Abstract: A multicast method for Segment Routing includes, in a Segment Routing network with a plurality of nodes, wherein Segment Routing utilizes globally significant labels as node identifiers such that path state installation is only required at an ingress node of a Segment Routing domain, advertising a multicast flow by a source node; determining roles in the multicast flow for the plurality of nodes; and installing appropriate forwarding behavior for the multicast flow at the plurality of nodes based on the determined roles. The advertising can utilize Interior Gateway Protocol (IGP). For the multicast flow, source node segments are used to construct source routed trees rather than destination-based paths, wherein the source routed trees define broadcast paths, versus destination-based paths which are used in Segment Routing to define a node segment.

Abstract: A multicast method for Segment Routing includes, in a Segment Routing network with a plurality of nodes, wherein Segment Routing utilizes globally significant labels as node identifiers such that path state installation is only required at an ingress node of a Segment Routing domain, advertising a multicast flow by a source node; determining roles in the multicast flow for the plurality of nodes; and installing appropriate forwarding behavior for the multicast flow at the plurality of nodes based on the determined roles. The advertising can utilize Interior Gateway Protocol (IGP). For the multicast flow, source node segments are used to construct source routed trees rather than destination-based paths, wherein the source routed trees define broadcast paths, versus destination-based paths which are used in Segment Routing to define a node segment.

Abstract: A network element is configured to provide a distributed data center architecture between at least two data center locations. The network element includes a plurality of ports configured to switch packets between one another; wherein a first port of the plurality of ports is connected to an intra-data center network of a first data center location and a second port of the plurality of ports is connected to a second data center location that is remote from the first data center location over a Wide Area Network (WAN), and wherein the intra-data center network of the first data center location, the WAN, and an intra-data center network of the second data center location utilize an ordered label structure between one another to form the distributed data center architecture.

Abstract: A method of peer interfacing a Link-State controlled network domain with an Ethernet Bridging controlled network domain. A pair of peer attachment points are provided between the Link-State controlled network domain and the Ethernet Bridging domain. The peer attachment points are respective endpoints of a set of one or more LAN segments defined within the Ethernet Bridging domain. The set of LAN segments are represented as a virtual node in the Link-State controlled network domain. The virtual node is represented in the Link-State controlled network domain as connected to each of the peer attachment points via a respective virtual link. The virtual links are configured such that frames to or from an address in the Link-State controlled network domain are forwarded over a tree passing through only one of the peer attachments points.

Abstract: A system for interfacing a client system in a first network domain with a Provider Link State Bridging (PLSB) domain includes at least two Backbone Edge Bridges (BEBs) of the PLSB domain. Each BEB is an end-point of a connection in the first network domain to the client system and an end-point of at least a unicast path in the PLSB domain. An inter-node trunk is provided in the PLSB domain for interconnecting the BEBs. A phantom node is defined in the PLSB domain and is notionally located on the inter-node trunk. Each of the BEBs is configured such that: an ingress packet received from the client system via the connection in the first network domain is forwarded through a path notionally rooted at the phantom node; and an egress packet destined for the client system is forwarded to the client system through the connection in the first network domain.

Abstract: A system for interfacing a client system in a first network domain with a Provider Link State Bridging (PLSB) domain includes at least two Backbone Edge Bridges (BEBs) of the PLSB domain. Each BEB is an end-point of a connection in the first network domain to the client system and an end-point of at least a unicast path in the PLSB domain. An inter-node trunk is provided in the PLSB domain for interconnecting the BEBs. A phantom node is defined in the PLSB domain and is notionally located on the inter-node trunk. Each of the BEBs is configured such that: an ingress packet received from the client system via the connection in the first network domain is forwarded through a path notionally rooted at the phantom node; and an egress packet destined for the client system is forwarded to the client system through the connection in the first network domain.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a separate Ethernet forwarding and control plane system, method, network, and architecture with a Link State Interior Gateway route reflector for the control plan system and a layer two network architecture for the forwarding system. The present invention optionally utilizes a cloud implementation for the Designated Router (DR) or designated peering node reducing peering requirements and distributing the functionality. Through the architecture of the present invention, the Provider router is obviated by the application of layer two switches and servers. Such an architecture provides improved scaling, performance, and cost reduction.

