Abstract: Systems, mechanisms, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed for forwarding Inter-Switch Connection (ISC) frames in a Network-to-Network Interconnect (NNI) topology, for example, via a network switch which includes a first physical switch port to receive a physical switch link from a second network switch; logic to implement a first logical ISC and a second logical ISC? connection to the second network switch via the physical switch link; a second physical switch port to receive an interface connection from a third network switch; and switch forwarding logic to forward frames received at the first network switch to the second network switch via the logical ISC or logical ISC? based on whether or not the physical switch link is part of an active topology upon which the network switch operates or is not part of the active topology upon which the network switch operates. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems, mechanisms, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed for forwarding Inter-Switch Connection (ISC) frames in a Network-to-Network Interconnect (NNI) topology, for example, via a network switch which includes a first physical switch port to receive a physical switch link from a second network switch; logic to implement a first logical ISC and a second logical ISC? connection to the second network switch via the physical switch link; a second physical switch port to receive an interface connection from a third network switch; and switch forwarding logic to forward frames received at the first network switch to the second network switch via the logical ISC or logical ISC? based on whether or not the physical switch link is part of an active topology upon which the network switch operates or is not part of the active topology upon which the network switch operates. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems, mechanisms, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed for forwarding Inter-Switch Connection (ISC) frames in a Network-to-Network Interconnect (NNI) topology, for example, via a network switch which includes a first physical switch port to receive a physical switch link from a second network switch; logic to implement a first logical ISC and a second logical ISC? connection to the second network switch via the physical switch link; a second physical switch port to receive an interface connection from a third network switch; and switch forwarding logic to forward frames received at the first network switch to the second network switch via the logical ISC or logical ISC? based on whether or not the physical switch link is part of an active topology upon which the network switch operates or is not part of the active topology upon which the network switch operates. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems, mechanisms, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed for forwarding Inter-Switch Connection (ISC) frames in a Network-to-Network Interconnect (NNI) topology, for example, via a network switch which includes a first physical switch port to receive a physical switch link from a second network switch; logic to implement a first logical ISC and a second logical ISC? connection to the second network switch via the physical switch link; a second physical switch port to receive an interface connection from a third network switch; and switch forwarding logic to forward frames received at the first network switch to the second network switch via the logical ISC or logical ISC? based on whether or not the physical switch link is part of an active topology upon which the network switch operates or is not part of the active topology upon which the network switch operates. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems, mechanisms, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed for forwarding Inter-Switch Connection (ISC) frames in a Network-to-Network Interconnect (NNI) topology, for example, via a network switch which includes a first physical switch port to receive a physical switch link from a second network switch; logic to implement a first logical ISC and a second logical ISC? connection to the second network switch via the physical switch link; a second physical switch port to receive an interface connection from a third network switch; and switch forwarding logic to forward frames received at the first network switch to the second network switch via the logical ISC or logical ISC? based on whether or not the physical switch link is part of an active topology upon which the network switch operates or is not part of the active topology upon which the network switch operates. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems, mechanisms, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed for forwarding Inter-Switch Connection (ISC) frames in a Network-to-Network Interconnect (NNI) topology, for example, via a network switch which includes a first and second physical switch port to receive a first and second physical switch link from a second network switch; logic to implement first and second logical ISC? connections to the second switch via the first and second physical switch links respectively; logic to implement a Primary Forwarder which is interfaced with a Secondary Forwarder in the second switch via the first logical ISC? connection; logic to implement a Secondary Forwarder which is interfaced with a Primary Forwarder in the second switch via the second logical ISC? connection; and switch forwarding logic to forward frames based on which connection the frames are received by, and/or based on a gateway identifier associated with each received frame. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems, mechanisms, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed for forwarding Inter-Switch Connection (ISC) frames in a Network-to-Network Interconnect (NNI) topology, for example, via a network switch which includes a first physical switch port to receive a physical switch link from a second network switch; logic to implement a first logical ISC and a second logical ISC? connection to the second network switch via the physical switch link; a second physical switch port to receive an interface connection from a third network switch; and switch forwarding logic to forward frames received at the first network switch to the second network switch via the logical ISC or logical ISC? based on whether or not the physical switch link is part of an active topology upon which the network switch operates or is not part of the active topology upon which the network switch operates. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems, mechanisms, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed for forwarding Inter-Switch Connection (ISC) frames in a Network-to-Network Interconnect (NNI) topology, for example, via a network switch which includes a first and second physical switch port to receive a first and second physical switch link from a second network switch; logic to implement first and second logical ISC? connections to the second switch via the first and second physical switch links respectively; logic to implement a Primary Forwarder which is interfaced with a Secondary Forwarder in the second switch via the first logical ISC? connection; logic to implement a Secondary Forwarder which is interfaced with a Primary Forwarder in the second switch via the second logical ISC? connection; and switch forwarding logic to forward frames based on which connection the frames are received by, and/or based on a gateway identifier associated with each received frame. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) identifier (PPP ID) value of a PPP frame, including data, is converted to an associated Ethernet Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) tag identifier (ID) value to enable the PPP ID value information to be communicated in an Ethernet frame to the next transmission layer for use in routing the data from the PPP frame.

