Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and network nodes for distributing data packets through a plurality of wide area network (WAN) interfaces and through a gateway at a network node. In order to determine whether the gateway is a slave gateway, identification request is sent to the gateway by a network node. When the gateway is configured as a slave gateway, transmitting instruction to the gateway. Further, weighting may be assigned to the WAN interfaces. Further, connections may be established through WAN interfaces of the network node and WAN interfaces of the gateway. The connections may further be aggregated together to form an aggregated connection.

Abstract: Methods and systems for transmitting and receiving data between a first node and a second node through a first tunnel group and a second tunnel group respectively. The first node transmits data to the second node mainly through a first tunnel group and receives data from the second node mainly through a second tunnel group. In some embodiments, the first node receives first IP packets from one of its LAN interfaces and then transmits encapsulated first IP packets and then are transmitted mainly through a first one or more WAN interfaces to the second node. The first node receives encapsulated second IP packets mainly from the second node through a second one or more of its WAN interfaces. Second IP packets are then decapsulated and transmitted through one of the LAN interfaces of the first node.

Abstract: A method carried out by a first communication gateway for transmitting broadcast data. Broadcast data is first received through a first network interface. The first communication gateway determines whether the broadcast data satisfies at least one condition, and forwards the broadcast data through at least one tunnel and through a second network interface to a second communication gateway if the broadcast data satisfies the at least one condition. The broadcast data is encapsulated in at least one encapsulating packet and the at least one encapsulating packet is decapsulated by the second communication gateway in order to retrieve the broadcast data. The broadcast data is then distributed by the second communication gateway to a second network.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and systems for managing an error correction mode at a first communications router. The first communication router transmits data packets to a second communications router and stores the first data packet in a local storage medium. When a delay inquiry message is received from the second communications router, the first communications router activates the error correction mode. When the error correction mode is activated, the first data packet is retransmitted to the second communications router and an error correction packet corresponding to the first data packet is also transmitted. When a back-to-normal message is received from the second communications router, the first communications router deactivates the error correction mode. The back-to-normal message indicates that the first communications router no longer needs to be in error correction mode.

Abstract: Methods and systems for transmitting data packets through a selected connection that the first data packet of a data session satisfies a match condition. The match condition is received through a user interface. When data packets of the data session are received, the data packets will then be transmitted through a selected connection. The selected connection is selected from connections based on a connection selection criteria. Further differentiated services code point (DSCP) of first data packet is changed when sent by a computing device. After a network node receives the first data packet, then resets the DSCP value before sending the first data packet.

Abstract: Methods and systems for transmitting data packets of a data session through a selected connection at a network node. The network node determines number of possible connections. When data packets belong to a new data session, a connection is selected to be the selected connection based on connection selection criteria. Further data packets belonging to the data session will be transmitted through the selected connection. A connection selection criteria include selecting a connection with the lowest latency among all connections. Evaluation packets based on the first data packet of the new data session are used to evaluate latency.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and system for processing a first layer two packet converting a first layer two packet to a first unicast layer two packet at a wireless access point. The wireless access point receives first one or more layer three packets and extracts a first layer two packet from the first one or more layer three packets. If the first layer 2 packet is a multicast packet and it satisfies the predefined rule, the first layer two packet is converted to a layer two unicast packet with a first destination address and send to a Local Area Network (LAN) network interface. If the first layer two packet does not satisfy the predefined rule, it is broadcast to one or more LAN network interface. When the first layer two packet is not a multicast packet, it is sent to its corresponding destination address through one or more LAN network.

