Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a plurality of first host machines implementing a public-cloud computing environment, wherein at least one of the first host machines comprises at least one public-cloud virtual machine (VM) that performs network address translation; and a plurality of second host machines implementing a private-cloud computing environment, wherein at least one of the second host machines comprises one or more private-cloud virtual machines, wherein the public-cloud VM is configured to receive, via a network tunnel from the private-cloud VM, one or more first packets to be sent to a public Internet Protocol (IP) address of a public network host, translate, using a NAT mapping, a source address of each first packet from a private IP address of the private-cloud VM to an IP address of the public-cloud VM, and send the first packet to the IP address of the public-cloud VM.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a plurality of first host machines implementing a public-cloud computing environment, wherein at least one of the first host machines comprises at least one public-cloud virtual machine (VM) that performs network address translation; and a plurality of second host machines implementing a private-cloud computing environment, wherein at least one of the second host machines comprises one or more private-cloud virtual machines, wherein the public-cloud VM is configured to receive, via a network tunnel from the private-cloud VM, one or more first packets to be sent to a public Internet Protocol (IP) address of a public network host, translate, using a NAT mapping, a source address of each first packet from a private IP address of the private-cloud VM to an IP address of the public-cloud VM, and send the first packet to the IP address of the public-cloud VM.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a plurality of first host machines implementing a public-cloud computing environment, wherein at least one of the first host machines comprises at least one public-cloud virtual machine (VM) that performs network address translation; and a plurality of second host machines implementing a private-cloud computing environment, wherein at least one of the second host machines comprises one or more private-cloud virtual machines, wherein the public-cloud VM is configured to receive, via a network tunnel from the private-cloud VM, one or more first packets to be sent to a public Internet Protocol (IP) address of a public network host, translate, using a NAT mapping, a source address of each first packet from a private IP address of the private-cloud VM to an IP address of the public-cloud VM, and send the first packet to the IP address of the public-cloud VM.

Abstract: A method of operation of a Multiprotocol Label Switching network involves, in an active node of the network, receiving a first data packet from a source node and forwarding the first data packet to a destination node. At the same time, the active node measures a residence time of the first data packet in the active node. The active node then sends a further data packet containing residence time information.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a plurality of first host machines implementing a public-cloud computing environment, wherein at least one of the first host machines comprises at least one public-cloud virtual machine (VM) that performs network address translation; and a plurality of second host machines implementing a private-cloud computing environment, wherein at least one of the second host machines comprises one or more private-cloud virtual machines, wherein the public-cloud VM is configured to receive, via a network tunnel from the private-cloud VM, one or more first packets to be sent to a public Internet Protocol (IP) address of a public network host, translate, using a NAT mapping, a source address of each first packet from a private IP address of the private-cloud VM to an IP address of the public-cloud VM, and send the first packet to the IP address of the public-cloud VM.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a plurality of first host machines implementing a public-cloud computing environment, wherein at least one of the first host machines comprises at least one public-cloud virtual machine (VM) that performs network address translation; and a plurality of second host machines implementing a private-cloud computing environment, wherein at least one of the second host machines comprises one or more private-cloud virtual machines, wherein the public-cloud VM is configured to receive, via a network tunnel from the private-cloud VM, one or more first packets to be sent to a public Internet Protocol (IP) address of a public network host, translate, using a NAT mapping, a source address of each first packet from a private IP address of the private-cloud VM to an IP address of the public-cloud VM, and send the first packet to the IP address of the public-cloud VM.

Abstract: A method of operation of a Multiprotocol Label Switching network involves, in an active node of the network, receiving a first data packet from a source node and forwarding the first data packet to a destination node. At the same time, the active node measures a residence time of the first data packet in the active node. The active node then sends a further data packet containing residence time information.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a plurality of first host machines implementing a public-cloud computing environment, wherein at least one of the first host machines comprises at least one public-cloud virtual machine (VM) that performs network address translation; and a plurality of second host machines implementing a private-cloud computing environment, wherein at least one of the second host machines comprises one or more private-cloud virtual machines, wherein the public-cloud VM is configured to receive, via a network tunnel from the private-cloud VM, one or more first packets to be sent to a public Internet Protocol (IP) address of a public network host, translate, using a NAT mapping, a source address of each first packet from a private IP address of the private-cloud VM to an IP address of the public-cloud VM, and send the first packet to the IP address of the public-cloud VM.

Abstract: A method of operation of a Multiprotocol Label Switching network involves, in an active node of the network, receiving a first data packet from a source node and forwarding the first data packet to a destination node. At the same time, the active node measures a residence time of the first data packet in the active node. The active node then sends a further data packet containing residence time information.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method of operating a network node of a communication network is provided, the network node being connected to a downstream network node, and to a non-downstream loop free alternate (LFA) network node comprising a load balancing identifier indicating whether it is allowed to load balance the data packet via a non-downstream LFA network node or not; changing, if the load balancing identifier indicates that it is allowed to load balance the data packet via a non-downstream LFA network node, and if the network node decides to load balance the data packet via the non-downstream LFA network node, the load balancing identifier of the data packet such that it indicates that a further load balancing of the data packet via a further non-downstream LFA network node is not allowed; and forwarding the thus modified data packet to the non-downstream LFA network node.

Abstract: A method of operation of a Multiprotocol Label Switching network involves, in an active node of the network, receiving a first data packet from a source node and forwarding the first data packet to a destination node. At the same time, the active node measures a residence time of the first data packet in the active node. The active node then sends a further data packet containing residence time information.

