Abstract: An improved integrated Clos network may include a plurality of servers, each server comprising a processor and a network interface chip, and a plurality of cross bar switches, each cross bar switch having a direct connection to each network interface chip such that a data packet can be transferred between any two servers by means of any cross bar switch. Each network interface chip can be configured to receive a data packet directly from memory associated with the processor comprising the same server as the network interface chip, read and process the data packet in order to produce a processed data packet configured to be routed from the network interface chip via a cross bar switch to a network interface chip associated with a different server, select a cross bar switch, and transmit the processed data packet to the selected cross bar switch.

Abstract: A distributed switchless system characterized by full mesh connectivity is disclosed. The full mesh distributed switchless system allows direct and indirect communication between a source node and a destination node. In direct communication, data propagates via links connecting the source and destination nodes. In indirect communication, data is first sent to an intermediate node via links connecting the source and intermediate nodes. The intermediate node sends the data to the destination node via links connecting the intermediate node and the destination node. The traffic can be divided into all available links across the nodes, rather than only the links connecting the source and destination nodes. Because indirect communication uses more links compared to direct communication, the traffic in each link is smaller. Consequently, the switchless distributed interconnect system can operate with fewer links between any two nodes and links with smaller bandwidth.

Abstract: A passive connectivity optical module (“PassCOM”) is disclosed. A PassCOM is a passive device without a switching functionality. A PassCOM connects links between a plurality of nodes using replaceable plugs. The device can be used for an internal inter-node switching system, where each node is capable of sending data to a destination using a specific link. A source node sends data through a particular link that is connected to a link from a destination node in the PassCOM. Data is first sent from a source node through a link connecting the source node and the PassCOM, then the data is transmitted, through a plug, to the destination node using a link connecting the PassCOM and the destination.

Abstract: A switching Clos network universal element that can dynamically change its role is disclosed. The universal element contains a matrix of VCSELs and a matrix of photodiodes on top of an electro-optical chip. The matrix of VCSELs sends data via a first set of optical links, and the matrix of photodiodes receives data a second set of optical links. The universal element also receives and sends data through electronic links. The universal element can function as an expander, aggregator or transitive switch in a folded Clos network. As an expander or an aggregator, the universal element uses its optical links as ingress links and its electronic links as egress links. Using this universal element, a network can be constructed without separate switching elements. Multiple universal elements can be positioned on a PCB, and the multiple universal elements can function as one switch.

Abstract: A multi-chassis router with passive interconnect and distributed switchless interconnect for connecting a plurality of nodes in full mesh is disclosed. This system allows direct and indirect communication between a source node and a destination node. In direct communication, data propagates via links connecting the source and destination nodes. In indirect communication, data is first sent to an intermediate node via links connecting the source and intermediate nodes. The intermediate node sends the data either to the destination node via links connecting the intermediate node and the destination node. A passive device with replaceable plugs connects the plurality of nodes in full mesh. The passive device facilitates setting up and updating a network.

Abstract: There is provided a method device and system for streaming media content to a media presentation appliance. There may be provided an appliance specific media stream generator adapted to derive an appliance specific stream from a multicast media stream. The generator may convert a multicast media stream addressed to a set of media presentation appliances into either (1) one or more unicast media streams, wherein each unicast media stream is addressed to a separate media presentation appliance; or (2) a multicast media stream addressed to a subset of the set of media presentation appliances. In both cases, the media content within the derived media stream may be substantially identical to the media content of the original multicast media stream. The generator may also introduce content (e.g. advertising) into the derived media stream(s).

Abstract: A switching Clos network universal element that can dynamically change its role is disclosed. The universal element contains a matrix of VCSELs and a matrix of photodiodes on top of an electro-optical chip. The matrix of VCSELs sends data via a first set of optical links, and the matrix of photodiodes receives data a second set of optical links. The universal element also receives and sends data through electronic links. The universal element can function as an expander, aggregator or transitive switch in a folded Clos network. As an expander or an aggregator, the universal element uses its optical links as ingress links and its electronic links as egress links. Using this universal element, a network can be constructed without separate switching elements. Multiple universal elements can be positioned on a PCB, and the multiple universal elements can function as one switch.

Abstract: A passive connectivity optical module (“PassCOM”) is disclosed. A PassCOM is a passive device without a switching functionality. A PassCOM connects links between a plurality of nodes using replaceable plugs. The device can be used for an internal inter-node switching system, where each node is capable of sending data to a destination using a specific link. A source node sends data through a particular link that is connected to a link from a destination node in the PassCOM. Data is first sent from a source node through a link connecting the source node and the PassCOM, then the data is transmitted, through a plug, to the destination node using a link connecting the PassCOM and the destination.

Abstract: A distributed switchless system characterized by full mesh connectivity is disclosed. The full mesh distributed switchless system allows direct and indirect communication between a source node and a destination node. In direct communication, data propagates via links connecting the source and destination nodes. In indirect communication, data is first sent to an intermediate node via links connecting the source and intermediate nodes. The intermediate node sends the data to the destination node via links connecting the intermediate node and the destination node. The traffic can be divided into all available links across the nodes, rather than only the links connecting the source and destination nodes. Because indirect communication uses more links compared to direct communication, the traffic in each link is smaller. Consequently, the switchless distributed interconnect system can operate with fewer links between any two nodes and links with smaller bandwidth.

