Abstract: A method for an access network node, and the access network node, to provide a user device access to a service enabled by an IMS network, comprising the steps of: setting up an IP tunnel for communication with the user device, sending an authentication request to the user device via the tunnel, receiving a response to the authentication request from the user device via the tunnel, authenticating the user device, sending a registration request comprising an IMPU associated with the user device to an IMS network node, receiving a confirmation message from the IMS network node that the user device is authenticated, sending an authorization confirmation message via the IP tunnel that the user device is authorized, receiving a service request via the IP tunnel from the user device to start the service, sending a service session initiation message to an application server associated with the service.

Abstract: A network router includes interfaces to receive packets, a routing engine that executes a routing protocol to maintain routing information specifying routes through a network, a packet forwarding engine forward the packets to the interfaces in accordance with the routing information, one or more advertising engine service cards comprising a packet inspection engine and an advertising engine control unit, and a set of dynamic filters that identify packets for inspection by the packet inspection engine based on characteristics of the packet. The filters direct any matching ones of the packets from the packet forwarding engine to the packet inspection engine within the advertising engine service card, and the packet inspection engine analyzes the packets to extract information from the packets based on configured advertising engine policies. The advertising engine control unit outputs commands to dynamically add and delete filters from the set of dynamic filters.

Abstract: A data communication having at least one data flow is established over a wireless interface between a radio network and a user equipment node (UE). A medium access control (MAC) layer located in a radio network node receives data units from a higher radio link control (RLC) layer located in another radio network node. Some or all of a header of a RLC data units associated with the one data flow is analyzed at the MAC layer. Based on that analysis, the MAC layer determines a priority of the data unit relative to other data units associated with the one data flow. The MAC layer schedules transmission of higher priority data units associated with the one data flow before lower priority data units associated with the one data flow. The priority determination does not require extra priority flags or signaling.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product for the express forwarding are presented. A timer (NAV) is maintained at each respective node of a wireless LAN. A frame is designated as a TSQ frame to be express forwarded from a first node to a second node. A duration field of the frame is incremented by a first predetermined time increment (DT0) before the TSQ frame is forwarded and the TSQ frame is forwarded by the first node to the second node. A response is received from the second node wherein non-forwarding neighboring nodes each set their NAV according to a value equal to the duration field of the response. The second node attempts transmission of the TSQ frame when acknowledgement of receipt of the TSQ frame is complete.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for passing control of message dependencies and ordering to one or more network nodes participating in a transaction. Thus, messages can be sent to the participating nodes and the participating nodes can handle the messages according to their respective dependencies without first sending a response or waiting for the next message to arrive. In one embodiment, at least one message is flagged with a checkpoint to indicate that messages sent before the checkpoint are to be handled by the participating nodes before messages after the checkpoint. Messages may also be flagged with error-handling information. For example, a message may be marked to indicate that if the message fails, no further messages are to be sent to the node had the failure. Responses to a group of messages can be collected in a single operation.

Abstract: A method for managing UMA communications within a local area network and a network controller are disclosed. The method includes establishing a first connection between a first UMA device and a LAN-based UMA network controller (LAN-UNC) and establishing a second connection between a second UMA device and the LAN-UNC. The first and second connections are carried over the local area network. The first and second UMA devices are connected to the same local area network. The method provides establishing a third connection between the LAN-UNC and a UMA network controller (UNC). The UNC is connected to an external network and the third connection extends over the external network. The method includes transporting packets received using the first and second connections to the UNC using the third connection. Packets received using the third connection are transported to the first UMA device using the first connection and to the second UMA device using the second connection.

Abstract: A radio system is installed in a building, wherein each terminal (T) communicates with neighboring terminals and can transmit telegrams. The terminals (T) are contained in devices or installed as separate mobile terminals. A routing table is created, in which each acceptable route from a source (Q) to a destination (Z) is entered. Connection from source to destination is evaluated with consideration of the number of hops from terminal to terminal within a route, and of the availability of unique individual sections (SES) that cannot be replaced by a parallel path.

Abstract: Paths may be advertised on a network implementing a link state routing protocol by using path state advertisement that are distributed in the same manner as link state advertisements. The path state advertisements contain path entries, each of which includes a globally unique path ID and path information such as a series of nodes or links that defines the path through the network. When a path state advertisement is received by a network element, the network element will evaluate the path entries in the path state advertisement to determine if the path state advertisement is relevant and, if necessary, install forwarding state for the relevant path entries. Path state advertisements not relevant to a network element are not used to affect forwarding state on the network element. Label based forwarding may then be used by the network elements to forward data along the path, in which the globally unique path ID is used as the label for the data.