Abstract: In a networked system, in which high speed busses interconnect sources and destinations of data, systems for and methods of flow control and extended burst transfers are described. The present invention is directed to a system for selectively varying the number of burst transfers used to transmit a block of data. The present invention is also directed to a method of selectively varying the number of burst transfers needed to transmit a block of data.

Abstract: A metering device has a first token bucket with a profile, a rate, and a maximum number of tokens. The device has another token bucket with its own profile, two associated rates, and a maximum number of tokens. In operation, the device adds tokens in the first token bucket at its rate if the bucket has less than the maximum number of tokens for that bucket, and adds a number of tokens in the other token bucket at the same rate if the first token bucket is full and the other token bucket is not. Additionally, the device adds tokens in the second token bucket according to the second rate associated with the token bucket if it is not full.

Abstract: A system of and method for communicating control information between two or more entities over one or more backplane connections is described. The control information is stored in a layer of the packet above the physical layer and the packet is then communicated over the one or more backplane connections. A system of and method for performing load balancing over one or more backplane connections is also described. Control information for a packet is mapped into one or more identifiers of one or more of a plurality of backplane connections, and the packet is then communicated over the one or more identified backplane connections. A system of and method for extending the number of ports of a switch is further described. A first switch coupled to a second switch and having a greater number of ports than the second switch is provided. An identifier of a port of the first switch is stored in a layer of the packet above the physical layer. The packet is then communicated between the first and second switches.

Abstract: A Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) identifier (PPP ID) value of a PPP frame, including data, is converted to an associated Ethernet Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) tag identifier (ID) value to enable the PPP ID value information to be communicated in an Ethernet frame to the next transmission layer for use in routing the data from the PPP frame.

Abstract: Information is directed across the same corresponding virtual channels in both a first network switch and a second network switch. As a result, any congestion in the second network switch results only in packet dropping associated with the particular congested virtual channel. However, information continues to move across the remaining uncongested virtual channels. As a result, even if congestion occurs in the second network switch, information continues to flow across the single network link between the first and second network switches, i.e., the single network link is not shut down.

Abstract: In a networked system in which high speed busses interconnect sources and destinations of data, systems for and methods of flow control and extended burst transfers are described.

Abstract: A packet switching device having a central shared memory and a number of medium access controllers each coupled to a communications medium to exchange data packets, and a controller coupled to each medium access controller via a data path to exchange data packets with the media access controller. The controller has a number of data path controllers each connected to each medium access controller to exchange a corresponding portion of the data packets with the medium access controller. The data path controllers each have a number of buffers to hold the portion of the data packets exchanged with the corresponding medium access controller. Each data path controller has a selector that selects the buffer from which to exchange the portion of the data packets with the central shared memory and control logic that controls the selector to concurrently select the buffer corresponding to the same medium access controller.

Abstract: A metering device has a first token bucket with a profile, a rate, and a maximum number of tokens. The device has another token bucket with its own profile, two associated rates, and a maximum number of tokens. In operation, the device monotonically increments the number of tokens in the first token bucket at its rate if the bucket has less than the maximum number of tokens for that bucket, and monotonically increments the number of tokens in the other token bucket at the same rate if the first token bucket is full and the other token bucket is not. Additionally, the device monotonically increments the number of tokens in the second token bucket according to the second rate associated with the token bucket if it is not full.

Abstract: A flexible, policy-based, mechanism for managing, monitoring, and prioritizing traffic within a network and allocating bandwidth to achieve true quality of service (QoS) is provided. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for managing bandwidth allocation in a network that employs a non-deterministic access protocol, such as an Ethernet network. A packet forwarding device receives information indicative of a set of traffic groups, such as: a MAC address, or IEEE 802.1p priority indicator or 802.1Q frame tag, if the QoS policy is based upon individual station applications; or a physical port if the QoS policy is based purely upon topology. The packet forwarding device additionally receives bandwidth parameters corresponding to the traffic groups.

Abstract: A flexible, policy-based, mechanism for managing, monitoring, and prioritizing traffic within a network and allocating bandwidth to achieve true quality of service (QoS) is provided. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for managing bandwidth allocation in a network that employs a non-deterministic access protocol, such as an Ethernet network. A packet forwarding device receives information indicative of a set of traffic groups, such as: a MAC address, or IEEE 802.1p priority indicator or 802.1Q frame tag, if the QoS policy is based upon individual station applications; or a physical port if the QoS policy is based purely upon topology. The packet forwarding device additionally receives bandwidth parameters corresponding to the traffic groups.

Abstract: A flexible, policy-based, mechanism for managing, monitoring, and prioritizing traffic within a network and allocating bandwidth to achieve true quality of service (QoS) is provided. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for managing bandwidth allocation in a network that employs a non-deterministic access protocol, such as an Ethernet network. A packet forwarding device receives information indicative of a set of traffic groups, such as: a MAC address, or IEEE 802.1p priority indicator or 802.1Q frame tag, if the QoS policy is based upon individual station applications; or a physical port if the QoS policy is based purely upon topology. The packet forwarding device additionally receives bandwidth parameters corresponding to the traffic groups.