Abstract: There is provided a communication apparatus that includes: a plurality of wireless interfaces; a storage unit configured to store, for a past established connection, connection history information associating a network identifier with an interface identifier of one of the plurality of wireless interfaces; and a communication control unit configured to select, based on the connection history information, one of the plurality of wireless interfaces, and transmit a connection request to another apparatus using the selected wireless interface.

Abstract: A low-cost cryptographic accelerator is disclosed that accelerates inner loops of a cryptographic process. The cryptographic accelerator performs operations on cryptographic data provided by a central processing unit (CPU) running a software cryptographic process to create a combined hardware and software cryptographic process, resulting in a lower cost secure communication solution than software-only or hardware-only cryptographic processes.

Abstract: A network device receives a data packet including a source address and a destination address. The network device drops the data packet before it reaches the destination address and generates an error message indicating that the data packet has been dropped. The network device encapsulates the error message with a segment routing header comprising a list of segments. The first segment of the list of segments in the segment routing header identifies a remote server, and at least one additional segment is an instruction for handling the error message. The network device sends the encapsulated error message to the remote server based on the first segment of the segment routing header.

Abstract: In one illustrative example, an interface between a user plane function (UPF) instance of a mobile network and a tunnel router endpoint of an enterprise software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) fabric is provided. The UPF instance may be part of a network slice that is (uniquely) associated with an enterprise of the enterprise SD-WAN. A plurality of mappings between policies associated with different QoS flows via the UPF instance and SD-WAN policies associated with different virtual private networks (VPNs) of the SD-WAN fabric may be maintained. Each VPN of the SD-WAN fabric may be associated with a different underlying transport mechanism that satisfies characteristics of a specific SD-WAN policy. Communications for user equipment (UE) in the mobile network may be facilitated across the SD-WAN fabric based on the policy mappings.

Abstract: Circuits and methods are disclosed that, in embodiments, may be used for low power memory signal readout. In an embodiment, the circuit comprises a front end stage including an impedance conversion network for receiving a signal and providing voltage or current gain, and a wideband multiplier for receiving an output signal from the impedance conversion network and converting the output signal to differential output signals; and a baseband stage including a voltage mode mixer for receiving the differential output signals from the wideband multiplier and providing voltage gain, and a bandpass filter/amplifier for receiving a mixer output signal from the voltage mode mixer and filtering and amplifying the mixer output signal; and wherein DC voltages of the front-end stage are biased independently of a biasing of DC voltages of the baseband stage.

Abstract: A method for assigning a server to provide a resource to a client in a distributed network includes receiving a request for the resource from the client. A network metric is measured at different points in the network. The network metric measurements are input to a deep learning model. Using the model, the network metric is predicted between the client and each of a plurality candidate servers which have the resource and have not had a prior connection with the client. One of the candidate servers is assigned to provide the resource to the client based on the predictions of the network metric.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for transmitting and receiving signals in a mobile communication system are provided. A method for transmitting a signal by an evolved Node B (eNB) in a mobile communication system includes transmitting a same control channel signal to each of a plurality of Radio Units (RUs), and transmitting a different data channel signal to each of the plurality of RUs. A data channel signal transmitted to each of the plurality of RUs may be determined taking into account at least one of a location of a User Equipment (UE) that will receive the data channel signal, and load balancing.

Abstract: The present application discloses a communication processing method and apparatus. A specific implementation of the method includes: receiving, through a tunnel bridge to a first physical machine, a packet sent from a virtual machine, the first physical machine being a host machine of the virtual machine; determining whether the packet is an Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) request packet, and obtaining a destination address of the packet; if the packet is the ARP request packet and a destination address of the packet is not an address of a virtual machine in the first physical machine, writing a predetermined pseudo physical address into an ARP response and returning the ARP response; and if the packet is not the ARP request packet, sending the packet to a terminal associated with the destination address of the packet. This implementation reduces load of network nodes.

Abstract: A terminal receives a first request by a client for a slice of a data stream, and transmits the request to a streaming server. The terminal receives a first request by another client for the slice of the data stream and, in response, transmits the first request by the other client to the streaming server. The terminal receives a multicast packet that encapsulates the slice of the data stream, and extracts the slice. The terminal, then responds to the first request, by sending the client the extracted slice.