Abstract: Wireless carrier networks can utilize multiple MMSCs all accessed by a message sender with a message addressed to a single Internet domain, providing a single point of entry for messages into the network of MMSCs and maintaining routing information sufficient to route messages to all subscribers via the MMSC.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing power consumption during periods of low link utilization. A single enhanced core can be defined that enables operation of subset of parent physical layer devices (PHYs). The subset and parent PHYs can have a fundamental relationship that enables synchronous switching between them depending on the link utilization state.

Abstract: Techniques for selecting a call completion response from a group of call completion responses based on weights associated with the call completion responses, are provided. A server processes a call invitation for a callee by forwarding the call invitation to each of the callee's endpoints. Each of the callee's endpoints associates a weight to its call completion response it generates to accept or reject the call invitation. The server waits to receive the call completion responses from each of the callee's endpoints or for a predetermined period of time (i.e., a timeout), and uses the weights associated with the received call completion responses to decide which of the received call completion responses to use to complete the call invitation.

Abstract: The invention includes a method and apparatus for establishing DIAMETER associations between nodes of a network. The invention uses a DIAMETER application server disposed between DIAMETER nodes in order to establish DIAMETER associations between nodes and, further, to provide DIAMETER traffic load balancing using established associations. A method includes receiving a DIAMETER connection establishment request from an originating node requesting an association with a destination node, terminating the DIAMETER connection establishment request, obtaining respective DIAMETER associations for the originating node and the destination node, linking the obtained DIAMETER associations, and storing the linked DIAMETER associations.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for improving the efficiency of data transfer within interconnected components of a virtual network, and in particular components of a single physical computing device, where the components exchange data as if they were communicating over an actual communications network using networking protocols. Data packets to be sent from one component to another are buffered by next-hop address (and optionally by final destination address as well) to improve efficiency of packet delivery.

Abstract: In method of providing assured message delivery across a distributed message delivery system with low delivery latency and network traffic, a set of destinations is first identified for a set of destinations for a message received at an ingress router to the network. The received message is stored in persistent storage along with meta-data about each destination for the message before the message is routed to each identified destination. The message is only removed from persistent storage when an acknowledgement has been received from each destination indicating that the message has been successfully received.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that dynamically binds one or more network interfaces of a plurality of virtual network machines is described. The apparatus instantiates the plurality of virtual network machines, where the plurality of virtual network machines are virtually independent but share a set of physical resources within the single network device and each of the plurality of virtual network machines belong to a different network domain. The apparatus receives subscriber records that are associated with virtual circuits on a plurality of ports on the apparatus. The apparatus dynamically binds the one or more network interfaces of each of the virtual machines to a set of sub-interfaces, such that each of the virtual circuits is communicatively coupled with one of the virtual network machines and the bindings are represented with data structures.

Abstract: A method and system for changing the extent of data plane resources controlled by a control plane for a network connection which spans a contiguous set of nodes controlled by existing network control resources is disclosed. This is done in a non-disruptive manner. This typically involves two steps: i) Creating a new set of control plane resources for said network connection such that said data plane resources are shared with said existing network control resources; and ii) then terminating the existing network control resources such that said data plane resources are fully transferred to the new set of control plane resources without disrupting said network connection. The existing network control resources can be either a control plane resource or a non control plane resource. An example of a non control plane resource is network management software (e.g., an OSS (Operation Support System)), which forms part of the Management Plane.

Abstract: A method and system for changing the extent of data plane resources controlled by a control plane for a network connection which spans a contiguous set of nodes controlled by existing network control resources is disclosed. This is done in a non-disruptive manner. This typically involves two steps: i) Creating a new set of control plane resources for said network connection such that said data plane resources are shared with said existing network control resources; and ii) then terminating the existing network control resources such that said data plane resources are fully transferred to the new set of control plane resources without disrupting said network connection. The existing network control resources can be either a control plane resource or a non control plane resource. An example of a non control plane resource is network management software (e.g., an OSS (Operation Support System)), which forms part of the Management Plane.

