Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for providing data transmission speeds at or in excess of 10 gigabits per second between one or more source devices and one or more destination devices. According to one embodiment, the system of the present invention comprises a first and second media access control (MAC) interfaces to facilitate receipt and transmission of packets over an associated set of physical interfaces. The system also contemplates a first and second field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) coupled to the MAC interfaces and an associated first and second memory structures, the first and second FPGAs are configured to perform initial processing of packets received from the first and second MAC interfaces and to schedule the transmission of packets to the first and second MAC interface for transmission to one or more destination devices. The first and second FPGAs are further operative to dispatch and retrieve packets to and from the first and second memory structures.

Abstract: A method of channel-to-port assignment is described where the distribution of channels is performed in the digital domain of the CATV/QAM upconverter/modulator. This channel distribution allows for the possibility of simple failover, power combining of multiple outputs, and a fine granularity of channel to port mapping, QAM or analog channel, in a multi-port device.

Abstract: A method includes appending a preamble to a data packet and transmitting the preamble and data packet over a communication channel in the network. The preamble may be a Beacon, Admission, Broadcast, or High-Throughput Preamble. The Beacon Preamble includes the following symbols SS, SS, SS, SS, SS, SS, SS, SS, SS, SS, SS, SS, LS1, LS1, LS1, LS1, LS1, LS1, LS1, LS1, CP0, CEBeacon, CEBeacon. The Admission Preamble includes the following symbols SS, SS, SS, SS, SS, SS, SS, SS, SS, SS, SS, SS, LS1, LS1, LS1, LS1, LS1, LS1, LS1, LS1, CP0, CE, CE. The Broadcast Preamble includes the following symbols LS1, LS1, LS1, LS1, CP0, CE, CE. The high-throughput preamble includes the following symbols CP0, CE. The SS symbol includes 64 bits, the LS1, LS2, and CP0 symbols include 192 bits, the CE symbol includes 512 bits, and the CEBeacon symbol is a subset of CE.

Abstract: A fabric chip includes a plurality of port interfaces, in which each of the plurality of port interfaces includes a network chip interface (NCI) block having a port resolution module to determine which of the port interfaces is to receive a packet from the NCI block and a crossbar block communicatively coupled with each of the NCI blocks in the plurality of port interfaces. In addition, at least two of the plurality of port interfaces are to be connected to at least two port interfaces of another fabric chip as trunked links of a trunk. Moreover, the NCI blocks of the at least two of the plurality of port interfaces include a resource that keeps track of the port interfaces in the fabric chip that are connected to the trunk links of the trunk.

Abstract: A data transmission method is provided. The method is used to transmit multiple data packets, and includes the following steps. Multiple acquired data packets are mapped to different sessions according to data header information of the data packets, in which each session corresponds to one or more data packets. A data packet is encapsulated into a session message, in which the encapsulated session message includes a session identifier of the session corresponding to the one or more data packets. Multiple session messages belonging to the same session are transmitted to a next network node through at least two tunnels in link layer.

Abstract: A communication medium determining apparatus determines a communication medium in use for communication between two devices on a network. The apparatus includes a communication performance obtaining unit which obtains values indicating transmission speeds in a given communication path when a device which decreases transmission speed in a specific communication medium when activated, is active and when the device is inactive. The apparatus further includes a communication medium determining unit which determines whether or not the communication through the given communication path is performed using the specific communication medium. This determination is based on a speed decrease value indicating a decrease amount of the transmission speed in the specific communication medium caused by activation of the device, and a speed difference value which is a difference in the transmission speed obtained by the communication performance obtaining unit between when the device is active and when the device is inactive.

Abstract: A fabric chip includes a plurality of port interfaces, wherein each of the plurality of port interfaces includes a network chip interface (NCI) block having a port resolution module, and wherein the port resolution module is to determine which of the port interfaces is to receive a packet from the NCI block, and a crossbar block communicatively coupled with each of the NCI blocks in the plurality of port interfaces.

