Abstract: Presently disclosed are systems and methods for monitoring and managing communication paths in data centers. One embodiment takes the form of a method that includes associating an end-to-end communication path with one or more service-level parameters, where a plurality of PLCCs are interconnected along the end-to-end communication path. The method also includes receiving a low-signal-level indication from at least one PLCC on the communication path, and responsively (i) selecting at least one responsive action based at least in part on the one or more service-level parameters and (ii) taking the at least one selected responsive action with respect to the end-to-end communication path.

Abstract: Presently disclosed are systems and methods for identifying interconnections among physical-layer cross-connect switches. One embodiment takes the form of a method of discovering external connections among a plurality of interconnected physical-layer cross connects (PLCCs). The method includes maintaining external-link mapping data for the plurality of PLCCs, which each include a plurality of ports. The method further includes determining that a first data sequence that was transmitted outbound via a first port of a first PLCC matches a second data sequence that was received inbound via a second port of the second PLCC, and responsively updating the external-link mapping data to indicate an external connection between the first port of the first PLCC and the second port of the second PLCC.

Abstract: A digital crosspoint switch of a network switching system (NSS) replicates input data received via a first network interface to a first data processing port of a data processing card. The input data includes a digital market data feed comprising market-data packets. The crosspoint switch has internal crosspoint ports and external crosspoint ports. The data processing card includes a programmable logic device and a plurality of data processing ports connected to the internal crosspoint ports. The NSS includes a plurality of network interfaces connected to the external crosspoint ports. The data processing card processes the input data and generates processed data on the second data processing port at least in part by only including market-data packets that meet a first predetermined filtering criterion in the processed data. The crosspoint switch replicates the processed data from the second data processing port to the second network interface.

Abstract: A digital networking system includes a digital crosspoint switch, a host controller, and a data processing card that includes a programmable logic device such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The host controller is operative to configure both the data processing card and the digital crosspoint switch in accordance with commands received over a user interface. The system is configurable to direct incoming data through the crosspoint switch to the data processing card for processing, and then back through the crosspoint switch for distribution to one or more network ports. The processing performed by the data processing card may include, among other options, feed filtering of a digital market data feed for use in high-frequency trading applications.

Abstract: A physical-layer cross connect (PLCC) includes a system-bus interface; a switching circuit having multiple externally accessible data ports, an internal-only PLCC-controller port, and a data bus that is dynamically configurable among the externally accessible data ports and the internal-only PLCC-controller port; transceivers connected to the externally accessible data ports and to a signal bus; data jacks connected to the transceivers; and a PLCC controller interfaced with the system-bus interface, the data bus, the signal bus, and the internal-only PLCC-controller port and configured to: receive path-configuration commands from a communication-path-management controller and responsively configure connections on the data bus; receive mirrored copies of inbound data by selectively configuring connections on the data bus between the internal-only PLCC-controller port and the various externally accessible data ports; analyze the mirrored copies of inbound data to determine at least one informational characteris

Abstract: Presently disclosed are systems and methods for identifying interconnections among physical-layer cross-connect switches. One embodiment takes the form of a method of discovering external connections among a plurality of interconnected physical-layer cross connects (PLCCs). The method includes maintaining external-link mapping data for the plurality of PLCCs, which each include a plurality of ports. The method further includes determining that a first data sequence that was transmitted outbound via a first port of a first PLCC matches a second data sequence that was received inbound via a second port of the second PLCC, and responsively updating the external-link mapping data to indicate an external connection between the first port of the first PLCC and the second port of the second PLCC.

Abstract: Systems and methods for configuring, maintaining and monitoring a layer 1 switching network using physical layer cross-connect switches having a switch controller that configures, manages and monitors data path segments forming links in communication paths.

Abstract: Presently disclosed are systems and methods for monitoring and managing communication paths in data centers. One embodiment takes the form of a method that includes associating an end-to-end communication path with one or more service-level parameters, where a plurality of PLCCs are interconnected along the end-to-end communication path. The method also includes receiving a low-signal-level indication from at least one PLCC on the communication path, and responsively (i) selecting at least one responsive action based at least in part on the one or more service-level parameters and (ii) taking the at least one selected responsive action with respect to the end-to-end communication path.

Abstract: A digital networking system includes a digital crosspoint switch, a host controller, and a data processing card that includes a programmable logic device such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The host controller is operative to configure both the data processing card and the digital crosspoint switch in accordance with commands received over a user interface. The system is configurable to direct incoming data through the crosspoint switch to the data processing card for processing, and then back through the crosspoint switch for distribution to one or more network ports. The processing performed by the data processing card may include, among other options, feed filtering of a digital market data feed for use in high-frequency trading applications.

Abstract: A fire protection external vehicle cover including a plurality of panels of a fire retardant material or textile. Each panel is configured to cover an adjacent portion of the cabin of the vehicle; with one or more panels including a retention mechanism to secure the panels by gripping between closed doors and door frames of the cabin. A storage and deployment mechanism is configured to store and deploy the cover from one or more locations on the vehicle; wherein in operation, when deployed, the cover forms an enclosure over the cabin thereby protecting external surfaces of the cabin and thus its occupants and an internal lining of the vehicle from exposure to radiant heat, burning embers and flames if the vehicle is moving through or becomes trapped in a fire.