Abstract: An industrial gateway device supports interactive feature engineering tools that guide a user through an intuitive process for configuring data analytics for key performance indicators (KPIs) of interest. A feature engineering interface renders an interactive model view that displays available data points such that the data points are organized hierarchically according to plant, machine, machine property, or other elements. The user can select, from this model view, data points having an impact on the KPI of interest. The interface also allows the user to define an executable script that defines a mathematical relationship between the selected data points and the KPI. This configuration yields an output model that defines a reduced set of data points to be collected and analyzed, as well as an executable script for assessing a state of the KPI as a function of the reduced data point values.

Abstract: An industrial gateway device supports interactive feature engineering tools that guide a user through an intuitive process for configuring data analytics for key performance indicators (KPIs) of interest. A feature engineering interface renders an interactive model view that displays available data points such that the data points are organized hierarchically according to plant, machine, machine property, or other elements. The user can select, from this model view, data points having an impact on the KPI of interest. The interface also allows the user to define an executable script that defines a mathematical relationship between the selected data points and the KPI. This configuration yields an output model that defines a reduced set of data points to be collected and analyzed, as well as an executable script for assessing a state of the KPI as a function of the reduced data point values.

Abstract: A method, electronic device, and non-transitory computer readable medium for transmitting information is provided. The method includes creating a card network account for each card network of a plurality of card networks. The method also includes associating with a digital card the created card network accounts and providing to at least one of the card network accounts an account balance of the digital card. Additionally, the method includes receiving, from a mobile device, a selection of the digital card to conduct a transaction at a location. The method also includes providing a suggested card network, determined from the plurality of card networks, to the mobile device, to conduct the transaction. The suggested card network is based in part on which card networks accepted at the location. The method also includes updating the account balance of the digital card on completion of the transaction.

Abstract: A method, electronic device, and non-transitory computer readable medium for transmitting information is provided. The method includes creating a card network account for each card network of a plurality of card networks. The method also includes associating with a digital card the created card network accounts and providing to at least one of the card network accounts an account balance of the digital card. Additionally, the method includes receiving, from a mobile device, a selection of the digital card to conduct a transaction at a location. The method also includes providing a suggested card network, determined from the plurality of card networks, to the mobile device, to conduct the transaction. The suggested card network is based in part on which card networks accepted at the location. The method also includes updating the account balance of the digital card on completion of the transaction.

Abstract: A procedure, and an apparatus, system and computer program that operate in accordance with the procedure, for operating a dual homed communications network. In the procedure, a backup aggregation n ode is configured in accordance with a configuration of a primary multi-service router. A failure is detected in a first communication path that includes a primary multi-service router. In response to the detection, a second, backup communication path is activated that includes a backup multi-service router. In response to the activation, a router is negotiated with so that traffic forwarded by the router is provided to the second, backup communication path instead of the first communication path.

Abstract: A distributed and scalable data historian framework is provided that allows historian functionality to be efficiently incorporated at various levels of an industrial enterprise. The framework includes a historian data interface system that provides a single interface and common protocol for configuring, managing, and viewing historian data located throughout a network of historian distributed across the industrial enterprise. The historian data interface system leverages a data model that models the enterprise and sources of historian data to facilitate fast and efficient retrieval of desired historian data. By unifying the distributed historians under a common framework, the data model can facilitate enterprise-level management of historian data collection and storage.

Abstract: Procedures, apparatuses, systems, and computer-readable media for operating primary and backup network elements (NEs). The procedure for operating the primary NE includes determining a failure in a primary path in which the primary NE is interposed. A switch-over notification message is provided via an inter-chassis communication link to a backup NE. At least one status synchronization message is communicated with at least one of the backup NE via the inter-chassis communication link and a head-end NE in accordance with a standardized protection switching protocol. The procedure for operating the backup NE includes receiving the switch-over notification message, indicating failure in a primary path, via the inter-chassis communication link. A status synchronization message is provided in accordance with the standardized protection switching protocol to a head-end NE to establish communication with the head-end NE via a secondary path.