Abstract: A system for interfacing a client system in a first network domain with a Provider Link State Bridging (PLSB) domain includes at least two Backbone Edge Bridges (BEBs) of the PLSB domain. Each BEB is an end-point of a connection in the first network domain to the client system and an end-point of at least a unicast path in the PLSB domain. An inter-node trunk is provided in the PLSB domain for interconnecting the BEBs. A phantom node is defined in the PLSB domain and is notionally located on the inter-node trunk. Each of the BEBs is configured such that: an ingress packet received from the client system via the connection in the first network domain is forwarded through a path notionally rooted at the phantom node; and an egress packet destined for the client system is forwarded to the client system through the connection in the first network domain.

Abstract: A method of peer interfacing a Link-State controlled network domain with an Ethernet Bridging controlled network domain. A pair of peer attachment points are provided between the Link-State controlled network domain and the Ethernet Bridging domain. The peer attachment points are respective endpoints of a set of one or more LAN segments defined within the Ethernet Bridging domain. The set of LAN segments are represented as a virtual node in the Link-State controlled network domain. The virtual node is represented in the Link-State controlled network domain as connected to each of the peer attachment points via a respective virtual link. The virtual links are configured such that frames to or from an address in the Link-State controlled network domain are forwarded over a tree passing through only one of the peer attachments points.

Abstract: A method of peer interfacing a Link-State controlled network domain with an Ethernet Bridging controlled network domain. A pair of peer attachment points are provided between the Link-State controlled network domain and the Ethernet Bridging domain. The peer attachment points are respective endpoints of a set of one or more LAN segments defined within the Ethernet Bridging domain. The set of LAN segments are represented as a virtual node in the Link-State controlled network domain. The virtual node is represented in the Link-State controlled network domain as connected to each of the peer attachment points via a respective virtual link. The virtual links are configured such that frames to or from an address in the Link-State controlled network domain are forwarded over a tree passing through only one of the peer attachments points.

Abstract: A system for interfacing a client system in a first network domain with a Provider Link State Bridging (PLSB) domain includes at least two Backbone Edge Bridges (BEBs) of the PLSB domain. Each BEB is an end-point of a connection in the first network domain to the client system and an end-point of at least a unicast path in the PLSB domain. An inter-node trunk is provided in the PLSB domain for interconnecting the BEBs. A phantom node is defined in the PLSB domain and is notionally located on the inter-node trunk. Each of the BEBs is configured such that: an ingress packet received from the client system via the connection in the first network domain is forwarded through a path notionally rooted at the phantom node; and an egress packet destined for the client system is forwarded to the client system through the connection in the first network domain.

Abstract: A method system for interfacing a client system in a first network domain with a Provider Link State Bridging (PLSB) network domain. At least two Backbone Edge Bridges (BEBs) of the PLSB domain 20 are provided. Each BEB is an end-point of a connection in the first network domain to the client system and an end-point of at least a unicast path defined within the PLSB domain 20. An inter-node trunk is provided in the PLSB domain 20 for interconnecting the at least two BEBs. A phantom node is defined in the PLSB domain 20. The phantom node has a unique address in the PLSB domain 20 and is notionally located on the inter-node trunk one hop from each of the BEBs. Each of the BEBs is configured such that: an ingress packet received from the client system via the connection in the first network domain is forwarded through a path notionally rooted at the phantom node; and an egress subscriber packet destined for the client system is forwarded to the client system through the connection in the first network domain.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a separate Ethernet forwarding and control plane system, method, network, and architecture with a Link State Interior Gateway route reflector for the control plan system and a layer two network architecture for the forwarding system. The present invention optionally utilizes a cloud implementation for the Designated Router (DR) or designated peering node reducing peering requirements and distributing the functionality. Through the architecture of the present invention, the Provider router is obviated by the application of layer two switches and servers. Such an architecture provides improved scaling, performance, and cost reduction.

