Abstract: A tool that may be used for querying and obtaining per-hop information along a network path, and/or for verifying the host name of each hop against a data repository such as the DNS. The query and response may be transmitted in, e.g., the destination options header of data packets, such as an IPv6 destination options header.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing load balancing and session persistence in IP (e.g., IPv6) networks are described herein. Some aspects relate to a destination options extension header that may be used to store load balancing session persistence option (LBSPO) data, including a client identifier and a server identifier for each of a client and a server. A load balancer for a server farm can perform session persistence and load balancing based on the LBSPO information. The server can include its own address in the LBSPO data when responding to an initial request from a client. The client device may then address subsequent packets to the server selected for that session, thereby bypassing the load balancer after the session is established, thereby freeing the load balancer to handle other requests. The LBSPO information may remain unchanged for the duration of the session.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing quality of service over IP networks are disclosed. In one aspect, a flow label field of a header may be divided into first and second portions. The first portion defines a quality of service. The second portion identifies a message flow. Once the first portion defining the quality of service is established by the sending node, no nodes in the transmission path may change the quality of service value. Each node may route packets based on the quality of service field, or may modify the traffic class field of the header based on the quality of service and then route the packet based on the traffic class field. The QoS field can be used to complement a DSCP/traffic class field and provide a better mechanism for end-to-end QoS using IPv6. A service provider can use DSCP within its own administrative domain(s), and end users can set and maintain QoS using the methods described herein, thereby providing a framework for end-to-end QoS using IP packets.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing quality of service over IP networks are disclosed. In one aspect, a flow label field of a header may be divided into first and second portions. The first portion defines a quality of service. The second portion identifies a message flow. Once the first portion defining the quality of service is established by the sending node, no nodes in the transmission path may change the quality of service value. Each node may route packets based on the quality of service field, or may modify the traffic class field of the header based on the quality of service and then route the packet based on the traffic class field. A service provider can use DSCP within its own administrative domain(s), and end users can set and maintain QoS using the methods described herein, thereby providing a framework for end-to-end QoS using IP packets.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing load balancing and session persistence in IP (e.g., IPv6) networks are described herein. Some aspects relate to a destination options extension header that may be used to store load balancing session persistence option (LBSPO) data, including a client identifier and a server identifier for each of a client and a server. A load balancer for a server farm can perform session persistence and load balancing based on the LBSPO information. The server can include its own address in the LBSPO data when responding to an initial request from a client. The client device may then address subsequent packets to the server selected for that session, thereby bypassing the load balancer after the session is established, thereby freeing the load balancer to handle other requests. The LBSPO information may remain unchanged for the duration of the session.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing load balancing and session persistence in IP (e.g., IPv6) networks are described herein. Some aspects relate to a destination options extension header that may be defined as a load balancing session persistence option (LBSPO) for storing a client identifier and a server identifier for each of a client and a server during a session. Packets sent between the client and the server may include the LBSPO with the client and server identifiers. A load balancer with a virtual IP address of a target application can perform session persistence and assign a destination server to a client based on a preexisting session between the server and the client, as determined by the LBSPO information. While a target VIP node may process data packets based on the LBSPO information, once established, the LBSPO information may remain unchanged for the duration of the session.

Abstract: A tool that may be used for querying and obtaining per-hop information along a network path, and/or for verifying the host name of each hop against a data repository such as the DNS. The query and response may be transmitted in, e.g., the destination options header of data packets, such as an IPv6 destination options header.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing load balancing and session persistence in IP (e.g., IPv6) networks are described herein. Some aspects relate to a destination options extension header that may be defined as a load balancing session persistence option (LBSPO) for storing a client identifier and a server identifier for each of a client and a server during a session. Packets sent between the client and the server may include the LBSPO with the client and server identifiers. A load balancer with a virtual IP address of a target application can perform session persistence and assign a destination server to a client based on a preexisting session between the server and the client, as determined by the LBSPO information. While a target VIP node may process data packets based on the LBSPO information, once established, the LBSPO information may remain unchanged for the duration of the session.

Abstract: A tool that may be used for querying and obtaining per-hop information along a network path, and/or for verifying the host name of each hop against a data repository such as the DNS. The query and response may be transmitted in, e.g., the destination options header of data packets, such as an IPv6 destination options header.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing load balancing and session persistence in IP (e.g., IPv6) networks are described herein. Some aspects relate to a destination options extension header that may be defined as a load balancing session persistence option (LBSPO) for storing a client identifier and a server identifier for each of a client and a server during a session. Packets sent between the client and the server may include the LBSPO with the client and server identifiers. A load balancer with a virtual IP address of a target application can perform session persistence and assign a destination server to a client based on a preexisting session between the server and the client, as determined by the LBSPO information. While a target VIP node may process data packets based on the LBSPO information, once established, the LBSPO information may remain unchanged for the duration of the session.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing quality of service over IP networks are disclosed. In one aspect, a flow label field of a header may be divided into first and second portions. The first portion defines a quality of service. The second portion identifies a message flow. Once the first portion defining the quality of service is established by the sending node, no nodes in the transmission path may change the quality of service value. Each node may route packets based on the quality of service field, or may modify the traffic class field of the header based on the quality of service and then route the packet based on the traffic class field. A service provider can use DSCP within its own administrative domain(s), and end users can set and maintain QoS using the methods described herein, thereby providing a framework for end-to-end QoS using IP packets.