Abstract: A multicast frame directed to a plurality of devices coupled to a network can be received, where the plurality of devices comprising at least one intended recipient device and at least one unintended recipient device. A destination unicast address corresponding to an intended recipient device can be identified. The multicast frame can be converted into a unicast frame directed to the intended recipient device, the unicast frame configured with the destination unicast address. The unicast frame can be blocked from accessing the unintended recipient device. The unicast frame can be provided to the intended recipient device.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for providing effective scheduling of resources of each cell and each carrier to a User Equipment (UE) when there are a plurality of cells and carriers in a carrier aggregation mobile communication system. A communication method of a Base Station (BS) includes: obtaining a mapping relation between a cell and a carrier for each UE; receiving scheduling information for each cell; distributing data of each UE to one of cells corresponding to UEs by using the mapping relation between the carrier and the cell and the scheduling information for each cell; and scheduling the distributed data. When a multi-carrier multi-cell scheduler to which a carrier aggregation technology is applied is implemented, the existing single carrier single cell scheduler can be re-used and the time required for the scheduling can be reduced by processing schedulers in parallel.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an information handling system may include a processor, a management controller communicatively coupled to the processor and configured to provide out-of-band management of the information handling system, and an interface for communicatively coupling the management controller to a second information handling system external to the information handling system for out-of-band management of the information handling system. The management controller may be further configured to serve as a proxy between one or more target management controllers of one or more other information handling systems and the second information handling system to facilitate out-of-band management of the one or more other information handling systems by the second information handling system while communicatively coupled to the interface.

Abstract: A boundary detection device includes a decorrelation filter and a boundary detector. The decorrelation filter is configured to output an output signal that has a decreased level with respect to an input signal when the input signal has a predetermined signal pattern, and that has a non-decreased level with respect to the input signal when the input signal does not have the predetermined signal pattern. The boundary detector is configured to detect an end of the predetermined signal pattern in the input signal, based on the output signal.

Abstract: A personal construction method and device are provided, the method includes: obtaining log information of a user; filtering the log information to obtain a key field of the log information; extracting a tag identifier of the key field; obtaining tag information based on the tag identifier and the key field, wherein the tag information comprises the number of times the tag identifier appears within a first predetermined time period; determining a category of interest corresponding to the identifier information based on the tag identifier; and obtaining a user interest degree corresponding to the category of interest based on the tag information.

Abstract: Techniques for automated Bayesian posterior sampling using Markov Chain Monte Carlo and related schemes are described. In an embodiment, one or more values in an accuracy phase for a system configured for Bayesian sampling may be initialized. Sampling may be performed in the accuracy phase based upon the one or more values to generate a plurality of samples. The plurality of samples may be evaluated based upon one or more accuracy criteria. The accuracy phase may be exited when the plurality of samples meets the one or more accuracy criteria. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatuses, methods, a system, computer programs, computer program products and computer-readable media.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for transmitting data in a wireless communication system for supporting multi-cells formed of a plurality of sub-cells. The method includes the steps of: connecting at least one virtual transmission port to each of the plurality of sub-cells; determining the transmission mode for a terminal on the basis of channel states between at least two of the plurality of sub-cells and the terminal; and transmitting data for each sub-cell to the terminal through at least one virtual transmission port connected to a corresponding sub-cell on the basis of the determined transmission mode.

Abstract: According to the present invention, in an optical transmission system optically transmitting an optical signal between a first camera adaptor provided to a first video camera, a second camera adaptor provided to a second video camera, and a base station provided at a position remote from the video cameras, the first camera adaptor converts a first electric signal including a video signal component from the first video camera into a first optical signal and transmits the first optical signal to the second camera adaptor. The second camera adaptor receives the first optical signal, converts a second electric signal including a video signal from the second video camera into a second optical signal, and transmits the first and second optical signals to the base station. The base station receives the first and second optical signals, converts the received optical signals into the first and second electric signals, and outputs the electric signals to an external device.

