Patents by Inventor Gary Ratterree

Gary Ratterree has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11012153
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed for monitoring optical communications between a managed location and a remote location. In particular, an optical signal is transmitted over an optical fiber and passed-through a test device. A portion of the optical signal is filtered from the original optical signal and passed to a monitoring unit. The monitoring unit may instruct one or more switches in the test device to loop the optical signal back toward the managed location. Subsequently, testing and monitoring may be performed at the managed location. The device may provide a test output or may transmit the information to the managed location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey K. Storey, John F. Waters, Andrew Dugan, Salvador Paredes, Gary Ratterree
  • Patent number: 10904130
    Abstract: Various techniques for partitioning a computer network is disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, control plane functions (e.g., computation of network routes) and/or forwarding plane functions (e.g., routing, forwarding, switching) may be partitioned and performed individually on per domain basis based on (1) a network configuration of a particular domain (e.g., end points and/or lower-level domains in the particular domain); and (2) one or more higher-level domains connected to the particular domain in the hierarchy. Thus, a particular domain can manage various network operations of the domain without concerns regarding end points or network nodes in other domains of the hierarchy. Thus, network configuration and operation may be partitioned to reduce hardware costs and operational complexity even as the size of the overall computer networks increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Luyuan Fang, Jeff Cox, Nasser Elaawar, Darren Loher, Edet Nkposong, Gary Ratterree, Fabio Chiussi
  • Publication number: 20200350987
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed for monitoring optical communications between a managed location and a remote location. In particular, an optical signal is transmitted over an optical fiber and passed-through a test device. A portion of the optical signal is filtered from the original optical signal and passed to a monitoring unit. The monitoring unit may instruct one or more switches in the test device to loop the optical signal back toward the managed location. Subsequently, testing and monitoring may be performed at the managed location. The device may provide a test output or may transmit the information to the managed location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Applicant: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey K. Storey, John F. Waters, Andrew Dugan, Salvador Paredes, Gary Ratterree
  • Publication number: 20200099445
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed for monitoring optical communications between a managed location and a remote location. In particular, an optical signal is transmitted over an optical fiber and passed-through a test device. A portion of the optical signal is filtered from the original optical signal and passed to a monitoring unit. The monitoring unit may instruct one or more switches in the test device to loop the optical signal back toward the managed location. Subsequently, testing and monitoring may be performed at the managed location. The device may provide a test output or may transmit the information to the managed location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Applicant: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey K. Storey, John F. Waters, Andrew Dugan, Salvador Paredes, Gary Ratterree
  • Publication number: 20190372883
    Abstract: Various techniques for partitioning a computer network is disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, control plane functions (e.g., computation of network routes) and/or forwarding plane functions (e.g., routing, forwarding, switching) may be partitioned and performed individually on per domain basis based on (1) a network configuration of a particular domain (e.g., end points and/or lower-level domains in the particular domain); and (2) one or more higher-level domains connected to the particular domain in the hierarchy. Thus, a particular domain can manage various network operations of the domain without concerns regarding end points or network nodes in other domains of the hierarchy. Thus, network configuration and operation may be partitioned to reduce hardware costs and operational complexity even as the size of the overall computer networks increases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Luyuan Fang, Jeff Cox, Nasser Elaawar, Darren Loher, Edet Nkposong, Gary Ratterree, Fabio Chiussi
  • Patent number: 10270681
    Abstract: Various techniques for partitioning a computer network is disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, control plane functions (e.g., computation of network routes) and/or forwarding plane functions (e.g., routing, forwarding, switching) may be partitioned and performed individually on per domain basis based on (1) a network configuration of a particular domain (e.g., end points and/or lower-level domains in the particular domain); and (2) one or more higher-level domains connected to the particular domain in the hierarchy. Thus, a particular domain can manage various network operations of the domain without concerns regarding end points or network nodes in other domains of the hierarchy. Thus, network configuration and operation may be partitioned to reduce hardware costs and operational complexity even as the size of the overall computer networks increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Luyuan Fang, Jeff Cox, Nasser Elaawar, Darren Loher, Edet Nkposong, Gary Ratterree, Fabio Chiussi
  • Patent number: 10084539
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed for monitoring optical communications between a managed location and a remote location. In particular, an optical signal is transmitted over an optical fiber and passed-through a test device. A portion of the optical signal is filtered from the original optical signal and passed to a monitoring unit. The monitoring unit may instruct one or more switches in the test device to loop the optical signal back toward the managed location. Subsequently, testing and monitoring may be performed at the managed location. The device may provide a test output or may transmit the information to the managed location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey K. Storey, John F. Waters, Andrew Dugan, Salvador Parades, Gary Ratterree
