Patents by Inventor Simon Parry

Simon Parry has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9356862
    Abstract: The invention relates to enabling differential forwarding in address-based carrier networks such as Ethernet networks. There is described a method of and connection controller for establishing connections (76, 77) in a frame-based communications network comprising nodes (71-75 and 78) such as Ethernet switches. The connections are established by configuring, in various of the nodes, mappings for forwarding data frames, such as Ethernet frames. The mappings are from a combination of a) a destination (or source) address corresponding to a destination (or source) node (73) of the connection and b) an identifier, such as a VLAN tag. The mappings are to selected output ports of the various nodes. By using the combination of destination (or source) address AND identifier, the mappings enable data frames belonging to different connections (76, 77) to be forwarded differentially (ie forwarded on different output ports) at a node (75) despite the different connections having the same destination node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: RPX CLEARINGHOUSE LLC
    Inventors: Robert Friskney, Nigel Bragg, Simon Parry, Peter Ashwood-Smith, David Allan, Simon Brueckheimer
  • Patent number: 9036641
    Abstract: An Ethernet virtual switched sub-network (VSS) is implemented as a virtual hub and spoke architecture overlaid on hub and spoke connectivity built of a combination of Provider Backbone Transport (spokes) and a provider backbone bridged sub-network (hub). Multiple VSS instances are multiplexed over top of the PBT/PBB infrastructure. A loop free resilient Ethernet carrier network is provided by interconnecting Provider Edge nodes through access sub-networks to Provider Tandems to form Provider Backbone Transports spokes with a distributed switch architecture of the Provider Backbone Bridged hub sub-network. Provider Backbone transport protection groups may be formed from the Provider Edge to diversely homed Provider Tandems by defining working and protection trunks through the access sub-network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: RPX Clearinghouse LLC
    Inventors: David Allan, Nigel Bragg, Marc Holness, Robert J. Friskney, Simon Parry
  • Patent number: 8976793
    Abstract: The invention relates to enabling differential forwarding in address-based carrier networks such as Ethernet networks. There is described a method of and connection controller for establishing connections (76, 77) in a frame-based communications network comprising nodes (71-75 and 78) such as Ethernet switches. The connections are established by configuring, in various of the nodes, mappings for forwarding data frames, such as Ethernet frames. The mappings are from a combination of a) a destination (or source) address corresponding to a destination (or source) node (73) of the connection and b) an identifier, such as a VLAN tag. The mappings are to selected output ports of the various nodes. By using the combination of destination (or source) address AND identifier, the mappings enable data frames belonging to different connections (76, 77) to be forwarded differentially (ie forwarded on different output ports) at a node (75) despite the different connections having the same destination node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Rockstar Consortium US LP
    Inventors: Robert Friskney, Nigel Bragg, Simon Parry, Peter Ashwood-Smith, David Allen, Simon Brueckheimer
  • Publication number: 20150003232
    Abstract: A shared (proxy) OAM session is performed in a packet-based network on behalf of a plurality of connections. First and second connections are each routed between respective nodes of the network for carrying data traffic. The second connection shares a portion of the routing of the first connection. The shared OAM session is performed along a path which is co-routed with at least part of the shared portion of the routing of the first connection and the second connection. Failure notification signalling is propagated to an endpoint node of each of the first and second connections when the shared OAM session indicates a failure has occurred. The use of a shared OAM session reduces processing at nodes and reduces OAM traffic. Each connection can be a trunk, such as a PBT/PBB-TE trunk, or a service carried within a trunk.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Robert Friskney, Simon Parry, David Allan, Nigel Bragg
  • Patent number: 8923292
    Abstract: The invention relates to enabling differential forwarding in address-based carrier networks such as Ethernet networks. There is described a method of and connection controller for establishing connections (76, 77) in a frame-based communications network comprising nodes (71-75 and 78) such as Ethernet switches. The connections are established by configuring, in various of the nodes, mappings for forwarding data frames, such as Ethernet frames. The mappings are from a combination of a) a destination (or source) address corresponding to a destination (or source) node (73) of the connection and b) an identifier, such as a VLAN tag. The mappings are to selected output ports of the various nodes. By using the combination of destination (or source) address AND identifier, the mappings enable data frames belonging to different connections (76, 77) to be forwarded differentially (ie forwarded on different output ports) at a node (75) despite the different connections having the same destination node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Rockstar Consortium US LP
