Abstract: An automated Label Switched Path (LSP) control mechanism in a packet-switched network. A metering device in an Ingress Label Edge Router (LER) determines whether a data rate for a packet flow class exceeds a predefined limit. If so, the metering device sends an LSP-setup message to a Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) signaling function for setting up an LSP. When a calculated long-term data rate falls below a second predefined limit, the metering device sends an LSP-teardown message to the MPLS signaling function, which tears down the LSP. Current LSP status information and Next-Hop Label Forwarding Entries (NHLFE) information are stored in an associated database.

Abstract: A router and method are described herein which distribute traffic/incoming packets across a network of servers by using stateful load balancing filters (e.g., application filter(s), dynamic filter(s), firewall filter(s)) which are located on a dataplane/fastpath.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of creating and managing dynamic filters while permitting stateful inspections of a hierarchy of nested flows in the dataplane. The method determines if a filter qualifier of a packet flowing in the forwarding data-plane matches a first filter rule. If the filter qualifier of the packet matches the first filter rule, a dynamic filter is created. An action or actions associated with the dynamic filter are then executed. Stateful inspections may be accomplished while maintaining a state of a parent flow and any sub-flows. The method may be implemented on firewalls or routers.

Abstract: A method and system for multicasting a media stream in a telecommunications network. The system includes a broadcast user broadcasting a media stream. The broadcast user determines the destination addresses of each end user desiring to receive the media stream. The media stream is received by an IP router. Within a classification stage of a data-plane residing in the IP router is a replication filter action which replicates the broadcast media stream. The broadcast media stream is replicated with the exception of the destination address. The replicated media stream is sent to each destination address of the end users, thereby providing a multicast media stream to a plurality of end users without requiring a content server of the broadcast user to send multiple media streams.

Abstract: A router and method are described herein which distribute traffic/incoming packets across a network of servers by using stateful load balancing filters (e.g., application filter(s), dynamic filter(s), firewall filter(s)) which are located on a dataplane/fastpath.

Abstract: An automated Label Switched Path (LSP) control mechanism in a packet-switched network. A metering device in an Ingress Label Edge Router (LER) determines whether a data rate for a packet flow class exceeds a predefined limit. If so, the metering device sends an LSP-setup message to a Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) signaling function for setting up an LSP. When a calculated long-term data rate falls below a second predefined limit, the metering device sends an LSP-teardown message to the MPLS signaling function, which tears down the LSP. Current LSP status information and Next-Hop Label Forwarding Entries (NHLFE) information are stored in an associated database.