Abstract: Systems and methods provide Link Aggregation Group (LAG) load distribution via Layer 2 (L2) source forwarding/routing in a network. An apparatus includes circuitry configured to monitor a status of the network, and, responsive to new traffic from an access node, determine a path in one or more LAGs in the network, each LAG of the one or more LAGs includes multiple links aggregated together as a single logical link, wherein the path is determined between the access node and other nodes in the network based on the status. The circuitry can be further configured to provide instructions to the access node for forwarding the new traffic on the determined path.

Abstract: A Provider Edge (PE) router includes a plurality of ports configured to connect to one or more Customer Edge (CE) devices, wherein the plurality of ports are in an Ethernet Virtual Private Network (EVPN) with a second PE router having a second plurality of ports; a static connection configured to connect to the second plurality of ports in the second PE router; and switching circuitry connected to and configured to switch traffic between the plurality of ports, the static connection, and an Internet Protocol (IP) interface connected to an external network, wherein the EVPN is confined to dual homing and protection functionality in the dual homing is performed based on settings in the switching circuitry.

Abstract: A Provider Edge (PE) router includes a plurality of ports configured to connect to one or more Customer Edge (CE) devices, wherein the plurality of ports are in an Ethernet Virtual Private Network (EVPN) with a second PE router having a second plurality of ports; a static connection configured to connect to the second plurality of ports in the second PE router; and switching circuitry connected to and configured to switch traffic between the plurality of ports, the static connection, and an Internet Protocol (IP) interface connected to an external network, wherein the EVPN is confined to dual homing and protection functionality in the dual homing is performed based on settings in the switching circuitry.

Abstract: A Provider Edge (PE) node includes a plurality of ports including an inter-chassis port to a second PE node, a port connected to a root node, and one or more ports connected to leaf nodes, wherein the plurality of ports are in an Ethernet Tree (E-Tree), and wherein the root node is dual-homed to the PE node and the second PE node; switching circuitry configured to switch traffic between the plurality of ports; and circuitry configured to designate the inter-chassis port as one of a leaf node and a root node in the E-Tree instance, and manage a designation of the inter-chassis port based on a status of the port connected to the root node. The designation is changed in a data plane instead of in a control plane.

Abstract: A Provider Edge (PE) node includes a plurality of ports including an inter-chassis port to a second PE node, a port connected to a root node, and one or more ports connected to leaf nodes, wherein the plurality of ports are in an Ethernet Tree (E-Tree), and wherein the root node is dual-homed to the PE node and the second PE node; switching circuitry configured to switch traffic between the plurality of ports; and circuitry configured to designate the inter-chassis port as one of a leaf node and a root node in the E-Tree instance, and manage a designation of the inter-chassis port based on a status of the port connected to the root node. The designation is changed in a data plane instead of in a control plane.

Abstract: A method for resource management includes receiving, from a client, an allocation request for a resource, and assigning, to the client, a partition of a hierarchical resource tree. The partition is in multiple partitions of the hierarchical resource tree. The method further includes identifying a deallocated resource in the partition, and allocating, to the client, the first deallocated resource from the partition to create an allocated resource.

Abstract: Systems and methods for ring protection switching in a network based on selectively blocking and unblocking a port include forwarding traffic via the port over a data channel that utilizes a first service identifier, wherein the data channel is routed in the network along a closed loop; and selectively blocking and unblocking traffic on the port to provide the ring protection switching over the closed loop, wherein the selectively blocking and unblocking is performed based on a management channel that utilizes a second service identifier that is a different type from the first service identifier.

Abstract: A method for processing ternary content-addressable memory (TCAM) data. The method may include transmitting a search query to a TCAM device. The TCAM device may store a plurality of TCAM entries. The method may further include obtaining a first matched entry and a second matched entry from the plurality of TCAM entries. The method may further include obtaining, from software precedence data, a first precedence value for the first matched entry and a second precedence value for the second matched entry. The method may further include comparing, using a priority criterion, the first precedence value for the first matched entry with the second precedence value for the second matched entry to select a resultant entry. The priority criterion may determine a precedence order that a computing device uses the plurality of TCAM entries. The method may further include processing, using the computing device, the resultant entry.

Abstract: A method for resource management includes receiving, from a client, an allocation request for a resource, and assigning, to the client, a partition of a hierarchical resource tree. The partition is in multiple partitions of the hierarchical resource tree. The method further includes identifying a deallocated resource in the partition, and allocating, to the client, the first deallocated resource from the partition to create an allocated resource.

