Abstract: A virtual private network (VPN) service is provided through a shared network infrastructure, with customer edge (CE) devices each having a provider edge (PE) interface having a single layer 3 address in the VPN. An address resolution request message is transmitted by a first CE device on plural layer 2 virtual circuits of its PE interface. The address resolution request message including the layer 3 address allocated to a second CE device of the VPN. In response to reception of such request message at the second CE device, an address resolution response message is returned to the first CE device. In response to reception of this response message, the first CE device maps the layer 3 address allocated to the second CE device to a virtual LAN identifier of the layer 2 virtual circuit on which the response message is received.

Abstract: A virtual private network (VPN) service is provided through a shared network infrastructure comprising interconnected provider edge (PE) devices having customer edge (CE) interfaces. Some of the CE interfaces are allocated to a VPN supporting virtual LANs. A correspondence between a CE interface and a virtual LAN is learnt on the basis of tagged frames received at this CE interface and including an identifier of this virtual LAN. The learning process permits the detection of pairs of CE interfaces which correspond to a common virtual LAN. Upon such detection, a virtual circuit is established in the shared network infrastructure between the PE devices having these CE interfaces, and subsequently used for forwarding frames including the identifier of the common virtual VLAN.

Abstract: A guide 2 for supporting a device in a flow of coolant includes a deflector 4 for modifying the coolant flow. The guide include apertures 6 so that the coolant can flow over both the upper and lower faces of a device, for example a printed circuit board 24.

Abstract: A guide 2 for supporting a device in a flow of coolant includes a deflector 4 for modifying the coolant flow. Examples of the guide include apertures 6 so that the coolant can flow over both the upper and lower faces of a device, for example a printed circuit board 24.

Abstract: The present invention provides a crash rail for a vehicle. The crash rail has a root portion which can be anchored to a part of the vehicle, a tip portion which is spaced apart from the root portion and which is located nearer a potential impact point of the vehicle when the root portion is anchored to the said part of the vehicle and a middle portion which extends from the root portion to the tip portion. The crash rail comprises a wall which defines a groove or a cavity in the crash rail. The groove or the cavity in the crash rail has a cross-sectional area which increases gradually from the tip portion to the root portion. The wall has a thickness which increases gradually from the tip portion to the root portion. The wall is composed of a composite material having fibers set in a resin material. The crash rail can be crushed when the vehicle impacts with another object to thereby absorb energy of the impact.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus for cooling an electrical device 1 using a flow of coolant comprises a cooling unit 3. The cooling unit 3 is in contact with the device 1 and includes a channel 6 for transporting the coolant past the device 1. In a preferred embodiment, the sectional area of the channel 6 decreases between the inlet and the outlet of the channel 6. The velocity of the flow of coolant past the device 1 can be modified, thus improving the efficiency of cooling.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining data throughput in a data element includes receiving a clock and a first plurality of instances of data having a first width on an input, sampling consecutive ones of instances of the data having the first width at consecutive ones of a first rising edge and a first falling edge of the clock, respectively, to generate two plurality of instances of sampled data having a first width. The plurality of instances of sampled data is then sampled at a second rising edge of the clock and parallelized to generate a second plurality of instances of parallel data having a second width greater than the first width. The parallel data may then be processed to for example generate statistics to monitor link integrity, prior to being transmitted. A 10 Gbps data transmission speed may be maintained using the IEEE 802.3ae-specified media independent interface clock.

Abstract: Cooling apparatus is used to cool equipment, for example electrical equipment, using a fan. In an embodiment described, the cooling apparatus comprises a duct for communication with the fan and for transporting air past the equipment. The duct may include a diffuser for improving the air flow in the duct.