Abstract: A wireless device receives configuration parameters indicating a first value of a beam failure instance counter and a radio resource of a downlink signal. The wireless device determines the downlink signal is transmitted via the radio resource. The wireless device determines a beam failure instance based on: the determining the downlink signal is transmitted; and a received power of the downlink signal being less than a threshold value. The wireless device increments the beam failure instance counter based on the determining the beam failure instance.

Abstract: Various embodiments are generally directed to techniques for dynamic network resiliency, such as by monitoring and controlling the configuration of one or more network components to ensure proper endpoint alignment, for instance. Some embodiments are particularly directed to a tool (e.g., resiliency agent) that can automatically recognize symptoms of issues with a network component, such as autoscaling, latency, traffic spikes, resource utilization spikes, etcetera, and respond appropriately to ensure continued and optimized operation of the network component. In many embodiments, the tool may dynamically reroute endpoint traffic, perform traffic balancing, and/or drive autoscaling to optimize operation of the network component in response to recognizing symptoms.

Abstract: An improved core network that includes a network resilience system that can detect network function virtualization (NFV)-implemented nodes that have been compromised and/or that are no longer operational, remove such nodes from the virtual network environment, and restart the removed nodes in a last-known good state is described herein. For example, the network resilience system can use health status messages provided by nodes, intrusion data provided by intrusion detection agents running on nodes, and/or operational data provided by the nodes as applied to machine learning models to identify nodes that may be compromised and/or non-operational. Once identified, the network resilience system can delete these nodes and restart or restore the nodes using the last-known good state.

Abstract: Examples of the present disclosure describe a testing framework for adaptive virtual services. In an example, a function vendor provides a network function having stated specifications to a service provider. A derived signature is generated for the network function (e.g., based on associated metadata, an image associated with the network function, and/or a network signature for the network function), which is used to classify the network function. The testing framework is used to test the network function according to its classification, thereby determining a set of capabilities. In examples, a network function having the same or similar signature as a previously tested network function may be categorized according to the previously tested network function. The network function is categorized according to its determined capabilities and added to an inventory of network functions for the service provider. Network functions in the inventory can then be selected to form a computer network.

Abstract: Techniques discussed herein relate to providing in-memory workflow management at an edge device (e.g., a computing device distinct from and operating remotely with respect to a data center). The edge device can operate as a computing node in a computing cluster of edge devices and implement a hosting environment (e.g., a distributed data plane). A work request can be obtained by an in-memory workflow manager of the edge device. The work request may include an intended state of a data plane resource (e.g., a computing cluster, a virtual machine, etc.). The in-memory workflow manager can determine the work request has not commenced and initialize an in-memory execution thread to execute orchestration tasks to configure a data plane of the computing cluster according to the intended state. Current state data corresponding to the configured data plane may be provided to the user device and eventually displayed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for provisioning a hosted computing environment in accordance with customer requirements relating to a service. In some embodiments, a computer-implemented method is provided. The method includes generating a graphical interface on a computing device and receiving input corresponding to an indication of one or more requirements, wherein the input is received using the graphical interface, and wherein the one or more requirements correspond to a hosted computing environment. The method further comprises converting each indication of the one or more requirements into one or more entries of a provisioning template, wherein the provisioning template includes multiple entries, and wherein the provisioning template is associated with the hosted computing environment. The method further comprises providing the provisioning template to a provisioning program to provision the hosted computing environment.

Abstract: A virtual network function (VNF) deployment method and apparatus, the method including separately setting indication information of a common parameter and dedicated parameter in a virtual network function descriptor (VNFD), to indicate a source of a value of the common parameter and a source of a value of the dedicated parameter, where the common parameter and the dedicated parameter are included in input parameters. When assigning values to the common parameter and the dedicated parameter, a virtualization service provider obtains the value of the common parameter based on the indication information of the common parameter, and obtains the value of the dedicated parameter based on the indication information of the dedicated parameter.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for network data plane management are provided. A system includes a host machine that includes a database, processor, and non-transitory computer readable media comprising instructions executable by the processor to obtain, via the database, a network configuration, spawn a container according to the network configuration, wherein the container is configured, based on the network configuration, to be coupled to a network overlay via a network interface, receive, via the network interface, incoming data associated with the container, the incoming data having attached one or more attached network data attributes, and identify, via the database, the attached one or more network data attributes attached to the incoming data as one or more network data attributes of the network data model.

