Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method include, for each of two or more switches of a communication network, identifying a set of routing paths from the switch to a destination node based on a topology associated with the communication network. The set of routing paths include a first subset of routing paths and a second subset of routing paths. The topology includes an indication of a convergence of the first subset of routing paths at a node between the switch and the destination node. The apparatus, system, and method include allocating a data flow to a first routing path of the first subset of routing paths and a second routing path of the second subset of routing paths according to a target data flow rate common to the first routing path and the second routing path.

Abstract: A data communication system includes a plurality of mutually-disjoint sets of switches, each set including multiple mutually-disjoint subsets of the switches in the set. Local links interconnect the switches within each of the subsets in a fully-connected topology, while none of the switches in any given subset are connected in a single hop to any of the switches in any other subset within the same set. Global links interconnect the sets of the switches, each global link connecting one switch in one of the sets to another switch in another one of the sets, such that each of the subsets in any given set of the switches is connected in a single hop by at least one global link to at least one of the subsets of every other set of the switches.

Abstract: Switches for performing packet switching and associated methods are provided. An example switch includes an ingress port for receiving a packet. The switch includes a plurality of egress ports for discharging the packet from the switch. The switch includes a plurality of egress queues with each egress queue associated with one of the plurality of egress ports. The switch includes a control plane configured to determine a descriptor associated with a packet, determine a first egress port from which to discharge the at least one packet and to transmit the descriptor to an egress queue associated with the first egress port. The switch includes a descriptor crossbar configured to transmit the descriptor from the egress queue to a second egress port of the plurality of egress ports. The switch includes a packet crossbar configured to transmit the at least one packet from the ingress port to the second egress port.

Abstract: Switches for performing packet switching and associated methods are provided. An example switch includes an ingress port for receiving a packet. The switch includes a plurality of egress ports for discharging the packet from the switch. The switch includes a plurality of egress queues with each egress queue associated with one of the plurality of egress ports. The switch includes a control plane configured to determine a descriptor associated with a packet, determine a first egress port from which to discharge the at least one packet and to transmit the descriptor to an egress queue associated with the first egress port. The switch includes a descriptor crossbar configured to transmit the descriptor from the egress queue to a second egress port of the plurality of egress ports. The switch includes a packet crossbar configured to transmit the at least one packet from the ingress port to the second egress port.

Abstract: A data communication system includes a plurality of mutually-disjoint sets of switches, each set including multiple mutually-disjoint subsets of the switches in the set. Local links interconnect the switches within each of the subsets in a fully-connected topology, while none of the switches in any given subset are connected in a single hop to any of the switches in any other subset within the same set. Global links interconnect the sets of the switches, each global link connecting one switch in one of the sets to another switch in another one of the sets, such that each of the subsets in any given set of the switches is connected in a single hop by at least one global link to at least one of the subsets of every other set of the switches.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an interface and a processor. The interface communicates with a network including network elements interconnected in a Cartesian topology. The processor defines first and second groups of turns, each turn includes a hop from a previous network element to a current network element and a hop from the current network element to a next network element. Based on the turns, the processor specifies rules that when applied to packets traversing respective network elements, guarantee that no deadlock conditions occur in the network. The rules for a given network element include (i) forwarding rules to reach a given target without traversing the turns of the second group, and (ii) Virtual Lane (VL) modification rules for reassigning packets, which traverse turns of the first group and which are assigned to a first VL, to a different second VL. The processor configures the given network element with the rules.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an interface and a processor. The interface communicates with a network including network elements interconnected in a Cartesian topology. The processor defines first and second groups of turns, each turn includes a hop from a previous network element to a current network element and a hop from the current network element to a next network element. Based on the turns, the processor specifies rules that when applied to packets traversing respective network elements, guarantee that no deadlock conditions occur in the network. The rules for a given network element include (i) forwarding rules to reach a given target without traversing the turns of the second group, and (ii) Virtual Lane (VL) modification rules for reassigning packets, which traverse turns of the first group and which are assigned to a first VL, to a different second VL. The processor configures the given network element with the rules.

Abstract: A control interface for controlling the operation of a dispensing device may be provided. The control interface may include a display screen for individually presenting each of multiple options that may be utilized for controlling various operations associated with the dispensing device. The control interface may further include a navigation control, in communication with the display screen, which may be utilized to individually navigate through each of the options on the display screen. The display screen may be actuated to select a displayed option that is associated with performing a dispensing device operation.

Abstract: A dental guard including a generally u-shaped band having a curved central portion and a pair of opposite aft ends, each of the aft ends of the band including a laterally extending cylindrical protrusion; and a pair of bite pad assemblies adjustably mountable onto the opposite aft ends of the band. Each of the bite pad assemblies includes a longitudinal channel configured for receiving one of the aft ends of the band for adjusting the location of the bite pad assembly on the band to adjust the length of the dental guard. Each of the bite pad assemblies also includes an elongate slot defined in a sidewall of the bite pad assembly adjacent to and open to the channel, the slot being configured to receive the laterally extending cylindrical protrusion of the aft end of the band and the slot including a plurality of spaced apart receivers for fixedly but releasably receiving the protrusion to enable adjustable positioning of the bite pad assembly relative to the aft end.