Abstract: A method and arrangement for discovering the physical topology of a telecommunication network having switches, routers, and a management node interconnected by links in a spanning tree and links to blocked interfaces. The management node broadcasts a ping message and adds replying nodes to the topology. The management node discovers the spanning tree by retrieving address forwarding tables from the switches, assigning them a ranking value, and connecting from the highest ranked nodes to successively lower ranked nodes. The management node discovers the blocked interfaces by configuring a VLAN to include the spanning tree and disabling the spanning tree protocol. The blocked interfaces are turned on and off while matching link down traps are noted and the corresponding links are discovered. Only basic management features of the switches are needed, and all nodes and links are discovered.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for failure handling in a tree-structured communications network having interconnected edge nodes and switching nodes. VLANs may be established by using spanning trees to provide connectivity in case of a failure in the network. Emitters in the edge nodes periodically broadcast alive messages on the VLANs, and notifiers note the alive messages. A missing alive message indicates a failure on one of the VLANs, and the notifier broadcasts corresponding failure messages on the VLANs. When the alive messages are restored, the notifier broadcasts corresponding repair messages. If a notifier fails to note a failure, one of the edge nodes performs a similar function although somewhat slower.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for failure handling in a tree-structured communications network having interconnected edge nodes and switching nodes. VLANs may be established by using spanning trees to provide connectivity in case of a failure in the network. Emitters in the edge nodes periodically broadcast alive messages on the VLANs, and notifiers note the alive messages. A missing alive message indicates a failure on one of the VLANs, and the notifier broadcasts corresponding failure messages on the VLANs. When the alive messages are restored, the notifier broadcasts corresponding repair messages. If a notifier fails to note a failure, one of the edge nodes performs a similar function although somewhat slower.

Abstract: A passivating coupling material for, on the one hand, passivating a dielectric layer in a semiconductor device, and on the other hand, for permitting or at least promoting liquid phase metal deposition thereon in a subsequent process step. In a particular example, the dielectric layer may be a porous material having a desirably decreased dielectric constant k, and the passivating coupling material provides steric shielding groups that substantially block the adsorption and uptake of ambient moisture into the porous dielectric layer. The passivating coupling materials also provides metal nucleation sides for promoting the deposition of a metal thereon in liquid phase, in comparison with metal deposition without the presence of the passivating coupling material. The use of a liquid phase metal deposition process facilitates the subsequent manufacture of the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A registration protocol for setting up and updating a tree that defines the active topology in an Ethernet network includes a plurality of application components and a plurality of attribute declaration components corresponding to the application components, wherein the application components declare and register attribute values and the corresponding attribute declaration components make and withdraw registration of the attributes.

Abstract: A cleaning solution for a semiconductor wafer comprises ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, a complexing agent and a block copolymer surfactant diluted in water. The cleaning solution can be used in single wafer cleaning tools to remove both particulate contaminants and metallic residues.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for facilitating a network, such as an Ethernet LAN, for efficient forwarding of data traffic by collecting neighbor information, generating and distributing link state advertisements, populating a topology database for the network, and calculating trees for each bridge serving as a root bridge. In a preferred embodiment the method and system also prepare one or more backup topologies, and store them for use if they are needed due to a failure condition detected in the network. In a particularly preferred embodiment, probabilities are assigned to various potential failure conditions, and the probability values are used to decide which backup topologies to calculate, store, or use.

Abstract: A system for removing particles from a polishing pad to improve the efficiency of the removal of material by the polishing pad as part of a chemical-mechanical polishing process, the system comprising a polishing pad; a fluid dispenser arranged to dispense a fluid on the polishing pad; and removal means, wherein the removal means include a heater for increasing the temperature of the fluid dispensed on the polishing pad, and/or voltage means for coupling the polishing pad to a voltage source for repelling charged particles from the polishing pad surface while the fluid dispenser is dispensing the fluid on the polishing pad.

Abstract: A method for generating spanning trees (ST1,ST2,ST3) in a network (NW2). The network has nodes (A-K) interconnected by links (L2) and the trees are used for handling link and node failures. For handling link failures there is for each link (L2) at least one tree (ST1,ST2) that does not include that link. For node failures there is for each node (A-K) at least one spanning tree (ST1-ST3) to which the particular node is connected by a single link (L2). The first spanning tree (ST1) connects all nodes (A-K) and from each node one link is left unconnected. The second tree (ST2) includes all nodes and all the unconnected links. None of the links is included in both the trees (ST1,ST2). If node B is broken, node A cannot communicate with nodes C and D so the third tree (ST3) is needed. The method has the advantage of giving a low number of trees also for big networks of any topology and can be implemented off-line.