Abstract: Methods and systems for transmitting and receiving data between a first node and a second node through a first tunnel group and a second tunnel group respectively. The first node transmits data to the second node mainly through a first tunnel group and receives data from the second node mainly through a second tunnel group. In some embodiments, the first node receives first IP packets from one of its LAN interfaces and then transmits encapsulated first IP packets and then are transmitted mainly through a first one or more WAN interfaces to the second node. The first node receives encapsulated second IP packets mainly from the second node through a second one or more of its WAN interfaces. Second IP packets are then de-capsulated and transmitted through one of the LAN interfaces of the first node.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and systems for managing an error correction mode at a first communications router. The first communication router transmits data packets to a second communications router and stores the first data packet in a local storage medium, When a delay inquiry message is received from the second communications router, the first communications router activates the error correction mode. When the error correction mode is activated, the first data packet is retransmitted to the second communications router and an error correction packet corresponding to the first data packet is also transmitted. When a back-to-normal message is received from the second communications router, the first communications router deactivates the error correction mode. The back-to-normal message indicates that the first communications router no longer needs to be in error correction mode.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and systems for sending information packets from a first network node to a second network node. An aggregated tunnel is established between the first network node and the second network node. An information packet is determined whether to be sent according to profile condition(s) of the aggregated tunnel and then according to a selected policy. When a selected policy is selected and the information packet is sent through a tunnel according to the selected policy. When no policy is selected, the information packet is sent through one of a first group of tunnels. When no profile is selected, the information packet is sent through a network interface of the first network node.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and systems for managing an error correction mode at a first communications router. The first communication router transmits data packets to a second communications router and stores the first data packet in a local storage medium, When a delay inquiry message is received from the second communications router, the first communications router activates the error correction mode. When the error correction mode is activated, the first data packet is retransmitted to the second communications router and an error correction packet corresponding to the first data packet is also transmitted. When a back-to-normal message is received from the second communications router, the first communications router deactivates the error correction mode. The back-to-normal message indicates that the first communications router no longer needs to be in error correction mode.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for devices, systems, and methods which optimize throughput of bonded connections over multiple variable bandwidth logical paths by adjusting a tunnel bandwidth weighting schema during a data transfer session in response to a change in bandwidth capabilities of one or more tunnels. By making such adjustments, embodiments of the present invention are able to optimize the bandwidth potential of multiple connections being used in a session, while minimizing the adverse consequences of reduced bandwidth issues which may occur during the data transfer session.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method carried out by a first communications device for determining performance of a plurality of connections and selecting at least one first connection from the plurality of connections substantially based on performance. Data packets are then transmitted through the at least one first connection. The plurality of connections are aggregated to form an aggregated connection. The determining of performance is performed by transmitting evaluation packets through the plurality of connections. The evaluation packets are based on data packets that are received by the first communication device but have not yet been transmitted through the aggregated connection. The data packets may be designated for a host or node reachable through the aggregated connection. Alternatively, the evaluation packets may be based on predefined information when there are no data packets to be transmitted through the aggregated connection. The performance may be determined periodically.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and systems for processing data packets received at a first network node and for processing encapsulating packets received at a second network node. The first network node receives data packets from its network interface. It then selects a first tunnel and selects none or at least one second tunnel according to a selection policy. Original encapsulating packets (OEPs) are transmitted to a second network node through the first tunnel and at least one duplicate encapsulating packet (DEP) is transmitted through the at least one second tunnel. The second network node receives an encapsulating packet with a global sequence number (GSN) through an aggregated connection. The second network node determines whether one or more data packets corresponding to the encapsulating packet have been received earlier. The second network node may then determine whether or not to forward the one or more data packets.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and systems for managing VPN tunnels. A VPN concentrator establishes a first aggregated VPN connection and a second aggregated VPN connection with a rust host and a first network device respectively. When the first aggregated VPN connection comprises a first plurality of VPN tunnels, the VPN concentrator applies uplink and downlink bandwidth limits to each of the plurality of VPN tunnels. Similarly, when the second aggregated VPN connection comprise a second plurality of VPN tunnels, the VPN concentrator applies uplink and downlink bandwidth limits to each of the plurality of VPN tunnels. The first host encapsulates a first data packet in a first encapsulating packet and transmits the first encapsulating packet to a VPN concentrator using a first aggregated VPN connection.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and systems for transmitting broadcast data at a communication gateway. When the communication gateway receives a broadcast packet from a host or node, the communication gateway determines whether the broadcast packet satisfies at least one condition. If the broadcast packet satisfies the at least one condition, it is determined whether or not to modify a time to live (TTL) value. The TTL value of the broadcast packet is modified if it is determined to modify the TTL value. The broadcast packet is then forwarded to the destination address of the broadcast packet based on the TTL value. The destination address is reachable through an interconnected network.

Abstract: Methods and systems for creating protocol header to allow network device to transfer and receive layer two packets through multiple network links. One or more layer three packets are used to encapsulate layer two packets. The protocol header includes a network link identification and a tunnel sequence number. The network link identification is used to identify the network link and the tunnel sequence number is used to identify the sequence of the one or more layer three packets in a network link. A layer two packet may be encrypted first before being embedded in the one or more layer three packets.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for devices, systems, and methods which optimize throughput of bonded connections over multiple variable bandwidth logical paths by adjusting a tunnel bandwidth weighting schema during a data transfer session in response to a change in bandwidth capabilities of one or more tunnels. By making such adjustments, embodiments of the present invention are able to optimize the bandwidth potential of multiple connections being used in a session, while minimizing the adverse consequences of reduced bandwidth issues which may occur during the data transfer session.

Abstract: Methods and systems for creating protocol header to allow network device to transfer and receive layer two packets through multiple network links. One or more layer three packets are used to encapsulate layer two packets. The protocol header includes a network link identification and a tunnel sequence number. The network link identification is used to identify the network link and the tunnel sequence number is used to identify the sequence of the one or more layer three packets in a network link. A layer two packet may be encrypted first before being embedded in the one or more layer three packets.

Abstract: A method and system for a first node to transmit packets to a second none, comprising receiving a packet from a local area network (LAN) interface, inspecting the packet; determining whether the packet satisfies at least one packet condition; transmitting the packet through a predefined tunnel if the packet satisfies the at least one packet condition; transmitting the packet through a second tunnel if the packet does not satisfy the at least one packet condition. The predefined tunnel is a first tunnel and is established before the packet is received by the first node. The second tunnel belongs to a first tunnel group or a second tunnel group. The first tunnel, the second tunnel and other tunnels may together form an aggregated connection. Further, the use of predefined tunnel may be based on whether the packets satisfy a session condition.