Abstract: A packet network includes a plurality of network elements interconnected to one another via a plurality of links, and systems and methods include, responsive to detecting a signal degrade condition on a link in the packet network, advertising the signal degrade condition on the link; maintaining a Traffic Engineering database which includes signal degrade condition status based on the advertising; and, responsive to path computation through the packet network, determining a best path considering the signal degrade condition status of the plurality of links. The systems and methods include further include, responsive to detecting the signal degrade condition on the link has cleared, advertising the signal degrade condition has cleared on the link.

Abstract: A packet network includes a plurality of network elements interconnected to one another via a plurality of links, and systems and methods include, responsive to detecting a signal degrade condition on a link in the packet network, advertising the signal degrade condition on the link; maintaining a Traffic Engineering database which includes signal degrade condition status based on the advertising; and, responsive to path computation through the packet network, determining a best path considering the signal degrade condition status of the plurality of links. The systems and methods include further include, responsive to detecting the signal degrade condition on the link has cleared, advertising the signal degrade condition has cleared on the link.

Abstract: Systems and methods for prioritizing Connectivity Fault Management conditioning actions in a node in an Ethernet network include transmitting a configured priority of a Maintenance End Point (MEP) associated with the node to other nodes in the Ethernet network; receiving a fault notification from a remote MEP with a received priority configured at the remote MEP; and performing an action based on a comparison between the configured priority and the received priority at the node.

Abstract: A method, in a switch in an interconnected layer-2 architecture, is disclosed for enhanced forwarding database synchronization of Media Access Control (MAC) addresses based on HIT logic. The method includes learning a MAC address against a port associated with the switch; storing the MAC address with information comprising a port Identifier (ID), a switch ID, and the enhanced HIT logic set to true; setting the enhanced HIT logic to false if the MAC address was not seen on the port at an end of a cycle; and synchronizing the MAC address with other switches in the interconnected layer-2 or multi-chassis architecture if the enhanced HIT logic is true at the end of the cycle.

Abstract: A prioritized G.8032 ring switching systems and methods implemented in a node include receiving a defined priority level for each of a plurality of virtual rings at the node, wherein the priority level is one of N levels of priority, N being an integer; and, responsive to a link failure that affects the plurality of virtual rings, performing G.8032 traffic restoration in order based on each of the N levels of priority, wherein each set of the plurality of virtual rings at a same defined priority level are processed concurrently to minimize hardware access. The plurality of virtual rings can be processed concurrently through flushing their Forwarding Databases at a same time for each of the set on a per virtual ring basis. The receiving is via a Ring Automated Protection Switching (R-APS) Protocol Data Unit (PDU) for each virtual ring with the defined priority level included therein.

Abstract: Systems and methods for prioritizing Connectivity Fault Management conditioning actions in a node in an Ethernet network include transmitting a configured priority of a Maintenance End Point (MEP) associated with the node to other nodes in the Ethernet network; receiving a fault notification from a remote MEP with a received priority configured at the remote MEP; and performing an action based on a comparison between the configured priority and the received priority at the node.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically selecting active ports and standby ports in a Link Aggregation Group (LAG) or a Multi-Chassis LAG (MC-LAG) between a first node and a second node are described. The systems and methods include receiving a configuration associated with the LAG or the MC-LAG; automatically determining a port status for each of a plurality of ports based on the configuration; and communicating the determined port status for each of the plurality of ports between the first node and the second node.

Abstract: A prioritized G.8032 ring switching systems and methods implemented in a node include receiving a defined priority level for each of a plurality of virtual rings at the node, wherein the priority level is one of N levels of priority, N being an integer; and, responsive to a link failure that affects the plurality of virtual rings, performing G.8032 traffic restoration in order based on each of the N levels of priority, wherein each set of the plurality of virtual rings at a same defined priority level are processed concurrently to minimize hardware access. The plurality of virtual rings can be processed concurrently through flushing their Forwarding Databases at a same time for each of the set on a per virtual ring basis. The receiving is via a Ring Automated Protection Switching (R-APS) Protocol Data Unit (PDU) for each virtual ring with the defined priority level included therein.

