Patents by Inventor Michael Colven
Michael Colven has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 10313151Abstract: A method and system for breaking loops in an Ethernet network that supports connectionless and connection-oriented Ethernet. A loop-breaking protocol may be used to detect a loop among a plurality of network elements and to identify a port to block in order to break the loop. The network elements may stop the flow of connectionless Ethernet traffic, while continuing to allow connection-oriented Ethernet traffic to pass. The loop-breaking protocol may be further configured to analyze and understand connection-oriented Ethernet within the network so that connection-oriented Ethernet paths are accounted for during loop detection and prevention.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2015Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITEDInventors: Maitreya Mukhopadhyay, Michael Colven, Wenao Hu
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Patent number: 9929878Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for managing an Ethernet ring protection switching (ERPS) protocol in an Ethernet network. The method includes receiving an administrative data packet at a first network element; determining whether the administrative data packet contains an ERPS membership setting from a second network element; when the administrative data packet contains the ERPS membership setting from the second network element, comparing an ERPS membership setting at the first network element to the ERPS membership setting from the second network element; and performing an action when the ERPS membership setting at the first network element is different than the ERPS membership setting from the second network element.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2016Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventors: Hariprasad Sudharshan, Michael Colven, Swati Mittal, Maitreya Mukhopadhyay, Rajnath Singh
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Patent number: 9923731Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for migrating loop-breaking protocols in an Ethernet network. The method includes selecting a virtual local area network (VLAN) implementing a multiple spanning tree protocol (MSTP) from a plurality of VLANs operating on the Ethernet network, the MSTP having a spanning tree with a root network element coupled to a first branch of network elements; disabling a virtual network link in the VLAN; migrating a first leaf network element of the first branch in the VLAN by disabling the MSTP and enabling an Ethernet ring protection switching (ERPS) protocol on the first leaf network element; migrating the root network element in the VLAN after the first leaf network element by disabling the MSTP and enabling the ERPS protocol on the root network element; and enabling the virtual network link after migrating the first leaf network element and the root network element.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2016Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventors: Davin Michael Colven, Maitreya Mukhopadhyay, Hariprasad Sudharshan
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Publication number: 20180076975Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for managing an Ethernet ring protection switching (ERPS) protocol in an Ethernet network. The method includes receiving an administrative data packet at a first network element; determining whether the administrative data packet contains an ERPS membership setting from a second network element; when the administrative data packet contains the ERPS membership setting from the second network element, comparing an ERPS membership setting at the first network element to the ERPS membership setting from the second network element; and performing an action when the ERPS membership setting at the first network element is different than the ERPS membership setting from the second network element.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2016Publication date: March 15, 2018Inventors: Hariprasad Sudharshan, Michael Colven, Swati Mittal, Maitreya Mukhopadhyay, Rajnath Singh
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Publication number: 20180076974Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for migrating loop-breaking protocols in an Ethernet network. The method includes selecting a virtual local area network (VLAN) implementing a multiple spanning tree protocol (MSTP) from a plurality of VLANs operating on the Ethernet network, the MSTP having a spanning tree with a root network element coupled to a first branch of network elements; disabling a virtual network link in the VLAN; migrating a first leaf network element of the first branch in the VLAN by disabling the MSTP and enabling an Ethernet ring protection switching (ERPS) protocol on the first leaf network element; migrating the root network element in the VLAN after the first leaf network element by disabling the MSTP and enabling the ERPS protocol on the root network element; and enabling the virtual network link after migrating the first leaf network element and the root network element.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2016Publication date: March 15, 2018Inventors: Davin Michael Colven, Maitreya Mukhopadhyay, Hariprasad Sudharshan
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Patent number: 9843495Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for migrating loop-breaking protocols in an Ethernet network. The method includes disabling a port of a first leaf network element in a network implementing a rapid spanning tree protocol (RSTP), the RSTP having a spanning tree with a root network element coupled to the first leaf network element forming a first branch of the spanning tree; migrating the first leaf network element by disabling the RSTP and enabling an Ethernet ring protection switching (ERPS) protocol on the first leaf network element; migrating the root network element after the first leaf network element by disabling the RSTP and enabling the ERPS protocol on the root network element; and enabling the port of the first leaf network element after migrating the first leaf network element and the root network element.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2015Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventors: Hariprasad Sudharshan, Michael Colven
