Abstract: A method carried out by a first communications router for transmitting data packets to a second communications router by establishing an aggregated end-to-end connection with the second communications router. The aggregated end-to-end connection comprises a plurality of established end-to-end connections which are classified into a first group and at least one non-first group of established end-to-end connection(s). The first group of established end-to-end connection(s) satisfy all of one or more conditions and the at least one non-first group of established end-to-end connection(s) do not satisfy all of the one or more conditions. Data packets are transmitted through the first group of established end-to-end connection(s) and the at least one non-first group of established end-to-end connection(s), although, it is preferred to transmit data packets through the first group of established end-to-end connection(s).

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for devices, systems, and methods which optimize throughput of bonded connections over multiple variable bandwidth logical paths by adjusting a tunnel bandwidth weighting schema during a data transfer session in response to a change in bandwidth capabilities of one or more tunnels. By making such adjustments, embodiments of the present invention are able to optimize the bandwidth potential of multiple connections being used in a session, while minimizing the adverse consequences of reduced bandwidth issues which may occur during the data transfer session.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and systems for processing data packets received at a first network node and for processing encapsulating packets received at a second network node. The first network node receives data packets from its network interface. It then selects a first tunnel and selects none or at least one second tunnel according to a selection policy. Original encapsulating packets (OEPs) are transmitted to a second network node through the first tunnel and at least one duplicate encapsulating packet (DEP) is transmitted through the at least one second tunnel. The second network node receives an encapsulating packet with a global sequence number (GSN) through an aggregated connection. The second network node determines whether one or more data packets corresponding to the encapsulating packet have been received earlier. The second network node may then determine whether or not to forward the one or more data packets.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and systems for recreating missing data packets of a data session established between a first communications router and a second communications router through an aggregated connection. The first communications router receives data packets belonging to a data session from the second communications router through the aggregated connection. The data packets are destined to a first host reachable through the first communications router. The first communications router transmits the data packets to the first host and determines whether there is one or more missing data packets. If there is one or more missing data packets, the first communications router determines global sequence number(s) (GSN) and per tunnel sequence numbers (PTSN) of the one or more missing data packets and recreates payload(s) of the one or more missing data packet(s). One or more new data packets are then transmitted to the first host.

Abstract: A method carried out at a network node for managing aggregated Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection. The network node establishes an aggregated VPN connection with a network element and determines a first uplink bandwidth limit and/or a first downlink bandwidth limit. The uplink bandwidth at the network node is limited to the first uplink bandwidth limit if the first uplink bandwidth limit is determined. The downlink bandwidth at the network node is limited to the first downlink bandwidth limit if the first downlink bandwidth limit is determined. The network node encapsulates first data packets in first encapsulating packets and then transmits the first encapsulating packets to the network element through the aggregated VPN connection within the first uplink bandwidth limit. The network node receives second encapsulating packets from the network element within the first downlink bandwidth limit, and then decapsulates second data packets from the second encapsulating packets.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and systems for transmitting data packets through a plurality of connections and through a gateway at a network node. The network node receives network performance observation report (NPOR) from the gateway. Based on the NPOR, the network node determines at least one of the plurality of wide area network (WAN) interfaces of the gateway for transmitting data packets. The network node then creates and transmits an instruction to the gateway. When the network node transmits the data packets to the gateway, the network node also creates and transmits an instruction to the gateway to determine the WAN interface(s) of the gateway for transmitting the packets.

Abstract: Method and system for reduction of time variance of packets received from bonded communication links. Embodiments of present inventions can be applied to bonded communication links, including wireless connection, Ethernet connection, Internet Protocol connection, asynchronous transfer mode, virtual private network, WiFi, high-speed downlink packet access, GPRS, LTE, X.25 and etc. The present invention presents methods comprising the steps of determining latency difference among bonded communication links, receiving one or more packets from the bonded communication links, and delivering the one or more packets according to the latency difference.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and systems for transmitting data packets from a first communications router to a second communications router through an aggregated connection comprising a plurality of tunnels. The first communications router receives a first data packet belonging to a data session from a first host. The first communications router then transmits the first data packet to the second communications router and stores the first data packet in a local storage medium. The first communications router determines whether an error correction mode is activated. If an error correction mode is activated, the first communications router retransmits the first data packet and also transmits an error correction packet corresponding to the first data packet.

Abstract: A method carried out by a first node for estimating network performance by selecting at least one network interface of the first node and at least one network interface of a second node and then transmitting reference packets to the second node. The reference packets are transmitted through the selected network interfaces of the first node to the selected network interfaces of the second node. After receiving the reference packets, the second node generates arrival information and sends the arrival information to the first node. The first utilizes the arrival information for estimating the network performance. The network interfaces are selected according to a policy and end-to-end connection(s) may be established between selected network interfaces of the first node and selected network interfaces of the second node. The end-to-end connection(s) may be aggregated to form an aggregated end-to-end connection.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and systems for transmitting a received packet at a first network node through an aggregated connection. The first network node determines session information of the received packet and determines whether a new tunnel needs to be selected for transmitting the received packet. When a new tunnel needs to be selected, a hash result is determined. The hash result is substantially based on the session information and the number of available tunnels. A first tunnel is determined for transmitting the received packet according to the hash result. The session information and tunnel ID of the first tunnel is then stored in a first database. The received packet is transmitted through the first tunnel. When a new tunnel need not be selected, a lookup is performed to determine a tunnel ID substantially based on the session information. The received packet is transmitted through the determined tunnel.

