Abstract: A device implementing the subject wireless communication system may include one or more memories, and one or more processors coupled to the one or more memories. In some aspects, the one or more processors are configured to cause receiving a first frame comprising an indication that the station has data buffered at an access point, determining, in response to the first frame, whether a measured buffer depth exceeds a predetermined threshold, receiving a second frame comprising a predetermined amount of buffered data based on the measured buffer depth, transitioning, after the predetermined amount of buffered data is received, into a sleep mode for a first predetermined duration when the measured buffer depth exceeds the predetermined threshold, and transitioning into the sleep mode for a second predetermined duration less than the first predetermined duration when the measured buffer depth does not exceed the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A device implementing the subject wireless communication system may include one or more memories, and one or more processors coupled to the one or more memories. In some aspects, the one or more processors are configured to cause receiving a first frame comprising an indication that the station has data buffered at an access point, determining, in response to the first frame, whether a measured buffer depth exceeds a predetermined threshold, receiving a second frame comprising a predetermined amount of buffered data based on the measured buffer depth, transitioning, after the predetermined amount of buffered data is received, into a sleep mode for a first predetermined duration when the measured buffer depth exceeds the predetermined threshold, and transitioning into the sleep mode for a second predetermined duration less than the first predetermined duration when the measured buffer depth does not exceed the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for securely forwarding data packets at a data switching node in a data transport network is provided. The data switching node maintains a switching database of switching entries. Each switching entry has a modification protection feature preventing its modification when activated. Dynamic topology discovery of data network nodes can be disabled via topology discovery control flags associated with individual physical communications ports of the data switching node. Unknown destination flood data traffic is not replicated to physical communications ports having topology discovery disabled or specifying the suppression of replication of such unknown destination data traffic thereto. The advantages are derived from a data switching node being enabled to operate concurrently in friendly and hostile environments while detecting, preventing and reporting incidences of hostile MAC ADDR attacks.

Abstract: A high availability backplane architecture. The backplane system includes redundant node boards operatively communicating with redundant switch fabric boards. Uplink ports of the node boards are logically grouped into trunk ports at one end of the communication link with the switch fabric boards. The node boards and the switch fabric boards routinely perform link integrity checks when operating in a normal mode such that each can independently initiate failover to working ports when a link failure is detected. Link failure is detected either by sending a link heartbeat message after the link has had no traffic for a predetermined interval, or after receiving a predetermined consecutive number of invalid packets. Once the link failure is resolved, operation resumes in normal mode.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for storing and searching computer node addresses in a computer network system. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a frame forwarding device such as a switch. The switch includes two MAC address tables including a primary MAC address table and secondary MAC address table both for storing and searching MAC addresses. The primary table stores records that contain compressed values of MAC addresses. The records are contained in storage locations that are referenced using the compressed value of the MAC address as a search index. In order to account for searching collisions that may result from different MAC addresses compressing to the same value, each record in the primary address table is linked to a chain of records in the secondary table. The records in the secondary table store the full value of the MAC address. Each chain of records in the secondary address table contains MAC addresses the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for storing and searching computer node addresses in a computer network system. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a frame forwarding device such as a switch. The switch includes two MAC address tables including a primary MAC address table and secondary MAC address table both for storing and searching MAC addresses. The primary table stores records that contain compressed values of MAC addresses. The records are contained in storage locations that are referenced using the compressed value of the MAC address as a search index. In order to account for searching collisions that may result from different MAC addresses compressing to the same value, each record in the primary address table is linked to a chain of records in the secondary table. The records in the secondary table store the full value of the MAC address. Each chain of records in the secondary address table contains MAC addresses the present invention.

Abstract: A method for actively detecting link failures on a high availability backplane architecture. The backplane system includes redundant node boards operatively communicating with redundant switch fabric boards. Uplink ports of the node boards are logically grouped into trunk ports at one end of the communication link with the switch fabric boards. A probe packet is sent, and a probing timer is set whenever either a specified number of bad packets are received, or an idle timer expires. If a response to the probe packet is received before the probe timer expires then the link is deemed valid, otherwise the link is presumed to have failed. Preferably, either the node boards or the switch fabric boards are configured to properly handle a probe pack, which preferably has identical source and destination addresses.

Abstract: A method of synchronizing the information held in a switching database associated with a switching function of a data switching node, with a data network node identifier record associated with a management processor enabling a managed mode thereof is provided. An entry of the switching database is modified. A status specifier corresponding to the modified entry is set to signify the modification thereof. An inspection of the switching database is initiated on the expiration of an adjustable timer, and the information held in modified switching database entries is synchronized with the data network node identifier record. This method of synchronization of the information held in the switching database spreads out of burst changes thereof over time. The advantages are derived from the use of a more economical management processor while providing the same or enhanced levels of service of the data switching node.