Abstract: Conventional routers employ a wired backplane that employs “long reach” serializer/deserializer (SerDes) links, but this type of architecture is complicated, costly, and uses a considerable amount of power. To address some of these issues, a new wireless backplane architecture is provided here. This wireless backplane employs direct millimeter wave links between line cards that replaces the convention, wired switching fabric.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems are provided for processing Fibre Channel Fabric Login frames by a FCoE device interconnection apparatus (FIA) and a FCoE device interconnection apparatus controller (FIAC). A Fabric Login (FLOGI) Fibre Channel frame is encapsulated into a Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) FIP FLOGI frame at a Fibre Channel device interconnection apparatus (FIA). The encapsulated frame is transmitted from the FIA to a FCoE device interconnection apparatus controller (FIAC). A FIP link service accept (LS_ACC) frame is transmitted by the FIAC to the FIA, and the FIP LS_ACC frame is received by the FIA. The FIP frame is decapsulated into a Fibre Channel LS_ACC frame at the FIA. The Fibre Channel LS_ACC frame is transmitted back to the said Fibre Channel device.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for processing location service messages in a satellite position location system is described. In one example, a mobile receiver includes a satellite signal receiver, wireless circuitry, and at least one module. The satellite signal receiver is configured to receive satellite positioning system signals, such as Global Positioning System (GPS) signals. The wireless circuitry is configured to communicate location service messages between the mobile receiver and a server through a cellular communication network. The location service messages may include any type of data related to A-GPS operation, such as assistance data, position data, request and response data, and the like. The at least one module is configured to provide a user-plane interface and a control-plane interface between the satellite signal receiver and the wireless transceiver.

Abstract: A communication device and a method concerning the operation of a communication device is provided. The method may include integrating a device control protocol into a point-to-point-protocol (PPP) frame, such that the integrated device control protocol can be separated by means of an identifier. Also, a logic channel between an application layer and a physical layer of the communication device is provided via the integrated device control protocol. At least one virtual serial interface may be provided within the communication device that is configured to use a device control protocol integrated into the PPP frame. The virtual serial interface includes at least one logic channel for an access of applications in an application layer to units of a physical layer of the communication device.

Abstract: A system and method for providing network connectivity to a host, involving creating a virtual switch on the host, specifying at least one data link attribute of the virtual switch, creating a plurality of virtual network interface cards (VNICs) on the host, associating each of the plurality of VNICs with the virtual switch, and assigning the at least one data link attribute of the virtual switch to each of the plurality of VNICs, where the virtual switch is connected to a physical network interface card (NIC) associated with the host, where each of the plurality of VNICs is associated with a different one of a plurality of execution environments, where the plurality of execution environments is located on the host, and where the plurality of VNICs is located on the host.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus is provided that may include an integrated circuit including switch circuitry to determine, at least in part, an action to be executed involving a packet. This determination may be based, at least in part, upon flow information determined, at least in part, from the packet, and packet processing policy information. The circuitry may examine the policy information to determine whether a previously-established packet processing policy has been established that corresponds, at least in part, to the flow information. If the circuitry determines, at least in part, that the policy has not been established and the packet is a first packet in a flow corresponding at least in part to the flow information, the switch circuitry may request that at least one switch control program module establish, at least in part, a new packet processing policy corresponding, at least in part, to the flow information.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system that includes a switch and a buffer-management technique for storing signals in the system are described. In this system, data cells are dynamically assigned from a host buffer to at least a subset of switch-ingress buffers in the switch based at least in part on the occupancy of the switch-ingress buffers. This buffer-management technique may reduce the number of switch-ingress buffers relative to the number of input and output ports to the switch, which in turn may overcome the limitations posed by the amount of memory available on chips, thereby facilitating large switches.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for integrating a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) client in a wireless PC card are disclosed. A soft mobile phone client is combined with a cellular PC card to create a single physical device that is capable of providing VoIP services to a computer user through the cellular capabilities of the device itself, or alternatively, through any other Internet connectivity available to the computer. When a user inserts the VoIP client/Cellular PC Card into a computer, a graphical user interface (GUI) within the connection manager software is launched allowing the user to communicate VoIP function commands to the VoIP client. A check for Internet connectivity may be performed, at which time the Radio portion of the enhanced PC card may be put into an idle state if connectivity is detected, or may alternatively establish Internet connectivity through the cellular portion of the enhanced PC card.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that can be performed in at least one network node which provides wireless communications service for user equipment nodes (UEs). The method includes detecting uplink interference at an interfered network node. Responsive to the uplink interference, an uplink transmission having a defined configuration is initiated from a UE, which is served by a serving network node. The uplink signal is detected using the defined configuration at the interfered network node. The UE is identified responsive to the detected uplink signal as being a contributor to the uplink interference. An uplink transmission by the UE and/or by another UE served by the serving network node is controlled to reduce uplink interference.