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Patent number: 9647893Abstract: A method and system for identifying logical loops in an Ethernet network may determine a number of nodes N and a number of links L between nodes. A number of rings R, including a number of major rings and a number of sub-rings for the Ethernet network may be determined. Specific formulas for the values for L, R, and N may be evaluated to determine when the Ethernet network includes logical loops.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2014Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: Fujitsul LimitedInventor: David Michael Colven
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Publication number: 20170063617Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for migrating loop-breaking protocols in an Ethernet network. The method includes disabling a port of a first leaf network element in a network implementing a rapid spanning tree protocol (RSTP), the RSTP having a spanning tree with a root network element coupled to the first leaf network element forming a first branch of the spanning tree; migrating the first leaf network element by disabling the RSTP and enabling an Ethernet ring protection switching (ERPS) protocol on the first leaf network element; migrating the root network element after the first leaf network element by disabling the RSTP and enabling the ERPS protocol on the root network element; and enabling the port of the first leaf network element after migrating the first leaf network element and the root network element.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2015Publication date: March 2, 2017Inventors: Hariprasad Sudharshan, Michael Colven
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Publication number: 20160204957Abstract: A method and system for breaking loops in an Ethernet network that supports connectionless and connection-oriented Ethernet. A loop-breaking protocol may be used to detect a loop among a plurality of network elements and to identify a port to block in order to break the loop. The network elements may stop the flow of connectionless Ethernet traffic, while continuing to allow connection-oriented Ethernet traffic to pass. The loop-breaking protocol may be further configured to analyze and understand connection-oriented Ethernet within the network so that connection-oriented Ethernet paths are accounted for during loop detection and prevention.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2015Publication date: July 14, 2016Inventors: Maitreya Mukhopadhyay, Michael Colven, JR., Wenao Hu
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Publication number: 20160028588Abstract: A method and system for identifying logical loops in an Ethernet network may determine a number of nodes N and a number of links L between nodes. A number of rings R, including a number of major rings and a number of sub-rings for the Ethernet network may be determined. Specific formulas for the values for L, R, and N may be evaluated to determine when the Ethernet network includes logical loops.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2014Publication date: January 28, 2016Inventor: David Michael Colven
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Patent number: 9049149Abstract: An example embodiment includes a network element. The network element includes an ingress port, an ingress line card, a link aggregation group (LAG) including multiple egress ports, and a distributor. The ingress port receives multiple packets including flood traffic. The ingress line card separates the packets into buckets. The distributor is configured to allocate the buckets to the egress ports, transmit the buckets to the egress ports, and when a failed egress port is identified, reallocate the buckets from the failed egress port to at least one functional egress port while continuing to transmit the buckets to functional egress ports of the LAG.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2012Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITEDInventors: D. Michael Colven, Venkata Ramana Kiran Addanki, Sanjay Gera
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Patent number: 9007910Abstract: A system includes a network element. The network element includes multiple egress ports configured as a LAG, an ingress port, and a distributor. The ingress port is configured to receive multiple packets including at least one flood domain. Additionally, the distributor is configured to access a virtual local area network identifier (VID) of each flood domain. Based on the VID and the number of egress ports in the LAG, the distributor is configured to select a representative egress port from the multiple egress ports. The distributor additionally forwards packets of each flood domain to the egress port of the LAG which is selected as the representative egress port for that flood domain.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2012Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventors: D. Michael Colven, Venkata Ramana Kiran Addanki
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Patent number: 8953449Abstract: A network element includes an ingress interface, a VSP queue, and a switch fabric (SWF). The ingress interface includes a first virtual subport (VSP) and a second VSP. The first VSP is configured to receive data traffic. The VSP queue is coupled to the second VSP such that data traffic transmitted to the VSP queue is transmitted from the network element via the second VSP. The SWF is configured to receive data traffic from the first VSP, determine whether an intended recipient of the data traffic is associated with the second VSP, and hairpin the data traffic to the VSP queue when the SWF determines that the intended recipient is associated with the second VSP.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2012Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventors: Guoliang Wu, Maitreya Mukhopadhyay, Melvin Tan, D. Michael Colven, Hari Hara Prasad Muthulingam
