Abstract: Packet switch operating methods and packet switches, using first processing circuitry of the packet switch, specify a configuration for a control packet processing procedure implemented by different second processing circuitry of the packet switch, communicate the configuration to the second processing circuitry, and using the second processing circuitry, receive a control packet, examine contents of the control packet, and process the control packet according to the control packet processing procedure, the control packet processing procedure being configured according to the configuration.

Abstract: Packet switch operating methods and packet switches, using first processing circuitry of the packet switch, configure different second processing circuitry of the packet switch to periodically transmit control packets to a destination device via a port of the packet switch and, subsequent to the configuring and using the second processing circuitry, transmit the control packets to the destination device via the port during moments in time when the first processing circuitry is non-operational.

Abstract: This document describes tools that communicate an operational state of a transport service. The transport service provides connectivity between two or more networks, enabling the networks to exchange packets. The tools detect an operational state of a transport service. After doing so, the tools may convey the operational state of the transport service to at least one of the networks through a user-to-network interface port of a network interface device, send a message to a network interface device requesting that the network interface device convey the operational state to a network connected to the network interface device, or configure a network interface device to communicate the operational state.

Abstract: This document describes tools that communicate an operational state of a transport service. The transport service provides connectivity between two or more networks, enabling the networks to exchange packets. The tools detect an operational state of a transport service. After doing so, the tools may convey the operational state of the transport service to at least one of the networks through a user-to-network interface port of a network interface device, send a message to a network interface device requesting that the network interface device convey the operational state to a network connected to the network interface device, or configure a network interface device to communicate the operational state.