Abstract: A front end radio architecture (FERA) is disclosed that includes a transmitter block coupled to a power amplifier (PA) via first and second input terminals. A first split-band duplexer is coupled to a first output terminal of the PA and a second split-band duplexer is coupled to a second output terminal of the PA. The PA includes a first amplifier cell and a second amplifier cell that when coupled to the first and second split-band duplexers makes up first and second transmitter chains. Only one of the first and the second transmitter chains is active when a first carrier and a second carrier have a frequency offset that is less than an associated half duplex frequency within a same split-band duplex band, thus preventing third order inter-modulation (IMD) products from falling within an associated receive channel. Otherwise, the first and the second transmitter chains are both active.

Abstract: A wireless repeater includes a receiver circuit implemented as an intermediate frequency (IF) subsampling receiver and a transmitter circuit implemented as a direct conversion (zero-IF) transmitter. The repeater further includes a reference receiver implemented as an IF subsampling receiver to sample a portion of the transmit signal prior to over-the-air transmission for use as the reference signal for channel estimation. Highly accurate channel estimation is obtained by using the reference signal from the reference receiver as the reference signal accounts for distortions in the transmitter circuit of the repeater. The repeater may include an echo canceller to cancel an estimated feedback amount from an input signal based on the channel estimation.

Abstract: Provided is a method and apparatus for calculating an isolation distance that is a distance where an interference phenomenon does not occur between wireless repeater apparatuses. The isolation distance calculating apparatus may include: an interference signal calculator to calculate a magnitude of an interference signal included in a particular band by detecting a signal of the particular band extracted from a received radio signal of a wireless repeater apparatus; and an isolation distance calculator to calculate a necessary isolation distance for cancelling interference between the wireless repeater apparatus and another wireless repeater apparatus, based on a predetermined allowable interference signal level and the magnitude of the interference signal.

Abstract: A method and system for communicating data between two devices are described herein. The method detects an electrical signal of a first protocol from a first device in a repeater, wherein the first protocol comprises single-ended signaling. The method also determines the speed of the electrical signal. Additionally, the method converts the electrical signal of the first protocol into an electrical signal of a second protocol based on the speed of the electrical signal. The second protocol comprises differential signaling. Furthermore, the method sends the electrical signal of the second protocol to a second device. In addition, the method stops the electrical signal of the second protocol to the second device when the electrical signal of the second protocol indicates an end of data flow.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adaptively selecting a Peer-to-Peer (P2P) communication mode in a wireless communication system are provided. In a method of operating a Base Station (BS) for establishing a P2P connection between Mobile Stations (MSs) in the wireless communication system, the method includes, upon receiving a connection request message from a transmitting MS, broadcasting an instruction message to one or more neighbor MSs, receiving P2P-related information from a receiving MS among the neighbor MSs, selecting a communication mode by determining whether P2P communication is possible between MSs according to the P2P-related information and, if P2P communication is possible between the MSs, transmitting a connection response message to the transmitting MS and the receiving MS.

Abstract: A repeater that facilitates communication in a wireless environment comprises a scheduling component that analyzes a schedule relating to when communications are active in the forward link direction and when communications are active in the reverse link direction, the communications are subject to time division duplexing. An amplifier that amplifies received communications as a function of the schedule. The repeater can further comprise a configuration component that configures the amplifier to amplify the received communications in one or more of a forward link direction and a reverse link direction.

Abstract: A relay station relays packets between a transmitting station and a receiving station, and when a transmission packet affixed with a packet number is received, the relay station generates a divided data unit by dividing the data included in the transmission packet, then generates a divided packet including the divided data unit affixed with the packet number and dividing position information indicating the dividing position of the divided data unit, and transmits the divided packet to the receiving station. Alternatively, the relay station generates a divided data unit by dividing the data in the received transmission packet, then generates a divided packet including the divided data unit affixed with a new packet number, and transmits the divided packet to the receiving station. An ARQ process is executed using the dividing position information or the new packet number included in the divided packet.

Abstract: A method, and an apparatus, for self-interference suppression in a relay for wireless communication, wherein the relay is arranged for receiving a signal r(n) transmitted from a transmitter, and for transmitting a self-interference suppressed transmit signal xr(n) to a receiver. The self-interference suppressed transmit signal xr(n) is achieved by determining a receive suppression filter matrix Wr, determining a relay amplification matrix G, and determining a transmit suppression filter matrix Wt, and then applying the suppression filters and the amplification matrix to the received signal r(n).

