Abstract: A method for communication over a bi-directional ring network includes provisioning a virtual private local area network service (VPLS) over the bi-directional ring network. The VPLS includes connection termination points provisioned respectively on a plurality of the nodes so as to connect each of the plurality of the nodes to a second network external to the ring network. As long as the nodes and spans are fully operational, one or more of the connection termination points are maintained in a deactivated state, so that no more than one of the connection termination points to the second network is active. The nodes exchange messages indicative of a failure associated with the bi-directional ring network, causing at least one of the deactivated connection termination points to be activated so as to maintain connectivity among the users of the VPLS without creating a loop in the VPLS via the second network.

Abstract: A method for transporting fibre channel (FC) traffic over a packet-switched communication network includes identifying a sub-sequence of repetitive FC signals in a first sequence of FC words accepted over a FC link from a source FC device. The first sequence of FC words is translated into a second sequence of data packets in accordance with a communication protocol supported by the packet-switched communication network. The second sequence includes a repetition indication packet that identifies the sub-sequence of repetitive FC signals. The second sequence of the data packets is transported to a receiver over the packet-switched communication network using the communication protocol.

Abstract: A method for communication includes defining a resource-sharing group including two or more communication paths that traverse at least two different routes through a communication network, the routes traversing at least one common network element. A notification of an affiliation of the two or more communication paths with the resource-sharing group is distributed over the network. A resource associated with the at least one common network element is allocated so as to share an allocation of the resource among the communication paths in the resource-sharing group responsively to the notification.

Abstract: A method for communication over a bi-directional ring network includes provisioning a virtual private local area network service (VPLS) over the bi-directional ring network. The VPLS includes connection termination points provisioned respectively on a plurality of the nodes so as to connect each of the plurality of the nodes to a second network external to the ring network. As long as the nodes and spans are fully operational, one or more of the connection termination points are maintained in a deactivated state, so that no more than one of the connection termination points to the second network is active. The nodes exchange messages indicative of a failure associated with the bi-directional ring network, causing at least one of the deactivated connection termination points to be activated so as to maintain connectivity among the users of the VPLS without creating a loop in the VPLS via the second network.

Abstract: A method for communication includes defining a resource-sharing group including two or more communication paths that traverse at least two different routes through a communication network, the routes traversing at least one common network element. A notification of an affiliation of the two or more communication paths with the resource-sharing group is distributed over the network. A resource associated with the at least one common network element is allocated so as to share an allocation of the resource among the communication paths in the resource-sharing group responsively to the notification.

Abstract: A method for transporting fibre channel (FC) traffic over a packet-switched communication network includes identifying a sub-sequence of repetitive FC signals in a first sequence of FC words accepted over a FC link from a source FC device. The first sequence of FC words is translated into a second sequence of data packets in accordance with a communication protocol supported by the packet-switched communication network. The second sequence includes a repetition indication packet that identifies the sub-sequence of repetitive FC signals. The second sequence of the data packets is transported to a receiver over the packet-switched communication network using the communication protocol.