Abstract: A packet switch contains a link state group manager that forms supergroups from multiple link aggregations. The link state group manager collects state information for the link aggregations in a supergroup, and uses state criteria to determine whether the link aggregations are allowed to be up, as a supergroup, for data traffic. This allows a supergroup of links to only come up when it meets a minimum performance criteria, with traffic routed around the supergroup when the supergroup cannot meet the minimum performance criteria, even if some link aggregations in the group are functional.

Abstract: An autonomous system includes at least some packet network devices that are capable of operating in a virtual route aggregation environment and some packet network devices that are not capable of operating in a virtual route aggregation environment. The autonomous system includes at least one egress border router, at least one aggregation router and at least one intermediate router. The egress border router uses an interior border gateway protocol to distribute a label message to the other routers in the autonomous system, the label message including a next hop MAC address associated with either an external router or the egress border router. The egress border router and the intermediate router using information included in the label message to contrast layer 2 table entries and the aggregation router using information included in the label message to construct a layer 3 table entry.

Abstract: An autonomous system includes at least some packet network devices that are capable of operating in a virtual route aggregation environment and some packet network devices that are not capable of operating in a virtual route aggregation environment. The autonomous system includes at least one egress border router, at least one aggregation router and at least one intermediate router. The egress border router uses an interior border gateway protocol to distribute a label message to the other routers in the autonomous system, the label message including a next hop MAC address associated with either an external router or the egress border router. The egress border router and the intermediate router using information included in the label message to contrast layer 2 table entries and the aggregation router using information included in the label message to construct a layer 3 table entry.

Abstract: Transparent point-to-point connectivity is provided between an incoming interface on an ingress node and an outgoing interface on an egress node in a network. An address associated with the egress node is circulated to the nodes in the network and a next hop address toward the egress node address is determined at each node. A label value is circulated along with the egress node address to the nodes. Examples of label values can include VLAN Ids or Multi-protocol Label Switching (MPLS) labels. If data is received having the label value, the node receiving the data identifies the next hop address associated with that label value and transfers the data to the next hop associated with the identified next hop address.

Abstract: A networking system including virtually addressed devices is described. A network device has one or more virtual addresses assigned to its loopback interface. Once so assigned and the loopback interface enabled, data and commands directed to any of the assigned virtual addresses is sent through the device's protocol stack. The device is then structured to act on the data and commands destined for the virtual address.

Abstract: A network processing device includes multiple control processors or applications. One or more of the multiple processors generates an address resolution request. A network interface is adapted to detect a reply to the address resolution request and broadcast the detected address resolution reply to the multiple control processors in the network processing device.

Abstract: Transparent point-to-point connectivity is provided between an incoming interface on an ingress node and an outgoing interface on an egress node in a network. An address associated with the egress node is circulated to the nodes in the network and a next hop address toward the egress node address is determined at each node. A label value is circulated along with the egress node address to the nodes. Examples of label values can include VLAN Ids or Multi-protocol Label Switching (MPLS) labels. If data is received having the label value, the node receiving the data identifies the next hop address associated with that label value and transfers the data to the next hop associated with the identified next hop address.

Abstract: A networking system including virtually addressed devices is described. A network device has one or more virtual addresses assigned to its loopback interface. Once so assigned and the loopback interface enabled, data and commands directed to any of the assigned virtual addresses is sent through the device's protocol stack. The device is then structured to act on the data and commands destined for the virtual address.

Abstract: A clip binder for holding paper which does not require damaging the material to be held within the clips. The clip binder has a front cover, a binder spine, a back cover and a pair of clips mounted on each end of the binder spine. The clips have a clip spine and two retainer walls which together define the jaws within which the paper is inserted. The clips are positioned perpendicularly to the binder spine such that the jaws face each other and are at right angles to the binder spine. The height of the retainer walls are constructed low so that the papers can be easily leafed through and without and fold back problems. In an alternative embodiment, the clips are slidably mounted to the binder spine. In yet another embodiment, the clips are rotatably mounted to the binder spine.