Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a multi-level resource reservation system that obviates one or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art. The multi-level resource reservation system creates, or modifies existing, peer-to-peer protocol(s) to complete a continuous chain of configured ports to support QoS feature(s), e.g., bound latency and guaranteed jitter, for a data flow that traverses an arbitrary sequence of bridges, routers, and virtual links.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a multi-level resource reservation system that obviates one or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art. The multi-level resource reservation system creates, or modifies existing, peer-to-peer protocol(s) to complete a continuous chain of configured ports to support QoS feature(s), e.g., bound latency and guaranteed jitter, for a data flow that traverses an arbitrary sequence of bridges, routers, and virtual links.

Abstract: A method for allocating port assignments for transmitting a reserved network stream across a network node comprises determining a cycle time associated with a network node. The method also comprises establishing, for at least one port of the network node, a plurality of virtual layers associated with the cycle time, wherein each of the plurality of virtual layers is divided into 2n equally-spaced slots per cycle (where n>0). The method further comprises receiving a reserved stream request associated with transmission of a reserved stream across the node, and determining a number of slots required to transmit the reserved stream. The method also comprises assigning one or more slots associated with a port of the network node to the transmission of packets associated with the reserved stream based on the determined number of slots. The method further comprises transmitting the stream according to the slot assignment associated with the port of the network node.

Abstract: A method for allocating port assignments for transmitting a reserved network stream across a network node comprises determining a cycle time associated with a network node. The method also comprises establishing, for at least one port of the network node, a plurality of virtual layers associated with the cycle time, wherein each of the plurality of virtual layers is divided into 2n equally-spaced slots per cycle (where n>0). The method further comprises receiving a reserved stream request associated with transmission of a reserved stream across the node, and determining a number of slots required to transmit the reserved stream. The method also comprises assigning one or more slots associated with a port of the network node to the transmission of packets associated with the reserved stream based on the determined number of slots. The method further comprises transmitting the stream according to the slot assignment associated with the port of the network node.

Abstract: A method for allocating port assignments for transmitting a reserved network stream across a network node comprises determining a cycle time associated with a network node. The method also comprises establishing, for at least one port of the network node, a plurality of virtual layers associated with the cycle time, wherein each of the plurality of virtual layers is divided into 2n equally-spaced slots per cycle (where n>0). The method further comprises receiving a reserved stream request associated with transmission of a reserved stream across the node, and determining a number of slots required to transmit the reserved stream. The method also comprises assigning one or more slots associated with a port of the network node to the transmission of packets associated with the reserved stream based on the determined number of slots. The method further comprises transmitting the stream according to the slot assignment associated with the port of the network node.

Abstract: A method for allocating port assignments for transmitting a reserved network stream across a network node comprises determining a cycle time associated with a network node. The method also comprises establishing, for at least one port of the network node, a plurality of virtual layers associated with the cycle time, wherein each of the plurality of virtual layers is divided into 2n equally-spaced slots per cycle (where n>0). The method further comprises receiving a reserved stream request associated with transmission of a reserved stream across the node, and determining a number of slots required to transmit the reserved stream. The method also comprises assigning one or more slots associated with a port of the network node to the transmission of packets associated with the reserved stream based on the determined number of slots. The method further comprises transmitting the stream according to the slot assignment associated with the port of the network node.

Abstract: A method for allocating port assignments for transmitting a reserved network stream across a network node comprises determining a cycle time associated with a network node. The method also comprises establishing, for at least one port of the network node, a plurality of virtual layers associated with the cycle time, wherein each of the plurality of virtual layers is divided into 2n equally-spaced slots per cycle (where n>0). The method further comprises receiving a reserved stream request associated with transmission of a reserved stream across the node, and determining a number of slots required to transmit the reserved stream. The method also comprises assigning one or more slots associated with a port of the network node to the transmission of packets associated with the reserved stream based on the determined number of slots. The method further comprises transmitting the stream according to the slot assignment associated with the port of the network node.

Abstract: In one embodiment a limited functionality link state protocol node has one or two interfaces configured to send and receive link state protocol packets. In response to receiving, by the partially-participating link state protocol node on a first interface, a particular link state protocol data unit (LSP): sending the particular LSP from a second interface of the partially-participating link state protocol node without updating the local link state database when the second interface is currently participating in the link state protocol distribution; and sending an acknowledgment of the particular LSP from the first interface when the second interface is not currently participating in the link state protocol distribution.

Abstract: One embodiment includes: forwarding a particular packet through an Available Routing Construct (ARC) chain topology network. In one embodiment, this forwarding includes: sending the particular packet by each particular non-edge node on an arc of the plurality of arcs receiving the particular packet to each sibling on the arc that did not send the particular packet to said particular non-edge node, while not sending the particular packet if it was received from both siblings of said particular edge node; and sending the particular packet to a respective child node on a second arc of the plurality of arcs by each particular edge node of two edge nodes on the arc after receiving the particular packet. In one embodiment, the network is a wireless deterministic network with pre-assigned time slots for receiving and subsequently sending a same particular packet by each node of the network.