Abstract: Network service providers have largely addressed the growth in demand for communications networks in two ways: employing faster and more robust communications protocols through equipment upgrades and increasing use of Operations, Administrations, and Management (OAM) procedures for improved network performance. Typically, OAM operations procedures used by a network protocol are unique to that protocol and are not compatible with other network protocols. Service providers with networks that use multiple communications protocols, such as networks using legacy and newly installed equipment, can have difficulty ensuring optimal performance due to non-compatible OAM operations. A method, and corresponding apparatus, for supporting OAM interworking between first and second communications protocols used in an interworking circuit of a communications network is disclosed.

Abstract: Procedures, apparatuses, systems, and computer-readable media for operating primary and backup network elements (NEs). The procedure for operating the primary NE includes determining a failure in a primary path in which the primary NE is interposed. A switch-over notification message is provided via an inter-chassis communication link to a backup NE. At least one status synchronization message is communicated with at least one of the backup NE via the inter-chassis communication link and a head-end NE in accordance with a standardized protection switching protocol. The procedure for operating the backup NE includes receiving the switch-over notification message, indicating failure in a primary path, via the inter-chassis communication link. A status synchronization message is provided in accordance with the standardized protection switching protocol to a head-end NE to establish communication with the head-end NE via a secondary path.

Abstract: A procedure, and an apparatus, system and computer program that operate in accordance with the procedure, for operating a dual homed communications network. In the procedure, a backup aggregation n ode is configured in accordance with a configuration of a primary multi-service router. A failure is detected in a first communication path that includes a primary multi-service router. In response to the detection, a second, backup communication path is activated that includes a backup multi-service router. In response to the activation, a router is negotiated with so that traffic forwarded by the router is provided to the second, backup communication path instead of the first communication path.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for configuring a Provider Backbone Bridge (PBB) interface within Virtual Private LAN Service using Multi-Protocol Border Gateway Protocol (MP-BGP). Previously, the only ways to enable PBB interfaces for transmission were by learning, which poses security and scalability concerns due to flooding, or by manual configuration, which is impractical for large networks. Embodiments of the present invention enable custom topologies to be built in a controlled manner, which has not previously been possible for PBB over VPLS. By using MP-BGP messages to exchange PBB interface information between nodes, peering relationships are established, and communities may be built with any desired topology. Previously, PBB has only been used as a connectionless bridge; embodiments of the present invention use PBB as a connection between edge nodes. Network designers are provided increased flexibility, and security and congestion are improved, benefiting end users.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for configuring a Provider Backbone Bridge (PBB) interface within Virtual Private LAN Service using Multi-Protocol Border Gateway Protocol (MP-BGP). Previously, the only ways to enable PBB interfaces for transmission were by learning, which poses security and scalability concerns due to flooding, or by manual configuration, which is impractical for large networks. Embodiments of the present invention enable custom topologies to be built in a controlled manner, which has not previously been possible for PBB over VPLS. By using MP-BGP messages to exchange PBB interface information between nodes, peering relationships are established, and communities may be built with any desired topology. Previously, PBB has only been used as a connectionless bridge; embodiments of the present invention use PBB as a connection between edge nodes. Network designers are provided increased flexibility, and security and congestion are improved, benefiting end users.

