Abstract: A method is disclosed for automatically provisioning network devices for use with virtual circuit networks, such as frame relay and ATM networks. The device receives a list of identifiers corresponding to virtual circuits from a configuration interface for the virtual circuit network. The device iteratively applies each identifier from the list to individual instances of interface configuration commands and attempts to provide connectivity with a remote device. Once a configuration command is applied, the device will obtain an IP address for a device terminating the virtual circuit corresponding to the identifier selected from the list; and determines an IP address for itself. The device tests the virtual circuit for connectivity with the remote device. If the device is able to determine that the virtual circuit corresponding to the selected identifier provides connectivity to the remote device, then that virtual circuit is used to connect to the remote device.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for auto-sensing LMI protocols in frame relay networks. When a router is first coupled to a frame relay network, it automatically configures the local management interface (LMI) to use one of a selected set of possible LMI protocols, by generating a set of protocol requests for a plurality of protocols, and by thereafter simultaneously listening for protocol responses from the configuration server. Multiple valid responses from the configuration server are assigned priority in response to which valid response is last to arrive.

Abstract: At least one technique is disclosed for improving the efficiency of fragmentation techniques currently implemented in conventional data networks. According to a specific embodiments, fragmentation may be automatically and dynamically enabled on a particular link at times when there is real-time traffic being carried over that link. At times when there is no real-time traffic being carried over the link, fragmentation may be automatically and dynamically disabled or significantly reduced. In this way, the technique of the present invention may be used to improve the efficiency data networks.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for sending and receiving end-to-end bidirectional keep-alive messages using virtual circuits. Nodes coupled to a network, such as a frame relay network, periodically exchange link-layer “keep-alive” messages which indicate information regarding configuration and status of the virtual circuit, as well as information regarding congestion at sending nodes. Nodes respond to received keep-alive messages, or to timed-out failure to receive keep-alive messages, with follow-on actions, such as attempting to reconnect when a virtual circuit fails. Keep-alive messages may be propagated across multiple networks of either similar or different architecture. Keep-alive messages include sent and received sequence numbers, thus providing receiving nodes with a technique for determining if any keep-alive messages have been lost.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for auto-sensing LMI protocols in frame relay networks. When a router is first coupled to a frame relay network, it automatically configures the local management interface (LMI) to use one of a selected set of possible LMI protocols, by generating a set of protocol requests for a plurality of protocols, and by thereafter simultaneously listening for protocol responses from the configuration server. Multiple valid responses from the configuration server are assigned priority in response to which valid response is last to arrive.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for autosensing LMI protocols in frame relay networks. When a router is first coupled to a frame relay network, it automatically configures the local management interface (LMI) to use one of a selected set of possible LMI protocols, by generating a set of protocol requests for a plurality of protocols, and by thereafter simultaneously listening for protocol responses from the configuration server. Multiple valid responses from the configuration server are assigned priority in response to which valid response is last to arrive.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for sending and receiving end-to-end bidirectional keep-alive messages using virtual circuits. Nodes coupled to a network, such as a frame relay network, periodically exchange link-layer “keep-alive” messages which indicate information regarding configuration and status of the virtual circuit, as well as information regarding congestion at sending nodes. Nodes respond to received keep-alive messages, or to timed-out failure to receive keep-alive messages, with follow-on actions, such as attempting to reconnect when a virtual circuit fails. Keep-alive messages may be propagated across multiple networks of either similar or different architecture. Keep-alive messages include sent and received sequence numbers, thus providing receiving nodes with a technique for determining if any keep-alive messages have been lost.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for auto-sensing LMI protocols in frame relay networks. When a router is first coupled to a frame relay network, it automatically configures the local management interface (LMI) to use one of a selected set of possible LMI protocols, by generating a set of protocol requests for a plurality of protocols, and by thereafter simultaneously listening for protocol responses from the configuration server. Multiple valid responses from the configuration server are assigned priority in response to which valid response is last to arrive.