Abstract: A process is implemented by a network device for enabling the provisioning of explicit trees in a network by reporting link aggregation group (LAG) configuration information to a path computation element (PCE). The network device implements a LAG module and an intermediate system-intermediate system (IS-IS) module that includes an IS-IS path control and reservation module (ISIS-PCR). The process includes reporting LAG configuration by the LAG module to the IS-IS module within the network device, sending a link state protocol data unit (PDU) (LSP) with the LAG configuration in a LAG sub type length value (TLV) by the ISIS-PCR, receiving, by the IS-IS module, an explicit tree that specifies at least one virtual local area network (VLAN) identifier (VID) to an aggregation link of the LAG assignment, and translating, by the ISIS-PCR module, the explicit tree into a LAG configuration, the LAG configuration specifying a conversation to aggregation link assignment.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a technique for ensuring that a service or conversation is carried in a congruent manner on a Link Aggregation Group (LAG). The Service ID (e.g., conversation ID) to link mapping is configured on both sides of the LAG independently of each other. The Service ID to link assignment is stored in a well-defined format, e.g. in an assignment table. A digest is then prepared on the assignment table. The digest is exchanged between the two sides of the LAG. If there is a mismatch between the digests, then the service is transmitted on a predefined and agreed-upon default link if congruency has to be enforced for that particular service. Furthermore, the digest exchange allows verification on the configuration to check whether all services to be handed-off are configured on both sides.

Abstract: A method performed by a network element that transfers first and second packet flows of the same traffic handling class comprises the step of receiving, from a network controller, information defining a relative forwarding order between first and second packet flow packets. Upon receipt, at least one ingress port of the network element, of a first and a second packet, determining that the first packet belongs to the first packet flow and the second packet to the second packet flow. The first and second packets will then be forwarded towards at least one egress port of the network element in an order defined by the information received from the network controller.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for operating a virtual node in a LAG that includes a first virtual node and a second virtual node are disclosed. The first virtual node includes at least a first fellow node and a second fellow node. In one exemplary method, the first fellow node receives, from the second virtual node, first control information comprising a system ID and first configuration information associated with the LAG. The first control information is compared with reference configuration information representing previously established expected configuration information associated with the LAG. Based on that comparison, and at least one additional criterion, a split brain condition may be determined to exist in the LAG. In a complementary fashion, a fellow node of the second virtual node may be configured to alter its transmitted configuration information depending on whether it is able to communicate with its fellow node in the second virtual node.

Abstract: A method of supporting service chaining at a network device of a data network is disclosed. The data network offers a set of services associated with a set of network devices, where subscribers of the data network are served by chains of one or more services. The method starts upon receiving a frame, and the network device selects a chain of one or more services for the frame to be processed by the data network. The network device encapsulates the frame with a reflected frame message (RFM) header, the RFM header containing source information associated with the network device, destination information associated with an immediate next service for the frame to be processed, an operation code indicating the frame being an RFM frame. Then the network device sends the encapsulated frame out of the network device according to the destination information of the encapsulated frame.

Abstract: A method of updating conversation allocation in link aggregation is disclosed. The method starts with verifying that an implementation of a conversation-sensitive link aggregation control protocol (LACP) is operational at a network device of a network for an aggregation port. Then it is determined that operations through enhanced link aggregation control protocol data units (LACPDUs) are possible. The enhanced LACPDUs can be used for updating conversation allocation information, and the determination is based at least partially on a compatibility check between a first set of operational parameters of the network device and a second set of operational parameters of a partner network device. Then a conversation allocation state of an aggregation port of the link aggregation group is updated based on a determination that the conversation allocation state is incorrect, where the conversation allocation state indicates a list of conversations transmitting through the aggregation port.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that is to be executed for supporting operator commands in a link aggregation group at a network device. The method starts with receiving a local operator command for changing aggregation port priority of the link aggregation group, where the local operator command contains operator command attributes including an operator command aggregation port prioritized list. The method continues with determining that the operator command aggregation port prioritized list is different from a remote aggregation port prioritized list used at the remote network device. The network device then transmits a set of operator command attributes associated with the local operator command to the remote network device and performs the local operator command by setting a local aggregation port prioritized list to be consistent with the operator command aggregation port prioritized list for the link aggregation group.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed to compute and distribute a generalized almost directed acyclic graph (GADAG). The method includes computing, by a network element, a GADAG for the network, where the GADAG is a graph abstraction of the network, where the plurality of network elements are the vertices of the GADAG and links connecting the plurality of network elements are the directed edges of the GADAG. The method continues with assembling a GADAG descriptor based on the computed GADAG, and distributing the GADAG descriptor to a plurality of network elements, where each of the plurality of network elements utilizes the GADAG descriptor to compute maximally redundant trees for forwarding traffic. The method also includes leveraging layer 2 attributes and features for layer 2 deployments and updating redundant trees upon topology change events such that traffic outage is avoided or minimized.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for operating a virtual node in a LAG that includes a first virtual node and a second virtual node are disclosed. The first virtual node includes at least a first fellow node and a second fellow node. In one exemplary method, the first fellow node receives, from the second virtual node, first control information comprising a system ID and first configuration information associated with the LAG. The first control information is compared with reference configuration information representing previously established expected configuration information associated with the LAG. Based on that comparison, and at least one additional criterion, a split brain condition may be determined to exist in the LAG. In a complementary fashion, a fellow node of the second virtual node may be configured to alter its transmitted configuration information depending on whether it is able to communicate with its fellow node in the second virtual node.