Abstract: Network service providers have largely addressed the growth in demand for communications networks in two ways: employing faster and more robust communications protocols through equipment upgrades and increasing use of Operations, Administrations, and Management (OAM) procedures for improved network performance. Typically, OAM operations procedures used by a network protocol are unique to that protocol and are not compatible with other network protocols. Service providers with networks that use multiple communications protocols, such as networks using legacy and newly installed equipment, can have difficulty ensuring optimal performance due to non-compatible OAM operations. A method, and corresponding apparatus, for supporting OAM interworking between first and second communications protocols used in an interworking circuit of a communications network is disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for interworking a first protocol, e.g., Provider Backbone Bridge Traffic Engineering (PBB-TE), that provides Ethernet carrier-class traffic engineering, with a second protocol, e.g., Virtual Private LAN Service, that emulates local area network (LAN) service. Unicast, multicast, and broadcast transmissions are enabled across an Ethernet aggregation network and an MPLS core network. Dual homing protection and end-to-end traffic engineering with adjustable granularity are also provided. These capabilities are not available with traditional PBB-TE networks or with an interworking between PBB and VPLS that has been previously proposed. Embodiments of the invention terminate a PBB-TE tunnel at a user-facing provider edge (UPE) node and attach instance service identifiers (ISIDs) to different virtual switching instances (VSI)s.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of a network system between a host and a group of routers using virtual router redundancy protocol (“VRRP”) messages and bidirectional forwarding detection (“BFD”) sessions are disclosed. The network system is capable of facilitating a first communication between a host and a master router of multiple VRRP routers and establishing a BFD session between the host and the master router. When the BFD session fails, the priority of the master router is subsequently lowered and a backup router is activated. In one embodiment, the backup router capable of performing functions of the master router becomes a new master until the BFD session resumes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of a network system between a host and a group of routers using virtual router redundancy protocol (“VRRP”) messages and bidirectional forwarding detection (“BFD”) sessions are disclosed. The network system is capable of facilitating a first communication between a host and a master router of multiple VRRP routers and establishing a BFD session between the host and the master router. When the BFD session fails, the priority of the master router is subsequently lowered and a backup router is activated. In one embodiment, the backup router capable of performing functions of the master router becomes a new master until the BFD session resumes.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for configuring a Provider Backbone Bridge (PBB) interface within Virtual Private LAN Service using Multi-Protocol Border Gateway Protocol (MP-BGP). Previously, the only ways to enable PBB interfaces for transmission were by learning, which poses security and scalability concerns due to flooding, or by manual configuration, which is impractical for large networks. Embodiments of the present invention enable custom topologies to be built in a controlled manner, which has not previously been possible for PBB over VPLS. By using MP-BGP messages to exchange PBB interface information between nodes, peering relationships are established, and communities may be built with any desired topology. Previously, PBB has only been used as a connectionless bridge; embodiments of the present invention use PBB as a connection between edge nodes. Network designers are provided increased flexibility, and security and congestion are improved, benefiting end users.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for interworking a first protocol, e.g., Provider Backbone Bridge Traffic Engineering (PBB-TE), that provides Ethernet carrier-class traffic engineering, with a second protocol, e.g., Virtual Private LAN Service, that emulates local area network (LAN) service. Unicast, multicast, and broadcast transmissions are enabled across an Ethernet aggregation network and an MPLS core network. Dual homing protection and end-to-end traffic engineering with adjustable granularity are also provided. These capabilities are not available with traditional PBB-TE networks or with an interworking between PBB and VPLS that has been previously proposed. Embodiments of the invention terminate a PBB-TE tunnel at a user-facing provider edge (UPE) node and attach instance service identifiers (ISIDs) to different virtual switching instances (VSI)s.

Abstract: A system and method in an IP-based network for defining a specific router for a host to utilize as a default router. The host is configured with a plurality of preferred correlation values, each of which has a different corresponding preference level. Routers send Router Advertisement (RA) messages to the host and include at least one router correlation value and at least one corresponding priority value. The host compares the received router correlation values with its preferred correlation values and identifies the router that sent the router correlation value that matched the preferred correlation value having the highest corresponding preference level. The identified router is selected as the host's default router. If more than one router matches the preferred correlation value having the highest corresponding preference level, the router that sent the highest priority value is selected.

Abstract: A system and method are described herein that are capable of reducing overhead while keeping the traffic separation characteristics between two routers by establishing and using a generic routing encapsulation (GRE) tunnel directly over a link running a point-to-point protocol (PPP) that connects the two routers. Because, the system and method run GRE sessions directly over the PPP link means there is no need to configure the GRE tunnel over an Internet Protocol (IP) connection which means that outer IP header information does not need to be sent across the link. The elimination of the outer IP header reduces the overhead in the traffic sent between the two routers.