Abstract: A fault-tolerant stack of low cost switches each having only two dual-purpose uplinks is enabled by utilizing a specified topology for connecting the uplinks and implementing a recovery algorithm on each switch.

Abstract: A method for programming programmable devices includes monitoring a status pin for each of the programmable devices, maintaining state information for the programmable devices indicating whether each programmable device is programmed, and transitioning each programmable device from a programmed state to an operating state. A monitoring module includes detectors, a memory and a processor. The detectors detect indications on the status pins of programmable devices that the programmable devices are programmed. The memory stores state information about the programmable devices. The processor communicates control signals to the programmable devices instructing them to transition from the programmed state to the operating state.

Abstract: A method for distributing digital subscriber line (xDSL) data traffic includes receiving xDSL traffic at a DSLAM including a plurality of input ports and a plurality of output queues. Each input port includes a plurality of virtual circuits. Each of the plurality of virtual circuits are dynamically assigned to one of the plurality of output queues. The assignment of any particular virtual circuit to one of the plurality of output queues is independent of which of the plurality of input ports the particular virtual circuit is associated with. In accordance with the particular embodiment, the total number of virtual circuits is greater than a total number of output queues.

Abstract: A network element connector assembly including stacked connector interfaces is disclosed. According to one embodiment, an apparatus is provided which includes a first connector interface to couple a first network connector with a mounting surface and a second connector interface to couple a second network connector with the mounting surface, where the first connector interface and second connector interface are vertically aligned with one another with respect to the mounting surface, the first connector interface includes a fixed connector interface module, and the second connector interface includes an aperture to receive a removable connector interface module.

Abstract: A network element connector assembly including Stacked electrical and optical connector is disclosed. According to one embodiment, an apparatus is provided which includes an optical connector interface to couple an optical network connector with a mounting surface, an electrical connector interface to couple an electrical network connector with the mounting surface, where the optical connector interface and electrical connector interface are vertically aligned with one another with respect to the mounting surface, and where the optical connector interface and electrical connector interface are associated with a network element port.

Abstract: An interleaved read/write operation in a data switch determines a read memory of at least two memories that has been accessed during a most recent read operation. A memory controller determines a write memory different from the read memory and accesses a cell buffer list associated with the write memory to determine a buffer to store the cell. The switch writes the cell to the buffer to interleave read/write operations between the read memory and the write memory.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing having a first side and a second side, and a plurality of Registered Jack (RJ) plugs attached to the first side. A plurality of RJ jacks is also included in the device. The RJ jacks are disposed within the second side of the housing. Each RJ jack is electrically connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of RJ plugs on the first side of the housing. The apparatus also includes a securing mechanism associated with at least one of the plurality of plugs. The securing mechanism is operable to releasably connect the plurality of plugs to a second plurality of RJ jacks on the device, thereby facilitating insertion of the plurality of plugs into the second plurality of jacks.