Abstract: A method for introducing a new IoT device into an existing ecosystem with multiple IoT devices includes identifying existing IoT devices at a location and generating a digital twin model for each existing IoT device. The method also includes identifying tasks performed by each existing IoT devices at the location and receiving a selection for a new IoT device for introduction with the existing IoT devices based on the tasks performed by each of the existing IoT devices and the generated digital twin models for the plurality of existing IoT devices. In response to determining the new IoT device is suitable for the introduction to the location with the existing IoT devices, the method also includes performing a configuration for the new IoT device based on the tasks performable by the new IoT device.

Abstract: A relay device includes an acquisition unit that acquires, upon detection of a change of settings concerning a network environment of an external system or the relay device, information related to the change; a generation unit that generates setting change information for causing settings of the external system to match settings of the relay device with reference to the information acquired by the acquisition unit; and an information setting unit that causes the setting change information generated by the generation unit to be set in the external system by transmitting the setting change information to the external system.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the disclosure are directed to context aggregation in a data communications network. According to a specific example, user-data communications between a client-specific endpoint device and the other participating endpoint device during a first time period can be retrieved from a plurality of interconnected data communications systems. The client station can be configured and arranged to interface with a data communications server providing data communications services on a subscription basis. Context information for each respective user-data communication between the client station and the participating station during the first time period can be aggregated, and operational statistics from network circuitry providing the user-data communications between the client station and the participating station can be retrieved.

Abstract: A network element is herein disclosed. The network element comprises an embedded device having one or more property affecting a function of the embedded device and one or more status; a first computing system having a first processor and a first memory, the first memory being a first non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a device microservice and a hardware entity microservice, the hardware entity microservice in communication with the embedded device; a second computing system having a second processor and a second memory, the second memory being a second non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a core framework microservice; and a communication device in communication with the first computing system and the second computing system.

Abstract: The disclosure herein describes automatically managing a role of a node device in a mesh network. Based on connecting the node device to a target device via a network connection, status data of the target device is obtained. If the status data indicates the target device is a mesh node device, the node device activates a virtualized mesh node operating system. If the status data indicates the target device is a device that is separate from the mesh network, the node device activates a virtualized egress node operating system. The node device updates the mesh network configuration based on which virtualized operating system was activated and then shares the updated mesh network configuration to the other node devices of the mesh network, whereby the mesh network is configured to route network traffic data between the node device and the target device based on the updated mesh network configuration.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed to coordinate node level adaptations. An example apparatus includes an adaptation support determiner to determine if an adaptation in an adaptation message is supported by a first device, an extractor to, in response to the determination that the adaptation in the adaptation message is supported by the first device, calculate a start-time for the first device based on (a) a transit duration of the adaptation message, (b) an execution duration of the adaptation in the adaptation message, and (c) a timestamp of when the second device sent the adaptation message, and an initiate a timer value for the first device and the second device, the timer value being a function of the start-time. The example apparatus further includes an installer to, in response to the timer value satisfying a threshold, execute the adaptation to reduce disruptions in the CPS.

Abstract: A method includes various operations and a computer program product causes a processor to perform various operations. The operations may include measuring a level of utilization of a field-replaceable unit in a computing system; determining, for each field-replaceable unit, a current configuration of the field-replaceable unit, wherein the current configuration of the field-replaceable unit has a first designated utilization level; and determining whether the measured level of utilization is greater than the first designated level of utilization. The operations further include identifying, in response to determining that the measured level of utilization is greater than the first designated level of utilization, a second configuration of the field-replaceable unit having a second designated utilization level that is greater than the measured level of utilization of the field-replaceable unit; and applying a feature on demand upgrade to the field-replaceable unit to implement the second configuration.