Abstract: One embodiment includes: forwarding a particular packet through an Available Routing Construct (ARC) chain topology network. In one embodiment, this forwarding includes: sending the particular packet by each particular non-edge node on an arc of the plurality of arcs receiving the particular packet to each sibling on the arc that did not send the particular packet to said particular non-edge node, while not sending the particular packet if it was received from both siblings of said particular edge node; and sending the particular packet to a respective child node on a second arc of the plurality of arcs by each particular edge node of two edge nodes on the arc after receiving the particular packet. In one embodiment, the network is a wireless deterministic network with pre-assigned time slots for receiving and subsequently sending a same particular packet by each node of the network.

Abstract: In one embodiment a limited functionality link state protocol node has one or two interfaces configured to send and receive link state protocol packets. In response to receiving, by the partially-participating link state protocol node on a first interface, a particular link state protocol data unit (LSP): sending the particular LSP from a second interface of the partially-participating link state protocol node without updating the local link state database when the second interface is currently participating in the link state protocol distribution; and sending an acknowledgment of the particular LSP from the first interface when the second interface is not currently participating in the link state protocol distribution.

Abstract: Ethernet Alarm Indication Signal (ETH-AIS) information for multiple Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs) is consolidated and distributed to the multiple VLANs in a single Ethernet frame. Note, as used herein, “Alarm Indication Signal (ETH-AIS)” refers to an IEEE 802.x or ITU-T Y.1731 Ethernet Alarm Indication Signal. A device receiving the Ethernet frame with the consolidated ETH-AIS information typically forwards the frame out each port that communicates traffic for one of the VLANs included in the consolidated ETH-AIS information.

Abstract: An endpoint for determining a frame loss ratio is provided. The endpoint includes a processor and a memory coupled with the processor. The memory stores instructions that are executable to generate a number of synthetic frames, and insert the number of synthetic frames into a stream of data frames, the synthetic frames being transmitted to a responder endpoint address designated in the synthetic frames. The memory may also store instructions that are executable to determine a number of lost synthetic frames; and calculate a synthetic frame loss ratio as a function of the number of lost synthetic frames and the number of synthetic frames inserted into the stream of data frames.

Abstract: Ethernet Alarm Indication Signal (ETH-AIS) information for multiple Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs) is consolidated and distributed to the multiple VLANs in a single Ethernet frame. Note, as used herein, “Alarm Indication Signal (ETH-AIS)” refers to an IEEE 802.x or ITU-T Y.1731 Ethernet Alarm Indication Signal. A device receiving the Ethernet frame with the consolidated ETH-AIS information typically forwards the frame out each port that communicates traffic for one of the VLANs included in the consolidated ETH-AIS information.

Abstract: An endpoint for determining a frame loss ratio is provided. The endpoint includes a processor and a memory coupled with the processor. The memory stores instructions that are executable to generate a number of synthetic frames, and insert the number of synthetic frames into a stream of data frames, the synthetic frames being transmitted to a responder endpoint address designated in the synthetic frames. The memory may also store instructions that are executable to determine a number of lost synthetic frames; and calculate a synthetic frame loss ratio as a function of the number of lost synthetic frames and the number of synthetic frames inserted into the stream of data frames.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, an apparatus comprising a physical layer processing device that comprises logic configured to process a packet received from a physical layer interface is disclosed. The physical layer processing device logic is further configured to determine a preamble portion of the packet and a data portion of the packet. The physical layer processing device logic is further configured to insert a timestamp into the preamble portion of the packet. The physical layer processing device logic forwards the packet with the timestamp inserted into the preamble.

Abstract: A solution is provided wherein physical link parameters may be negotiated after a link is brought up by having the two devices involved in the link exchange identifiers when the link is initially brought up. These identifiers may be saved in the devices and then utilized upon receipt of subsequent physical link parameter negotiation packets to ensure that these packets are received by a partner who is connected via a physical link.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, an apparatus comprising a physical layer processing device that comprises logic configured to process a packet received from a physical layer interface is disclosed. The physical layer processing device logic is further configured to determine a preamble portion of the packet and a data portion of the packet. The physical layer processing device logic is further configured to insert a timestamp into the preamble portion of the packet. The physical layer processing device logic forwards the packet with the timestamp inserted into the preamble.

Abstract: A process for the reliable distribution of a shortcut table for layer 3 switching is distributed from a plurality of routers to a plurality of switches includes the transmission by the router of a list of shortcut entries, which includes a list of switches which have acknowledged receipt of this list of shortcut entries. The transmission of these database messages continues until all target switches have acknowledged receipt of the database messages. The interval between transmission of database messages is short until all switches have acknowledged reception of such database messages, and thereafter the interval between transmissions is lengthened, and a hello message is sent until a new switch is added to the network, or a change in router shortcut database occurs, whereafter the transmission of database messages is resumed utilizing the interval between these transmissions is again shortened until all such messages have been acknowledged.