Abstract: A method for monitoring communication on a network. The method includes configuring a classifier using a monitoring rule, receiving a plurality of packets from the network; analyzing each of the plurality of packets by the classifier to determine to which of the plurality of packets satisfies the monitoring rule; forwarding any of the plurality of packets that satisfy the monitoring rule to a first hardware receive ring (HRR) located on a first physical network interface (NI), forwarding any of the plurality of packets that do not satisfy the monitoring rule to a second HRR, and transmitting a first number of packets from the first HRR directly to user level memory, wherein the user level memory resides on a host operatively connected to the first physical NI.

Abstract: An active node of a communications network includes a forwarding component for forwarding a packet of an active application, a processor for processing the packet, and a forwarding control component for modifying path data associated with the packet, based on the processing. The forwarding component can forward said packet directly to the network or via the processor. The processing can include executing code contained within the packet, and/or executing code to process application data in the packet. The path data can include the MPLS label stack of the packet and/or MPLS tables of the forwarding component. To allow processing based on multiple labels of a packet, the forwarding component can include a loopback connection between its input and output ports.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for permitting a mobile terminal having multiple, heterogeneous network connections (e.g., multiple wired or wireless transceivers of various types) to set up and maintain virtual connections over multiple networks to either the same or to multiple destinations. The mobile terminal can “load-share” traffic, i.e., it can distribute segments of traffic over a full set of heterogeneous networks, significantly improving the reliability and availability of communications. In a first embodiment, a mobile terminal is configured with multiple radio frequency (RF) transceivers. Operating system software is provided for dynamically establishing and maintaining traffic flow for user applications over multiple communications paths, and for automatically adapting to variations in the networking environment, application traffic flow requirements, end user preferences, or mobility.

Abstract: When path status information is updated, the time at which the update is effective is recorded. A packet arrival time in each path is predicted based on new status information and data transmission history after the effective time. The packet is transmitted to the path that provides a fastest packet arrival time. This reflects the path status available from the reception side on the data transmitted in past, so that an actual data arrival time, an arrival time close to a reception completion time, or a reception completion time can be predicted.

Abstract: Disclosed herewith is a PON system and a bandwidth controlling method capable of controlling congestion with use of an upstream bandwidth in a PON section efficiently when congestion occurs in a gateway (GW) connected to an OLT. An OLT connected to a plurality of ONUs through a passive optical network (PON) and to a gateway (GW) through a communication line, when receiving a congestion occurrence notice indicating a congestion occurred output number from a GW, identifies the identifier of the ONU that is using a GW output line having the congestion output port number and shifts the bandwidth controlling of the PON section in a normal mode for allocating a bandwidth to each ONU normally to that in a bandwidth suppression mode for allocating a congestion time allowable bandwidth that is less than the current bandwidth to the ONU having the identified ONU identifier and a bandwidth to each of other ONUs according to its transmission queue length.

Abstract: The invention provides multicast communication using distributed topologies in a network. The control nodes in the network build a distributed topology of processor nodes for providing multicast packet distribution. Multiple processor nodes in the network participate in the decisions regarding the forwarding of multicast packets as opposed to multicast communications being centralized in the control nodes.

Abstract: A method and nodes are provided for localizing traffic between communication nodes receiving service from a same network. A local mobility anchor informs media access gateways providing access to two communication nodes of each other's addresses. Traffic exchanged between the two communication nodes connected to the same network via these media access gateways are routed directly between the gateways, bypassing the local mobility anchor.

Abstract: The invention falls within the technology of multistage interconnection network such as fat-trees, comprising at least one switch located at a stage (s) and configured to send, through an output port from a number (k) of output ports forming an ordered list, at least a data packet containing a destination address identified by a n-tuple with a plurality (n) of components (pn?1, . . . , p1, p0), and s?{0 . . . (n?1)}. The invention has application for both source and distributed routing, as deterministic and as adaptive routing, selecting an output port to be the unique or the default option to forward the packets at the switch which is the output port that has a position in the ordered list of output ports corresponding to the component (ps) of the destination address at the position given by the stage (s) of the switch.

Abstract: Provided is a network system, comprising: a plurality of network devices; a network constructed from the plurality of network devices; and a management server managing the network. The plurality of network devices include a first network device in which a filter assigned as a target of reconfiguration is set and a second network device coupled at a lower level of the first network device. The management server obtains topology of the network from the plurality of network devices; reconfigures, by referring to the obtained network topology, the filters of the first and second network device such that a range in which a packet can be forwarded through a reconfiguring filter set in the first network device is made equal to a range in which a packet can be forwarded through the filter set in the second network device; and sets the reconfigured filters into the network devices.