Abstract: Some examples provide a method for automatic network assembly. The following instructions may be used to implement automatic network assembly in a modular infrastructure. Instructions to automatically connect a management port to a management network. Instructions to automatically connect link ports to form a scalable ring. Instructions to automatically connect each modular infrastructure management device to a bay management network port.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed that implement cloud functionality in a cloud agnostic system. An example apparatus includes: at least one memory; instructions in the apparatus; and processor circuitry to execute the instructions to: generate a blueprint including components of requested cloud resources and their relationships; provide an allocation flag to the blueprint, the allocation flag indicating the requested cloud resources are to be partially provisioned; transmit a first provisioning request to a cloud management platform, the cloud management platform to manage a plurality of cloud resources; and in response to the cloud management platform selecting cloud resources, transmit a second provisioning request to fully provision the selected cloud resources, the second provisioning request including constraints specific to the selected cloud resources.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for a global manager that manages a logical network spanning multiple physical sites. The method receives a set of data describing a modification to a definition of the logical network. From multiple queues that each correspond to a different one of the physical sites spanned by the logical network, the method identifying a set of queues to which to store the received set of data. The method stores the received set of data in the identified set of queues. From each respective queue in the identified set of queues, the method sends the set of data through a respective channel between the global manager and a respective local manager at the respective physical site corresponding to the respective queue.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention disclosed herein provides techniques for detecting and remediating an outlier server in a distributed computer system. A control server retrieves a group of time-series data sets associated with a first time period, where each time-series data set represents a performance metric for a different server in a group of servers. The control server generates a cluster that includes two or more of the time-series data sets, where the performance metric for each server that is associated with one of the time-series data sets in the cluster is within a threshold distance from the performance metric for the servers that are associated with the other time-series data sets in the cluster. The control server determines that a particular time-series data set corresponds to a server included in the group of servers and is not included in the cluster, and marks the server as an outlier server.

Abstract: A control device may be configured to delay an attachment procedure while attachment messages are being transmitted over the network. The control device may be configured to initiate an attachment procedure with a router device on a network at the end a back-off period of time. The attachment procedure may include transmitting attachment messages (e.g., parent request messages) that enable the control device to transmit and receive messages over the network through the router device. During the back-off period of time, the control device may determine an attachment message is received from another control device on the network. And, if an attachment message (e.g., a parent request messages and/or a link request message) is received from another control device, the control device may increase the back-off period of time (e.g., delaying when the control device initiates its attachment procedure).

Abstract: Systems, devices, media, and methods are presented for categorizing unknown devices using benchmark applications. Benchmark applications are distributed to client devices to produce performance metrics for the client devices. Performance metrics of the client devices are used to categorize unknown devices by comparing the performance metrics of these devices to performance metrics of known devices.

Abstract: A wireless network comprises access points (APs) implementing roaming by way of handover of wireless devices between APs. Handover events over an analysis time interval are extracted from a wireless network log of the wireless network. Each handover event comprises a source AP from which a wireless device disconnects and a destination AP to which the wireless device connects. At least one handover frequency (HF) network topology graph is constructed fro the analysis time interval from the extracted handover events. The graph has nodes representing at least a subset of the APs of the extracted handover events and edges connecting pairs of nodes with each edge having a weight representing a count or frequency of handover events between the APs represented by the pair of nodes connected by the edge. A network diagnostic or visualization task is performed using the HF network topology graph.

Abstract: A system and method of managing a network with assets are described. The method includes generating a directed graph with each of the assets represented as a node, determining individual failure probability of each node, computing downstream failure probability of each node according to an arrangement of the nodes in the directed graph, computing upstream failure probability of each node according to the arrangement of the nodes in directed graph, and computing network failure probability for each node based on the corresponding individual failure probability, the downstream failure probability, and the upstream failure probability. Managing the network is based on the network failure probability of the assets.

Abstract: A system for simulating lost data packets. The system includes a first hardware register storing data for fast factors. The fast factors include factors that are time independent with respect to particular data packets. A second hardware register stores slow factors. The slow factors include factors that are time dependent on data packets. Synchronization hardware is coupled to the second hardware register and synchronizes the slow factors with specific data inputs based on dependencies on the data packets. A hardware adder is coupled to the first hardware register and the second hardware register to compute a link budget. The link budget is used in determine probability of loss of data packets. A hardware processor coupled to the hardware adder determines, based on the link budget, if a data packet should be dropped, and when the data packet should be dropped, drops the data packet for simulating a network physical layer.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein provide a network tool that discovers device configurations for selected enterprise sites and automatically organizes the data to assist users, so they can build intents for network function policies in enterprise networks. An intent builder performs device discovery of network function (NF) instances in a customer network; retrieves configuration elements from the NF instances; normalizes the configuration elements; and generates a graphical user interface with rule paths based on the configuration elements. The network device receives, via the graphical user interface, user input to map source Internet protocol (IP) addresses in the rule paths to a user label and to map destination IP address in the rule paths to an application label. Based on the user input, the network device presents, via the graphical user interface, consolidated intents and generates vendor-agnostic policy rules from the consolidated intents.