Abstract: A power aware Point-Of-Presence design and auto-configuration method is disclosed for configuring which network elements within a point-of-presence are powered so as to accommodate anticipated traffic while minimizing power consumption. The IP power aware Point-Of-Presence design and auto-configuration method includes a set of activation thresholds associated with each port in the Point-of-Presence that indicates that the port should be activated when the traffic demand exceeds the threshold. The power aware Point-Of-Presence design and auto-configuration method is particularly useful for providing a configuration which accounts for both external and internal link traffic demand and has the further advantage of ordering the port activation such that only a minimum number of activation and deactivation operations to satisfy a new demand is required. This property is advantageous for limiting the routing instabilities caused by topological changes in response to varying demand.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provides techniques for a handshaking protocol, and corresponding circuit elements, for an asynchronous network. The techniques utilize a clock-less delay insensitive data encoding scheme. The proposed network may operate correctly regardless of the delay in the interconnecting wires.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a converged protocol stack can be used to unify communications from a first communication protocol to a second communication protocol to provide for data transfer across a physical interconnect. This stack can be incorporated in an apparatus that includes a protocol stack for a first communication protocol including transaction and link layers, and a physical (PHY) unit coupled to the protocol stack to provide communication between the apparatus and a device coupled to the apparatus via a physical link. This PHY unit may include a physical unit circuit according to the second communication protocol. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A vehicle, comprises a vehicle network bus and a mobile router. The mobile router comprises a local area network interface comprising a first wireless transceiver of a first predetermined type to provide a link to first a local area network and a wide area network interface comprising a second wireless transceiver of a second predetermined type to provide a link to a wide area network. One of the wide area network interface and the local area network interface is selectively operable to establish a wireless communication link with a network management system comprising a communication server. The router further comprises an application executable by the at least one processor to selectively acquire predetermined data from the vehicle network bus. The communication agent is operable to upload the predetermined data to the network management system.

Abstract: A matrix router and method of switching comprising a combined input stage and output stage (I/O stage) having m matrix switch(es), each matrix switch having n inputs and n outputs, each input of said n inputs switchable within said matrix switch to any output of said n outputs, k core outputs and k core inputs, each input of said n inputs switchable to any core output of said k core outputs and each core input of said k core inputs switchable to any output of said n outputs; and a core stage having a matrix switch at least with m times k core stage inputs and at least m times k core stage outputs, each core stage input connected to one core output of said I/O stage, and each core stage output connected to one core input of said I/O stage, where m, n and k are integers and m?1, n?2, k?n.

Abstract: A data and voice communication system includes communication between a line card and an accelerator card. Voice, data, and control traffic is received from the line card and is transmitted to the accelerator card via a physical link having separate voice, data, and control logical channels. The separate voice, data, and control logical channels are represented by labeled data packets.

Abstract: A network device configured to allow the connection of the network device to a network in a daisy chain configuration using a single cable. The network device is connected to a cable with two conductors by a socket that is adapted to receive a plug connected to the end of the cable. When the plug on the end of a cable is inserted into the socket, a first conductor in the cable is connected to an input port of a network component and a second conductor of the cable is connected to an output port of a network component. A signal from the network is transmitted down a first conductor in a cable to a network device and the signal is then transmitted back from the network device down a second conductor in the same cable.

