet communication network and maps parameters corresponding to the received one of the frame relay and Ethernet frames into the other of the frame relay and Ethernet frames. The mapped parameters include circuit configuration control plane information and data plane parameters corresponding to individual frames.

Abstract: A method and system for service interworking between an Ethernet communication network and an ATM network, in which a first network interface is operable to communicate with the Ethernet communication network using an Ethernet communication protocol. A second network interface is operable to communicate with the ATM communication network using an ATM protocol. A processing unit is in communication with the first network interface and the second network interface, in which the processing unit terminates frames received from a one of the ATM communication network and the Ethernet communication network and maps parameters corresponding to the received one of the ATM and Ethernet frames into the other of the ATM and Ethernet frames. The mapped parameters include connection configuration control plane information and data plane parameters corresponding to individual frames. The described methods can support single or multiple QoS levels.

Abstract: A method and system for interworking between an Ethernet communication network and a frame relay network, in which a first network interface is operable to communicate with the Ethernet communication network using an Ethernet communication protocol. A second network interface is operable to communicate with the frame relay communication network using a frame relay protocol. A processing unit is in communication with the first network interface and the second network interface, in which the processing unit encapsulates frames received from the Ethernet network into frame relay frames, decapsulates frames received from the frame relay network to recover Ethernet frames and maps parameters corresponding to the received one of the frame relay and Ethernet frames into the other of the frame relay and Ethernet frames, the mapped parameters including connection configuration control plane information and data plane parameters corresponding to individual frames.

Abstract: A method and system for service interworking between an Ethernet communication network and an ATM network, in which a first network interface is operable to communicate with the Ethernet communication network using an Ethernet communication protocol. A second network interface is operable to communicate with the ATM communication network using an ATM protocol. A processing unit is in communication with the first network interface and the second network interface, in which the processing unit terminates frames received from a one of the ATM communication network and the Ethernet communication network and maps parameters corresponding to the received one of the ATM and Ethernet frames into the other of the ATM and Ethernet frames. The mapped parameters include connection configuration control plane information and data plane parameters corresponding to individual frames. The described methods can support single or multiple QoS levels.