Abstract: Systems and method are directed towards dynamically determining how to provision networking services. An order for new wireless service is received for a customer device and a customer identifier is determined for the order. A determination is made whether to process the order via a direct network function or via a network support system based on the customer identifier. In response to determining to process the order via the direct network function, at least one low-level networking service is identified for the order and a separate cloud core is provisioned for each of the at least one low-level networking service. In response to determining to process the order via the network support system, at least one high-level networking service is identified for the order and the network support system is employed to establish the at least one high-level networking service.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for data plane interface network Quality of Service (QoS) in multi-tenant data centers. Data plane operations including packet generation and encapsulation are performed in software running in virtual machines (VMs) or containers hosted by a compute platform. Control plane operations, including QoS traffic classification, are implemented in hardware by a network controller. Work submission and work completion queues are implemented in software for each VM or container. Work elements (WEs) defining work to be completed by the network controller are generated by software and processed by the network controller to classify packets associated with the WEs into QoS traffic classes, wherein packets belonging to a give traffic flow are classified to the same QoS traffic class.

Abstract: A client computer executes a client agent that determines the time between when an input is transmitted from a client computer to a remote server and when updated graphics are received from the remote server in response. The client agent interacts with a server agent that executes on the remote server. The client agent transmits an emulated keystroke to the server agent. In response, the server agent modifies a graphics object and composites the modified graphics object with a currently rendered frame. The client computer receives the frame and identifies the modified graphics object, indicating that the emulated keystroke was received by the remote server. The client agent then computes the time difference between when the emulated keystroke was transmitted to the remote server and when the modified graphics object was detected and/or displayed at the client computer. This time difference indicates the responsiveness of the remote desktop implementation.

Abstract: A computerized-method for providing an indication as to an availability of a communication-channel type that is used during an interaction with a customer, via a web app is provided herein.

Abstract: A method, a device, and a non-transitory storage medium are described, which provide a recommendation system with performance management service. The service may include selecting and ranking content that relate to a user query and a problem associated with an application and/or a device. The service may include invoking a remedial procedure based on user feedback data. The service may include similarity and classification models based on successful recommendation records.

Abstract: A computing device receives one or more network communication anomaly conditions that indicate abnormal network communication traffic for a class of devices associated with the computing device; monitors network communication data of the computing device; determines whether the network communication data of the computing device satisfies the one or more network communication anomaly conditions; and responsive to determining that the network communication data of the computing device satisfies the one or more network communication anomaly conditions, performs an anomaly detection operation for the computing device.

Abstract: Methods and system for supporting multiple management interfaces using a network analytics engine. The network analytics engine can run on a core switch for performing data collection and monitoring of network traffic through the switch. The switch can receive a first list including a first set of network packet parameters for monitoring network traffic using certain monitoring criteria. Then, the switch can receive a second list including a second set of network packet parameters for monitoring network traffic in accordance using different monitoring criteria. The switch can generate a concatenated list including the first list and the single list to form a single set of packet parameters. Concatenation may be consistent with a determined sequential order and priorities assigned to the lists. The switch can be programmed with the concatenated list such that network monitoring is accomplished using both monitoring criteria, while only implemented a single concatenated list.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and related technologies for increasing data availability. The determining of one or more recommendations to improve classification may include accessing network traffic from a network and selecting an entity. One or more values associated with one or more properties associated with the entity may be determined. The one or more values may be accessed from the network traffic. The entity may be classified and in response to the classification meeting a condition, one or more properties that are unavailable in the network traffic may be determined. A data source associated with the one or more properties for which a value is not present in the network traffic may be determined and the data source associated with the one or more properties that are unavailable in the network traffic may be stored.

Abstract: A method of acquiring software by a source node in a wireless ad hoc network. The method includes the source node executing application software from which a need to process a particular modality of data is identified, and making a determination that the source node is incapable of processing the particular modality of data. Responsive to the determination, the source node searches a local module repository (MR) of the source node for a software module usable to process the particular modality of data, and responsive to the source node failing to locate the software module in the local MR, broadcasts a request for the software module to neighbor nodes of the plurality of nodes in radio range of the source node. The source node receives the software module from the neighbor node, and uses the software module to process the particular modality of data.

