Abstract: In certain embodiments, a method for bandwidth allocation includes receiving at least a first traffic flow and a second traffic flow, each traffic flow including at least committed information rate (CIR) and excess information rate (EIR) parameters. The CIR parameter in each traffic flow is associated with a corresponding guaranteed pass-through rate. The first traffic flow and the second traffic flow are stored in first and second queues, respectively. The first queue is associated with a first provisioned weight, and the second queue is associated with a second provisioned weight. The method further includes scheduling downstream transmission of the first traffic flow and second traffic flow stored in the first and second queues according to at least first and second implementation weights that are determined based on a bandwidth of a downstream communication link, a CIR parameter of the first queue, a CIR parameter of the second queue, and each of the first and second provisioned weights.

Abstract: A network element for a telecommunications network includes a port for connection to a transmission line of the telecommunications network. A plurality of transmission line interfaces each include a scheduler to transmit traffic in port transmission slots allocated to the transmission line interface. An interface controller is stored in a storage medium of the network element. The interface controller is operable to selectively couple at least two transmission line interfaces to the port and to allocate a disparate portion of port transmission slots to each of the transmission line interfaces coupled to the port.

Abstract: A method for bridging traffic over a network includes receiving, at stations that are coupled to the network, forwarding information for remote devices that are coupled to the network via the stations. The forwarding information associates a remote address of each remote device with an address of one of the stations. Each station that receives the forwarding information stores the forwarding information in a forwarding database. The method also includes receiving traffic at a first station from a first remote device that is coupled to the first station. The traffic includes a destination address that is a remote address of a second remote device that is coupled to a second station of the network. Furthermore, the method includes identifying an address of the second station that is associated with the remote address of the second remote device in the forwarding database. The method also includes communicating the traffic directly to the second station using the identified address.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a map of transmission slots for a port of a network element includes a plurality of hierarchical sets of port transmission slots. The hierarchical sets include a plurality of parent sets. Each parent set has its port transmission slots divided between a plurality of child sets. The child sets include interleaved port transmission slots.

Abstract: In a system using simple network management protocol, elements report events to a network management system using a generic trap structure. The trap structure includes fields for identifying details on an object experiencing an event and detailing the event, and potentially includes management information for tracking individual trap messages.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a map of transmission slots for a port of a network element includes a plurality of hierarchical sets of port transmission slots. The hierarchical sets include a plurality of parent sets. Each parent set has its port transmission slots divided between a plurality of child sets. The child sets include interleaved port transmission slots.

Abstract: A method for allocating transmission bandwidth to a group of real-time variable bit rate connections includes determining an acceptable cell loss probability for a real-time variable bit rate group based on quality of service requirements for real-time variable bit rate connections in the real-time variable bit rate group. An allocation bandwidth is determined for the real-time variable bit rate group from a probability density function of an aggregate cell arrival rate for the real-time variable bit rate group. The allocation bandwidth is the bandwidth that the probability of the aggregate cell arrival rate exceeding the bandwidth is less than or at least substantially equal to the acceptable cell loss probability.

Abstract: A method for allocating transmission resources to a constant rate connection includes determining a maximum cell clumping value for a constant rate connection based on a peak cell rate and a cell delay variation tolerance for the constant rate connection. An allocation bandwidth is determined for the constant rate connection based on the maximum cell clumping value. The allocation bandwidth comprises the bandwidth at which no cells of the constant rate connection are lost and the cell delay variation tolerance for the constant rate connection is satisfied. The allocation bandwidth is allocated at a network element for transmission of the constant rate connection.

Abstract: A network element for a telecommunications network includes a port for connection to a transmission line of the telecommunications network. A plurality of transmission line interfaces each include a scheduler to transmit traffic in port transmission slots allocated to the transmission line interface. An interface controller is stored in a storage medium of the network element. The interface controller is operable to selectively couple at least two transmission line interfaces to the port and to allocate a disparate portion of port transmission slots to each of the transmission line interfaces coupled to the port.