Abstract: An apparatus for suppressing oscillations of an oscillating body includes a magnetic base and a magnetic stabilizing mass pivotably coupled to the magnetic base by a pivot assembly. The pivot assembly defines a pivot axis about which the magnetic stabilizing mass is pivotable, relative to the magnetic base, between a first position and a second position. The magnetic stabilizing mass has an equilibrium position between the first position and the second position. The magnetic base produces magnetic fields that magnetically repel the magnetic stabilizing mass away from the first position at least when the magnetic stabilizing mass is offset from the equilibrium position toward the first position, and that magnetically repel the magnetic stabilizing mass away from the second position at least when the magnetic stabilizing mass is offset from the equilibrium position toward the second position.

Abstract: An apparatus for suppressing oscillations of an oscillating body includes a magnetic base and a magnetic stabilizing mass pivotably coupled to the magnetic base by a pivot assembly. The pivot assembly defines a pivot axis about which the magnetic stabilizing mass is pivotable, relative to the magnetic base, between a first position and a second position. The magnetic stabilizing mass has an equilibrium position between the first position and the second position. The magnetic base produces magnetic fields that magnetically repel the magnetic stabilizing mass away from the first position at least when the magnetic stabilizing mass is offset from the equilibrium position toward the first position, and that magnetically repel the magnetic stabilizing mass away from the second position at least when the magnetic stabilizing mass is offset from the equilibrium position toward the second position.

Abstract: An apparatus for damping involuntary hand motions occurring in at least first and second directions is provided, the first direction being opposite the second direction. The apparatus is securable to a hand and a forearm and comprises at least a first body having a terminal movable in an internal space in the body. The body contains a Non-Newtonian fluid. A link connects the terminal to a first portion of the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for damping involuntary hand motions occurring in at least first and second directions is provided, the first direction being opposite the second direction. The apparatus is securable to a hand and a forearm and comprises at least a first body having a terminal movable in an internal space in the body. The body contains a Non-Newtonian fluid. A link connects the terminal to a first portion of the apparatus.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for updating a virtual private network (VPN) in a multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) network. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network management system (NMS) having a controller that manages a communications interface coupled to an MPLS network. The controller can be programmed to generate one or more messages conforming to a border gateway protocol (BGP) for updating a VPN operating in the MPLS network.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products simplify installation of terminating plugs to cables. A wiring plug helps a user arrange individual wires on the cable to a wiring diagram of a terminating plug, such as an RJ-56 plug. The wiring plug has individual passages prearranged to the wiring diagram, such that the individual wires may simply be inserted into the correct passages. The passages are also sized in diameter and length, such that each wire may be cut to the correct length for crimping to the terminating plug.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products simplify installation of terminating plugs to cables. A wiring plug helps a user arrange individual wires on the cable to a wiring diagram of a terminating plug, such as an RJ-56 plug. The wiring plug has individual passages prearranged to the wiring diagram, such that the individual wires may simply be inserted into the correct passages. The passages are also sized in diameter and length, such that each wire may be cut to the correct length for crimping to the terminating plug.

Abstract: A method of installing a plug on a cable having insulated wire pairs includes stripping insulation from a cable end to expose the wires and arranging the wires into a plug configuration. A wiring block having a back end leading to a cavity and a front end having pass through holes respectively leading to wire troughs extending between the cavity and front end is provided. The cable end is inserted through the back end such that the wires are inserted into the wire troughs corresponding with the plug configuration and such that the ends of the wires protrude out through the pass through holes. The protruding wire ends are cut off after being pulled until the cable insulation adjacent to the cable end seats itself inside the cavity. The cable is removed from the block such that the cable end can be inserted into a plug to be crimped thereto.

Abstract: A management system manages multiple multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) virtual private networks (VPNs), the VPNs having overlapping IP addresses. The system includes a storage storing a file that associates a host name with an IP address and a route distinguisher. The host name corresponds to a network element within one of the customer VPNs. The system also includes a label obtaining system that obtains at least one label for the host name based upon the associated IP address and route distinguisher. The system also has a packet construction system that creates packets destined for the network element using the obtained label(s).