    Inventors: Robert Friskney, Nigel Bragg, Simon Parry, Peter Ashwood Smith, David Allan, Simon Brueckheimer
  • Patent number: 8854975
    Abstract: A shared (proxy) OAM session is performed in a packet-based network on behalf of a plurality of connections. First and second connections are each routed between respective nodes of the network for carrying data traffic. The second connection shares a portion of the routing of the first connection. The shared OAM session is performed along a path which is co-routed with at least part of the shared portion of the routing of the first connection and the second connection. Failure notification signalling is propagated to an endpoint node of each of the first and second connections when the shared OAM session indicates a failure has occurred. The use of a shared OAM session reduces processing at nodes and reduces OAM traffic. Each connection can be a trunk, such as a PBT/PBB-TE trunk, or a service carried within a trunk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Rockstar Consortium US LP
    Inventors: Robert Friskney, Simon Parry, David Allan
  • Patent number: 8787398
    Abstract: A system for controlling packet forwarding through a point-to-point (p2p) connection between first and second end nodes of a packet network domain having a mesh topology. The system comprises a sub-ring network instantiated in the network domain, the sub-ring network comprising a pair of topologically diverse ring spans extending between the first and second end nodes. Each of the end nodes is controlled to forward packets of the p2p connection through the sub-ring network in accordance with a ring network routing scheme, and an intermediate node traversed by one of the ring spans is controlled to forward packets of the p2p connection through the ring span in accordance with a linear path routing scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Ciena Corporation
    Inventors: Marc Holness, Bashar Abdullah, Marc-Andre Rochon, Simon Parry, Chris Ramsden
  • Patent number: 8675519
    Abstract: An Ethernet network comprises nodes which support a plurality of different forwarding modes. A range of VLAN Identifiers (VIDs) are allocated to each of the forwarding modes. Connections are configured between a source node and a destination node of the network using different forwarding modes. Packets carrying data traffic are sent to the destination node by selectively setting a VID in a packet to a first value, to transfer a packet via a first connection and a first forwarding mode, and a second value to transfer a packet via the second connection and the second forwarding mode. Packets received from both of the connections and sent on to an end user. VLAN Identifiers can be allocated to different releases of functionality at nodes (e.g. software releases) such that packets are forwarded via a set of nodes supporting a first release, or via a set of nodes supporting a second release.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Rockstar Consortium US LP
    Inventors: Nigel Bragg, David Allan, Simon Parry, Robert Friskney, Simon Brueckheimer
  • Patent number: 8553697
    Abstract: An Ethernet virtual switched sub-network (VSS) is implemented as a virtual hub and spoke architecture overlaid on hub and spoke connectivity built of a combination of Provider Backbone Transport (spokes) and a provider backbone bridged sub-network (hub). Multiple VSS instances are multiplexed over top of the PBT/PBB infrastructure. A loop free resilient Ethernet carrier network is provided by interconnecting Provider Edge nodes through access sub-networks to Provider Tandems to form Provider Backbone Transports spokes with a distributed switch architecture of the Provider Backbone Bridged hub sub-network. Provider Backbone transport protection groups may be formed from the Provider Edge to diversely homed Provider Tandems by defining working and protection trunks through the access sub-network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Rockstar Consortium US LP
    Inventors: David Allan, Nigel Bragg, Marc Holness, Robert Friskney, Simon Parry
  • Patent number: 8369330
    Abstract: An Ethernet virtual switched sub-network (VSS) is implemented as a virtual hub and spoke architecture overlaid on hub and spoke connectivity built of a combination of Provider Backbone Transport (spokes) and a provider backbone bridged sub-network (hub). Multiple VSS instances are multiplexed over top of the PBT/PBB infrastructure. A loop free resilient Ethernet carrier network is provided by interconnecting Provider Edge nodes through access sub-networks to Provider Tandems to form Provider Backbone Transports spokes with a distributed switch architecture of the Provider Backbone Bridged hub sub-network. Provider Backbone transport protection groups may be formed from the Provider Edge to diversely homed Provider Tandems by defining working and protection trunks through the access sub-network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Rockstar Consortium LP
    Inventors: David Allan, Nigel Bragg, Marc Holness, Robert Friskney, Simon Parry
  • Patent number: 8325611