Abstract: A resilient virtual Ethernet ring has nodes interconnected by working and protection paths. If a span fails, the two nodes immediately on either side of the failure are cross-connected to fold the ring. Working-path traffic is cross-connected onto the protection path at the first of the two nodes and is then cross-connected back onto the working path at the second of the two nodes so that traffic always ingresses and egresses the ring from the working path. A traffic originating node, upon determining that transmitted packets are being looped back due to a fault on a primary path, is adapted to switch transmission of data packets from the primary path to a secondary path.

Abstract: A method system for interfacing a client system in a first network domain with a Provider Link State Bridging (PLSB) network domain. At least two Backbone Edge Bridges (BEBs) of the PLSB domain 20 are provided. Each BEB is an end-point of a connection in the first network domain to the client system and an end-point of at least a unicast path defined within the PLSB domain 20. An inter-node trunk is provided in the PLSB domain 20 for interconnecting the at least two BEBs. A phantom node is defined in the PLSB domain 20. The phantom node has a unique address in the PLSB domain 20 and is notionally located on the inter-node trunk one hop from each of the BEBs. Each of the BEBs is configured such that: an ingress packet received from the client system via the connection in the first network domain is forwarded through a path notionally rooted at the phantom node; and an egress subscriber packet destined for the client system is forwarded to the client system through the connection in the first network domain.

Abstract: A method of peer interfacing a Link-State controlled network domain with an Ethernet Bridging controlled network domain. A pair of peer attachment points are provided between the Link-State controlled network domain and the Ethernet Bridging domain. The peer attachment points are respective endpoints of a set of one or more LAN segments defined within the Ethernet Bridging domain. The set of LAN segments are represented as a virtual node in the Link-State controlled network domain. The virtual node is represented in the Link-State controlled network domain as connected to each of the peer attachment points via a respective virtual link. The virtual links are configured such that frames to or from an address in the Link-State controlled network domain are forwarded over a tree passing through only one of the peer attachments points.

Abstract: Previous systems and methods for personalizing web content presented to a user has been achieved in a decentralized manner by storing personal data relating to the user repeatedly by different content providing servers. Consequently, the consistency of the data stored can be inconsistent and, in some cases, incomplete. Additionally, the user does not have any control over the dissemination of the content. The present invention provides a system, apparatus and method whereby web related data is modified in communications between user equipment units and content providing servers. The modification to the web related data is carried out by a proxy server (20) having access to centrally stored personal data in a data store (22). Consequently, data provided to content providing servers is consistent, complete and the information provided by the content providing servers to the user has a higher degree of relevance to the user.

Abstract: A compensator for optical transmission systems exploits gain tilt inherent in optical amplifiers. The amount of SRS induced spectral power gradient is determined, and the amplifier gain is changed to cause a compensating gain gradient in the optical amplifier to compensate for the SRS induced spectral power gradient. Fewer components are needed, and so it can be less expensive. It can be implemented as a simple software upgrade to existing systems. Many such compensators can be distributed through the system, without requiring a large inventory of individually specified filters. More accurate compensation can be achieved by making it dependent on the distribution of wavelengths within a band.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of balancing the power level of an optical signal within an aggregate of optical signals in an amplified dense wavelength division multiplexing DWDM optical network, as well as power balancing apparatus therefor.

Abstract: In IPv6, a multi-homed domain comprises more than one connection to domains disposed hierarchically above the multi-homed domain. Consequently, more than one set of IP addresses exists corresponding to the more than one connection between the multi-homed domain and the hierarchically higher domains, respectively. At present, a first host associated with the multi-homed domain must choose between one of the more than one set of IP addresses in ignorance of the existence of a fault condition arising in connection with one of the sets of IP addresses, resulting in the first host becoming unreachable by a second host located elsewhere in the Internet. The present invention therefore provides a system, method and apparatus whereby a given domain transmits an address prefix to domains disposed hierarchically below the given domain and forward address prefixes received from domains disposed hierarchically above the given domain to domains disposed hierarchically below the given domain.