Abstract: Exemplary methods for creating label stacks include creating and sending a first SR label stack for a data packet, wherein the first SR label stack causes the data packet to be forwarded through the SR network using a first set of links, and wherein the first SR label stack includes a first service label that identifies a first service to be applied to the data packet by a second network device. In one embodiment, the methods include creating and sending a second SR label stack for an operations administration and maintenance (OAM) packet, wherein the second SR label stack causes the OAM packet to be forwarded through the SR network using the first set of links, and wherein the second SR label stack prevents the second network device from applying the first service to the OAM packet.

Abstract: Exemplary methods for allocating multiple local sub-blocks (LsBs) of segment identifiers (IDs) include allocating a first set of LsBs, each LsB associated with a start index and a range, wherein the start index indicates a starting SID of a corresponding LsB and the range indicates a total number of SIDs included in the corresponding LsB, each LsB identified by a sub-block number. In one embodiment, the methods include mapping a plurality of segment routing global block (SRGB) indexes to a plurality of corresponding SIDs of the first set of LsBs, the mapping performed based on the SRGB indexes, start indexes of each LsB, and ranges of SIDs of each LsB. In one embodiment, the methods include advertising the first set of LsBs by transmitting a first advertisement message that includes the start indexes, ranges of SIDs, and sub-block numbers of all LsBs of the first set of LsBs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for using entropy labels in segment routed networks is disclosed. A single ELI and a single EL are provided for a label stack. The ELI and EL are inserted directly below a top-most label in the label stack. A method and apparatus for using entropy labels in segment routed networks. A top-most label of a label stack of a packet is examined. A NHLFE for the packet is determined. A determination is made as to whether or not an ELI is below the top-most label. An EL is re-used when the ELI is determined to be present . The ELI and the re-used EL are inserted directly below a label associated with the NHLFE in a new label stack.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method of operating a network node of a communication network is provided, the network node being connected to a downstream network node, and to a non-downstream loop free alternate (LFA) network node comprising a load balancing identifier indicating whether it is allowed to load balance the data packet via a non-downstream LFA net-work node or not; changing, if the load balancing identifier indicates that it is allowed to load balance the data packet via a non-downstream LFA network node, and if the network node decides to load balance the data packet via the non-downstream LFA network node, the load balancing identifier of the data packet such that it indicates that a further load balancing of the data packet via a further non-downstream LFA network node is not allowed; and forwarding the thus modified data packet to the non-downstream LFA network node.

Abstract: There is provided a method for use by a router in a communications network. Forwarding information is maintained (S1) which specifies the next hop node for each of a plurality of possible destination nodes. Update information is maintained (S1) which specifies how, if at all, the next hop nodes specified in the forwarding information are to be updated for a plurality of possible network resource failures. Known failure information is maintained (S1) which relates to a known network resource failure or which specifies that there is no known network resource failure. A failure notification is received (S2) relating to a network resource failure. In response to receipt of the failure notification, it is determined (S3) from the failure notification how, if at all, the known failure information is to be updated, and the known failure information is updated, if required, based on the determination (S4). A communications packet is received (S5).

Abstract: Exemplary methods for allocating multiple local sub-blocks (LsBs) of segment identifiers (IDs) include allocating a first set of LsBs, each LsB associated with a start index and a range, wherein the start index indicates a starting SID of a corresponding LsB and the range indicates a total number of SIDs included in the corresponding LsB, each LsB identified by a sub-block number. In one embodiment, the methods include mapping a plurality of segment routing global block (SRGB) indexes to a plurality of corresponding SIDs of the first set of LsBs, the mapping performed based on the SRGB indexes, start indexes of each LsB, and ranges of SIDs of each LsB. In one embodiment, the methods include advertising the first set of LsBs by transmitting a first advertisement message that includes the start indexes, ranges of SIDs, and sub-block numbers of all LsBs of the first set of LsBs.

Abstract: A primary border node (BN) and a standby BN are provided for internetworking two network domains, such that connectivity between the two network domains is maintained when a failure occurs in one of the network domains. The two network domains include an access network that implements MPLS-TP and a core network that implements IP, MPLS, or a combination of both. The primary BN establishes a tunnel from itself to the standby BN, and re-directs network data traffic from itself to the standby BN via the tunnel when it detects that an access node has switched connection from the primary VN to the standby BN. The primary BN also monitors its connections to the core network, and signals access nodes to switch to the standby BN if a failure is detected in these connections.

Abstract: Exemplary methods for creating label stacks include creating and sending a first SR label stack for a data packet, wherein the first SR label stack causes the data packet to be forwarded through the SR network using a first set of links, and wherein the first SR label stack includes a first service label that identifies a first service to be applied to the data packet by a second network device. In one embodiment, the methods include creating and sending a second SR label stack for an operations administration and maintenance (OAM) packet, wherein the second SR label stack causes the OAM packet to be forwarded through the SR network using the first set of links, and wherein the second SR label stack prevents the second network device from applying the first service to the OAM packet.

Abstract: An edge router runs a Multipath Transmission Control Protocol (MPTCP) proxy to allow for a host that implements TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) to operate normally yet reap the benefits of an MPTCP connection. An upgrade of a TCPIP stack on the host is not necessary. The edge router demultiplexes packets received from the host over a TCP connection to an MPTCP connection and multiplexes packets sent to the host over an MPTCP connection to a TCP connection. As a result, higher throughput of packet communication can be realized, for example, for improved video support.