Abstract: A method for processing ternary content-addressable memory (TCAM) data. The method may include transmitting a search query to a TCAM device. The TCAM device may store a plurality of TCAM entries. The method may further include obtaining a first matched entry and a second matched entry from the plurality of TCAM entries. The method may further include obtaining, from software precedence data, a first precedence value for the first matched entry and a second precedence value for the second matched entry. The method may further include comparing, using a priority criterion, the first precedence value for the first matched entry with the second precedence value for the second matched entry to select a resultant entry. The priority criterion may determine a precedence order that a computing device uses the plurality of TCAM entries. The method may further include processing, using the computing device, the resultant entry.

Abstract: Systems and methods for ring protection switching in a network based on selectively blocking and unblocking a port include forwarding traffic via the port over a data channel that utilizes a first service identifier, wherein the data channel is routed in the network along a closed loop; and selectively blocking and unblocking traffic on the port to provide the ring protection switching over the closed loop, wherein the selectively blocking and unblocking is performed based on a management channel that utilizes a second service identifier that is a different type from the first service identifier.

Abstract: A node includes a first port configured to be selectively blocked and unblocked; a second port configured to be selectively blocked and unblocked; a forwarder between the first port and the second port; a management channel between the first port and the second port, wherein the selective blocking and unblocking of the first port and the second port is based on the management channel; and a data channel between the first port and the second port, wherein the data channel utilizes an arbitrary service identifier. A method can include operating a ring with Ring Protection Switching comprising a forwarding mechanism and a blocking mechanism that are independent and decoupled entities therebetween, wherein the ring includes a management channel and a data channel that each utilize an arbitrary service identifier.

Abstract: Managing resources in a multi-level switch assembly system, includes a resource tree with the multiple hierarchical levels, wherein a first level device is associated with a first level, one or more second and third level devices are associated with lower, second and third levels respectively, and so on. Cost tokens are assigned to the various devices based on their corresponding resource requirements. Resources of the multi-level switch assembly system, such as, ports and/or bandwidth, are dynamically allocated to the first, second, third level devices, and so on, based on their corresponding cost tokens in a hierarchical manner.

Abstract: Managing resources in a multi-level switch assembly system, includes a resource tree with the multiple hierarchical levels, wherein a first level device is associated with a first level, one or more second and third level devices are associated with lower, second and third levels respectively, and so on. Cost tokens are assigned to the various devices based on their corresponding resource requirements. Resources of the multi-level switch assembly system, such as, ports and/or bandwidth, are dynamically allocated to the first, second, third level devices, and so on, based on their corresponding cost tokens in a hierarchical manner.

Abstract: An Ethernet Tree (E-Tree) service is described instantiated on an Ethernet switch and in an Ethernet network. The E-Tree service is implemented using Private Forwarding Groups (PFGs), asymmetric Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs), virtual switches, and port configurations. The use of PFGs in addition to asymmetric VLANs provides higher levels of security in the described E-Tree systems and methods. The E-Tree systems and methods also can utilize Access Control Lists (ACLs) at Network-Network Interfaces (NNIs) for controlling unknown unicasts from reaching wrong ports. The E-Tree systems and methods can also seamlessly interoperate with packet switches using an IEEE 802.1Q-2011 approach.

Abstract: An Ethernet Tree (E-Tree) service is described instantiated on an Ethernet switch and in an Ethernet network. The E-Tree service is implemented using Private Forwarding Groups (PFGs), asymmetric Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs), virtual switches, and port configurations. The use of PFGs in addition to asymmetric VLANs provides higher levels of security in the described E-Tree systems and methods. The E-Tree systems and methods also can utilize Access Control Lists (ACLs) at Network-Network Interfaces (NNIs) for controlling unknown unicasts from reaching wrong ports. The E-Tree systems and methods can also seamlessly interoperate with packet switches using an IEEE 802.1Q-2011 approach.

Abstract: A node includes a first port configured to be selectively blocked and unblocked; a second port configured to be selectively blocked and unblocked; a forwarder between the first port and the second port; a management channel between the first port and the second port, wherein the selective blocking and unblocking of the first port and the second port is based on the management channel; and a data channel between the first port and the second port, wherein the data channel utilizes an arbitrary service identifier. A method can include operating a ring with Ring Protection Switching comprising a forwarding mechanism and a blocking mechanism that are independent and decoupled entities therebetween, wherein the ring includes a management channel and a data channel that each utilize an arbitrary service identifier.