Abstract: Systems and methods of Ethernet link locking to detect incorrect cabling implemented at a network element include identifying information using Link Layer Discovery Protocol (LLDP) on a port in the network element communicatively coupled to an adjacent port on an adjacent network element; configuring a maintenance association and port Maintenance End Point (MEP) on the port with the adjacent port on the adjacent network element and using the identified information; exchanging Continuity Check Messages (CCM) over the maintenance association; and detecting a port mismatch between the port and the adjacent port based on CCM-based faults.

Abstract: Loop prevention systems and methods implemented in a switch to prevent loops in a Layer 2 packet switched network based on Media Access Control (MAC) movement in a forwarding database include enabling class based MAC learning on one or more ports with all of the one or more ports initially in a higher priority learning class; disabling MAC movements from the higher priority learning class to a lower priority learning class and disabling MAC movements in the lower priority learning class such that the switch discards frames attempting to perform MAC movement to ports which are in the lower priority learning class; and managing a priority for specific Source MAC addresses between a source port belonging to the higher priority learning class and the lower priority learning class based on detected loops for the specific Source MAC addresses.

Abstract: Systems and methods of propagating frame loss information by a node in an Ethernet network include detecting one or more of service unaware port discards and service aware port discards; determining statistics based on the one or more of service unaware discards and service aware port discards; and transmitting the determined statistics to a sender node through one of a Link Layer Discovery Protocol Data Unit (LLDPDU) and a Link Trace Message (LTM). The LLDPDU and the LTM can include an organization specific Type-Length-Value (TLV) with a TLV information string therein based on the determined statistics and cause of the one or more of service unaware discards and service aware port discards.

Abstract: Loop prevention systems and methods implemented in a switch to prevent loops in a Layer 2 packet switched network based on Media Access Control (MAC) movement in a forwarding database include enabling class based MAC learning on one or more ports with all of the one or more ports initially in a higher priority learning class; disabling MAC movements from the higher priority learning class to a lower priority learning class and disabling MAC movements in the lower priority learning class such that the switch discards frames attempting to perform MAC movement to ports which are in the lower priority learning class; and managing a priority for specific Source MAC addresses between a source port belonging to the higher priority learning class and the lower priority learning class based on detected loops for the specific Source MAC addresses.

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 of propagating frame loss information by a node in an Ethernet network include detecting one or more of service unaware port discards and service aware port discards; determining statistics based on the one or more of service unaware discards and service aware port discards; and transmitting the determined statistics to a sender node through one of a Link Layer Discovery Protocol Data Unit (LLDPDU) and a Link Trace Message (LTM). The LLDPDU and the LTM can include an organization specific Type-Length-Value (TLV) with a TLV information string therein based on the determined statistics and cause of the one or more of service unaware discards and service aware port discards.

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: 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: A method for alerting a mobile device at a predetermined destination. The present invention concerns a method for alerting a mobile device at a predetermined destination, in particular for transport applications. A method for alerting a mobile device at a predetermined destination, said mobile device operating within a communication network, said method consisting in setting an geographic destination to an application server in said communication network, converting the geographic destination into a communication network coordinate system in association with a database, requesting regular location updates to a position determination entity of said communication network, sending a destination trigger event to said mobile device when said mobile device has reached said predetermined destination as determined by said position determination entity of said communication network.

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: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for automatic transport path selection for multi-home entities in Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP). The present invention provides systems and methods for directing data transfer between applications and devices residing on different computers or devices using a dynamic path selection algorithm for multi-homed network entities (using SCTP). When an application or device requests to transfer data to another application or device, the dynamic path selection algorithm selects the most efficient path for data transfer. The decision to select the best network path is based upon the dynamic network conditions, such as, for example, congestion window (CWND), round trip time (RTT), and the like, and/or provisioning information.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for automatic transport path selection for multi-home entities in Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP). The present invention provides systems and methods for directing data transfer between applications and devices residing on different computers or devices using a dynamic path selection algorithm for multi-homed network entities (using SCTP). When an application or device requests to transfer data to another application or device, the dynamic path selection algorithm selects the most efficient path for data transfer. The decision to select the best network path is based upon the dynamic network conditions, such as, for example, congestion window (CWND), round trip time (RTT), and the like, and/or provisioning information.