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for overlaying a hierarchical network on a full mesh network. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network element of a full mesh network (402) having a controller programmed to overlay (200, 400, 400) in part a hierarchical network on the full mesh network with an isolation protocol.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to advertise network routes to implement a hybrid network topology are disclosed. An example method involves receiving a route advertisement from a first node and identifying a first destination internet protocol address associated with the route advertisement. When the first destination internet protocol address matches a second destination internet protocol address, the route advertisement is associated with a first route target value equal to an import route target value of a second node. The first network node is a first spoke node in a hub-and-spoke network, and the second network node is a second spoke node in the hub-and-spoke network.

Abstract: A method can be used to route a communication within a network. The method can include receiving a first communication at a first edge router, wherein the first communication is a Layer 2 communication. The method can also include determining that the first communication has a destination that includes a first multicast group and a second multicast group different from the first multicast group. The method can also include encapsulating the first communication within a second communication, wherein the second communication is a Layer 3 communication, and wherein the second communication is a single communication. The method can further include sending the second communication towards the first multicast group and the second multicast group. A system can be configured to carry out the method.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for overlaying a hierarchical network on a full mesh network. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network element of a full mesh network (402) having a controller programmed to overlay (200, 400, 400) in part a hierarchical network on the full mesh network with an isolation protocol.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for overlaying a hierarchical network on a full mesh network. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network element of a full mesh network (402) having a controller programmed to overlay (200, 400, 400) in part a hierarchical network on the full mesh network with an isolation protocol.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to advertise network routes to implement a hybrid network topology are disclosed. A disclosed example method involves receiving a route advertisement from a first node and identifying a first destination internet protocol address associated with the route advertisement. When the first destination internet protocol address matches a second destination internet protocol address, the route advertisement is associated with a first route target value equal to an import route target value of a second node. The first network node is a first spoke node in a hub-and-spoke network, and the second network node is a second spoke node in the hub-and-spoke network.

Abstract: A method can be used to route a communication within a network. The method can include receiving a first communication at a first edge router, wherein the first communication is a Layer 2 communication. The method can also include determining that the first communication has a destination that includes a first multicast group and a second multicast group different from the first multicast group. The method can also include encapsulating the first communication within a second communication, wherein the second communication is a Layer 3 communication, and wherein the second communication is a single communication. The method can further include sending the second communication towards the first multicast group and the second multicast group. A system can be configured to carry out the method.

Abstract: A method of installing a plug on a cable having insulated wire pairs includes stripping insulation from a cable end to expose the wires and arranging the wires into a plug configuration. A wiring block having a back end leading to a cavity and a front end having pass through holes respectively leading to wire troughs extending between the cavity and front end is provided. The cable end is inserted through the back end such that the wires are inserted into the wire troughs corresponding with the plug configuration and such that the ends of the wires protrude out through the pass through holes. The protruding wire ends are cut off after being pulled until the cable insulation adjacent to the cable end seats itself inside the cavity. The cable is removed from the block such that the cable end can be inserted into a plug to be crimped thereto.

Abstract: A wiring block pre-forms a cable end having twisted wires for subsequent installation of a plug on the cable end. A back end of the block leading to a cavity within the block receives the cable end such that a cable portion adjacent to the cable end sits inside the cavity. A front end of the block has pass holes leading to troughs extending through the block between the cavity and the front end. The troughs receive the wires at the cable end with the wires protruding from the holes. When the cable end is inserted into the block the wires at the cable end have a length within the troughs corresponding to the plug trough lengths and a configuration within the troughs corresponding to the plug trough configuration with the cable portion adjacent to the cable end having a length within the cavity corresponding to the plug cavity length.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for updating a virtual private network (VPN) in a multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) network. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network management system (NMS) having a controller that manages a communications interface coupled to an MPLS network. The controller can be programmed to generate one or more messages conforming to a border gateway protocol (BGP) for updating a VPN operating in the MPLS network.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to implement voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) phones are disclosed. A disclosed example VoIP phone comprises a phone housing, a voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) processor located in the phone housing, and a bay defined in the phone housing and dimensioned to receive a user-replaceable network interface.