Abstract: A network node of a telecommunications network controlled by a link-state protocol includes a network interface which receives a message that contains information on a change in topology of the network. The node includes a processing unit that blocks forwarding of traffic to at least one neighbor node of the network at the network interface, agrees on the change in topology with the neighbor node; and unblocks the forwarding of traffic when the neighbor node has information about the topology which is the same as the information about the topology in a memory. A transient loop prevention method of a network node of a network having a plurality of a network nodes controlled by a link-state protocol includes the steps of receiving a message at a network interface which contains information on a change in topology of the network. There is the step of blocking forwarding of traffic to each neighbor node of the network at the network interface by a processing unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for forming a capping layer on a conducting interconnect for a semiconductor device, the process comprising: providing a substrate comprising one or more conductors in a dielectric layer, the conductors having an oxide layer at their surface; exposing the surface of the substrate to a vapour of ?-diketone or a ?-ketoimine; and depositing a capping layer on the surface of at least some of the one or more conductors. The present invention further provides an apparatus for carrying out this method.

Abstract: A method is provided for use at a first node of a network. The first node (B) has an input path for receiving Ethernet frames destined for a second node of the network. The first node (B) also has a first output (working) path for forwarding the received Ethernet frames towards the second node. A failure along the first output (working) path is detected at the first node. Following such failure detection, the received Ethernet frames are caused, at the first node, to be re-routed along a second output (backup) path, different to the first output (working) path, towards the second node. The re-routing is performed by using (e.g. referring to and/or changing) respective indications (VLAN1) applied to the Ethernet frames to distinguish those Ethernet frames to be forwarded along the first output (working) path from those Ethernet frames to be forwarded along the second output (backup) path.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solution for treating a surface of a substrate for use in a semiconductor device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a liquid rinse formulation for use in semiconductor processing, wherein the liquid formulation contains: i. a surface passivation agent; and ii. an oxygen scavenger, wherein the pH of the rinse formulation is 8.0 or greater.

Abstract: A material for passivating a dielectric layer in a semiconductor device has a molecular structure permitting or at least promoting liquid phase metal deposition thereon in a subsequent process step. The contemplated material may be constituted by multiple organic components. A semiconductor device including a layer of the passivating coupling material, and a method of manufacturing such a semiconductor device are also contemplated.

Abstract: A method of generating spanning trees in a network in which a plurality of network nodes are interconnected by links. The spanning trees are utilized for handling link and node failures. For link failures, each link has at least one tree that does not include that link. For node failures, each node has at least one tree to which the node is connected by a single link. A first spanning tree connects all of the nodes, and from each node one link is left unconnected. A second spanning tree includes all of the nodes and all of the unconnected links. Thus, none of the links is included in both trees. If a node failure prevents other nodes from communicating, a third spanning tree is needed. The method minimizes the number of required trees in large networks of any topology and can be implemented off-line.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method (200, 300, 400) for traffic control in a cellular telephony system (100) comprising a number of cells, each cell comprising at least one Radio Base Station, RBS, (170). The system (100) comprises at least one Radio Network Controller, RNC, (110 130 150), for the control of a number of Radio Base stations. The traffic between an RBS and an RNC comprises a number of flows. The invention is intended for the control of flows from the Radio Base Stations to their RNC. The method uses one control function for each flow from each of said Radio Base Stations, and also comprises a congestion detection function (220) which detects the presence or absence of congestion in the traffic from an RBS to an RNC, and which, upon detection of congestion reduces the bit rate of the congested traffic, and in the absence of congestion, increases the bit rate of the previously congested traffic.

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: A method of localising a fault in a network is disclosed. The network comprises nodes (SW1 . . . SW4) links, and edge-nodes (EN1 . . . EN4) arranged as a plurality of spanning trees (T1, T2,T3), the spanning trees being partially disjoint. The network further comprises means for network management. The method comprising the steps of receiving information on the configuration of the plurality of tree topologies in the network; monitoring connectivity in the network; upon detection of a loss of connectivity in the network, identifying the failed tree(s), and determining the network elements common to the failed tree(s).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a Spanning Tree to nodes on an Ethernet network. A Spanning Tree topology is calculated, and a Resource Reservation Protocol Traffic Extension path message is generated. The path message contains at least a part of the Spanning Tree topology. The path message is sent to bridges on the Ethernet network. The bridge nodes that receive the path message configure their port states depending on the information contained in the path message, and may also configure port Virtual Local Area Network membership.

Abstract: A passivating coupling material for, on the one hand, passivating a dielectric layer in a semiconductor device, and on the other hand, for permitting or at least promoting liquid phase metal deposition thereon in a subsequent process step. In a particular example, the dielectric layer may be a porous material having a desirably decreased dielectric constant k, and the passivating coupling material provides steric shielding groups that substantially block the adsorption and uptake of ambient moisture into the porous dielectric layer. The passivating coupling materials also provides metal nucleation sides for promoting the deposition of a metal thereon in liquid phase, in comparison with metal deposition without the presence of the passivating coupling material. The use of a liquid phase metal deposition process facilitates the subsequent manufacture of the semiconductor device.