Abstract: A network device includes processing circuitry and multiple ports. The multiple ports are configured to connect to a communication network. The processing circuitry is configured to select a first port among the multiple ports to serve as an egress port for a packet, and to forward the packet to the first port, irrespective of whether or not the first port is usable as the egress port. The processing circuitry is further configured to, when the first port is usable as the egress port, transmit the packet to the communication network via the first port, and when the first port is unusable as the egress port, forward the packet from the first port to a second port among the multiple ports and transmit the packet to the communication network via the second port.

Abstract: A network device includes processing circuitry and multiple ports. The multiple ports are configured to connect to a communication network. The processing circuitry is configured to select a first port among the multiple ports to serve as an egress port for a packet, and to forward the packet to the first port, irrespective of whether or not the first port is usable as the egress port. The processing circuitry is further configured to, when the first port is usable as the egress port, transmit the packet to the communication network via the first port, and when the first port is unusable as the egress port, forward the packet from the first port to a second port among the multiple ports and transmit the packet to the communication network via the second port.

Abstract: One embodiment includes a network device including multiple interfaces to serve as ingress ports for receiving network packets from nodes in remote customer-site network(s) via a tunnel in a provider network, and from nodes in a local customer-site network, and egress ports for forwarding at least some of the network packets, and control circuitry to make a decision to drop a network packet to reduce packet duplication in at least one of the nodes, responsively to the network packet being identified as a packet of broadcast, unknown unicast, or multicast traffic, the network packet being subject to decapsulation of an encapsulation header, being assigned to one of the egress ports, and having a header including one of a plurality of virtual local area network identifications, or one of a plurality of source identifications.

Abstract: One embodiment includes a network device including multiple interfaces to serve as ingress ports for receiving network packets from nodes in remote customer-site network(s) via a tunnel in a provider network, and from nodes in a local customer-site network, and egress ports for forwarding at least some of the network packets, and control circuitry to make a decision to drop a network packet to reduce packet duplication in at least one of the nodes, responsively to the network packet being identified as a packet of broadcast, unknown unicast, or multicast traffic, the network packet being subject to decapsulation of an encapsulation header, being assigned to one of the egress ports, and having a header including one of a plurality of virtual local area network identifications, or one of a plurality of source identifications.

Abstract: A network element includes a plurality of ports and processing circuitry. The ports are configured for connecting to a communication network. The processing circuitry is configured to receive a packet from the communication network via one of the ports, to assign the packet to a selected queue, to verify whether the packet matches a rule, wherein matching the packet to the rule depends on whether the selected queue is congested, and, when the packet matches the rule, to apply to the packet an action associated with the rule.

Abstract: A network element includes a plurality of ports and processing circuitry. The ports are configured for connecting to a communication network. The processing circuitry is configured to receive a packet from the communication network via one of the ports, to assign the packet to a selected queue, to verify whether the packet matches a rule, wherein matching the packet to the rule depends on whether the selected queue is congested, and, when the packet matches the rule, to apply to the packet an action associated with the rule.

Abstract: A method for communication includes defining a pipe traversing a sequence of routers through an MPLS network, and specifying for the pipe an outer label that indicates a first quality of service (QoS) for the packets in the pipe. Upon receiving a packet at the ingress to the pipe, the outer label is appended to the packet, and the packet with the outer label is forwarded through the pipe. At each of the routers in the sequence, the packet is forwarded through the pipe in accordance with the outer label at the first quality of service. At a transitional router, in proximity to the egress from the pipe, the outer label is popped from the packet, and a second QoS is identified based on a field remaining in the packet after popping the outer label. The packet is then forwarded at the second QoS.

Abstract: A method for communication includes defining a pipe traversing a sequence of routers through an MPLS network, and specifying for the pipe an outer label that indicates a first quality of service (QoS) for the packets in the pipe. Upon receiving a packet at the ingress to the pipe, the outer label is appended to the packet, and the packet with the outer label is forwarded through the pipe. At each of the routers in the sequence, the packet is forwarded through the pipe in accordance with the outer label at the first quality of service. At a transitional router, in proximity to the egress from the pipe, the outer label is popped from the packet, and a second QoS is identified based on a field remaining in the packet after popping the outer label. The packet is then forwarded at the second QoS.

Abstract: A method for communication in a packet data network that includes at least first and second subnets interconnected by multiple routers and having respective first and second subnet managers. The method includes assigning respective local identifiers to ports for addressing of data link traffic within each subnet, such that the first subnet manager assigns the local identifiers in the first subnet, and the second subnet manager assigns the local identifiers in the second subnet. The routers are configured by transmitting and receiving control traffic between the subnet managers and the routers. Data packets are transmitted between network nodes in the first and second subnets via one or more of the configured routers under control of the subnet managers.

Abstract: A method for communication in a packet data network that includes at least first and second subnets interconnected by multiple routers and having respective first and second subnet managers. The method includes assigning respective local identifiers to ports for addressing of data link traffic within each subnet, such that the first subnet manager assigns the local identifiers in the first subnet, and the second subnet manager assigns the local identifiers in the second subnet. The routers are configured by transmitting and receiving control traffic between the subnet managers and the routers. Data packets are transmitted between network nodes in the first and second subnets via one or more of the configured routers under control of the subnet managers.

Abstract: A method and a device for conveying at least one OAM message in a network formed of several segments that are operated by at least two carriers. The at least one OAM message includes a digital signature of a maintenance end point. The at least one OAM message is sent from the maintenance end point towards at least one maintenance point. Furthermore, a communication system is described with the device.

Abstract: A method and device for changing between a long address and a short address in a packet is provided. According to one embodiment, a method of converting a long address to a short address by an processing element in a communication network, comprises receiving a packet having a first long address, retrieving a first short address associated with the first long address from a data repository, replacing the first long address in the standard packet with the first short address forming an improved packet with a control field and sending the improved packet toward a subsequent device.