  • Patent number: 10038629
    Abstract: Various techniques for migrating virtual entities via a label based underlay network is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving packets associated with migrating a virtual machine from an originating network node of the underlay network to a target network node of the underlay network. The received packets individually include a label associated with a network path from the originating network node to the target network node in the underlay network. In response to receiving the packets, the method includes examining the labels of the packets to determine the network paths associated the labels and forwarding the packets following the determined network paths in the underlay network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Luyuan Fang, Fabio Chiussi, Vijay Gill, Deepak Bansal, Jeff Cox, Nasser Elaawar, Gary Ratterree
  • Publication number: 20180159760
    Abstract: Various techniques for partitioning a computer network is disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, control plane functions (e.g., computation of network routes) and/or forwarding plane functions (e.g., routing, forwarding, switching) may be partitioned and performed individually on per domain basis based on (1) a network configuration of a particular domain (e.g., end points and/or lower-level domains in the particular domain); and (2) one or more higher-level domains connected to the particular domain in the hierarchy. Thus, a particular domain can manage various network operations of the domain without concerns regarding end points or network nodes in other domains of the hierarchy. Thus, network configuration and operation may be partitioned to reduce hardware costs and operational complexity even as the size of the overall computer networks increases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Luyuan Fang, Jeff Cox, Nasser Elaawar, Darren Loher, Edet Nkposong, Gary Ratterree, Fabio Chiussi
  • Patent number: 9819573
    Abstract: Various techniques for partitioning a computer network is disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, control plane functions (e.g., computation of network routes) and/or forwarding plane functions (e.g., routing, forwarding, switching) may be partitioned and performed individually on per domain basis based on (1) a network configuration of a particular domain (e.g., end points and/or lower-level domains in the particular domain); and (2) one or more higher-level domains connected to the particular domain in the hierarchy. Thus, a particular domain can manage various network operations of the domain without concerns regarding end points or network nodes in other domains of the hierarchy. Thus, network configuration and operation may be partitioned to reduce hardware costs and operational complexity even as the size of the overall computer networks increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Luyuan Fang, Jeff Cox, Nasser Elaawar, Darren Loher, Edet Nkposong, Gary Ratterree, Fabio Chiussi
  • Patent number: 9722694
    Abstract: Various techniques for managing communications backup for computer networks are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes detecting an abnormal operating condition at a primary network node, the primary network node being coupled to a computing device via a first optical connection between an optical switch and the primary network node. In response to the detected abnormal operation condition, the method includes prompting the optical switch to switch from the first optical connection to a second optical connection between the optical switch and a standby network node. The method further includes instructing the standby network node to facilitate communications with the computing device based on the replicated network configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Gary Ratterree, Jeff Cox, Gerald Degrace
  • Patent number: 9673896
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed for monitoring optical communications between a managed location and a remote location. In particular, an optical signal is transmitted over an optical fiber and passed-through a test device. A portion of the optical signal is filtered from the original optical signal and passed to a monitoring unit. The monitoring unit may instruct one or more switches in the test device to loop the optical signal back toward the managed location. Subsequently, testing and monitoring may be performed at the managed location. The device may provide a test output or may transmit the information to the managed location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey K. Storey, John F. Waters, Andrew Dugan, Salvador Paredes, Gary Ratterree
  • Publication number: 20170078015
    Abstract: Various techniques for managing communications backup for computer networks are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes detecting an abnormal operating condition at a primary network node, the primary network node being coupled to a computing device via a first optical connection between an optical switch and the primary network node. In response to the detected abnormal operation condition, the method includes prompting the optical switch to switch from the first optical connection to a second optical connection between the optical switch and a standby network node. The method further includes instructing the standby network node to facilitate communications with the computing device based on the replicated network configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Gary Ratterree, Jeff Cox, Gerald Degrace
  • Patent number: 9584219