Abstract: A protocol enabling the exchange of information between data switching node components and a supervisory management processor is provided. The protocol defines a data frame format, data fields, data field values of a group of command frames. The exchange of information therebetween via the defined frames enables the production of data switching equipment having a generic implementation with a deployable, upgradeable and expandable feature set providing and enhancing support for current and future services.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for storing and searching computer node addresses in a computer network system. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a frame forwarding device such as a switch. The switch includes two MAC address tables including a primary MAC address table and secondary MAC address table both for storing and searching MAC addresses. The primary table stores records that contain compressed values of MAC addresses. The records are contained in storage locations that are referenced using the compressed value of the MAC address as a search index. In order to account for searching collisions that may result from different MAC addresses compressing to the same value, each record in the primary address table is linked to a chain of records in the secondary table. The records in the secondary table store the full value of the MAC address. Each chain of records in the secondary address table contains MAC addresses the present invention.

Abstract: A high availability backplane architecture. The backplane system includes redundant node boards operatively communicating with redundant switch fabric boards. Uplink ports of the node boards are logically grouped into trunk ports at one end of the communication link with the switch fabric boards. The node boards and the switch fabric boards routinely perform link integrity checks when operating in a normal mode such that each can independently initiate failover to working ports when a link failure is detected. Link failure is detected either by sending a link heartbeat message after the link has had no traffic for a predetermined interval, or after receiving a predetermined consecutive number of invalid packets. Once the link failure is resolved, operation resumes in normal mode.

Abstract: A method for actively detecting link failures on a high availability backplane architecture. The backplane system includes redundant node boards operatively communicating with redundant switch fabric boards. Uplink ports of the node boards are logically grouped into trunk ports at one end of the communication link with the switch fabric boards. A probe packet is sent, and a probing timer is set whenever either a specified number of bad packets are received, or an idle timer expires. If a response to the probe packet is received before the probe timer expires then the link is deemed valid, otherwise the link is presumed to have failed. Preferably, either the node boards or the switch fabric boards are configured to properly handle a probe pack, which preferably has identical source and destination addresses.

Abstract: A media access controller (100) having a power-saving feature. The controller (100) comprises a receive logic circuit for receiving incoming data from a physical interface device (104) and processing the incoming data for transmission to a frame processor (102), and a transmit logic circuit for receiving outgoing data of the frame processor (102) and processing the outgoing data for transmission to the physical interface device (104). A power management control logic (114) operatively connects to each of the receive logic circuit and the transmit logic circuit to control the receive logic circuit and the transmit logic circuit in a first mode or a second mode. The power management control logic (114) controls the media access controller (100) in the first mode to conserve power by stopping operation of substantial portions of both the receive and transmit logic circuits, and in the second mode, which is a full power mode, by running both the receive and transmit logic circuits.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for securely forwarding data packets at a data switching node in a data transport network is provided. The data switching node maintains a switching database of switching entries. Each switching entry has a modification protection feature preventing its modification when activated. Dynamic topology discovery of data network nodes can be disabled via topology discovery control flags associated with individual physical communications ports of the data switching node. Unknown destination flood data traffic is not replicated to physical communications ports having topology discovery disabled or specifying the suppression of replication of such unknown destination data traffic thereto. The advantages are derived from a data switching node being enabled to operate concurrently in friendly and hostile environments while detecting, preventing and reporting incidences of hostile MAC ADDR attacks.

Abstract: A method of forwarding payload data units in a virtual networking environment is presented. The method enables a data switching node to separate public access data traffic from private access data traffic. The method further assigns a predefined level of service to public access data traffic. The advantages lie in enabling a multi-port data network node to convey both public and private data traffic with assistance from management software. Improperly configured network devices connected to public access points, whether intentionally or unintentionally, are prevented from affecting data transport performance of the data networking environment in which they participate.

Abstract: A method of synchronizing the information held in a switching database associated with a switching function of a data switching node, with a data network node identifier record associated with a management processor enabling a managed mode thereof is provided. An entry of the switching database is modified. A status specifier corresponding to the modified entry is set to signify the modification thereof. An inspection of the switching database is initiated on the expiration of an adjustable timer, and the information held in modified switching database entries is synchronized with the data network node identifier record. This method of synchronization of the information held in the switching database spreads out of burst changes thereof over time. The advantages are derived from the use of a more economical management processor while providing the same or enhanced levels of service of the data switching node.

Abstract: A pipeline search engine. A plurality of logically partitioned pipeline structures are provided for inputting packet information of a packet with a first pipeline of the plurality of pipeline structures to generate pointing information therefrom. The pointing information is processed with a second pipeline structure of said plurality of pipeline structures to obtain destination information of one or more destination outputs. The destination information is forwarded to an output pipeline structure of the plurality of pipeline structures for transmission of the packet to the one or more destination outputs.

Abstract: A protocol enabling the exchange of information between data switching node components and a supervisory management processor is provided. The protocol defines a data frame format, data fields, data field values of a group of command frames. The exchange of information therebetween via the defined frames enables the production of data switching equipment having a generic implementation with a deployable, upgradeable and expandable feature set providing and enhancing support for current and future services.