Abstract: A tool that may be used for querying and obtaining per-hop information along a network path, and/or for verifying the host name of each hop against a data repository such as the DNS. The query and response may be transmitted in, e.g., the destination options header of data packets, such as an IPv6 destination options header.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a scalable packet-switched network routing method and system that utilizes modified traffic engineering mechanisms to prioritize tunnel traffic and non-tunnel traffic. The method includes the steps of receiving a request to establish a traffic engineering tunnel across the packet-switched network. Then at a router traversed by the traffic engineering tunnel, a queue for packets carried inside the traffic engineering tunnel is created. Subsequently, bandwidth for the queue is reserved in accordance with the request to establish the traffic engineering tunnel, wherein the queue created for packets carried inside the traffic the traffic engineering tunnel is given priority over other traffic at the router and the reserved bandwidth for the queue can only be used by packets carried inside the traffic engineering tunnel.

Abstract: A communications system and method enables delivery of packets over network boundaries while preserving the QoS bits configuration. The communications system includes at least one sending site configured to send the packet. The packet may have a first set of bits in a first bit-set location that indicates an intended packet forwarding priority of the packet. A data network is included that has a traffic class identification. The data network associates the packet forwarding priority with the traffic class identification and writes a second set of bits into the first bit-set location of the packet based on the traffic class identification. The second set of bits indicates a delivery priority that corresponds to the packet forwarding priority. The packet is forwarded based on at least one of the packet forwarding priority and the delivery priority, wherein the delivery priority is based on the data traffic class identification.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein include a system and method for monitoring a packet adapted to traverse a network having a plurality of devices. The system and method enable an operator to efficiently determine the marking of a packet at each intermediate hop and the destination within a network by executing an algorithm through the use of an operating system.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein include a system and method for monitoring a packet adapted to traverse a network having a plurality of devices. The system and method enable an operator to efficiently determine the marking of a packet at each intermediate hop and the destination within a network by executing an algorithm through the use of an operating system.

Abstract: A communications system and method enables delivery of packets over network boundaries while preserving the QoS bits configuration. The communications system includes at least one sending site configured to send the packet. The packet may have a first set of bits in a first bit-set location that indicates an intended packet forwarding priority of the packet. A data network is included that has a traffic class identification. The data network associates the packet forwarding priority with the traffic class identification and writes a second set of bits into the first bit-set location of the packet based on the traffic class identification. The second set of bits indicates a delivery priority that corresponds to the packet forwarding priority. The packet is forwarded based on at least one of the packet forwarding priority and the delivery priority, wherein the delivery priority is based on the data traffic class identification.

Abstract: A communications system and method enables delivery of packets over network boundaries while preserving the QoS bits configuration. The communications system includes at least one sending site configured to send the packet. The packet may have a first set of bits in a first bit-set location that indicates an intended packet forwarding priority of the packet. A data network is included that has a traffic class identification. The data network associates the packet forwarding priority with the traffic class identification and writes a second set of bits into the first bit-set location of the packet based on the traffic class identification. The second set of bits indicates a delivery priority that corresponds to the packet forwarding priority. The packet is forwarded based on at least one of the packet forwarding priority and the delivery priority, wherein the delivery priority is based on the data traffic class identification.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a scalable packet-switched network routing method and system that utilizes modified traffic engineering mechanisms to prioritize tunnel traffic and non-tunnel traffic. The method includes the steps of receiving a request to establish a traffic engineering tunnel across the packet-switched network. Then at a router traversed by the traffic engineering tunnel, a queue for packets carried inside the traffic engineering tunnel is created. Subsequently, bandwidth for the queue is reserved in accordance with the request to establish the traffic engineering tunnel, wherein the queue created for packets carried inside the traffic the traffic engineering tunnel is given priority over other traffic at the router and the reserved bandwidth for the queue can only be used by packets carried inside the traffic engineering tunnel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a scalable packet-switched network routing method and system that utilizes modified traffic engineering mechanisms to prioritize tunnel traffic and non-tunnel traffic. The method includes the steps of receiving a request to establish a traffic engineering tunnel across the packet-switched network. Then at a router traversed by the traffic engineering tunnel, a queue for packets carried inside the traffic engineering tunnel is created. Subsequently, bandwidth for the queue is reserved in accordance with the request to establish the traffic engineering tunnel, wherein the queue created for packets carried inside the traffic engineering tunnel is given priority over other traffic at the router and the reserved bandwidth for the queue can only be used by packets carried inside the traffic engineering tunnel.