Abstract: An Ethernet switching and forwarding method, and at least one Ethernet forwarding mode of standard Ethernet forwarding, multiplex Ethernet forwarding, layer-3 routing and forwarding, across-VLAN multicast forwarding plane, point-to-point VLAN forwarding, or point-to-point double VLAN forwarding. The method includes: an Ethernet message entering a user side port or a network side port; processing, by the port, the message to provide the message with a VLAN tag allocated uniformly by the port; determining, by the port, a forwarding mode for the message and sending the message to a corresponding forwarding plane; determining, by the forwarding plane, an egress port of the message and processing the specific Ethernet control message in accordance with a control message capturing policy table; and forwarding the message to the egress port and encapsulating the message in accordance with an attribute table of the egress port.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enabling different network nodes of a network access system to share a backhaul communication link are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes: connecting a first modem to a first node of the network access system; connecting a second modem to a second node of the network access system; connecting the first modem to a first port of a splitter filter; connecting the second modem to a second port of the splitter filter; and connecting a backhaul communication link to a third port of the splitter filter, which is configured to multiplex signals transmitted by the modems onto the backhaul communication link, wherein the frequency spectrum of the signal transmitted by the first modem does not overlap substantially with the frequency spectrum of the signal transmitted by the second modem.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a path computation element (PCE) configured to communicate with a path computation client (PCC) and compute a point-to-multipoint (P2MP) path across an autonomous system (AS) domain. Also included is a network component comprising at least one processor configured to implement a method comprising obtaining a computation request for a P2MP path across a plurality of AS domains, attempting to calculate the P2MP path across the AS domains, thereby generating a computed path or a failure reason, and transmitting a reply comprising the computed path or an indication of the failure reason. Included is a method comprising exchanging a request message and a reply message about a P2MP path across an AS domain between a PCC and a PCE.

Abstract: A method for restoring a virtual path, provisioned between a source and a target node, in a mesh zoned optical network is described. The method, in one embodiment, broadcasts or floods restore path requests in the network to expedite the identification of an alternate route and minimize the service disruption for failed virtual path. The flooding of requests is controlled to ensure efficient performance of the network yet guaranteeing minimum restoration time to allow critical telecommunication related traffic to flow through the network with virtually no interruption. The constant update of nodal topology by each node allows a fast identification of alternate physical path for failed virtual path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for link aggregation in a data communications network. A dual-layer link aggregation is formed, including two peer nodes, each connected to at least a third node. The dual-layer link aggregation is formed of a peer link aggregation of ports for communicating with a peer node, distant link aggregation of ports for communicating with a third node, and an outer-layer link aggregation of the ports included in the peer link aggregation and the distant link aggregation. The third node may implement an inter-node link aggregation aggregating links to each of the peer nodes. Packets may be received and forwarded by the peer nodes in such a manner as to each link aggregation to be active simultaneously.

Abstract: Explicit signaling mechanisms facilitate automatic stitching for both packet and non-packet label switched paths (LSPs). Extensions to resource reservation protocol signaling are utilized to include explicit signaling mechanisms that setup and maintain LSPs. An inter-domain LSP may be created by automatically stitching independent LSP segments within separate domains. Stitching the intra-domain LSP segments creates an end-to-end LSP in the data plane with continuous label swapping across the different domains. An intra-domain LSP may be created by automatically stitching independent LSP segment within a single domain. A network device, such as a router, at an ingress of an LSP segment utilizes the signaling extensions to notify a network device at an egress of the LSP segment to prepare for a stitching procedure. In return, the egress network device utilizes the signaling extensions to inform the ingress network device whether the LSP segment is ready for the stitching procedure.