Abstract: An interface includes three sub-interfaces. A first and second sub-interface receive first/second inbound IQ data streams, respectively, packetize the first/second inbound IQ data streams to obtain first/second inbound IQ data packets, respectively, and transmit the first/second inbound IQ data packets to the baseband processor via a first/second set of RX lanes, respectively. Each first/second inbound IQ data packet comprises a data packet identifier out of a common set of possible data packet identifiers. A third sub-interface receives outbound IQ data packets from the baseband processor via a TX lane, and depacketizes the outbound IQ data packets to obtain an outbound IQ data stream. The third sub-interface receives an RX not-acknowledge signal via the TX lane that identifies a defective first or second inbound IQ data packet within the first/second inbound IQ data packets.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and apparatus for mitigating port swapping during signal tracking. The method and apparatus generally include acquiring a first signal characteristic corresponding to a signal assigned to a first port, comparing the first signal characteristic to a second previously acquired signal characteristic, and assigning the signal to a second port if the first and second signal characteristics vary. Such a configuration mitigates port swapping without requiring signals to include identification information, thereby enabling assignment of signals corresponding to any format or source.

Abstract: Access control methods include receiving an access authorization message from an authentication server computer at a blocking device that connects a first network to a second network, modifying access criteria of a transparent firewall at the blocking device responsive to the received access authorization message and operating the transparent firewall according to the modified access criteria to control transfer of messages between the first and second networks. The invention may also be implemented as apparatus and computer readable media.

Abstract: A device server intended for attaching serial devices to a network includes Ethernet communications, an Ethernet switch, and serial communication capability so that multiple device servers are connected in a “daisy chain” or series pattern. Galvanic isolation of the power supply from the housing and communication ports, screw terminal and modular connections, DIN rail mounting, broad power supply voltage ranges or “Power-over-Ethernet” and operator visible indicator lamps with a pulse stretching feature greatly simplify installation and use.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to de-multiplexing at least one RF input signal feeding RF power amplifier circuitry to create multiple de-multiplexed RF output signals, which may be used to provide RF transmit signals in an RF communications system. Output transformer circuitry is coupled to outputs from the RF power amplifier circuitry to provide the de-multiplexed RF output signals, which may support multiple modes, multiple frequency bands, or both. The de-multiplexed RF output signals may be used in place of RF switching elements in certain embodiments. As a result, RF front-end switching circuitry in the RF communications system may be simplified, thereby reducing insertion losses, reducing costs, reducing size, or any combination thereof. Additionally, the output transformer circuitry may provide load line transformation, output transistor biasing, or both to the RF power amplifier circuitry.

Abstract: The present invention provides techniques for use in audience-related measurements, including hybrid techniques which include use of panel-based audience-related measurement information and census-based audience-related measurement information. Techniques are provided in which panel-based audience-related measurement information is obtained from multiple providing entities, and census-based audience-related measurement information is obtained one or more providing entities. The obtained information is stored in a database. The stored information may be provided to the information-providing entities, and may be used in calibrating or improving the accuracy of audience-related measurements.

Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a wireless terminal may include an application subsystem and a communication subsystem. The communication subsystem in one embodiment may enable a virtual direct interface to a remote network to be presented to the application subsystem via a wireless communication system air link interface. The communication subsystem may allow applications of the application subsystem to be independent of any particular radio technology or network implementation of a wireless communication system air link interface. Once a session is established between the communication subsystem and the wireless communication system air link interface, the application subsystem may gain access to the remote network through the communication subsystem via a transport interface.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide network interface devices and systems and methods for using them. For instance, a system in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention comprises a network interface device adapted to receive a plurality of sets of telecommunication information (telecommunication can include, inter alia, voice signals, Internet Protocol data, audio signals, data representing encoded audio signals, video signals and data representing encoded video signals) and distribute at least one of the plurality to a customer premises. The system can further include a control point operable to transmit configuration information to the network interface device. The configuration information can be operable to configure the behavior of the network interface device with respect to one or more of the information sets.

Abstract: A security system includes at least one audio sensor and an alarm panel that transmits alarm report data through a communications network to at least one alarm receiver located at a central station remote from the premises that receives the alarm report data transmitted from the alarm panel through the communications network. A line card receives the alarm report data. An alarm receiver processor receives and processes regulated alarm report data in accordance with Underwriter Laboratories 1610 requirements. The line card is operable for receiving non-regulated alarm report data that is not regulated in accordance with Underwriter Laboratories 1610 requirements. The line card includes a secondary communications channel interfaced to a central station automation system and routes the regulated alarm report data to the central station automation system over the secondary communications channel and bypasses the alarm receiver processor.

