Abstract: A data communications switch for dynamically distributing packet processing operations between an ingress and egress processor for load balancing is disclosed. The invention in the preferred embodiment features a switching device including a plurality of switching modules, each of the switching modules including a packet classifier for identifying one or more packet processing operations to be applied to an ingress packet and a controller adapted to allocate each of the identified one or more packet processing operations between a first set of packet processing operations and a second set of packet processing operations, execute the first set of packet processing operations at the ingress processor at which the packet was received, and transmit instructions to the egress processor to execute the second set of packet processing operations. The egress processor then executes the second set of packet processing operations, after which the packet may be transmitted toward its destination node.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for provisioning bandwidth among a plurality of queues in a switching device are disclosed. The bandwidth provisioning employs a QoS label with a timestamp to determine the queue delay associated with the transmission of the packet from an ingress switching device, e.g. ingress blade, to an egress switching device, e.g. egress blade. The QoS label is applied on the ingress blade and removed and read on the egress blade. Using the timestamp, the switch can identify congested priority queues at the ingress blade and selectively enable fragmentation for purposes of preventing particular packets and or particular flows from consuming disproportionately large system resources including bandwidth necessary to communicate packets through the switch fabric. Some QoS labels may further include instruction sets and a fragmentation identifiers used by the egress blade to reassemble the packet fragments.

Abstract: A method and system for providing conditional bandwidth subscriptions to MPLS LSPs. Traffic is policed and/or marked at an ingress node to ensure that traffic that exceeds the LSP's conditional bandwidth is dropped. Traffic above the LSP's committed bandwidth but below the LSP's conditional bandwidth is admitted but marked as suitable for discarding. All traffic below the LSP's committed bandwidth is admitted. A queuing mechanism at each node of the LSP helps ensure that committed bandwidth traffic is protected during periods of congestion. Each node maintains a queue with a first area reserved for periods of congestion and a second area reserved for periods of no congestion. When congestion is encountered, unmarked traffic is stored in the first area and marked traffic is discarded. When no congestion is encountered, both marked and unmarked traffic is stored in the second area.

Abstract: A data communications switch for dynamically distributing packet processing operations between an ingress and egress processor for load balancing is disclosed. The invention in the preferred embodiment features a switching device including a plurality of switching modules, each of the switching modules including a packet classifier for identifying one or more packet processing operations to be applied to an ingress packet and a controller adapted to allocate each of the identified one or more packet processing operations between a first set of packet processing operations and a second set of packet processing operations, execute the first set of packet processing operations at the ingress processor at which the packet was received, and transmit instructions to the egress processor to execute the second set of packet processing operations. The egress processor then executes the second set of packet processing operations, after which the packet may be transmitted toward its destination node.

Abstract: A camera mounting assembly for mounting a camera to a support structure. The mounting assembly including a first bracket fixable relative to the camera body such that the first bracket supports the camera. A second bracket engages the first bracket and is rotatable about a first axis relative to the second bracket. A third bracket supportingly engages the second bracket and is rotatable about a second axis relative to the third bracket. The first and second axes are substantially mutually perpendicular. The third bracket is securable to the support structure and is rotatable about a third axis relative to the support structure. The second and third axes are substantially mutually perpendicular. At least two of the first, second and third brackets are relatively translatable along a substantially linear length, and the first, second and third brackets are all securable relative to the support structure.

Abstract: A method and system for providing conditional bandwidth subscriptions to MPLS LSPs. Traffic is policed and/or marked at an ingress node to ensure that traffic that exceeds the LSP's conditional bandwidth is dropped. Traffic above the LSP's committed bandwidth but below the LSP's conditional bandwidth is admitted but marked as suitable for discarding. All traffic below the LSP's committed bandwidth is admitted. A queuing mechanism at each node of the LSP helps ensure that committed bandwidth traffic is protected during periods of congestion. Each node maintains a queue with a first area reserved for periods of congestion and a second area reserved for periods of no congestion. When congestion is encountered, unmarked traffic is stored in the first area and marked traffic is discarded. When no congestion is encountered, both marked and unmarked traffic is stored in the second area.

Abstract: An adjustable shield installed on a pole or tree to prevent squirrels and other animals from climbing beyond the assembled shield when the shield is wrapped around the pole or tree, including a conical member extending outward from the pole or tree, wherein the shield provides no convenient surface upon which the animal can grasp to continue upward the pole or tree, an inner and outer edge, two side edges and a center assembly made up of a plurality of projections or fingers.