Abstract: A method is provided comprising: receiving a constant bit rate video stream representing a single video from a video source via a managed broadband connection; converting the constant bit rate video stream into a single non-adaptive bit rate video stream by modifying a video transport stack of the video to be compatible with a home device media player video transport stack; modifying a video control stack of the video to be compatible with a device in a home network; adding a home networking transport stack to the video stream, wherein the home networking transport stack is such that it would appear to the device in the home network as if the video stream came from a server local to the home network; and delivering the video stream to a device in the home network.

Abstract: A first adaptor implements a first communication protocol and a second adaptor implements a converged network protocol, which facilitates communication of packets encoded with a second communication protocol with a third communication protocol network. Parameters are configured in a memory for communication between the first adaptor and the second adaptor in the converged network protocol to indicate to the second adaptor that the converged network protocol is supported, wherein the first adaptor does not support the converged network protocol. A packet is received at the first adaptor encoded in the second communication protocol and forwarded to the second adaptor to forward to the third communication protocol network. A command is received at the second adaptor, directed to the first adaptor, to implement a function in the converged network protocol using the parameters in the memory to support transmission of packets between the first and the second adaptors.

Abstract: A bridge interfaces a first network protocol and a second network interface protocol. Each of a plurality of mapping windows is defined by corresponding mapping parameters defining a space in the first protocol and defining the mapping window translation rules to the second network protocol. Transaction requests in the first network protocol are selectively associated with the mapping windows.

Abstract: A network or other type of processor operates to switch packets from an incoming cell stream to an outgoing cell stream. Each received and transmitted cell in a cell stream includes portions of packets, or complete packets or both. Packets are reassembled from incoming cells, and outgoing cells may be created from portions of packets, complete packets or both. The packets in the outgoing cells may be from incoming packets, switched reassembled packets or both. Each incoming and outgoing cell is associated with one virtual channel, and each virtual channel for an outgoing cell may be different from the virtual channel corresponding to the incoming cell or cells from which a packet was reassembled. Switched packets also may have their conversation identifications changed. Partial packets or partial cells that are awaiting completion are retained such that switching capabilities associated with the virtual channel and channel identification modifications may be used.

Abstract: In Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) communications networks, certain congestion control features, such as Partial Packet Discard (PPD) and Early Packet Discard (EPD), operate on ATM cells that have been segmented from ATM Adaptation Layer #5 (AAL5) frames (packets). AAL5 frames are automatically detected by observing transitions of an indicator in the ATM cell header unique to AAL5 traffic. Automatic detection of AAL5 traffic allows enablement of packet-aware cell discarding techniques such as PPD and EPD on a Virtual Channel Connection (VCC) basis, whether in a switch for a VCC or for a Virtual Path Connection (VPC) to which the VCC belongs.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a controller for managing several managed switching elements that forward data in a network. The controller includes an interface for receiving input logical control plane data. It also includes a converter for converting the input logical control plane data to output logical forwarding plane data. The logical forwarding plane data for subsequent translation into a set of physical forwarding behaviors that direct the forwarding of data by the managed switching elements.

Abstract: A system and method suitable for processing television signals includes a local collection facility that has a plurality of receivers receiving a plurality of channel signals, a plurality of encoders generating a first plurality of encoded signals from the plurality of channel signals, a multiplexer multiplexing the first plurality of encoded signals at a multiplexer to form first multiplexed signals, an ATM switch forming a primary ATM circuit between the local collection facility and the remote facility, and an ATM network adapter forming first ATM cells from the multiplexed signals and communicating the first ATM cells to a remote facility through the primary ATM circuit and the ATM switch. The system also includes a remote facility that includes a monitoring system generating control signals to tear down the primary ATM circuit and communicating the control signal to tear down the primary ATM circuit to the local collection facility.