Abstract: Linecards and methods for processing signals are provided.

Abstract: An Ethernet communication circuit includes: a current source; a first transistor coupled between a first node and a third node, and having a control terminal coupled with a first signal pin; a second transistor coupled between the first node and a fourth node, and having a control terminal coupled with a second signal pin; a third transistor coupled between a second node and the fourth node, and having a control terminal coupled with a third signal pin; a fourth transistor coupled between the second node and the third node, and having a control terminal coupled with a fourth signal pin; a first switch coupled between the third node and the current source; a second switch coupled between the fourth node and the current source; and a transconductance circuit for generating an output voltage according to the current passing through the first node and the current passing through the second node.

Abstract: A digital rack interface pod (DRIP) that is able to establish a communications link between a remote access appliance and a server having a USB port and a video port, to facilitate a keyboard/video/mouse (KVM) session between the server and the appliance. The DRIP is also able to establish a communications link between the appliance and an Ethernet port of the server that is associated with a service processor (SP) of the server. In this manner the DRIP is able to route data from the SP of the server to the appliance as well as communications from the appliance to the SP Ethernet port of the server. The DRIP is able to intelligently determine which packets of information received from the appliance are intended for the SP Ethernet port of the server and routes those packets to the SP Ethernet port of the server.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining an indication that a state associated with a node is to be changed and preventing data from being received on a first link. The method also includes updating at least one selected from a group including an incoming interface check (IIC) table and an outgoing interface (OIF) table to reflect the state. The state indicates that a second link is to be activated. Finally, the method includes allowing the data to be received on the second link after updating either or both the IIC table and the OIF table and after the timer duration for the NULL value for IIC has expired.

Abstract: A high-speed switch that includes a switch fabric, and both high-speed serial ports and data converter physical ports. A first set of data converter physical ports may perform analog-to-digital conversions, such that an external analog signal may be converted to a digital input signal on the switch. The converted digital input signal may then be routed through the switch fabric in accordance with a serial data protocol. A second set of data converter physical ports may perform digital-to-analog conversions, such that an internal digital signal received from the switch fabric may be converted to an analog output signal on the switch. The converted analog output signal may then be transmitted to an external destination in accordance with a serial data protocol.

Abstract: An integrated circuit chip implements a high-speed switch that includes: a switch fabric; control logic that controls the transmission of digital signals through the switch fabric; a transceiver block comprising one or more transceivers, each transmitting digital signals between the control logic and a corresponding external device; a data converter physical interface comprising one or more data converters, each performing a conversion between analog and digital signals, wherein digital signals associated with the one or more data converters are routed through the switch fabric; and a signal processing engine coupled to the control logic, wherein the signal processing engine performs on-chip processing of digital signals received from the transceiver block and the data converter physical interface.

Abstract: Switching between communication ports of a notebook is typically accomplished using an off-chip local area network (LAN) switch or an off-chip high speed analog multiplexer. This off-chip component is disadvantageous for several reasons, including: added cost of an additional component; increased overall power consumption because transmit amplitude loss; and reduced cable reach and link performance due to hybrid mismatch and signal distortions. To reduce cost and preserve electrical and networking performance, an integrated switch is provided to multiplex signals of a networking communication chip to multiple network paths.

Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a wireless terminal may include an application subsystem and a communication subsystem. The communication subsystem in one embodiment may enable a virtual direct interface to a remote network to be presented to the application subsystem via a wireless communication system air link interface. The communication subsystem may allow applications of the application subsystem to be independent of any particular radio technology or network implementation of a wireless communication system air link interface. Once a session is established between the communication subsystem and the wireless communication system air link interface, the application subsystem may gain access to the remote network through the communication subsystem via a transport interface.

Abstract: A method for data security policy enforcement including inspecting incoming and outgoing data packets from a server computing device for attributes in accordance with a data security policy, processing the data packets in accordance with the security policy based on the inspected attributes, and routing the data packets in accordance with the security policy based on the inspected attributes, wherein incoming and outgoing data from the server computing device composed of the data packets is processed and routed in accordance with the security policy on a per-packet basis. A system and computer program product is also provided.