Abstract: A method for transmitting a data file to multiple nodes in a network includes logically ordering a set of nodes connected to a switch in a hub topology to form a virtual chain of nodes and cascading a stream of data packets representing the data file from an originating node to a final node in the virtual chain of nodes. A network includes a switch and a set of nodes communicatively coupled to the switch in a hub topology, the plurality of nodes configured to form a virtual chain of nodes in a logical order, and to cascade a stream of data packets representing a data file from an originating node to a final node in the virtual chain of nodes.

Abstract: A relay apparatus, comprises a reception section that receives real-time data, a monitoring section that periodically detects quality of a transmission path to be used for transmitting the real-time data toward a destination thereof, a determination section that determines a length of an interleaving cycle according to the quality of the transmission path, an interleaving section that interleaves the real-time data in the interleaving cycle having the determined length, and a transmission section that transmits the interleaved real-time data to the transmission path.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus that enable a wireless network system to dynamically change between full-duplex FDD operation and half-duplex FDD operation in order to take advantage of operational aspects of both modes. In one embodiment, an alternative duplex mode of operation is disclosed (semi-static half duplex FDD operation) that enables coordination between the client device (e.g., UMTS UE) and the base station in order to centralize control of radio resource control (RRC) to the base station. The disclosed methods and apparatus may also advantageously incorporate hybrid ARQ (HARQ) or comparable timing requirements into their operation.

Abstract: A method in a relay node operating in a time division duplex system wherein the relay node transmits downlink pilot timeslot information to a user terminal in a first temporal region of a special sub-frame, communicates with a base station during a second temporal region of the special sub-frame, and configures a third temporal region of the special sub-frame, wherein the second temporal region is configured as a guard period for communications between the relay node and the user terminal.

Abstract: A method and system to acknowledge a multicast message includes informing each node in a network about each multicast group to which it belongs, a relative position in each multicast group to which it belongs, and a group size of each multicast group to which it belongs, transmitting the multicast message, and transmitting, by each node in the multicast group, an acknowledgment in an assigned slot, which is determined by the relative position.

Abstract: A method for performing a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) by a relay station (RS) in a wireless communication system is provided. The method comprises performing HARQ with a mobile station (MS) by a fixed HARQ period; and performing HARQ with a base station (BS) by a HARQ period series, wherein the HARQ period series comprises a plurality of HARQ period series element (Xk,yk), where (Xk,yk) indicates that when data is transmitted in n-th subframe, an ACK/NACK signal is received in (n+xk)-th subframe and the data is retransmitted in (n+xk+yk)-th subframe when the ACK/NACK signal is a NACK signal, wherein at least one of xk and yk for one HARQ period in the HARQ period series is different from at least one of xk and yk for the other HARQ period in the HARQ period series.

Abstract: A system for repeating radio signals to the outside of a structure, from transmitters operating within a structure that normally prevents radio transmissions from propagating out of the structure. A system for repeating radio signals to the inside of a structure, from transmitters operating outside a structure that normally prevents radio transmissions from propagating into the structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for utilizing transaction boundary detection methods in queuing and retransmission decisions relating to network traffic are described. By detecting transaction boundaries and sizes, a client, server, or intermediary device may prioritize based on transaction sizes in queuing decisions, giving precedence to smaller transactions which may represent interactive and/or latency-sensitive traffic. Further, after detecting a transaction boundary, a device may retransmit one or more additional packets prompting acknowledgements, in order to ensure timely notification if the last packet of the transaction has been dropped. Systems and methods for potentially improving network latency, including retransmitting a dropped packet twice or more in order to avoid incurring additional delays due to a retransmitted packet being lost are also described.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for documenting network path connectivity are described that allow a network management system/revision management system (NMS/RMS) to determine what equipment and ports support a network path by interrupting and restoring Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) service on the network path. Upon detecting a loss of PoE service, communication active jacks that support network path connectivity may activate an internal switch that interrupts downstream connectivity. Each communication active jack along the network path may then begin broadcasting a unique message in the upstream direction that is addressed to the NMS/RMS. Upon receiving a unique active jack message, the NMS/RMS may record the information contained within and instruct the communication active jack to reestablish connectivity to the next downstream device.

