Abstract: A method and computer program product for providing autonomous system interconnect for a first peer device is presented. The method includes producing routing information at a first peer. Next, the first peer device provides a context identifier in the routing information. A context authenticator is also provided in the routing information at the first peer. The first peer then advertises this routing information to a second peer. The first peer only accepts messages from the second peer which include the context identifier and the context authenticator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing Layer 2 (L2) interworking is presented. A L2 Protocol Data Unit (PDU) is received at an L2 Switching Entity (SE). The L2 PDU is converted to a normalized Pseudowire (PW) PDU. The normalized PW PDU is then forwarded to a Layer 3 (L3) Routing Entity (RE). The normalized PDU may be in the form of a predetermined L2 protocol or a L2 agnostic protocol.

Abstract: Implementation of a VPN service such as a VPLS (Virtual Private Local area network Service) is performed utilizing a two-stage process. A first stage of the two-stage process involves providing notification of whether a PE (Provider Edge) router in a label-switching network has VPLS capability. Notification can include broadcasting a message from a PE router to remote PE routers in the label-switching network to indicate whether the broadcasting PE router is VPLS enabled. A second stage of the two-stage process involves, based on receiving a notification that a PE router is VPLS enabled, generating a query message to discover a set of VPLS instances to which the broadcasting PE router belongs. In this way, a given PE router generating the query message can identify other PE routers in the label-switching network associated with the same VPLS for purposes of setting up the VPLS in the label-switching network.

Abstract: A traceroute mechanism enables responses to the traceroute to reach the originating router (originator) along a multihop pseudowire (PW). A traceroute message includes an accumulator operable to count hops along a MH-PW, implemented as a time-to-live (TTL) field, as is known in the art. An originator router employs multiple TTL values, and decrements one of the TTL “accumulators” for each hop. At the ultimate (terminal) router defining the end of the multihop PW, a TTL in the return message is set to the number of hops traveled by the traceroute. The difference between the accumulator and the initial TTL value determines the number of hops traveled by the traceroute message, and hence the number of hops back to the originating node. The traceroute return message, now having a TTL set to the number of hops of the counterpart traceroute, reaches the originator when the TTL value is decremented to zero.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing information in a network by way of a Pseudowire switching TLV is presented. A second device in the network receives a first message having information relating to a first device in the network. The second device appends information relating to the second device (by way of a Pseudowire switching TLV) to the first message, resulting in a second message. The second message is then forwarded to a third device in the network.

Abstract: Conventional network packet traffic loss/drop monitoring mechanisms, such as that employed for pseudowire, IP flow and tunnel traffic monitoring, do not process or diagnose the aggregate counts from both endpoints of a particular pseudowire. A packet loss and detection mechanism periodically exchanges traffic packet counts to maintain an accurate diagnosis of the pseudowire health from either endpoint. Further, the raw packet counts are analyzed to identify misrouted and lost packets, as both should be considered to assess network health and congestion. The pseudowire statistics are maintained for each pseudowire emanating from a particular edge router, providing a complete view of pseudowire traffic affecting a particular edge router. Such statistics are beneficial for problem detection, diagnosis, and for verification of throughput criteria such as those expressed in Quality of Service (QOS) terms and/or SLAs (service level agreements).

Abstract: A method and novel absorbent substrate for determining the presence of occult blood in gastric fluid. The substrate is acid treated and contains guaiac. The method includes the addition of the gastric fluid to the acid treated guaiac substrate which is developed with a buffered developing solution. Preferably the substrate is an acid treated sheet of absorbent paper and the developing solution is an aqueous buffered solution of hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: Specimen test slides for occult blood having a receiving sheet between a front panel and a rear panel with openings in the front and rear panels and pivotal covers coated with 2,6-di-tert-butyl-p-cresol to cover said openings.

Abstract: An improved specimen test slide having a front panel and a rear panel. The front panel has one or more openings. Sheet means carrying a test reagent underlie each of these openings for reception of a specimen. A hinged cover overlies the openings. The rear panel has flap means opposite said openings which is pivotable to expose the underside of the sheet to permit application of a developing solution. The underside of the sheet which faces the rear panel also has a control area positioned on a portion thereof at some distance from the portions of the sheet underlying the openings of the front panel. The control area contains positive and negative monitors.

Abstract: Specimen test slides for occult blood having a receiving sheet between a front panel and a rear panel with openings in the front and rear panels and pivotal covers coated with 2,6-di-tert-butyl-p-cresol to cover said openings.