Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for managing and tracking shipments. Aspects of the invention provide an automated tracking and management system that allows interested parties (e.g., customers, truckers, carriers, consignees, manufacturers, importers, exporters, freight forwarders, etc.) to manage and track shipments across various different and diverse transportation legs between an origin and a destination. The tracking and management system (or “the system”) facilitates more efficient shipment logistics for interested parties in a number of ways. The system can provide truckers with information about a container (e.g., empty or full) or pallet or other shipment that is to be picked up at a location for further transportation.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for managing and tracking shipments. Aspects of the invention provide an automated tracking and management system that allows interested parties (e.g., customers, truckers, carriers, consignees, manufacturers, importers, exporters, freight forwarders, etc.) to manage and track shipments across various different and diverse transportation legs between an origin and a destination. The tracking and management system (or “the system”) facilitates more efficient shipment logistics for interested parties in a number of ways. The system can provide truckers with information about a container (e.g., empty or full) or pallet or other shipment that is to be picked up at a location for further transportation.

Abstract: Described herein is a process for recycling of used lead-acid batteries. In an embodiment, the process includes contacting crushed non-metallic components with a reducing mixture comprising a nitric acid solution to reduce at least a portion of residual lead compounds and alloys. The lead in the portion of residual lead compounds and alloys is reduced from an insoluble +4 state to a soluble +2 state to form a slurry with a lead-rich filtrate. The process further includes filtering the slurry to separate plastics and separators from the lead-rich filtrate and contacting the lead-rich filtrate with sulfuric acid to obtain a lead sulfate paste and nitric acid.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a distributed provider edge are provided. According to one embodiment, a one-to-one association is formed between a Virtual Routing and Forwarding device (VRF) of a provider edge device (PE) of a service provider and a customer site. The VRF includes a routing information base (RIB) and a forwarding information base (FIB). A network interface module is instantiated within the VRF for each network interface employed, such as an intranet, extranet, Virtual Private Network (VPN) and/or Internet interface. A first packet is received at the PE via a first network interface. A first network interface module associated with the first network interface accesses the RIB to acquire routing information for the first packet. A second packet is received via a second network interface. A second network interface module associated with the second network interface accesses the RIB to acquire routing information for the second packet.

Abstract: Methods and Systems are provided for a distributed Provider Edge (PE). A single Virtual Routing and Forwarding device (VRF) is associated with a single customer site. The VRF includes a single routing table (RIB) and a single forwarding table (FIB). The VRF also includes a plurality of Virtual Private Network (VPN) Protocol Instance Modules (VRP), where each VRP is associated with a different VPN from the customer site. Each VRP accesses the RIB directly and the FIB indirectly to acquiring addressing/routing information for a received data packet. Moreover, each VRP uses a data plane of the VRP to communicate the data packets to a PE backbone device. In turn, the PE backbone device uses the data plane to communicate with each of the VRPs, and the PE backbone device communicates with one or more tunnels.

Abstract: Methods and Systems are provided for a distributed Provider Edge (PE). A single Virtual Routing and Forwarding device (VRF) is associated with a single customer site. The VRF includes a single routing table (RIB) and a single forwarding table (FIB). The VRF also includes a plurality of Virtual Private Network (VPN) Protocol Instance Modules (VRP), where each VRP is associated with a different VPN from the customer site. Each VRP accesses the RIB directly and the FIB indirectly to acquiring addressing/routing information for a received data packet. Moreover, each VRP uses a data plane of the VRP to communicate the data packets to a PE backbone device. In turn, the PE backbone device uses the data plane to communicate with each of the VRPs, and the PE backbone device communicates with one or more tunnels.

Abstract: Methods and Systems are provided for a distributed Provider Edge (PE). A single Virtual Routing and Forwarding device (VRF) is associated with a single customer site. The VRF includes a single routing table (RIB) and a single forwarding table (FIB). The VRF also includes a plurality of Virtual Private Network (VPN) Protocol Instance Modules (VRP), where each VRP is associated with a different VPN from the customer site. Each VRP accesses the RIB directly and the FIB indirectly to acquiring addressing/routing information for a received data packet. Moreover, each VRP uses a data plane of the VRP to communicate the data packets to a PE backbone device. In turn, the PE backbone device uses the data plane to communicate with each of the VRPs, and the PE backbone device communicates with one or more tunnels.

Abstract: Methods, Systems, and Virtual Routers are provided for providing dynamic route exchange between routers. First and second routers are configured to communicate route information to one another. When a new route is detected in the first router, it is dynamically communicated to the second router using a lightweight protocol. Both the sending and receiving routers can apply policies to determine whether routes are to be sent or received. In some embodiments, when a network packet is received and associated with a route that was learned, a router uses an interface reference associated with the route, and by activating the reference the network packet is directed to a next address in a network. In this way, a router need not directly learn routes, but rather a reference can be used to activate an interface that knows how to handle a learned route.

Abstract: Methods and Systems for a Distributed Provider Edge Abstract of the Disclosure Methods and Systems are provided for a distributed Provider Edge (PE). A single Virtual Routing and Forwarding device (VRF) is associated with a single customer site. The VRF includes a single routing table (RIB) and a single forwarding table (FIB). The VRF also includes a plurality of Virtual Private Network (VPN) Protocol Instance Modules (VRP), where each VRP is associated with a different VPN from the customer site. Each VRP accesses the RIB directly and the FIB indirectly to acquiring addressing/routing information for a received data packet. Moreover, each VRP uses a data plane of the VRP to communicate the data packets to a PE backbone device. In turn, the PE backbone device uses the data plane to communicate with each of the VRPs, and the PE backbone device communicates with one or more tunnels.