Abstract: A method for forwarding data in forwarding networks includes: acquiring a signal transmitted from a source node to a target node in the forwarding network; selecting an antenna which is closest to the target node or a subordinate forwarding node, according to a corresponding relationship between antennas and nodes in coverage areas of the antennas; sending the signal to the antenna selected through wire transmission media; and transmitting the signal by the antenna selected. An apparatus for forwarding data and a forwarding network are disclosed as well.

Abstract: A monitor terminal transmits a monitor request command to monitor a repeater station designated by an operator to a monitor server via the Internet. The monitor server detects a monitor station located in the communication range of the designated repeater station from the content of the received monitor request command, and transmits a monitor instruction command to the detected monitor station via the Internet. The monitor station intercepts a radio signal during transmission from the repeater station to a radio communication device or vice versa. Upon reception of the monitor instruction command, the monitor station transmits the intercepted radio signal as monitor data to the monitor server. The monitor server transfers the monitor data to the monitor terminal. Upon reception of the monitor data transferred from the monitor server, the monitor terminal radio-transmits the received monitor data using a radio wave format receivable by the radio communication device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the communication field and provides method and system for detecting repeater self-excitation and the repeater using the method and system. The method includes detecting an output power of an up link; judging whether the detected output power of the up link exceeds a threshold of self-excitation and, if so, adding a numerically-controlled attenuation to the up link accordingly; and judging whether the change in the output power of the up link is equal to that in the numerically-controlled attenuation and, judging whether the repeater is subject to a self-excitation according to the result of judgment regarding the change in the output power of the up link. The repeater self-excitation detecting method has the following advantages: 1. The self-excitation can be detected in time, thus avoiding had effect on the communication system; 2. The devices of repeater can be protected from being burned down; and 3. The cost incurred by the patrol inspection personnel can be reduced.

Abstract: A relay station, method and system operated in a frequency division duplex (FDD) are disclosed. The relay station is operated in a band switching FDD mode and/or a dual band transmit (Tx)/receive (Rx) mode. In the band switching FDD mode, Tx frequency and Rx frequency are switched. In the dual band Tx/Rx mode, concurrent transmission or concurrent reception is achieved in the Tx frequency and Rx frequency.

Abstract: A system and method is provided to extend transmission range of a digital subscriber line (DSL). In one embodiment, a method includes receiving an input signal including a broadband data signal having a first signal strength and a telecommunication signal. The broadband data signal may be separated from the telecommunication signal. The broadband data corresponding to the broadband data signal may be regenerated, wherein the regenerated broadband data signal has a second signal strength which is greater than the first signal strength according to an embodiment of the invention. According to another aspect of the invention, the regenerated broadband data signal may be merged with the telecommunication signal into an output signal and the output signal may be transmitted over a subscriber line.

Abstract: The inventive method makes it possible to communicate in a network comprising wireless nodes provided with communications means enabling to communicate through a wireless channel and wire nodes provided with communication means enabling to communicate through a wire channel. Said method is characterised in that the wire node repeats a message received exclusively through a wireless channel if a signal acknowledging the message reception is not received, wherein the transmission of said acknowledgement signal is generated in a first time slot upon the reception of the signal though a wire channel.

Abstract: A system comprises a first unit and a second unit communicatively coupled to the first unit. The first unit is operable to receive a first original radio frequency signal and the second unit is operable to receive a second original radio frequency signal. The first and second original radio frequency signals are originally transmitted on a radio frequency channel using time division duplexing. The first unit communicates a control signal to the second unit, the first unit generating the control signal based at least in part on detecting when the first original radio frequency signal is being received at the first unit. The second unit uses the control signal to determine when to output a first reproduced radio frequency signal in accordance with the time division duplexing used to originally transmit the first and second original radio frequency signals on the radio frequency channel. The first reproduced radio frequency signal is derived from the first original radio frequency signal.

Abstract: There is provided a digital repeater module and method for relaying digital data. The digital repeater module comprises a data reception unit configured to receive digital data from several broadcast devices concurrently, a data transmission unit configured to transmit digital data using a multiple transmission protocols concurrently, and a routing application. The routing application can receive digital data through the data reception unit, identify available data paths for relaying the digital data to desired destinations, and determine transmission metrics for each of the available data paths for relaying the digital data to the desired destinations. The routing application can also select data paths for transmission based on the determined transmission metrics, and transmit the digital data using the selected data paths through the data transmission unit. There is also provided a method for resolving assignment of limited broadcast frequencies using the digital repeater module.