    Abstract: A shared (proxy) OAM session is performed in a packet-based network on behalf of a plurality of connections. First and second connections are each routed between respective nodes of the network for carrying data traffic. The second connection shares a portion of the routing of the first connection. The shared OAM session is performed along a path which is co-routed with at least part of the shared portion of the routing of the first connection and the second connection. Failure notification signalling is propagated to an endpoint node of each of the first and second connections when the shared OAM session indicates a failure has occurred. The use of a shared OAM session reduces processing at nodes and reduces OAM traffic. Each connection can be a trunk, such as a PBT/PBB-TE trunk, or a service carried within a trunk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Rockstar Bidco LP
    Inventors: Robert Friskney, Simon Parry, David Allan, Nigel Bragg
  • Publication number: 20120281710
    Abstract: A system for controlling packet forwarding through a point-to-point (p2p) connection between first and second end nodes of a packet network domain having a mesh topology. The system comprises a sub-ring network instantiated in the network domain, the sub-ring network comprising a pair of topologically diverse ring spans extending between the first and second end nodes. Each of the end nodes is controlled to forward packets of the p2p connection through the sub-ring network in accordance with a ring network routing scheme, and an intermediate node traversed by one of the ring spans is controlled to forward packets of the p2p connection through the ring span in accordance with a linear path routing scheme.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: CIENA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marc Holness, Abdullah Bashar, Marc-Andre Rochon, Simon Parry, Chris Ramsden
  • Patent number: 8238245
    Abstract: A method is provided of planning routes and allocating route identifiers in a managed frame-forwarding network. The network comprises a plurality of nodes interconnected by links, with each node being arranged to forward data frames according to a combination of an identifier and a network address carried by a received data frame and forwarding instructions stored at the node. A first step of the method identifies a sub-set of nodes which are core nodes of the network. The remaining nodes are termed outlying nodes. A spanning tree is then built off each of the identified core nodes, with the spanning tree stopping one link short of any other core node. Each spanning tree defines a loop-free path between a core node at the root of the spanning tree and a set of outlying nodes. Connections are planned between roots of the spanning trees and a different identifier is allocated to each planned connection between a pair of spanning trees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Rockstar Bidco, LP
    Inventors: Nigel Bragg, Paul Bottorff, David Allan, Robert Friskney, Simon Parry
  • Patent number: 8194668
    Abstract: The invention relates to enabling differential forwarding in address-based carrier networks such as Ethernet networks. There is described a method of and connection controller for establishing connections (76, 77) in a frame-based communications network comprising nodes (71-75 and 78) such as Ethernet switches. The connections are established by configuring, in various of the nodes, mappings for forwarding data frames, such as Ethernet frames. The mappings are from a combination of a) a destination (or source) address corresponding to a destination (or source) node (73) of the connection and b) an identifier, such as a VLAN tag. The mappings are to selected output ports of the various nodes. By using the combination of destination (or source) address AND identifier, the mappings enable data frames belonging to different connections (76, 77) to be forwarded differentially (ie forwarded on different output ports) at a node (75) despite the different connections having the same destination node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Rockstar Bidco LP
    Inventors: Robert Friskney, Nigel Bragg, Simon Parry, Peter Ashwood Smith, David Allan, Simon Brueckheimer
  • Patent number: 8005081
    Abstract: An Ethernet network comprises nodes which support a plurality of different forwarding modes. A range of VLAN Identifiers (VIDs) are allocated to each of the forwarding modes. Connections are configured between a source node and a destination node of the network using different forwarding modes. Packets carrying data traffic are sent to the destination node by selectively setting a VID in a packet to a first value, to transfer a packet via a first connection and a first forwarding mode, and a second value to transfer a packet via the second connection and the second forwarding mode. Packets received from both of the connections and sent on to an end-user. VLAN Identifiers can be allocated to different releases of functionality at nodes (e.g. software releases) such that packets are forwarded via a set of nodes supporting a first release, or via a set of nodes supporting a second release. It is possible to provide a controlled and disruption-free network evolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventors: Nigel Bragg, David Allan, Simon Parry, Robert Friskney, Simon Brueckheimer
