Abstract: A blockchain-based network arrangement includes member nodes joined by a multicast network including a trusted node configured for creating at least one cryptographic key and for distributing copies of the cryptographic key over the multicast network as a multicast blockchain transmission to other member nodes. A requesting node outside the member nodes is configured for initiating a smart contract containing its blockchain address and for sending the smart contract as a request for group access with an address of the trusted node. The trusted node is configured for receiving the smart contract and a decides to accept or reject the smart contract, and records the decision in the blockchain by updating the smart contract. An accept decision results in a member node sending the cryptographic key to the requesting node.

Abstract: The data communication system and method is disclosed comprising at least a first network and a second network, wherein a first node interface is connected to a second node interface over the first network and to a second node interface over the second network. The first network and second network being operated in parallel. The data communication system sends data from the first node interface to the second node interface via the first network using a first network address and sends data from the first node interface to the second node interface via the second network using a second network address, wherein the second network address is not equivalent to the first network address.

Abstract: A blockchain-based network arrangement includes member nodes joined by a multicast network including a trusted node configured for creating at least one cryptographic key and for distributing copies of the cryptographic key over the multicast network as a multicast blockchain transmission to other member nodes. A requesting node outside the member nodes is configured for initiating a smart contract containing its blockchain address and for sending the smart contract as a request for group access with an address of the trusted node. The trusted node is configured for receiving the smart contract and a decides to accept or reject the smart contract, and records the decision in the blockchain by updating the smart contract. An accept decision results in a member node sending the cryptographic key to the requesting node.

Abstract: An apparatus includes at least one processing unit configured to execute a virtual network appliance and a virtual machine. The virtual network appliance includes a virtual NIC driver configured to transfer packets to and from a physical port of the apparatus. The virtual network appliance also includes an internal network interface configured to transfer the packets to and from the virtual machine through a hypervisor. The virtual network appliance further includes an aggregator configured to transfer the packets between the virtual NIC driver and the internal network interface.

Abstract: An apparatus includes at least one processing unit configured to execute a virtual network appliance and a virtual machine. The virtual network appliance includes a virtual NIC driver configured to transfer packets to and from a physical port of the apparatus. The virtual network appliance also includes an internal network interface configured to transfer the packets to and from the virtual machine through a hypervisor. The virtual network appliance further includes an aggregator configured to transfer the packets between the virtual NIC driver and the internal network interface.

Abstract: A method includes receiving user input associated with configuration of a configurable device. The method also includes retrieving a template associated with the configurable device. The method further includes generating one or more configuration commands for the configurable device using the template and the user input. In addition, the method includes storing the commands and/or outputting the commands. The method could also include retrieving one or more rules associated with the configuration of the configurable device. The one or more rules could define at least one allowable configuration of the configurable device. Also, the user input could include one or more selections associated with one or more configuration options by a user, and the one or more rules could define the one or more configuration options available for selection by the user. The configurable device could represent a switch, a router, or other command-line configurable device.