Abstract: Inventions relate to a field of radio communications and may be used for a creation of systems for cellular communications. The achieved technical result —an extension of a coverage area of a communication network. A system for cellular communication comprises a switch subsystem, a base station subsystem which are interconnected with a controller of base stations, mobile stations, K groups of line repeaters, a retransmission unit of radio channels. The base station comprises an antenna-feeder module of operating frequencies, a module of digital transceivers of operating frequencies, a digital unit of distribution and switching of messages, the retransmission unit of radio channels.

Abstract: A method for scheduling a first user equipment, UE, with a first performance causing a first self interference of a relay system between a first access link extending between the relay system and the first UE and a relay link extending between the relay system and a base station, BS, and scheduling a second UE with a second performance causing a second self interference of the relay system between a second access link extending between the relay system and the second UE and the relay link extending between the relay system and the BS. Thereby, if the first self interference is larger than the second self interference, the first performance is smaller than the second performance. Alternatively, if the first self interference is smaller than the second self interference, the first performance is larger than the second performance.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media provide for utilizing a repeating function to improve quality of service. According to embodiments, a method for utilizing a repeating function to improve quality of service is provided. According to the method a first mobile cellular device is selected. An instruction is transmitted to the first mobile cellular device instructing the first mobile cellular device. The instruction causes the first mobile cellular device to relay communications between the second mobile cellular device and the cellular service provider. The first mobile cellular device thereby provides the repeating function for the second mobile cellular device.

Abstract: The subject specification comprises a cognitive relay communications management (CRCM) component associated with a primary communication system, wherein the CRCM component controls relaying at least a portion of transmitted communications from a secondary source device (SSD) transmitting data to a secondary destination device (SDD) associated with a secondary communication system, in accordance with a specified relay protocol, such as a buffered decode-and-forward protocol. The CRCM component identifies when the secondary relay station (SRS) is not transmitting on the relay-destination (R-D) link and the source-relay link is not blocked, and, in such instance, allows transmission of a packet from the SSD to the SRS. The SRS forwards the packet to the SDD when the CRCM component identifies when the R-D link is not blocked. The SRS and/or SSD remove the packet from their respective queues when an acknowledgement message(s) is received from the SDD and/or SRS, respectively.

Abstract: A vehicle network system is provided with a plurality of star networks, a plurality of devices mounted on a vehicle are connected in a star shape through respective branch lines in each of the star networks, and a trunk line for connecting the plurality of star networks, the branch lines are communication lines for optical communications, and the trunk line is a communication line for electric communication.

Abstract: In various embodiments of the invention, a relay station in a wireless communications network may communicate with one or more subscriber stations at the same time and/or on the same frequency that the associated base station is communicating with another relay station in the same network. This contrasts with the conventional technique of devoting one time period or frequency exclusively to communications between the base station and the relay stations, and devoting another time period or frequency exclusively to communications between the relay stations and the subscriber stations.

Abstract: A display generating device includes a display screen generator generating a display screen showing connection status between each wireless communication device in a wireless network in which a plurality of the wireless communication devices operate in an autonomous and distributed manner, and a detector detecting an operation of changing connection status performed by a user via the display screen generated by the display screen generator, wherein, when the operation of changing connection status is detected by the detector, the display generating device performs a change process of reflecting the content of the operation of changing connection status.

Abstract: Various embodiments are disclosed relating to the processing of a flexible field packet. A technique may include determining a format of a packet, the packet including one or more variable fields and determining an offset value related to a location of at least one of the variable fields in the packet, wherein the offset value is variable and associated with the format of the packet.

Abstract: A KVM switch includes: server units respectively connected to computers; user units respectively connected to input/output devices for transmitting signals to the computers and receiving signals from the computers; and a main unit that connects the server units and the user units. Each of the server units, user units and main unit is a communication unit and includes: a first part communicating with another communication unit to inform the above another communication unit of unit type information about the communication unit and receive unit type information about the above another communication unit therefrom; and a second part controlling communications with the above another communication unit on the basis of the unit type information acquired from the above another communication unit.

