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 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: 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: A method carried out by a first communications router for transmitting data packets to a second communications router by establishing an aggregated end-to-end connection with the second communications router. The aggregated end-to-end connection comprises a plurality of established end-to-end connections which are classified into a first group and at least one non-first group of established end-to-end connection(s). The first group of established end-to-end connection(s) satisfy all of one or more conditions and the at least one non-first group of established end-to-end connection(s) do not satisfy all of the one or more conditions. Data packets are transmitted through the first group of established end-to-end connection(s) and the at least one non-first group of established end-to-end connection(s), although, it is preferred to transmit data packets through the first group of established end-to-end connection(s).

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 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 recreating missing data packets of a data session established between a first communications router and a second communications router through an aggregated connection. The first communications router receives data packets belonging to a data session from the second communications router through the aggregated connection. The data packets are destined to a first host reachable through the first communications router. The first communications router transmits the data packets to the first host and determines whether there is one or more missing data packets. If there is one or more missing data packets, the first communications router determines global sequence number(s) (GSN) and per tunnel sequence numbers (PTSN) of the one or more missing data packets and recreates payload(s) of the one or more missing data packet(s). One or more new data packets are then transmitted to the first host.

Abstract: A method carried out at a network node for managing aggregated Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection. The network node establishes an aggregated VPN connection with a network element and determines a first uplink bandwidth limit and/or a first downlink bandwidth limit. The uplink bandwidth at the network node is limited to the first uplink bandwidth limit if the first uplink bandwidth limit is determined. The downlink bandwidth at the network node is limited to the first downlink bandwidth limit if the first downlink bandwidth limit is determined. The network node encapsulates first data packets in first encapsulating packets and then transmits the first encapsulating packets to the network element through the aggregated VPN connection within the first uplink bandwidth limit. The network node receives second encapsulating packets from the network element within the first downlink bandwidth limit, and then decapsulates second data packets from the second encapsulating packets.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and systems for transmitting data packets through a plurality of connections and through a gateway at a network node. The network node receives network performance observation report (NPOR) from the gateway. Based on the NPOR, the network node determines at least one of the plurality of wide area network (WAN) interfaces of the gateway for transmitting data packets. The network node then creates and transmits an instruction to the gateway. When the network node transmits the data packets to the gateway, the network node also creates and transmits an instruction to the gateway to determine the WAN interface(s) of the gateway for transmitting the packets.

Abstract: A method of operating a communication system, comprising the steps of: receiving a first OSI layer two packet from a first network interface; determining transmission type of the first OSI layer two packet; determining whether to send a second OSI layer two packet according to the transmission type, origin and destination of the first OSI layer two packet; determining destination address and transmission type of the second OSI layer two packet when determined to send the second OSI layer two packet; and sending the second OSI layer two packet through a second network interface when determined to send the second OSI layer two packet; wherein when the first OSI layer two packet is encapsulated in at least one layer three packet, the second OSI layer two packet is not encapsulated in any OSI layer three packet; and wherein when the first OSI layer two packet is not encapsulated in any Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) layer three packet, the second OSI layer two packet is encapsulated in at least one OSI layer

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and systems for transmitting data packets from a first communications router to a second communications router through an aggregated connection comprising a plurality of tunnels. The first communications router receives a first data packet belonging to a data session from a first host. The first communications router then transmits the first data packet to the second communications router and stores the first data packet in a local storage medium. The first communications router determines whether an error correction mode is activated. If an error correction mode is activated, the first communications router retransmits the first data packet and also transmits an error correction packet corresponding to the first data packet.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and systems for transmitting a received packet at a first network node through an aggregated connection. The first network node determines session information of the received packet and determines whether a new tunnel needs to be selected for transmitting the received packet. When a new tunnel needs to be selected, a hash result is determined. The hash result is substantially based on the session information and the number of available tunnels. A first tunnel is determined for transmitting the received packet according to the hash result. The session information and tunnel ID of the first tunnel is then stored in a first database. The received packet is transmitted through the first tunnel. When a new tunnel need not be selected, a lookup is performed to determine a tunnel ID substantially based on the session information. The received packet is transmitted through the determined tunnel.

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.

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: A method carried out at a network node for managing aggregated Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection. The network node establishes an aggregated VPN connection with a network element and determines a first uplink bandwidth limit and/or a first downlink bandwidth limit. The uplink bandwidth at the network node is limited to the first uplink bandwidth limit if the first uplink bandwidth limit is determined. The downlink bandwidth at the network node is limited to the first downlink bandwidth limit if the first downlink bandwidth limit is determined. The network node encapsulates first data packets in first encapsulating packets and then transmits the first encapsulating packets to the network element through the aggregated VPN connection within the first uplink bandwidth limit. The network node receives second encapsulating packets from the network element within the first downlink bandwidth limit, and then decapsulates second data packets from the second encapsulating 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: A method and system for using tunnel association information to allow network device to transfer and receive layer two packets through provide a layer two tunnel between different layer two networks through multiple network links. Layer 3 packets are used to encapsulate layer two packets. The tunnel association information includes a network link identification and a tunnel sequence number. The network link identification is used to identify the network link and virtual private tunnel said one or more layer three packets belonging to and the tunnel sequence number is used to identify the sequence of said one or mow layer three packets in a network link.

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: A method carried out by a first communications device for transmitting data packets, wherein the first communications device comprises a plurality of network interfaces. Data packets are transmitted through a first network interface when a first condition is satisfied, and through a second network interface when a second condition is satisfied. In one of the embodiments, the plurality of network interfaces are classified into a plurality of groups of network interfaces according to a first group of conditions, and the first network interface and second network interface belong to two different groups of network interfaces.

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.