Abstract: An Ethernet switch can receive an internet protocol query packet generated by a receiver for collecting telemetry data between a source and the receiver in a multicast network, translate the internet protocol query packet to an Ethernet query packet, collect in the Ethernet query packet telemetry data from the Ethernet switch where at least one telemetry field of the Ethernet Switch includes an arrival time of the Ethernet query packet at the Ethernet switch, and submit the Ethernet query packet to the next network element of the multicast network. An internet protocol router can receive an Ethernet query packet generated by an Ethernet switch having at least one field for telemetry for collecting telemetry data between a source and a receiver, translate the Ethernet query packet to an internet protocol query packet, and submit the internet protocol query packet to the next network element. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: In general, techniques are described that facilitate scalable wholesale layer two (L2) connectivity between customers and service providers and a demarcation between the L2 wholesale network and one or more ISPs with which customers communicate L2 PDUs. In one example, a network device receives PDU having both a service identifier identifying a service virtual local area network (SVLAN) and a customer identifier identifying a customer VLAN (CVLAN). A virtual switch determines whether an entry of a L2 learning table is associated with both the service identifier and the customer identifier of the PDU. When no such entry exists, a VLAN learning module updates the L2 learning table to create a new entry that maps to a network device interface and is associated with both the service identifier of the PDU and a plurality of customer identifiers that includes the customer identifier of the PDU.

Abstract: A method and system for maintaining quality of service parameters for transmissions as a native Ethernet service between a first network having a first communication protocol and a second network having a second communication protocol that is different from the first communication protocol. The interworking device includes a first network interface operable to communicate with the first communication network using the first communication protocol, a second network interface operable to communicate with the second communication network using second communication protocol and a processing unit in communication with the first network interface and the second network interface. The processing unit receives a frame from the first network in the first communication protocol, maps parameters corresponding to quality of service parameters in the first communication protocol to quality of service parameters in the second communication protocol and assembles a data packet in the second communication protocol.

Abstract: A system and method for interface association between an ATM interface and a GigE/IP interface of a routing switch platform (RSP) to enable network management of a redundant pair of RSPs which serve as an interface between GigE/IP and ATM are provided.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are described for a central station to allocate virtual IP addresses. A device service manager server (DSM) has a network access module configured to cooperate with two or more device service controllers (DSCs). The DSM serves as a central management station for allocating and assigning Virtual IP addresses to network devices to proxy communications for networked devices on a local area network (LAN) where each DSC resides. The DSM is located exterior from the network devices on the LAN where communications associated with the assigned VIP addresses are being routed to. The DSM assigns a Virtual IP Addresses to each DSC and establishes a route from the assigned Virtual IP address to a destination network device on a LAN, based on corresponding DSC and network device information stored in a registry of the DSM.

Abstract: A method and a device for mapping Ethernet code blocks to an optical transport network (OTN) for transmission is provided. According to a preset mapping manner, four groups of 10 Gigabit (10G) Ethernet code blocks are uniformly mapped to a payload area of a general frame provision (GFP) frame, or each group of 10G Ethernet code blocks is interleaved into the payload area of each row of the OTN frame. Thus, specific solutions for mapping four groups of 10G Ethernet code blocks having an encoding rate smaller than the minimum payload bandwidth of the OPU3 to the OTN for transmission are provided, thereby achieving transparent transmission without changing the mature OTN architecture.

Abstract: A method to transmit and receive Internet protocol data packets comprising running an Internet protocol application, outputting an Internet protocol data packet based on the running of the Internet protocol application and transmitting the Internet protocol data packet via a physical layer compliant with Ethernet first mile standards.

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: Described embodiments provide for a reassembly system for processing an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) cell of data into an ATM adaptation layer (AAL) packet. A preprocessor module identifies a first conversation identification of one or more minipackets in the ATM cell, and reassembles the one or more minipackets having the first conversation identification into a portion of the AAL packet. A preprocessor determines if a trigger has occurred. In response to a trigger, the preprocessor sends a portion of the reassembled minipackets having the first conversation identification to a destination processor.

Abstract: A system and method provide random access to a multimedia object over a network. One embodiment of the invention includes a streaming media server that is connected to a client computer over a network. The streaming media server includes at least one multimedia object that is adapted for transmission (“streaming”) across the network. A pre-roll calculation program determines a pre-roll for each segment of the multimedia object and generates a modified multimedia object which includes a pre-roll for each of its segments, a pre-roll identifying a portion of the multimedia object to be transmitted by the streaming media server and received by the client computer prior to playback of the multimedia object at a selected segment. The pre-roll allows the client computer to present, starting at a selected segment, the multimedia object in its entirety without interruption.