Abstract: A communication device (1) comprising: a first communication system (4) for transmitting and/or receiving signals according to a first protocol; a second communication system (3) for transmitting and receiving signals according to a second protocol, the second protocol having the facility that a receiver (3) can indicate to a transmitter (2) that it is in an unresponsive state whereby the transmitter can be inhibited from transmitting data to the receiver when it is in the unresponsive state; a signal activity detector (9) for detecting activity in the signals of the first protocol; and a control unit (7) responsive to the signal activity detector for causing the second communication system to indicate that it is in an unresponsive state.

Abstract: A mobile communication apparatus capable of performing group communication between a cellular communication system and a VoIP system includes a first wireless communication module for processing signals of a cellular network corresponding to the cellular communication system, a second wireless communication module for processing signals of a WLAN corresponding to the VoIP system, and a control module coupled to the first wireless communication module and the second wireless communication module, for establishing voice communications with the cellular network and the WLAN through the first wireless communication module and the second wireless communication module, and for exchanging signals of the first wireless communication module and the second wireless communication module when the mobile communication apparatus operates in a first operation mode.

Abstract: A method for selecting a relay mode depending on channel status of relay links in a multihop relay broadband wireless communication system and a Relay Station (RS) apparatus for supporting the method. When signals are received from a Base Station (BS) and a Mobile Station (MS), channel status values (e.g., eigenvalue, mutual information, and probability error) of relay links (BS-RS link and RS-MS link) are estimated using the received signals. The estimated channel status values are compared with a preset reference value. According to a result of the comparison, the relay mode for relaying the received signals is selected. Accordingly, the reliability of the relayed signal can be enhanced and the capacity of the signal link can be increased.

Abstract: A dynamic bandwidth allocation apparatus 12 of the present invention is mounted on, for example, an optical line terminal 1 in a PON system that relays upstream frames F1 and F2 received from optical network units 2, to upper networks 6. The dynamic bandwidth allocation apparatus 12 calculates, based on the reception rates of the upstream frames F1 and F2 from the optical network units 2, the sending rates of relay destinations of the upstream frames F1 and F2, and changes in the amounts of data occurring upon relaying the upstream frames F1 and F2, allocated bandwidth upper limits (max_bw) at which even when the amounts of data increase, the upstream frames F1 and F2 can be relayed; and dynamically allocates amounts of upstream transmission for the respective optical network units 2 in the range of the calculated allocated bandwidth upper limits (max_bw).

Abstract: Techniques to manage communication between a subscriber station and a base station or a relay station are disclosed.

Abstract: A portable multi-level security communications system (system) provides a communications backbone for Internet Protocol (IP) based data at multiple levels of security and allows on-board users to communicate, with each other and an outside network, while maintaining separation from the on-board communication system. The system can connect to an outside network using a fast, reliable connection without impeding or conflicting with current on-board operating systems. The system is able to run multiple security enclaves while maintaining separation between the enclaves and their users.

Abstract: A first device comprising: a pin interface having a plurality of pins; a data signal transmitter configured to respectively transmit, to a second device, a first plurality of data signals over a first set of pins of the plurality of pins of the pin interface; an encoder configured to generate a first encoded control signal based on having encoded a first plurality of control signals; and a control signal transmitter configured to transmit, to the second device, the first encoded control signal over a first pin of the plurality of pins of the pin interface, wherein the first pin is not of the first set of pins.

Abstract: Disclosed is a signal combining apparatus and a resource allocation method using the same in a cellular system using distributed antennas. The resource allocation method includes detecting a channel transmission capacity when a signal is transmitted from a single Relay Station (RS) to a Mobile Station (MS), by a Base Station (BS), detecting a channel transmission capacity when transmitting a signal produced by using signal combining by two or more RSs to the MS, by the BS, selecting a channel transmission capacity with a larger gain between the detected channel transmission capacity of the single RS and the detected channel transmission capacity of the two or more RSs, by the BS; and selecting the signal transmitted by the single RS or the signal produced by using the signal combining by the two or more RSs having the selected channel transmission capacity with the larger gain, and then transmitting the selected signal to the MS.