Abstract: A method is executed by a network device for implementing conversation-sensitive collection for frames received on a port of a link of a link aggregation group. The network device executes an aggregator to collect the frames for aggregator clients, where each frame is associated with a service identifier and a conversation identifier. The service identifier identifies a data flow at a link level for a service. The conversation identifier identifies the data flow at a link aggregation group level, where each conversation data flow consists of an ordered sequence of frames, and where the conversation-sensitive collection maintains the ordered sequence by discarding frames of conversations not allocated to the port.

Abstract: A method of updating conversation allocation in link aggregation is disclosed. The method starts with verifying that an implementation of a conversation-sensitive link aggregation control protocol (LACP) is operational at a network device of a network for an aggregation port. Then it is determined that operations through enhanced link aggregation control protocol data units (LACPDUs) are possible. The enhanced LACPDUs can be used for updating conversation allocation information, and the determination is based at least partially on a compatibility check between a first set of operational parameters of the network device and a second set of operational parameters of a partner network device. Then a conversation allocation state of an aggregation port of the link aggregation group is updated based on a determination that the conversation allocation state is incorrect, where the conversation allocation state indicates a list of conversations transmitting through the aggregation port.

Abstract: A method is executed by a network device for implementing conversation-sensitive collection for frames received on a port of a link of a link aggregation group. The network device executes an aggregator to collect the frames for aggregator clients, where each frame is associated with a service identifier and a conversation identifier. The service identifier identifies a data flow at a link level for a service. The conversation identifier identifies the data flow at a link aggregation group level, where each conversation data flow consists of an ordered sequence of frames, and where the conversation-sensitive collection maintains the ordered sequence by discarding frames of conversations not allocated to the port.

Abstract: A method forward Ethernet frames at a node in a network supporting an implementation of shortest path bridging (SPB) protocol is disclosed. The method starts with a shortest path computation for the node (referred to as the computing node). The shortest path computation selects at least a shortest path to each destination node in the network, where a neighboring node on the shortest path to reach each node is recorded. Then it computes a downstream loop-free alternate (LFA) node for a destination node, where the LFA node is downstream of the computing node but not on the selected shortest path to the destination node from the computing node. Then when connectivity to the neighboring node on the computed shortest path is detected to be abnormal, the node forwards an Ethernet frame with a destination media access control (MAC) address corresponding to the destination node through the LFA node.

Abstract: A method of managing content of a plurality of networked web sites includes the step of creating a plurality of websites forming a network, wherein at least one of the networked websites is an original site with original content, wherein at least one of the other of the networked websites is a promote site for the original site. The method further includes the step of generating a promote webpage containing a promoted content associated with the original content. The promote webpage is maintained on the promote site. The promote webpage includes a hyperlink for at least one element of the promoted content to the original content, wherein the hyperlink provides a reference to a location of the promote webpage and an original content URL for accessing the original content at the original site.

Abstract: Molecules of a coupling layer composition in a semiconductor device are bidimensionally polymerized in order to provide enhanced moisture blocking effect, particularly when the coupling layer is formed on a porous layer, such as a porous dielectric layer. The deposition of the coupling layer on the underlying structure and/or the cross-polymerization of the coupling layer composition and/or a final metallization can be photo-activated, especially, but not only, using an ultraviolet light.

Abstract: According to one example embodiment, a method is implemented by a network node to verify that a switching network has converged to a stable routing state. The network node receives a network state digest from each of a plurality of switching nodes in the switching network. Each network state digest is indicative of a topology of the switching network as perceived by a given switching node. The network node determines that the switching network has converged to a stable routing state based on a comparison of the received network state digests. In one or more embodiments the network node is a switching node of the switching network.

Abstract: A method for interworking between a first protocol entity (12) adapted to operate in accordance with a stream reservation protocol for reserving resources for a data stream along a stream path of the data stream and a second protocol entity (14a, 14b) adapted to operate in accordance with a routing protocol for distributing information in a communication network (20) is described. The method comprises sending (S22), from the first protocol entity (12) to the second protocol entity (14a, 14b), a request for stream path formation indicating, for a data stream to be sent, a stream path in the communication network, (20).

Abstract: According to one example embodiment, a network node initiates a desired configuration of a switching network by sending a link state message containing a configuration descriptor specifying the desired configuration and a predetermined type value. The configuration descriptor may describe an explicit path for routing data traffic through the switching network. The explicit path may comprise strict hops or a combination of strict hops and loose hops. The configuration message is propagated through the network by flooding. Each network node receiving the configuration message is instructed to take appropriate action to implement the specified configuration and send a result report indicating a result of the configuration action. The result report may be included in a link state message and propagated by flooding so that all network nodes are able to determine whether the configuration was successfully completed based upon the result reports send from the network nodes.

Abstract: A turbo machine, especially gas turbine, comprises a rotor, which rotates about a horizontal machine axis, and which is enclosed by a coaxial enclosure comprising a metal casing, whereby an electrical heating system is provided on the lower half of said metal casing. A safe operation is achieved by having said heating system configured as a redundant system.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to forward Ethernet frames associated with a service instance at a node (a “forwarding node”) in a network supporting an implementation of a protocol for creating logical loop-free topologies. The method starts with receiving a number of MMRPDUs at the forwarding node from links in the first network (receiving links), where each MMRPDU of the first plurality of MMRPDUs contains a first interested node list including one or more interested nodes identified by MAC addresses. Then a service instance identifier (SID) is identified for the service instance and a first set of MAC addresses interested in the service instance is formed. Then a number of MMRPDUs are sent to links associated with the service instance, where each MMRPDU contains a second set of MAC addresses interested in the service instance. The sending may be accompanied by the node installing filtering at the forwarding node accordingly.