Abstract: In accordance with a specific aspect of the present invention, a compressed video stream, such as an MPEG-2 video stream, is received by a transport demultiplexor, synchronized, parsed into separate packet types, and written to buffer locations external the demultiplexor. Adaptation field is handled by a separate parser. In addition, primary elementary stream data can be handled by separate primary elementary stream parsers based upon the packet identifier of the primary elementary stream. Video packets can be parsed based upon stream identifier values. Specific packets of data are stored in one or more system memory or video memory buffers by an output controller based upon allocation table information. Private data associated with specific elementary streams or packet adaptation fields are repacketized, and written to an output buffer location. In specific implementations, the hardware associated with the system is used to acquire the data stream without any knowledge of the specific protocol of the stream.

Abstract: A relay for use in telecommunications equipment, said relay comprising: a receiver (R) adapted to receive an information stream consisting of information cells, some of which can be empty, a mixer (M) adapted to detect the empty cells and replace them with waiting cells, and a transmitter (E) adapted to transmit the cells to a receiver, which relay is characterized in that it further comprises a stream analyzer (A) for determining if an information stream is a real-time information stream or a differed-time information stream and for storing differed-time stream cells in a mass memory (MM), and in that said mixer is adapted to choose said waiting cells from among the cells stored in said mass memory.

Abstract: The subject matter described herein includes methods, systems, and computer program products for transferring a message service payload between messaging entities. According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a method for intelligently processing a message service payload being transmitted between messaging entities. A messaging service message comprising a payload being transmitted from an N-generation messaging entity to an M-generation messaging entity is received at a core network, wherein N and M are integers. The payload is decoded to identify a service to be provided. An action is performed to facilitate the providing of the identified service.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an converter for changing network data into asynchronous transfer mode data for cellular transmission as a digital subscriber line signal, and for reconstructing network data from a cellular reception of a digital subscriber line signal.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing an initial network entry and/or handover (INE/HO) Link Budget (LB) Bottleneck in a communications network, for example, a Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) network described in the IEEE 802.16 specification, is arranged such that a Base Station (BS) may allocate bandwidth with repetition across at least two frames on Initial Network Entry/Handover (INE/HO) by a Mobile Station. By doing so, the BS may achieve increased system gain on INE, while reducing the number of subchannels conventionally associated with repetition, thereby reducing the system noise floor during INE/HO.

Abstract: A method of transmitting a tributary in synchronous mode at the level of a link of a data network is disclosed. The tributary comprising at least one frame including at least one payload envelope area and one transport overhead area. The envelope area includes at least one payload and load supervision data related thereto. The transport overhead area includes transport supervision data related and an area of fixed patterns. The method comprises modifying a frame to create a modified frame and transmitting the modified frame. Modifying the frame comprises: part of the fixed patterns are deleted from the fixed pattern area; the positions of the part of the fixed patterns deleted are recorded; replacement data are inserted at the level of the positions. The method is characterized in that the replacement data comprise the transport supervision data of the frame of the tributary.

Abstract: System and method for correlating multiple frames of data associated with a single call into a call record. One embodiment comprises correlating data in a radio access network by capturing data passing to and from a radio network controller, identifying ATM Adaptation Layer type 5 (AAL5) frames within the data, assigning a first call identifier to the AAL5 frames, identifying ATM Adaptation Layer type 2 (AAL2) frames within the data, assigning a second call identifier to the AAL2 frames, and combining AAL2 frames and AAL5 frames having a same first call identifier and a same second call identifier into a call record. The data passing to and from the first radio network controller may be data passing over an Iub interface between a Node B and the radio network controller or data passing over an Iur interface between two radio network controllers.