Abstract: A proxy server can be configured to manage flow between terminated transport layer connections despite incongruous network conditions. The proxy server is programmed to dynamically adjust window size of one transport layer connection in the pair of proxy terminated connections to accommodate the other connection. After detecting a network condition related to one of the connections, the proxy server determines a drain rate of the transmit buffer of the transport layer connection corresponding to the impacting network condition. The proxy server then adjusts the transport layer window size for the other connection of the connection pair based on the determined drain rate.

Abstract: Technologies for low-latency data streaming include a computing device having a processor that includes a producer and a consumer. The producer generates a data item, and in a local buffer producer mode adds the data item to a local buffer, and in a remote buffer producer mode adds the data item to a remote buffer. When the local buffer is full, the producer switches to the remote buffer producer mode, and when the remote buffer is below a predetermined low threshold, the producer switches to the local buffer producer mode. The consumer reads the data item from the local buffer while operating in a local buffer consumer mode and reads the data item from the remote buffer while operating in a remote buffer consumer mode. When the local buffer is above a predetermined high threshold, the consumer may switch to a catch-up operating mode. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method, system and apparatus for centralized session management in an aggregated application environment. In one embodiment, a centralized session management method can include aggregating a set of applications in a host aggregation environment. Subsequently, each of the applications can be centrally kept alive so as to avoid a time out condition in any one of the applications so long as interactivity is detected within any one of the applications or within the host aggregation environment. In one aspect of the invention, the aggregating step can include aggregating a set of portlets in a portal environment.

Abstract: Novel solutions are provided for consistent Quality of Service in cloud gaming system that adaptively and dynamically compensate for poor network conditions by moderating rendered frame rates using frame rate capping to optimize for network latency savings (or surplus). In further embodiments, the encoding/sent frame rate to the client can also be managed in addition, or as an alternative to capping the rendered frame rates. The claimed embodiments not only maintain a constant Quality of Service (QoS) for the user, but may also be employed to leverage higher-performing networks to reduce operational costs.

Abstract: A method that includes establishing an open connection for responding to requests from clients supported by an application server. The method may further include establishing a set of queues configured for storing requests received from the client via the open connection. The method may further include selecting requests from the queues based on a rate limit threshold and burst limit threshold of the application server. The rate limit threshold may refer to a number of requests that the application server can process within a first time duration, while the burst limit threshold may refer to a number of requests that the application server can process within a second time duration that is shorter than the first time duration. The method may further include transmitting the requests to a set of data processing servers connected to the application server and receiving an indication that the requests have been processed.

Abstract: An embodiment packet capture device comprises: a packet receiver configured to receive a packet from a network; a packet retainer configured to store the received packet in a memory to temporarily retain the received packet; a failure detector configured to determine a communication failure is present in the network; a capture controller configured to determine an operation stop address such that retention of packets from the network in time periods before and after a detection time point of the communication failure is ensured when the communication failure is detected by the failure detector; and a capture data generator configured to output the packet stored in the memory as capture data when a storage destination address of the packet stored in the memory has reached the operation stop address or when at least a predetermined waiting time period has elapsed from the detection time point of the communication failure.

Abstract: A method of optimizing network processing in a system comprising a physical host and a set of physical network interface controllers (PNICs) is provided. The physical host includes a forwarding element. The method includes determining that a set of conditions is satisfied to bypass the forwarding element for exchanging packets between a particular data compute node (DCN) and a particular PNIC. The set of conditions includes the particular DCN being the only DCN connected to the forwarding element and the particular PNIC being the only PNIC connected to the forwarding element. The method exchanges packets between the particular DCN and the particular PNIC bypassing the forwarding element. The method determines that at least one condition in said set of conditions is not satisfied. The method utilizes the forwarding element to exchange packets between the particular DCN and the particular PNIC.

Abstract: The present disclosure is to propose a method and device for improving a link aggregation protocol timeout. method for improving a link aggregation timeout. The method includes the following steps: setting a timeout value and a timeout threshold count of link aggregation control protocol data unit (LACPDU) packet reception of a switch; obtaining a timeout count statistically, in response to a timeout of reception of a link aggregation control protocol data unit (LACPDU) packet from a second switch by a first switch; determining, through a network controller, in response to that the timeout count is greater than the timeout threshold count and that an aggregated link between the switches is in an out-of-band management mode, whether a port of the second switch is abnormal; and removing, in response to the port of the second switch being abnormal, the abnormal port of the second switch from the aggregated link.