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Patent number: 8824338Abstract: A network element coupled to a communication network is described. The network element includes multiple switching units. The switching units may be configured to independently implement a Spanning Tree Protocol (xSTP) processing in a completely distributed manner including each of the switching units independently calculating an external spanning tree for the network element in the communication network. The network element may act as a single bridge to other network elements in a bridging domain of the communication network.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2012Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventors: Bijendra Singh, Maitreya Mukhopadhyay, D. Michael Colven, Albert Smith
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Publication number: 20130258838Abstract: An example embodiment includes a network element. The network element includes an ingress port, an ingress line card, a link aggregation group (LAG) including multiple egress ports, and a distributor. The ingress port receives multiple packets including flood traffic. The ingress line card separates the packets into buckets. The distributor is configured to allocate the buckets to the egress ports, transmit the buckets to the egress ports, and when a failed egress port is identified, reallocate the buckets from the failed egress port to at least one functional egress port while continuing to transmit the buckets to functional egress ports of the LAG.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2012Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITEDInventors: D. Michael COLVEN, Venkata Ramana Kiran ADDANKI, Sanjay GERA
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Publication number: 20130258835Abstract: A system includes a network element. The network element includes multiple egress ports configured as a LAG, an ingress port, and a distributor. The ingress port is configured to receive multiple packets including at least one flood domain. Additionally, the distributor is configured to access a virtual local area network identifier (VID) of each flood domain. Based on the VID and the number of egress ports in the LAG, the distributor is configured to select a representative egress port from the multiple egress ports. The distributor additionally forwards packets of each flood domain to the egress port of the LAG which is selected as the representative egress port for that flood domain.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2012Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITEDInventors: D. Michael COLVEN, Venkata Ramana Kiran ADDANKI
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Publication number: 20130250961Abstract: A network element includes an ingress interface, a VSP queue, and a switch fabric (SWF). The ingress interface includes a first virtual subport (VSP) and a second VSP. The first VSP is configured to receive data traffic. The VSP queue is coupled to the second VSP such that data traffic transmitted to the VSP queue is transmitted from the network element via the second VSP. The SWF is configured to receive data traffic from the first VSP, determine whether an intended recipient of the data traffic is associated with the second VSP, and hairpin the data traffic to the VSP queue when the SWF determines that the intended recipient is associated with the second VSP.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2012Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITEDInventors: Guoliang WU, Maitreya MUKHOPADHYAY, Melvin TAN, D. Michael COLVEN, Hari Hara Prasad MUTHULINGAM
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Publication number: 20130250815Abstract: A network element coupled to a communication network is described. The network element includes multiple switching units. The switching units may be configured to independently implement a Spanning Tree Protocol (xSTP) processing in a completely distributed manner including each of the switching units independently calculating an external spanning tree for the network element in the communication network. The network element may act as a single bridge to other network elements in a bridging domain of the communication network.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2012Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITEDInventors: Bijendra SINGH, Maitreya MUKHOPADHYAY, D. Michael COLVEN, Albert SMITH
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Patent number: 7526197Abstract: A system provides more cost and bandwidth efficient utilization of a SONET network having both a Working path and a Protection path by using both communication paths to carry data. A system for communicating data over a Synchronous Optical Network/Synchronous Digital Hierarchy, the system comprises an Optical Line Termination unit operable to interface with a plurality of Synchronous Optical Network/Synchronous Digital Hierarchy communication paths, and communicate different data on each of the plurality of Synchronous Optical Network/Synchronous Digital Hierarchy communication paths.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2003Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventors: David Michael Colven, Roy McNeil, Stephen Joseph Brolin
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Patent number: 7430166Abstract: A method and system provides the capability to provision Dual Working mode service in a SONET network, while maintaining compatibility with existing SONET provisioning systems. In one embodiment of the present invention, a method for provisioning dual working mode in a Synchronous Optical Network/Synchronous Digital Hierarchy network comprises the steps of generating provisioning commands to provision a non-dual working mode of operation in the Synchronous Optical Network/Synchronous Digital Hierarchy network, modifying the generated commands to indicate to a first network element that dual working mode is being provisioned, and transmitting the modified commands to provision the Synchronous Optical Network/Synchronous Digital Hierarchy network.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2003Date of Patent: September 30, 2008Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventor: David Michael Colven