Abstract: An Internet Group Multicast Protocol (IGMP) proxy provides network redundancy to prevent a severed or damaged line, or a malfunctioning router interface from denying services to the IGMP proxy by outputting the multicast group addresses that are received by the IGMP proxy to a first multicast interface that is electrically connected to a first router interface of a router, and to a second multicast interface that is electrically connected to a second router interface of the router.

Abstract: A multicasting network includes a number of routers that are connected together to form a ring. The routers include a source router that identifies incoming multicasting data packets, and forwards the multicasting data packets in both directions on the ring. The routers also include forwarding routers that identify incoming multicasting data packets, and forwards the multicasting data packets in only one direction on the ring. Further, each ring has two terminating routers that receive forwarded data packets on two external nodes, and accept forwarded data packets from only a first external node and not from a second external node. When a fault condition is detected that prevents data packets from being forwarded in a first direction on the ring, the routers down stream of the fault condition reconfigure themselves to receive forwarded data packets from the second direction.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detection and communication of computer infection status in a networked environment are disclosed. In example embodiments, a network device includes a detection component to detect the presence of unwanted software in a networked computer from the network device not resident in the networked computer, a dispatch component to dispatch an infection notification for communication to the networked computer, and a communication component to handle communication with a user of the infected computer.

Abstract: A router stores a value that indicates the maximum number of channels that can be output to a group, and the number of channels that are output to the group. When a member of the group indicates a channel change selection from a first channel to a second channel, the router drops the first channel before outputting the second channel when the maximum number of channels and the number of channels are equal.

Abstract: A video-on-demand (VOD) system utilizes an access platform that has a controller, and uplink and downlink cards that support a predetermined number of unicast and multicast data streams. When a VOD application server receives a request from an end user to receive a unicast data stream, the VOD application server reserves the needed bandwidth from the controller, which insures that the predetermined number of unicast data streams are not exceeded, thereby preventing congestion related problems.

Abstract: In a communications network, an end user (set top box) can leave a first group, join a second group (change television channels), and receive data from the second group (new television channel) while a control module of the communications network is unavailable. The network detects when the control module is unavailable and, when unavailable, generates and responds to control information sent in data packets over the switching network.

Abstract: An Internet Group Multicast Protocol (IGMP) proxy provides network redundancy to prevent a severed or damaged line, or a malfunctioning router interface from denying services to the IGMP proxy by outputting the multicast group addresses that are received by the IGMP proxy to a first multicast interface that is electrically connected to a first router interface of a router, and to a second multicast interface that is electrically connected to a second router interface of the router.

Abstract: An Internet Group Multicast Protocol (IGMP)-based communications system shares the digital television channels output by two different head ends to increase the number of television channels that can be provided to the end users by forwarding multicast data packets that represent the television channels from one access system to another access system.

Abstract: The number of IP addresses required by a central office device, which is connected to a network segment and a number of customer internet devices to pass packets between the network segment and the customer internet devices, is reduced to one by using an IP address and a subnet mask that are associated with the network interface as a virtual interface. The subnet mask allows packets to be routed to the central office device, which then forwards the packets to the customer internet devices.

Abstract: A router is connected to a number of groups, such as xDSL modems, that each have a number of group members, such as set top boxes. When a member of the group identifies a new subscribed-to channel that is to be sent to the member, the router insures that multiple channels are not continuously sent to the same group member.

Abstract: A router stores a value that indicates the maximum number of channels that can be output to a group, and the number of channels that are output to the group. When a member of the group indicates a channel change selection from a first channel to a second channel, the router drops the first channel before outputting the second channel when the maximum number of channels and the number of channels are equal.

Abstract: A multicasting network includes a number of routers that are connected together to form a ring. The routers include a source router that identifies incoming multicasting data packets, and forwards the multicasting data packets in both directions on the ring. The routers also include forwarding routers that identify incoming multicasting data packets, and forwards the multicasting data packets in only one direction on the ring. Further, each ring has two terminating routers that receive forwarded data packets on two external nodes, and accept forwarded data packets from only a first external node and not from a second external node. When a fault condition is detected that prevents data packets from being forwarded in a first direction on the ring, the routers down stream of the fault condition reconfigure themselves to receive forwarded data packets from the second direction.

Abstract: Virtual Private Network (VPN) tunnel redirection is accomplished by automatically redirecting tunnel initiator or network source for incoming call to another tunnel terminator or network destination according to traffic load, resource availability, or system reliability in VPN environment. Pointed terminator redirects call by sending special call clear message to tunnel initiator with IP address of recommended terminator in pool or set during PPP authentication. Initiator terminates current session with pointed terminator, establishes tunnel and/or session with recommended terminator, and starts processing again without terminating incoming call.