Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for transmitting an OAM packet from a source network device to a destination network device are disclosed. They include generating an OAM protocol data unit (PDU) at the source network device, injecting the OAM PDU in an ingress packet processing pipeline, determining an egress interface of the source network device through which to transmit the OAM PDU to the destination network device, encapsulating the OAM PDU in one or more protocol headers in an egress packet processing pipeline, and transmitting the encapsulated OAM PDU from the egress interface as the OAM packet. The injected OAM PDU is associated with an indication to bypass at least a portion of ingress packet processing.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for transmitting an OAM packet from a source network device to a destination network device are disclosed. They include generating an OAM protocol data unit (PDU) at the source network device, injecting the OAM PDU in an ingress packet processing pipeline, determining an egress interface of the source network device through which to transmit the OAM PDU to the destination network device, encapsulating the OAM PDU in one or more protocol headers in an egress packet processing pipeline, and transmitting the encapsulated OAM PDU from the egress interface as the OAM packet. The injected OAM PDU is associated with an indication to bypass at least a portion of ingress packet processing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for early detection of loss of continuity in a maintenance association are provided. A method according to the invention preferably includes periodically transmitting a continuity check message (“CCM”) between two maintenance endpoints on the network. When the receiving maintenance endpoint detects a failure to receive a CCM from the transmitting maintenance endpoint for less than a standards-determined length of time, but greater than a predetermined length of time, the method may include using the receiving maintenance endpoint to implement a protection switching application in order to identify and utilize an alternate pathway for communication between the transmitting maintenance endpoint and the receiving maintenance endpoint.

Abstract: A method and system for storing arranged data in a memory, the system including: (a) a plurality of random access memories, each random access memory (RAM) of the plurality including: (i) a first array of cells, the first array having at least two dimensions and having rows and columns, the first array designed and configured to contain a plurality of key entries, each of the cells having a unique address including a row index and a column index, each of the key entries for matching with an input key, and (b) a processor designed and configured to search the plurality of key entries for a match, in response to the input key, the plurality of RAMs designed and configured such that: (i) at least one row in a second of the RAMs has a row index that is identical to a row index in a first of the RAMs, and (ii) the key entries are arranged within each of the plurality of RAMs in monotonic order.

Abstract: A system and method for storing arranged data in a memory, and for extracting the data therefrom, the system including: (a) a random access memory (RAM) including: (i) a first array of cells, the first array having at least two dimensions and having rows and columns, the first array designed and configured to contain a plurality of at least two kinds of key entries, each of the cells having a unique address and being accessible via an input key, each of the kinds of key entries being arranged in monotonic order, and (ii) a second array of cells, the second array having at least two dimensions and having rows and columns, the second array having a plurality of data entries, each of the data entries being associated with a particular one of the key entries, and (b) processing means designed and configured to search, in response to the input key, the plurality of key entries so as to identify a match.

Abstract: A method and system for storing arranged data in a memory, the system including: (a) a plurality of random access memories, each random access memory (RAM) of the plurality including: (i) a first array of cells, the first array having at least two dimensions and having rows and columns, the first array designed and configured to contain a plurality of key entries, each of the cells having a unique address including a row index and a column index, each of the key entries for matching with an input key, and (b) processing means designed and configured to search the plurality of key entries for a match, in response to the input key, the plurality of RAMs designed and configured such that: (i) at least one row in a second of the RAMs has a row index that is identical to a row index in a first of the RAMs, and (ii) the key entries are arranged within each of the plurality of RAMs in monotonic order.

Abstract: A system and method for storing arranged data in a memory, and for extracting the data therefrom, the system including: (a) a random access memory (RAM) including: (i) a first array of cells, the first array having at least two dimensions and having rows and columns, the first array designed and configured to contain a plurality of at least two kinds of key entries, each of the cells having a unique address and being accessible via an input key, each of the kinds of key entries being arranged in monotonic order, and (ii) a second array of cells, the second array having at least two dimensions and having rows and columns, the second array having a plurality of data entries, each of the data entries being associated with a particular one of the key entries, and (b) processing means designed and configured to search, in response to the input key, the plurality of key entries so as to identify a match.