Abstract: Embodiments described herein describe a network tester that is configured to perform packet modification at an egress pipeline of a programmable packet engine. A packet stream is received at an egress pipeline of an output port of the programmable packet engine, wherein the output port includes a packet modifier. Packets of the packet stream are modified at the packet modifier. The packet stream including modified packets is transmitted through an egress pipeline of the output port.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein describe a network tester that is configured to perform packet modification at an egress pipeline of a programmable packet engine. A packet stream is received at an egress pipeline of an output port of the programmable packet engine, wherein the output port includes a packet modifier. Packets of the packet stream are modified at the packet modifier. The packet stream including modified packets is transmitted through an egress pipeline of the output port.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a novel method for simultaneously generating (i) configuration data for configuring a forwarding element (FE) and (ii) application programming interfaces (APIs) for programming the configured FE (e.g., at run time). The method of some embodiments receives a description of the FE's data plane that specifies the packet processing logic of the FE and generates the configuration data based on the received description. The configuration data in some embodiments specifies which protocols (e.g., L2 protocols, L3 protocols, etc.) the FE supports and how the FE performs a set of functionalities to forward network traffic data for the supported protocols. The method of some embodiments also generates a set of APIs based on the received description of the data plane. The APIs can then be used by a run time application (e.g., a control plane software) to program the configured FE at a later time (e.g., at run time).

Abstract: A system and method for link failure handling includes detecting a failure in a first network connection between a first network switching unit and a second network switching unit, where the first network connection is associated with a first communication port of the first network switching unit; suspending the first communication port from a link aggregation group (LAG), where the first communication port is associated with the LAG; and associating one or more first inter-chassis link (ICL) ports with the LAG. The first ICL ports are associated with a first ICL coupling the first network switching unit to a third network switching unit. The first network switching unit and the third network switching unit are peers.

Abstract: A system and method for link failure handling includes detecting a failure in a first network connection between a first network switching unit and a second network switching unit, where the first network connection is associated with a first communication port of the first network switching unit; suspending the first communication port from a link aggregation group (LAG), where the first communication port is associated with the LAG; and associating one or more first inter-chassis link (ICL) ports with the LAG. The first ICL ports are associated with a first ICL coupling the first network switching unit to a third network switching unit. The first network switching unit and the third network switching unit are peers.

Abstract: A method or corresponding apparatus in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention monitors an operational status of network links and retrieves or receives the operational status. The operational status is stored (e.g., within 50 msec) on an ongoing basis. The operational status corresponds to an operational LSP from among a primary LSP and secondary LSP(s) used to service traffic via the network links to maintain network connectivity via the LSPs. The secondary LSP(s) may be either a bypass LSP or a backup LSP, where each LSP is Fast Re-route (FRR) enabled. Further, correspondence between the primary LSP, secondary LSP(s), and the network links may be tracked. In order to deliver network traffic via the operational LSP known to service traffic between the source and destination, a link identifier may be used. The link identifier is determined from the source and destination information within the network traffic.

Abstract: A method or corresponding apparatus in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention monitors an operational status of network links and retrieves or receives the operational status. The operational status is stored (e.g., within 50 msec) on an ongoing basis. The operational status corresponds to an operational LSP from among a primary LSP and secondary LSP(s) used to service traffic via the network links to maintain network connectivity via the LSPs. The secondary LSP(s) may be either a bypass LSP or a backup LSP, where each LSP is Fast Re-route (FRR) enabled. Further, correspondence between the primary LSP, secondary LSP(s), and the network links may be tracked. In order to deliver network traffic via the operational LSP known to service traffic between the source and destination, a link identifier may be used. The link identifier is determined from the source and destination information within the network traffic.

Abstract: A method of modifying a layered protocol communication apparatus includes transferring a control plane from a first processor handling a first layer to a second processor handling a second layer.

Abstract: A network-based interaction and review server allows a user (e.g., a purchaser) to obtain reviews, collaboratively shop and consult experts with respect to a topic, web domain, website or product without being limited to engaging a service specific to a particular web domain, website or the network location. An interaction companion to a web browser may capture a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) of a website or web domain, currently being accessed via a web browser. This URL is communicated back into an interaction system, which performs a lookup to identify other users that are currently accessing the website or web domain, reviews relevant to the website or web domain, and experts associated with the website or web domain. The user then has the option of accessing such reviews, or engaging in communications (e.g., a web chat session or collaborative browsing) with the identified users or an expert. When engaging an expert, the expert assumes a leadership role in a collaborative browsing session.