Abstract: A mechanism conveys information pertaining to transmission priority (TP) levels of inbound packets transmitted over a heterogeneous network from a switching node to a hybrid node of the network. The mechanism comprises a packet-recognizing filter having a format that is generated by the hybrid node and dynamically transmitted to the switching node over a predefined communication channel of the network. The filter enables the switching node to classify the inbound packets and assign them appropriate TP levels.

Abstract: A technique efficiently captures information required to create a filter used by switching nodes of a heterogeneous network to implement transmission priority routing of data traffic over a connection network between end nodes of the network. A bounded time interval, i.e., a time window, is established during which a first switching node monitors the traffic over the network to capture portions of the required information contained in a defined data packet. Monitoring of data traffic during the time window is triggered by a predictable event, the occurrence of which is communicated to the first switching node by a hybrid node of the network. In addition to providing this "triggering" communication, the hybrid node also provides the first switching node with the remaining portion of the required information.

Abstract: A mechanism conveys information pertaining to transmission priority (TP) levels of inbound packets transmitted over a heterogeneous network from a switching node to a hybrid node of the network. The mechanism comprises a packet-recognizing filter having a format that is generated by the hybrid node and dynamically transmitted to the switching node over a predefined communication channel of the network. The filter enables the switching node to classify the inbound packets and assign them appropriate TP levels.

Abstract: A mechanism limits the flow of topology information to only those nodes of a computer network that require the information. The mechanism comprises a filter having a plurality of conditions that are evaluated by a node of the network prior to forwarding the topology information to another node. Specifically, the conditions are evaluated with respect to lists of nodes that are defined according to the configuration of the network. By applying the filtering conditions to the defined lists, each node may selectively propagate the topology information throughout the network, thereby substantially reducing the amount of information flowing over the network.

Abstract: A mechanism conveys information pertaining to transmission priority (TP) levels of inbound packets transmitted over a heterogeneous network from a switching node to a hybrid node of the network. The mechanism comprises a packet-recognizing filter having a format that is generated by the hybrid node and dynamically transmitted to the switching node over a predefined communication channel of the network. The filter enables the switching node to classify the inbound packets and assign them appropriate TP levels.