Abstract: In a virtual LAN, a packet forwarding apparatus forwards IP packets and L2 packets using a single switch. The packet forwarding apparatus includes a switch that switches a media access control (MAC) packet using a MAC address of the MAC packet, and a packet format converter. The packet format converter converts a packet from an input and output unit into a packet having a MAC address according to information from the input and output unit, and converts a packet output from the switch to the input and output unit to a packet format compatible with the input and output unit according to the information of the input and output unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus of transmitting data via a multi-protocol single-medium network. The method includes initializing a network; transmitting messages in the network; setting up the size and the protocol of the messages and assigning the messages to a multi-protocol stack of the PHY layer based on a network time sharing multitasking principle; assigning each of the messages to a proper time slot; checking whether or not all messages are assigned to the proper time slots; if yes, transmitting the messages; and receiving the messages by a network device and transmitting the messages to another network device via a single-medium network.

Abstract: Techniques are described for dynamically configuring an interface in a network service provider. The techniques allow dynamic configuration of, for example, a dual stacked interface that includes both Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) and Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) on the same layer 2 link. In this way, a customer network having an existing IPv4 connection to a network service provider will be able to run both IPv4 and IPv6 over the same interface. A network device within the network service provider may receive a control packet from a subscriber device. The packet may be received on an ATM hybrid permanent virtual circuit (PVC) that supports multiple interface columns. The network device is capable of auto-sensing multiple packet protocols and may dynamically create multiple interface columns over the same ATM interface based on the encapsulation type of the received packets.

Abstract: A single chip protocol converter integrated circuit (IC) capable of receiving packets generating according to a first protocol type and processing said packets to implement protocol conversion and generating converted packets of a second protocol type for output thereof, the process of protocol conversion being performed entirely within the single integrated circuit chip. The single chip protocol converter can be further implemented as a macro core in a system-on-chip (SoC) implementation, wherein the process of protocol conversion is contained within a SoC protocol conversion macro core without requiring the processing resources of a host system. Packet conversion may additionally entail converting packets generated according to a first protocol version level and processing the said packets to implement protocol conversion for generating converted packets according to a second protocol version level, but within the same protocol family type.

Abstract: A method for transmitting multicast data in a WiMax/WiBro relay system, including transmitting carrier-interference-noise ratios from UEs to corresponding Relays; selecting the minimum value among the carrier-interference-noise ratios; determining the modulation and coding mode according to the selected minimum value; transmitting the modulation and coding mode to BS; selecting a modulation and coding mode with a highest rate for multicast data on an access link; transmitting the final modulation and coding mode to the Relays; and transmitting data via the access link with the modulation and coding mode determined by the BS.

Abstract: In a communications system a transmitter is arranged to transmit asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) cells in which synchronous transfer mode (STM) channels are assembled. In order to minimize the bandwidth required at lease some of the ATM cells include one or more switch command(s) (12) that indicate a change in the activation state of one or more STM channels (11-0 to 11-n). The switch commands (12) and STM channels (11) fill the ATM cell from opposite ends of the cell. Activate switch commands comprise two bytes, a high byte including a pointer (18) pointing to the start of a block of STM channels (11) and a low byte that includes a pointer (19) that points to the channel within a block of STM channels (11) to which the switch command applies.

Abstract: Systems and methods to monitor communications to identify a communications problem are disclosed. An example method to monitor communication includes mirroring a first port on a first network element communicatively coupled to a virtual circuit to a second port on a second network element communicatively coupled to the virtual circuit, mirroring a third port on a third network element coupled to the virtual circuit to the second network element, monitoring mirrored communications data at the second network element by receiving communications data on the second port that are sent to the first port from the third port or from the first port to the third port, and analyzing the monitored communications data to identify a communications problem based on a difference between communications data mirrored from the first port and communications data mirrored from the third port.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for transmitting and receiving signals in a mobile communication system are provided. A method for transmitting a signal by an evolved Node B (eNB) in a mobile communication system includes transmitting a same control channel signal to each of a plurality of Radio Units (RUs), and transmitting a different data channel signal to each of the plurality of RUs. A data channel signal transmitted to each of the plurality of RUs may be determined taking into account at least one of a location of a User Equipment (UE) that will receive the data channel signal, and load balancing.