Abstract: To provide a technology capable of reducing a processing load on a base station controller and restraining a traffic quantity within a mobile communication system. A base station apparatus connected to a base station controller has a first establishing unit establishing a first logic communication path between the base station apparatus and the base station controller; a second establishing unit establishing a second logic communication path between the base station apparatus and another base station apparatus; and a forwarding unit forwarding data, transmitted and received with the another base station apparatus and the base station controller serving as terminal points, as data of another base station apparatus via the first logic communication path and the second logic communication path.

Abstract: An operational mechanism enables extending the range of cognitive networks through the use of repeater transceivers and selective routing.

Abstract: A repeater circuit, such as a clock regeneration and multiplication circuit, is described. In this repeater circuit, a clock multiplier unit (CMU) generates an internal clock signal based on a forwarded clock signal, which is received on a link. Furthermore, a phase interpolator (PI) in the repeater circuit provides the output clock signal based on the forwarded clock signal and the internal clock signal. Note that the CMU and the PI filter reduce the cycle-to-cycle jitter in the forwarded clock signal and the internal clock signal, and that the output clock signal has a phase that is a weighted average of the phases of the forwarded clock signal and the internal clock signal. In addition, the relative weights of the forwarded clock signal and the internal clock signal (i.e., the amount of phase averaging and jitter filtering) may be adjusted based on a position or location on the link.

Abstract: A repeater environment is provided operative to deploy a feedback cancellation loop that is adaptively coupled with an antenna array such that a selected metric can be derived by deploying a selected filter bank operative to process the signal on a bin by bin basis and the derived metric can be applied to the antenna array and feedback cancellation loop combination to improve signal integrity and amplification. In an illustrative implementation, an exemplary repeater environment comprises, a transmitter, a receiver, an equalized feedback cancellation loop circuitry comprising a filter bank, the cancellation loop being operatively coupled to an antenna array. In the illustrative implementation, the feedback cancellation loop can receive signals as input from a cooperating antenna array and provide output signals such as a feedback leakage signal to a cooperating antenna array.

Abstract: A system and a method for configuring communication between a source device and a sink device using captured configuration data are described. The source device communicates with a repeater, which modifies received data to facilitate transmission to the sink device, using a communication channel. The communication channel transmits video and/or audio data from the source device to the sink device. An auxiliary communication channel is used to communicate configuration data between the source device and sink device to optimize transmission and receipt of data through the communication channel. The repeater is coupled to the auxiliary communication channel and passively captures configuration data from the auxiliary communication channel. The repeater uses a subset of the captured configuration data (e.g., data rate, voltage swing, pre-emphasis, etc.) to modify how the repeater transmits data to the sink device using the communication channel.

Abstract: An apparatus including a port to transmit first frames and receive second frames over a communication channel, the port including a collision detect circuit and a duplex mismatch circuit. The collision detect circuit detects collisions on the communication channel between the first frames and the second frames. The duplex mismatch circuit declares a duplex mismatch when the communication channel was established without attempting auto-negotiation, the port is in a half-duplex mode, and the collision detect circuit detects a very late collision involving one of the first frames. The very late collision occurs after a predetermined amount of data has been transmitted in the one of the first frames. The duplex mismatch indicates that a full-duplex mode is used with respect to the second frames.

Abstract: An XDSL signal distribution system is provided having a regenerator unit located a predetermined distance from a central office XTU unit for extending the distribution reach of the system. The regenerator is arranged to decode the payload of transmitted XDSL signals into base digital data before repackaging and regeneration onto a twisted pair copper cable. This allows the regenerator to selectively reformat the XDSL signals into a desired protocol format suitable for either an ATM protocol layer, or direct transmission. In addition, the regenerator can retransmit the XDSL signals at a fixed or variable transmission rate to optimize data through-put or system reach.

Abstract: A method to design a Networks on Chips (NoCs)-based communication system for connecting on-chip components in a multicore system, said system comprising several elements communicating through the communication system, said communication system comprising at least switches, said method comprising the steps of modelling the applications running on the multicore system, establishing the number and configuration of switches to connect the elements, establishing physical connectivity between the elements and the switches, for each two pairs of communicating elements: (a) a defining a communication path, (b) calculating metrics as affected by the need to render said path into physical connectivity, taking into account any previously defined physical connectivity, (c) iterating the steps a and b for a plurality of possible paths, (d) choosing the path having the optimal metrics, and (e) establishing any missing physical connectivity between the switches so that the selected optimal path occurs across physically conn