Abstract: A method and a multi-switch architecture include learning a media access control (MAC) address at a first switch in a multi-switch architecture; storing the MAC address in a forwarding database of the first switch; transmitting a data frame to one or more switches in the multi-switch architecture via inter-switch connectivity between the first switch and the one or more switches, wherein the data frame is created to enable the one or more switches to learn the MAC address therefrom; learning the MAC address from the data frame at the one or more switches; and storing the MAC address in a forwarding database for each of the one or more switches. This further includes transmitting the data frame via ports and queues in the inter-switch connectivity that are separate from ports and queues in a data path between the first switch and the one or more switches to avoid data path interference.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically selecting active ports and standby ports in a Link Aggregation Group (LAG) or a Multi-Chassis LAG (MC-LAG) between a first node and a second node are described. The systems and methods include receiving a configuration associated with the LAG or the MC-LAG; automatically determining a port status for each of a plurality of ports based on the configuration; and communicating the determined port status for each of the plurality of ports between the first node and the second node.

Abstract: A method, in a switch in an interconnected layer-2 architecture, is disclosed for enhanced forwarding database synchronization of Media Access Control (MAC) addresses based on HIT logic. The method includes learning a MAC address against a port associated with the switch; storing the MAC address with information comprising a port Identifier (ID), a switch ID, and the enhanced HIT logic set to true; setting the enhanced HIT logic to false if the MAC address was not seen on the port at an end of a cycle; and synchronizing the MAC address with other switches in the interconnected layer-2 or multi-chassis architecture if the enhanced HIT logic is true at the end of the cycle.

Abstract: A method, a network element, and a network operating an Ethernet service include transmitting information related to an operational speed of a first connection to the second switch, wherein the first switch is connected to a first Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) device through the first connection and the second switch is connected to a second CPE device through a second connection; receiving information related to an operational speed of the second connection; and triggering a modification to the Ethernet service, responsive to a mismatch between the operational speed of the first connection and the operational speed of the second connection.

Abstract: A method, a switch, and a network includes receiving a request for an Ethernet service at a Maintenance End Point (MEP) in a network, wherein the Ethernet service has a destination of a Remote MEP (RMEP), and wherein the request includes bandwidth amounts for the request; utilizing Link Trace messaging to the RMEP to detect an active path to the RMEP; and utilizing Loop Back messaging to the RMEP to reserve bandwidth based on the bandwidth amounts on the active path.

Abstract: A method, a switch, and a network includes receiving a request for an Ethernet service at a Maintenance End Point (MEP) in a network, wherein the Ethernet service has a destination of a Remote MEP (RMEP), and wherein the request includes bandwidth amounts for the request; utilizing Link Trace messaging to the RMEP to detect an active path to the RMEP; and utilizing Loop Back messaging to the RMEP to reserve bandwidth based on the bandwidth amounts on the active path.

Abstract: A method, a network element, and a network operating an Ethernet service include transmitting information related to an operational speed of a first connection to the second switch, wherein the first switch is connected to a first Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) device through the first connection and the second switch is connected to a second CPE device through a second connection; receiving information related to an operational speed of the second connection; and triggering a modification to the Ethernet service, responsive to a mismatch between the operational speed of the first connection and the operational speed of the second connection.

Abstract: Line cards in a multi-slot network element utilize load balancing systems and methods for synchronizing learned Media Access Control (MAC) addresses therebetween. It is an objective of the load balancing systems and methods to enable high data rate scalability between line cards in a distributed system while preventing adverse effects on packet traffic. The load balancing systems and methods include inter alia MAC address updates between data path devices (e.g., network processors, application specific integrated circuits, etc.) using data frames and a hash-based time slot strategy ensuring MAC address updates are distributed over time as opposed to large scale, singular events.

Abstract: A method and a multi-switch architecture include learning a media access control (MAC) address at a first switch in a multi-switch architecture; storing the MAC address in a forwarding database of the first switch; transmitting a data frame to one or more switches in the multi-switch architecture via inter-switch connectivity between the first switch and the one or more switches, wherein the data frame is created to enable the one or more switches to learn the MAC address therefrom; learning the MAC address from the data frame at the one or more switches; and storing the MAC address in a forwarding database for each of the one or more switches. This further includes transmitting the data frame via ports and queues in the inter-switch connectivity that are separate from ports and queues in a data path between the first switch and the one or more switches to avoid data path interference.

Abstract: Line cards in a multi-slot network element utilize load balancing systems and methods for synchronizing learned Media Access Control (MAC) addresses therebetween. It is an objective of the load balancing systems and methods to enable high data rate scalability between line cards in a distributed system while preventing adverse effects on packet traffic. The load balancing systems and methods include inter alia MAC address updates between data path devices (e.g., network processors, application specific integrated circuits, etc.) using data frames and a hash-based time slot strategy ensuring MAC address updates are distributed over time as opposed to large scale, singular events.