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed for monitoring optical communications between a managed location and a remote location. In particular, an optical signal is transmitted over an optical fiber and passed-through a test device. A portion of the optical signal is filtered from the original optical signal and passed to a monitoring unit. The monitoring unit may instruct one or more switches in the test device to loop the optical signal back toward the managed location. Subsequently, testing and monitoring may be performed at the managed location. The device may provide a test output or may transmit the information to the managed location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: LEVEL 3 COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Kendall Storey, John F. Waters, Andrew Dugan, Salvador Paredes, Gary Ratterree
  • Publication number: 20170012869
    Abstract: Various techniques for managing forwarding tables in computer networks are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving an indication of a network condition in a computer network having a network node and determining a routing table key based on the received indication of the network condition in the computing network. The routing table key corresponds to a routing table for the network node that is pre-computed under the indicated network condition in the computer network. The method then includes transmitting the determined routing table key to the network node for routing data in the computer network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Darren Loher, Gary Ratterree, Chen Liu
  • Patent number: 9544225
    Abstract: Various techniques for partitioning a computer network is disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, control plane functions (e.g., computation of network routes) and/or forwarding plane functions (e.g., routing, forwarding, switching) may be partitioned and performed individually on per domain basis based on (1) a network configuration of a particular domain (e.g., end points and/or lower-level domains in the particular domain); and (2) one or more higher-level domains connected to the particular domain in the hierarchy. Thus, a particular domain can manage various network operations of the domain without concerns regarding end points or network nodes in other domains of the hierarchy. Thus, network configuration and operation may be partitioned to reduce hardware costs and operational complexity even as the size of the overall computer networks increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Luyuan Fang, Jeff Cox, Nasser Elaawar, Darren Loher, Edet Nkposong, Gary Ratterree, Fabio Chiussi
  • Publication number: 20160380695
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed for monitoring optical communications between a managed location and a remote location. In particular, an optical signal is transmitted over an optical fiber and passed-through a test device. A portion of the optical signal is filtered from the original optical signal and passed to a monitoring unit. The monitoring unit may instruct one or more switches in the test device to loop the optical signal back toward the managed location. Subsequently, testing and monitoring may be performed at the managed location. The device may provide a test output or may transmit the information to the managed location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Applicant: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey K. Storey, John F. Waters, Andrew Dugan, Salvador Paredes, Gary Ratterree
  • Publication number: 20160117185
    Abstract: Various techniques for migrating virtual entities via a label based underlay network is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving packets associated with migrating a virtual machine from an originating network node of the underlay network to a target network node of the underlay network. The received packets individually include a label associated with a network path from the originating network node to the target network node in the underlay network. In response to receiving the packets, the method includes examining the labels of the packets to determine the network paths associated the labels and forwarding the packets following the determined network paths in the underlay network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2014
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventors: Luyuan Fang, Fabio Chiussi, Vijay Gill, Deepak Bansal, Jeff Cox, Nasser Elaawar, Gary Ratterree
  • Publication number: 20160080245
    Abstract: Various techniques for partitioning a computer network is disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, control plane functions (e.g., computation of network routes) and/or forwarding plane functions (e.g., routing, forwarding, switching) may be partitioned and performed individually on per domain basis based on (1) a network configuration of a particular domain (e.g., end points and/or lower-level domains in the particular domain); and (2) one or more higher-level domains connected to the particular domain in the hierarchy. Thus, a particular domain can manage various network operations of the domain without concerns regarding end points or network nodes in other domains of the hierarchy. Thus, network configuration and operation may be partitioned to reduce hardware costs and operational complexity even as the size of the overall computer networks increases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Luyuan Fang, Jeff Cox, Nasser Elaawar, Darren Loher, Edet Nkposong, Gary Ratterree, Fabio Chiussi
  • Publication number: 20160080258
    Abstract: Various techniques for partitioning a computer network is disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, control plane functions (e.g., computation of network routes) and/or forwarding plane functions (e.g., routing, forwarding, switching) may be partitioned and performed individually on per domain basis based on (1) a network configuration of a particular domain (e.g., end points and/or lower-level domains in the particular domain); and (2) one or more higher-level domains connected to the particular domain in the hierarchy. Thus, a particular domain can manage various network operations of the domain without concerns regarding end points or network nodes in other domains of the hierarchy. Thus, network configuration and operation may be partitioned to reduce hardware costs and operational complexity even as the size of the overall computer networks increases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Luyuan Fang, Jeff Cox, Nasser Elaawar, Darren Loher, Edet Nkposong, Gary Ratterree, Fabio Chiussi