Abstract: A method for off-loading streams selection to generate organized concurrent streams in a simulation environment is disclosed. In some embodiments, the method includes receiving at least one stream selection request for a DUT from a DUT input generator; performing a stream selection process in response to receiving the request. In order to perform the stream selection process, the method includes analyzing each of a plurality of stream specification entries of a stream specification entries array; selecting a stream from the plurality of streams based on one or more of the set of stream specification entry fields associated with the stream; and generating a stream selection result object based on the selected stream; sending the stream selection result object associated with the selected stream to a respective DUT input generator; and utilizing, by the respective DUT input generator, the stream selection result object associated with the selected stream.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system comprising a set of wireless communication nodes that are configured to operate as part of a wireless mesh network. Each respective wireless communication node may be directly coupled to at least one other wireless communication node via a respective short-hop wireless link, and at least a first pair of wireless nodes may be both (a) indirectly coupled to one another via a first communication path that comprises one or more intermediary wireless communication nodes and two or more short-hop wireless links and (b) directly coupled to one another via a first long-hop wireless link that provides a second communication path between the first pair of wireless communication nodes having a lesser number of hops than the first communication path. A fiber access point may be directly coupled to a first wireless communication node of the set of wireless communication nodes.

Abstract: Systems and methods include receiving network topology information of a network including a plurality of routers; receiving link measurements defining bandwidth on links in the network; determining routes in the network based on the network topology information; and utilizing the routes and the link measurements to determine an estimate of an initial traffic matrix that includes the bandwidth between origin routers and destination routers.

Abstract: A semiconductor chip for implementing load-aware equal-cost multipath routing includes a number of ports and several pipes, each pipe being coupled to a portion of ports on the semiconductor chip, and a central unit consisting of a state machine and multiple databases. The databases contain information regarding a communication network including an overlay network and an underlay network, and the state machine is implemented in hardware and can determine at least one feature of the overlay network and a corresponding group of paths within the underlay network.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a data packet from a first host located in the first site, where the data packet may be destined to a second host located in a second site that may be different from the first site, determining that an identifier of a second group to which the second host belongs is not available at the first network apparatus, sending a request for an identifier of the second group to a second network apparatus, where the request may comprise an address of the second host, receiving a response comprising the identifier of the second group from the second network apparatus, determining that the second group is a destination group, applying one or more policies associated with the destination group to the data packet, and causing the data packet to be routed to the second host.

Abstract: A method comprises receiving, at a system from an application server, a request for a service, the system comprising two or more global session databases, and the request associated with a session; identifying among the two or more global session databases, a first global session database to fulfill the request based on a criteria; storing, by the application server, the session at the first global session database; and transmitting, by the session, data associated with the request for the service in accordance with a configuration table. Additional methods, systems, and non-transitory computer-readable media or computer program products provide similar or alternative functionality.

Abstract: Techniques configure a network to relay data from a node to a root device are described herein. In an example, one-hop neighbors of the node are determined and ranked according to link quality. The ranked neighbor nodes may be considered potential “parent nodes” of the node. The ranked nodes may be divided into a plurality of groups according to link quality. A parent node may be selected from among the “best” group of one-hop neighbor nodes and may be used to relay data for the node to and/or from the router or other device. The node continues to use the parent node at least until its ranking removes it from the best group or falls below a threshold value. After the ranking of the parent falls below such a prescribed threshold it may be replaced by selection of a replacement parent from the group of one-hop upstream neighbors having the best link quality.

Abstract: A network node receives a data packet. In response to receiving the data packet, the network node performs a lookup on a label stack of the data packet to determine a next hop for the data packet. The network node scans the label stack to identify a Structured Entropy Label (SEL). The SEL includes a Path Tracing Indicator (PTI). The network node computes Midpoint Compressed Data (MCD) as a result of the PTI being set to a pre-defined value. The network node records the MCD in a MCD stack of the data packet by shifting the MCD stack and stamping the MCD on top of the MCD stack. The network node transmits the data packet to the next hop with the recorded MCD stack. The network sink node encapsulates the received data packet to generate an encapsulated data packet and transmits the data packet.