Abstract: A method and system for managing the routing of traffic within a network develops a topological address space map of the network to enable a “best route” selection process. The network is comprised of a backbone connected to a plurality of peering partners. Points on the network monitor traffic flows. A central facility analyzes the traffic flows and routes within the network and performs intelligent routing management. Intelligent routing management ensures that traffic is properly routed through preferred routes on the network, and avoids inefficient routing. Intelligent routing management also selects new routes to be injected into the network in order to further improve the accuracy of the address space map of the network. Intelligent routing management ensures that bandwidth is requested and delivered topologically closely to peering partner networks, and that traffic is carried by the backbone for long haul data distribution in both directions.

Abstract: A method and system for managing the routing of traffic within a network develops a topological address space map of the network to enable a “best route” selection process. The network is comprised of a backbone connected to a plurality of peering partners. Points on the network monitor traffic flows. A central facility analyzes the traffic flows and routes within the network and performs intelligent routing management. Intelligent routing management ensures that traffic is properly routed through preferred routes on the network, and avoids inefficient routing. Intelligent routing management also selects new routes to be injected into the network in order to further improve the accuracy of the address space map of the network. Intelligent routing management ensures that bandwidth is requested and delivered topologically closely to peering partner networks, and that traffic is carried by the backbone for long haul data distribution in both directions.

Abstract: A method and system for managing the routing of traffic within a network develops a topological address space map of the network to enable a “best route” selection process. The network is comprised of a backbone connected to a plurality of peering partners. Points on the network monitor traffic flows. A central facility analyzes the traffic flows and routes within the network and performs intelligent routing management. Intelligent routing management ensures that traffic is properly routed through preferred routes on the network, and avoids inefficient routing. Intelligent routing management also selects new routes to be injected into the network in order to further improve the accuracy of the address space map of the network. Intelligent routing management ensures that bandwidth is requested and delivered topologically closely to peering partner networks, and that traffic is carried by the backbone for long haul data distribution in both directions.

Abstract: A method and system providing a single, symmetric path for forward and return traffic between two points on a network.

Abstract: A method and system providing a single, symmetric path for forward and return traffic between two points on a network.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for scheduling cell transmission over a network link by a switch. The switch includes a plurality of queues associated with each link. Lists of queues are maintained for each link. In one embodiment, each link is associated with more than one type of list (with the list type corresponding to a scheduling category) and more than one prioritized list of each type (with the priority of the list corresponding to a quality of service). The scheduling lists are accessed to permit cell transmission from a queue contained therein in a predetermined sequence as a function of scheduling category, priority within a particular scheduling category and whether the bandwidth requirement for the particular scheduling category has been met. With this arrangement, maximum permissible delay requirements for each scheduling category are met.

Abstract: An interface device for an ATM network permits a plurality of ATM devices to be connected to a single ATM switch port. The interface device, in its preferred embodiment, is a modular device which may be interconnected to form a system having various segment arrangements to suit the system operational requirements. Each interface device may include a switch side connector, extension side connector, and a device side connector all on a single card with the interface device being configured in VSLI architecture, and multiple interface devices interconnected to construct the system segments. In an alternate application, the interface device may be used to replace the computer backplane and provide direct connection between a computer's system components and an ATM network. In still another configuration, the interface device may itself be utilized to interconnect a plurality of computers to form a local area network.

Abstract: A system (10) is provided for mapping a data cell (32) in a communication switch. The system (10) includes a virtual translation table (40) having at least one virtual path translation table queue entry (92) and at least one virtual channel translation table queue entry (90). A to-switch port processor (12), which can access the virtual translation table (40), has at least one link (16-30) which receives the data cell (32). The to-switch port processor (12) maps the received data cell (32) to a queue descriptor using the virtual translation table (40).

Abstract: An ATM-Ethernet portal/concentrator permits a transparent interconnection between Ethernet segments over an ATM network to provide remote connectivity for Ethernet segments. The portal includes an Ethernet controller and an ATM cell processor, both of which receive and transmit data to and from a dual port shared memory under control of a direct memory access controller. A control microprocessor monitors and controls the shifting of data through the dual port memory. In this scheme, original data is written and read directly into and out of the dual port memory to thereby eliminate any requirement for copying of data, to thereby significantly increase the data throughput capability of the portal. In the concentrator embodiment, a plurality of Ethernet controllers, each of which is connected to its own associated Ethernet segment, is multiplexed through the concentrator to an ATM network to thereby provide remote connectivity for each of the Ethernet segments.

Abstract: An ATM-Ethernet portal/concentrator permits a transparent interconnection between Ethernet segments over an ATM network to provide remote connectivity for Ethernet segments. The portal includes an Ethernet controller and an ATM cell processor, both of which receive and transmit data to and from a dual port shared memory under control of a direct memory access controller. A control microprocessor monitors and controls the shifting of data through the dual port memory. In this scheme, original data is written and read directly into and out of the dual port memory to thereby eliminate any requirement for copying of data, to thereby significantly increase the data throughput capability of the portal. In the concentrator embodiment, a plurality of Ethernet controllers, each of which is connected to its own associated Ethernet segment, is multiplexed through the concentrator to an ATM network to thereby provide remote connectivity for each of the Ethernet segments.