Abstract: A multi-chassis router with passive interconnect and distributed switchless interconnect for connecting a plurality of nodes in full mesh is disclosed. This system allows direct and indirect communication between a source node and a destination node. In direct communication, data propagates via links connecting the source and destination nodes. In indirect communication, data is first sent to an intermediate node via links connecting the source and intermediate nodes. The intermediate node sends the data either to the destination node via links connecting the intermediate node and the destination node. A passive device with replaceable plugs connects the plurality of nodes in full mesh. The passive device facilitates setting up and updating a network.

Abstract: A method for handling communication failures in a network, which includes provisioning first and second multipoint-to-multipoint communication services over respective first and second alternative sets of links that connect the endpoints in a network. Each of the sets connects network nodes which provide physical layer resources for the links. The communication service is provided to the endpoints over the first set of links using the first service. Upon detecting a failure in the first set of links, the physical layer resources of the links in the first set are deactivated by the network nodes, in order to lose their connections. Responding the loss of connection, the communication service automatically transfers communication to the second set of links.

Abstract: A method for communication includes configuring a plurality of ring nodes to communicate over a communication network that includes two or more overlapping communication rings, each ring including two unidirectional ringlets in mutually-opposite directions. A data packet including one or more header fields is accepted at an ingress ring node. An egress ring node to which the data packet is to be forwarded by the ingress ring node is determined. A subset of the rings including one or more common rings that are connected to both the ingress and egress ring nodes is identified. A ringlet of a ring among the one or more common rings is selected responsively to a respective value of at least one of the header fields of the packet. The data packet is forwarded from the ingress ring node to the egress ring node over the selected ringlet.

Abstract: A method for communication via a ring network that includes a plurality of nodes. The method includes receiving at a first node in the ring network a data packet transmitted over a virtual private LAN service (VPLS), the data packet including an identification of the VPLS. The first node reads the identification from the data packet. Responsively to reading the identification, the first node forwards the data packet to at least one second node in the ring network that is associated with the VPLS.

Abstract: A method for data communications includes receiving a time-division-multiplexed (TDM) input signal carrying a payload comprising data and determining whether the data comprise synchronous or non-synchronous data. A first encapsulation scheme is selected if the data comprise synchronous data, and a second encapsulation scheme is selected if the data comprise non-synchronous data. The data are encapsulated for transmission over a packet-switched network in accordance with the selected encapsulation scheme.

Abstract: There is provided a method device and system for streaming media content to a media presentation appliance. There may be provided an appliance specific media stream generator adapted to derive an appliance specific stream from a multicast media stream. The generator may convert a multicast media stream addressed to a set of media presentation appliances into either (1) one or more unicast media streams, wherein each unicast media stream is addressed to a separate media presentation appliance; or (2) a multicast media stream addressed to a subset of the set of media presentation appliances. In both cases, the media content within the derived media stream may be substantially identical to the media content of the original multicast media stream. The generator may also introduce content (e.g. advertising) into the derived media stream(s).

Abstract: A method for communication includes configuring a plurality of ring nodes to communicate over a communication network that includes two or more overlapping communication rings, each ring including two unidirectional ringlets in mutually-opposite directions. A data packet including one or more header fields is accepted at an ingress ring node. An egress ring node to which the data packet is to be forwarded by the ingress ring node is determined. A subset of the rings including one or more common rings that are connected to both the ingress and egress ring nodes is identified. A ringlet of a ring among the one or more common rings is selected responsively to a respective value of at least one of the header fields of the packet. The data packet is forwarded from the ingress ring node to the egress ring node over the selected ringlet.

Abstract: A method for communication includes configuring a plurality of ring nodes to communicate over a communication network that includes two or more overlapping communication rings, each ring including two unidirectional ringlets in mutually-opposite directions. A data packet including one or more header fields is accepted at an ingress ring node. An egress ring node to which the data packet is to be forwarded by the ingress ring node is determined. A subset of the rings including one or more common rings that are connected to both the ingress and egress ring nodes is identified. A ringlet of a ring among the one or more common rings is selected responsively to a respective value of at least one of the header fields of the packet. The data packet is forwarded from the ingress ring node to the egress ring node over the selected ringlet.

Abstract: A network node in a communication network includes a plurality of ports, at least a subset of which is grouped in a link aggregation (LAG) group. The node includes packet processing logic, which is coupled to receive data packets having respective destination addresses that specify forwarding the packets to groups of multiple recipients through at least one of the ports and to process the data packets so as to forward only a single copy of each of the data packets via the output ports in the subset, while distributing forwarded copies of the data packets among the output ports in the subset so as to balance a traffic load within the LAG group.

Abstract: A method for communication includes coupling a group of switches in a Layer-2 bridged network. The interfaces of the switches are configured so that at least one interface of at least one of the switches is configured as a first interface type, and a plurality of other interfaces are configured as a second interface type. Upon receiving frames through the interfaces of the first and second types for transmission over the network, the received frames are labeled with corresponding first and second type indications. The frames are forwarded through the Layer-2 bridged network using the switches responsively to the type indications. Frames labeled with the second type indication are permitted to be transmitted through the interfaces of the first type and prevented from being transmitted through the interfaces of the second type.

Abstract: A method for communication between first and second nodes via a communication network includes assigning multiple communication ports in two or more network nodes between the first and second nodes to serve as member ports of a multi-homing group (MHG). Each of the member ports is associated with a different, respective communication path between the first and second nodes via the communication network. A frame transmitted from the first node to the second node is accepted at the two or more network nodes. The frame has a header including header fields. A single port is selected from among the member ports by applying a hashing function to one or more of the header fields at each of the two or more network nodes. The frame is forwarded via the selected port over the respective communication path that is associated with the selected port.