Abstract: A network device can implement configurable socket aggregation to enable segmentation offload in the network device. In one embodiment, it is determined, at the network device, to create a network socket for an application of the network device to initiate a network connection for the application. Socket aggregation parameters are determined for the network socket associated with the application. The network socket is defined based, at least in part, on the socket aggregation parameters. A plurality of packets received from the application associated with the network socket are aggregated. It is determined, based on said aggregating the plurality of packets, whether at least one aggregation limit associated with the socket aggregation parameters is reached. An aggregate packet is provided to a network adapter of the network device to perform segmentation offload in response to said determining that at least one aggregation limit associated with the socket aggregation parameters is reached.

Abstract: A network switch includes a first network port, a second network port, and a port virtualization module associated with the first network port. The port virtualization module determines that a device coupled to the first network port includes a first virtual network interface and provides a second virtual network interface on the first network port. The second virtual network interface is associated with the first virtual network interface. The network switch provides an aggregation zone including the second network port, the first virtual network interface, and the second virtual network interface.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a converged protocol stack can be used to unify communications from a first communication protocol to a second communication protocol to provide for data transfer across a physical interconnect. This stack can be incorporated in an apparatus that includes a protocol stack for a first communication protocol including transaction and link layers, and a physical (PHY) unit coupled to the protocol stack to provide communication between the apparatus and a device coupled to the apparatus via a physical link. This PHY unit may include a physical unit circuit according to the second communication protocol. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, apparatus and method for modularly adapting a network node architecture to function in one of a plurality of potential node types. The architecture includes a configurable switching element, integrated optics, and a plurality of modules that allow a “type” of node to be adapted and configured within the base architecture. The module interfaces may be optical or electrical and be used to construct various different types of nodes including regenerators, add/drop nodes, terminal nodes, and multi-way nodes using the same base architecture.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a converged protocol stack can be used to unify communications from a first communication protocol to a second communication protocol to provide for data transfer across a physical interconnect. This stack can be incorporated in an apparatus that includes a protocol stack for a first communication protocol including transaction and link layers, and a physical (PHY) unit coupled to the protocol stack to provide communication between the apparatus and a device coupled to the apparatus via a physical link. This PHY unit may include a physical unit circuit according to the second communication protocol. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a DSL transceiver configured to transit to a DSL wait state in which a power transmitted from the DSL transceiver to a local-end line is substantially reduced in response to an interruption or substantial stop at the DSL transceiver of reception of DSL communications from the local-end line. The DSL transceiver is configured to transmit to the local-end line a DSL acknowledge signal in response to receiving from the local-end line a DSL wait signal. The DSL transceiver is configured to resume to transmit DSL communications to the local-end line at a power substantially higher than the power transmitted thereto in the DSL wait state in response either to receiving from the local-end line DSL transmissions at a substantially higher power than received there from in the DSL wait state or to receiving from the local-end line a second DSL acknowledge signal.

Abstract: A method for controlling a multi-port Network Interface Card (NIC) is provided. In a computer using the multi-port NIC with a plurality of NIC ports, a plurality of control options is set into a Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) setup menu, so that a user individually controls the NIC ports. Furthermore, due to the characteristic that after a reference code process in the BIOS restarts a system, the set of hardware becomes effective, an action of controlling the NIC ports is set before a reference code process restarts the system.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first switch circuit in an active mode and a second switch circuit in a standby mode. The apparatus receives high-priority packets and low-priority packets. Each switch circuit stores the high-priority packets and the low-priority packets into first and second buffers, respectively. The each switch circuit performs packet-readout processing reading out a packet from the first and second buffers where the packet-readout processing is performed on the first buffer on a priority basis. The apparatus controls the first switch circuit so that a back-pressure time for the high-priority packets becomes longer with increasing amount of data transmitted by the high-priority packets, when a low-priority packet outputted from the first switch circuit is determined to be a packet that has been received at a first time that is later than a second time at which another low-priority packet outputted from the second switch circuit has been received.

Abstract: A backbone network, comprising a first switch comprising a first port configured to communicate a data stream via an Ethernet interface, and a second port configured to communicate the data stream via a SONET/SDH interface, and a second switch comprising a third port configured to receive the data stream from the first switch via the Ethernet interface, wherein the first switch and the second switch are synchronized.