Abstract: A method and system for a first node to transmit packets to a second none, comprising receiving a packet from a local area network (LAN) interface, inspecting the packet; determining whether the packet satisfies at least one packet condition; transmitting the packet through a predefined tunnel if the packet satisfies the at least one packet condition; transmitting the packet through a second tunnel if the packet does not satisfy the at least one packet condition. The predefined tunnel is a first tunnel and is established before the packet is received by the first node. The second tunnel belongs to a first tunnel group or a second tunnel group. The first tunnel, the second tunnel and other tunnels may together form an aggregated connection. Further, the use of predefined tunnel may be based on whether the packets satisfy a session condition.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method carried out by a first communications device for determining performance of a plurality of connections and selecting at least one first connection from the plurality of connections substantially based on performance. Data packets are then transmitted through the at least one first connection. The plurality of connections are aggregated to form an aggregated connection. The determining of performance is performed by transmitting evaluation packets through the plurality of connections. The evaluation packets are based on data packets that are received by the first communication device but have not yet been transmitted through the aggregated connection. The data packets may be designated for a host or node reachable through the aggregated connection. Alternatively, the evaluation packets may be based on predefined information when there are no data packets to be transmitted through the aggregated connection. The performance may be determined periodically.

Abstract: A method carried out at a network node for managing aggregated Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection. The network node establishes an aggregated VPN connection with a network element and determines a first uplink bandwidth limit and/or a first downlink bandwidth limit. The uplink bandwidth at the network node is limited to the first uplink bandwidth limit if the first uplink bandwidth limit is determined. The downlink bandwidth at the network node is limited to the first downlink bandwidth limit if the first downlink bandwidth limit is determined. The network node encapsulates first data packets in first encapsulating packets and then transmits the first encapsulating packets to the network element through the aggregated VPN connection within the first uplink bandwidth limit. The network node receives second encapsulating packets from the network element within the first downlink bandwidth limit, and then decapsulates second data packets from the second encapsulating packets.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for devices, systems, and methods which optimize throughput of bonded connections over multiple variable bandwidth logical paths by adjusting a tunnel bandwidth weighting schema during a data transfer session in response to a change in bandwidth capabilities of one or more tunnels. By making such adjustments, embodiments of the present invention are able to optimize the bandwidth potential of multiple connections being used in a session, while minimizing the adverse consequences of reduced bandwidth issues which may occur during the data transfer session.

Abstract: A method carried out by a first node for estimating network performance by selecting at least one network interface of the first node and at least one network interface of a second node and then transmitting reference packets to the second node. The reference packets are transmitted through the selected network interfaces of the first node to the selected network interfaces of the second node. After receiving the reference packets, the second node generates arrival information and sends the arrival information to the first node. The first utilizes the arrival information for estimating the network performance. The network interfaces are selected according to a policy and end-to-end connection(s) may be established between selected network interfaces of the first node and selected network interfaces of the second node. The end-to-end connection(s) may be aggregated to form an aggregated end-to-end connection.

Abstract: Methods, network devices, and systems which transmit and receive packets with priority by receiving a packet via one of the plurality of network interfaces; determining a global sequence number and a priority level of the packet; storing the packet; encapsulating the packet in encapsulating packets; transmitting the encapsulating packets via a plurality of logical network connections to the second network device according to the global sequence number and the priority level; receiving the encapsulating packets; decapsulating the packet from the encapsulating packets; and transmitting the packet to the intended receiver according to the global sequence number and the priority level.

Abstract: A method and system for using tunnel association information to allow network device to transfer and receive layer two packets through provide a layer two tunnel between different layer two networks through multiple network links. Layer 3 packets are used to encapsulate layer two packets. The tunnel association information includes a network link identification and a tunnel sequence number. The network link identification is used to identify the network link and virtual private tunnel said one or more layer three packets belonging to and the tunnel sequence number is used to identify the sequence of said one or mow layer three packets in a network link.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and systems for processing data packets received at a first network node and for processing encapsulating packets received at a second network node. The first network node receives data packets from its network interface. It then selects a first tunnel and selects none or at least one second tunnel according to a selection policy. Original encapsulating packets (OEPs) are transmitted to a second network node through the first tunnel and at least one duplicate encapsulating packet (DEP) is transmitted through the at least one second tunnel. The second network node receives an encapsulating packet with a global sequence number (GSN) through an aggregated connection. The second network node determines whether one or more data packets corresponding to the encapsulating packet have been received earlier. The second network node may then determine whether or not to forward the one or more data packets.

Abstract: A method carried out by a first communications device for transmitting data packets, wherein the first communications device comprises a plurality of network interfaces. Data packets are transmitted through a first network interface when a first condition is satisfied, and through a second network interface when a second condition is satisfied. In one of the embodiments, the plurality of network interfaces are classified into a plurality of groups of network interfaces according to a first group of conditions, and the first network interface and second network interface belong to two different groups of network interfaces.

Abstract: Methods and systems for transmitting and receiving data between a first node and a second node through a first tunnel group and a second tunnel group respectively. The first node transmits data to the second node mainly through a first tunnel group and receives data from the second node mainly through a second tunnel group. In some embodiments, the first node receives first IP packets from one of its LAN interfaces and then transmits encapsulated first IP packets and then are transmitted mainly through a first one or more WAN interfaces to the second node. The first node receives encapsulated second IP packets mainly from the second node through a second one or more of its WAN interfaces. Second IP packets are then de-capsulated and transmitted through one of the LAN interfaces of the first node.