  • Publication number: 20100189015
    Abstract: A method is provided of planning routes and allocating route identifiers in a managed frame-forwarding network. The network comprises a plurality of nodes interconnected by links, with each node being arranged to forward data frames according to a combination of an identifier and a network address carried by a received data frame and forwarding instructions stored at the node. A first step of the method identifies a sub-set of nodes which are core nodes of the network. The remaining nodes are termed outlying nodes. A spanning tree is then built off each of the identified core nodes, with the spanning tree stopping one link short of any other core node. Each spanning tree defines a loop-free path between a core node at the root of the spanning tree and a set of outlying nodes. Connections are planned between roots of the spanning trees and a different identifier is allocated to each planned connection between a pair of spanning trees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventors: Nigel BRAGG, Paul Bottorff, David Allan, Robert Friskney, Simon Parry
  • Patent number: 7756035
    Abstract: A method is provided of planning routes and allocating route identifiers in a managed frame-forwarding network. The network comprises a plurality of nodes interconnected by links, with each node being arranged to forward data frames according to a combination of an identifier and a network address carried by a received data frame and forwarding instructions stored at the node. A first step of the method identifies a sub-set of nodes which are core nodes of the network. The remaining nodes are termed outlying nodes. A spanning tree is then built off each of the identified core nodes, with the spanning tree stopping one link short of any other core node. Each spanning tree defines a loop-free path between a core node at the root of the spanning tree and a set of outlying nodes. Connections are planned between roots of the spanning trees and a different identifier is allocated to each planned connection between a pair of spanning trees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventors: Nigel Bragg, Paul Bottorff, David Allan, Robert Friskney, Simon Parry
  • Patent number: 7697528
    Abstract: A node of a frame-based network has a group of outgoing links which are to be treated as an aggregated group of links. A frame distributor performs a distribution function on data frames which are intended for transmission on the group of links. The frame distributor determines if the data frame is an encapsulated data frame which forms part of a tunnelled traffic path across the network. If the data frame does form part of a tunnelled traffic path across the network, the frame distributor allocates the data frame to one of the group of links using at least part of an identifier from the header of the data frame. The identifier represents a service with which the data frame is associated, a customer or user of the data frame, or the tunnelled traffic path, which have greater variability than the backbone destination and source addresses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventors: Simon Parry, Robert Friskney
  • Publication number: 20090161669
    Abstract: An Ethernet network comprises nodes which support a plurality of different forwarding modes. A range of VLAN Identifiers (VIDs) are allocated to each of the forwarding modes. Connections are configured between a source node and a destination node of the network using different forwarding modes. Packets carrying data traffic are sent to the destination node by selectively setting a VID in a packet to a first value, to transfer a packet via a first connection and a first forwarding mode, and a second value to transfer a packet via the second connection and the second forwarding mode. Packets received from both of the connections and sent on to an end-user. VLAN Identifiers can be allocated to different releases of functionality at nodes (e.g. software releases) such that packets are forwarded via a set of nodes supporting a first release, or via a set of nodes supporting a second release. It is possible to provide a controlled and disruption-free network evolution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: Nortel Netowrks Limited
    Inventors: Nigel Bragg, David Allan, Simon Parry, Robert Friskney, Simon Brueckheimer
  • Publication number: 20090059799
    Abstract: A shared (proxy) OAM session is performed in a packet-based network on behalf of a plurality of connections. First and second connections are each routed between respective nodes of the network for carrying data traffic. The second connection shares a portion of the routing of the first connection. The shared OAM session is performed along a path which is co-routed with at least part of the shared portion of the routing of the first connection and the second connection. Failure notification signalling is propagated to an endpoint node of each of the first and second connections when the shared OAM session indicates a failure has occurred. The use of a shared OAM session reduces processing at nodes and reduces OAM traffic. Each connection can be a trunk, such as a PBT/PBB-TE trunk, or a service carried within a trunk.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventors: Robert Friskney, Simon Parry, David Allan, Nigel Bragg