Abstract: A method for multicasting data packets is provided. The method includes preparing multiple point to point connections between a root node and multiple destination nodes to establish point to multipoint connections. The method also includes receiving, at an intermediate node which is operatively connected to the root node and a plurality of the destination nodes, a data packet from the root node. In addition, the method includes determining whether the received data packet is a multicast data packet and generating a plurality of the data packets by copying the received data packet if the received data packet is a multicast data packet. Furthermore, the method includes forwarding the copied data packets to a plurality of the destination nodes.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for multicasting data packets is provided. The method includes determining that a data packet is to be multicast from an intermediate node to a plurality of destination nodes in a branch of a point-to-multipoint MPLS connection tree. The intermediate node has a plurality of connection interfaces. The method also includes establishing only one MPLS tunnel in response to the determination. The only one MPLS tunnel is for carrying the data packet to be multicast and established between a node and the intermediate node. The method also includes connecting each destination node to the intermediate node through a particular one of the connection interfaces. The method also includes receiving the data packet from the node at the intermediate node through the only one MPLS tunnel. The method also includes forwarding the data packet to the plurality of destination nodes through the connection interfaces identified in a multicast table.

Abstract: A method for multicasting data packets is provided. The method includes preparing multiple point to point connections between a root node and multiple destination nodes to establish point to multipoint connections. The method also includes receiving, at an intermediate node which is operatively connected to the root node and a plurality of the destination nodes, a data packet from the root node. In addition, the method includes determining whether the received data packet is a multicast data packet and generating a plurality of the data packets by copying the received data packet if the received data packet is a multicast data packet. Furthermore, the method includes forwarding the copied data packets to a plurality of the destination nodes.

Abstract: A cable modem termination system includes a data over cable service interface specification (DOCSIS) subsystem that manages a flow associated with a gate and a gate manager (GM) that manages a state of the gate. When the flow is admitted by the DOCSIS subsystem, the DOCSIS subsystem signals to the GM to transition the state of the gate to a reserved state. The GM transitions the state of the gate to the reserved state when the DOCSIS subsystem signals to the GM to transition the state of the gate to the reserved state. When the flow is activated by the DOCSIS subsystem, the DOCSIS subsystem signals to the GM to transition the state of the gate to a committed state. The GM transitions the state of the gate to the committed state when the DOCSIS subsystem signals to the GM to transition the state of the gate to the committed state.

Abstract: A network device monitors the flooding of frames and obtains information to update a port's forwarding table to reduce unnecessary frame flooding. An unknown network address and a count are maintained at a first port, the unknown address being an address for which there is no information identifying another port to which unicast frames containing the address are to be forwarded, the count identifying the number of times frames containing the unknown address have been flooded from the first port to other ports. The count is incremented each time a unicast frame containing the unknown address is flooded from the first port to the other ports. When the count reaches a threshold, it is determined whether there is information at another port that identifies a specific port to which frames containing the unknown address are to be forwarded, and if so then the information is transferred to the first port, whereupon the unknown address becomes known at the first port.

Abstract: A method includes, when a packet is to be sent over a secured connection, determining if the secured connection is set up. The method also includes, when the secured connection is not set up, storing the packet and, after storing the packet, when the secure connection is set up, retrieving the packet and transmitting the packet over the secured connection.

Abstract: A cable modem termination system includes a data over cable service interface specification (DOCSIS) subsystem that manages a flow associated with a gate and a gate manager (GM) that manages a state of the gate. When the flow is admitted by the DOCSIS subsystem, the DOCSIS subsystem signals to the GM to transition the state of the gate to a reserved state. The GM transitions the state of the gate to the reserved state when the DOCSIS subsystem signals to the GM to transition the state of the gate to the reserved state. When the flow is activated by the DOCSIS subsystem, the DOCSIS subsystem signals to the GM to transition the state of the gate to a committed state. The GM transitions the state of the gate to the committed state when the DOCSIS subsystem signals to the GM to transition the state of the gate to the committed state.

Abstract: An access switch includes a cable modem termination system with a gate manager executing thereon and a route server, in communication with the cable modem termination system, that includes a common open policy service client executing on the route server. The switch further includes a network interface module, in communication with the cable modem termination system and the route server, that, when the network interface module is coupled to a network, communicates common open policy service messages between the common open policy service client and a call management server included in the network. When a first common open policy service message that includes a gate command is received by the common open policy service client, the common open policy service client sends a second message derived from the first common open policy service message to the gate manager. The gate manager receives the second message and processes the gate command.

Abstract: An access switch includes at least one cable modem termination system. The cable modem termination system (CMTS), when coupled to a hybrid-fiber coaxial cable network, is in communication with a media terminal adapter. The CMTS includes a multimedia service subsystem and a data over cable service interface specification (DOCSIS) subsystem having at least one user configurable parameter. The access switch further includes a network interface module, in communication with the CMTS, that, when the network interface module is coupled to a network, communicates DOCSIS flows between the network and the CMTS. The access switch further includes a management module that, when the access switch is coupled to a management application, receives configuration data to configure the DOCSIS subsystem. When the DOCSIS subsystem is configured, the multimedia subsystem automatically provides multimedia service without additional configuration thereof.

Abstract: A highly available communications system capable of circuit reestablishment and tear-down without manual intervention. The communications system includes a plurality of nodes interconnected by a plurality of communications paths to form at least one communications network. The nodes forward control packets on the network by way of a signaling protocol employing an out-of-band control technique. At least a portion of the nodes comprises a software configuration including a topology manager and a protocol manager. The protocol manager is operative to determine whether a control path is operational and whether a data transmission channel along a corresponding data path is established. In the event the control path is not operational, the protocol manager maintains the data transmission channel along the data path so long as the channel is established.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for multicasting data packets is provided. The method includes determining that a data packet is to be multicast from an intermediate node to a plurality of destination nodes in a branch of a point-to-multipoint MPLS connection tree. The intermediate node has a plurality of connection interfaces. The method also includes establishing only one MPLS tunnel in response to the determination. The only one MPLS tunnel is for carrying the data packet to be multicast and established between a node and the intermediate node. The method also includes connecting each destination node to the intermediate node through a particular one of the connection interfaces. The method also includes receiving the data packet from the node at the intermediate node through the only one MPLS tunnel. The method also includes forwarding the data packet to the plurality of destination nodes through the connection interfaces identified in a multicast table.

Abstract: A network device monitors the flooding of frames and obtains information to update a port's forwarding table to reduce unnecessary frame flooding. An unknown network address and a count are maintained at a first port, the unknown address being an address for which there is no information identifying another port to which unicast frames containing the address are to be forwarded, the count identifying the number of times frames containing the unknown address have been flooded from the first port to other ports. The count is incremented each time a unicast frame containing the unknown address is flooded from the first port to the other ports. When the count reaches a threshold, it is determined whether there is information at another port that identifies a specific port to which frames containing the unknown address are to be forwarded, and if so then the information is transferred to the first port, whereupon the unknown address becomes known at the first port.

Abstract: A highly available communications system capable of circuit reestablishment and tear-down without manual intervention. The communications system includes a plurality of nodes interconnected by a plurality of communications paths to form at least one communications network. The nodes forward control packets on the network by way of a signaling protocol employing an out-of-band control technique. At least a portion of the nodes comprises a software configuration including a topology manager and a protocol manager. The protocol manager is operative to determine whether a control path is operational and whether a data transmission channel along a corresponding data path is established. In the event the control path is not operational, the protocol manager maintains the data transmission channel along the data path so long as the channel is established.