Abstract: A method for relaying received data by a relay node in a sensor network that includes a sink node, a source node for collecting and transmitting data requested by the sink node, and the relay node for relaying the data transmitted from the source node to the sink node. The relay node determines whether the source node that transmits the data is a previously identified source node, stores the data in a buffer and forwards the data to a neighbor node when the source node transmitting the data is the previously identified source node according to the determination. The data is managed based on the relay node having the buffer, rather than the source node and the sink node as in the related art. Further, the data error can be promptly handled.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for use by a mobile communication device in switching operation for communications from a wireless wide area network (WWAN) to a wireless local area network (WLAN) are disclosed. While providing operation for communications in the WWAN, the mobile device continually maintains visited cell site history information in its memory. The visited cell site history information is indicative of one or more visited cell sites of the WWAN that served the mobile device over a moving time period of its operation. The mobile device continually monitors the visited cell site history information to identify whether it has been contained within a local geographic region over the moving time period. When the mobile device is identified to have been contained within the local geographic region, it is permitted to operate for communications with the WLAN. In response to such permission, the mobile device may enable its WLAN radio transceiver and select the WLAN for communications.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing telephony devices in a distributed network environment is disclosed. The present invention provides for checking data packets to ensure that non-voice data packets are properly tagged to be transmitted on a native virtual local area network (“VLAN”). Voice data packets transmitted on a separate VLAN with a higher priority.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of communicating over a data network includes providing a user interface in a control system for call control and to display information relating to a call session. The control system communicates one or more control messages (e.g., Session Initiation Protocol or SIP messages) over the data network to establish a call session with a remote device in response to receipt of a request through the user interface. One or more commands are transmitted to a voice device associated with the control system to establish the call session between the voice device and the remote device over the data network. A Real-Time Protocol (RTP) link may be established between the voice device and the remote device.

Abstract: In a radio access network, novel systems and methods reduce processing delay, and improve integration with IP networks, by separating user data from connection management and control data at a Node B or at a base station. The user data are routed to an IP (Internet Protocol) switch, whereas the connection management and control data are routed to a centralized radio network controller (RNC). Pursuant to a second embodiment of the invention, a centralized RNC provides improved radio resource management (RRM) functionality by handing all connection management and control data for a plurality of Node B's, thereby simplifying the switching of user data throughout the radio access network. Pursuant to a third embodiment of the invention, a smart IP switch is equipped to switch user data without core network (CN) involvement. Downlink user data are switched independently of uplink user data.

Abstract: A method determines an optimal or near-optimal conveyance network layout in which revenue from serviced customer locations is maximized while the cost of installing and/or maintaining the conveyance is minimized. The conveyance may, for example, be a fiber optic telecommunications cable or a power or utility distribution system. Algorithms in the method generate primal and dual bounds in a Prize-Collecting Steiner Tree Problem in Graphs (PCSPG). Those algorithms originate from a Lagrangian Non-Delayed Relax-and-Cut (NDRC) based approach and incorporate ingredients such as a new PCSPG reduction test, an effective Local Search procedure and a modification in the NDRC framework that allows additional reductions in duality gaps to be attained.

Abstract: A system is taught in which a module having processing elements can access network and storage interfaces that are external to the module of the processing elements as though those interfaces were located internal to the module of the processing elements. The system may be operated as one or more provisioned servers, each of the provisioned servers including capabilities as identified by a corresponding set of specifications and attributes, according to various embodiments. Typically the specifications (or constraints) and attributes are specified with a Server Configuration File. An Enterprise Server system may be provisioned into any combination and number of servers according to needed processing and I/O capabilities. Each of these servers may include distinct compute, storage, and networking performance. Provisioned servers may be managed similar to conventional servers, including operations such as boot and shutting down.

Abstract: A methods and apparatus for remote management of switching network nodes in a stack via in-band messaging are presented. Switching nodes in the stack default to reserved switching node identifiers and stacking ports default to a blocking state upon startup, restart, and reset. Each command frame received via a blocking state is forwarded to a command engine at each switching node and is acknowledged with the current switching node identifier. Each acknowledgement frame bearing the reserved network node identifier triggers configuration of the acknowledging switching node. Switching nodes and the management processor track interrupt state vectors regarding events. An interrupt acknowledgement process is employed to track raised interrupts. Configuration of switching node is performed via command frames transmitted by the management processor and destined to a command engine associated with the switching node.

Abstract: Rerouting apparatus for rerouting data including multimedia data. The apparatus is for association with electronic equipment and allows for routing the data to a device regarded as the most convenient for playing the media. The apparatus comprises an announcer device for indicating to surrounding equipment that associated equipment is available for rerouting, thereby to enable receipt of rerouted communications therefrom, and a scout device for scanning surroundings of the associated equipment to find out about compatible equipment in the vicinity, thereby to reroute communications thereto. The apparatus may be attached to any device having data processing capability, to enable rerouting of data and communications therebetween.

Abstract: Under the present invention, when a TCS receives a data command (e.g., a read or write command) pursuant to a communication session between the TCS and an application, it will first request permission from a permission system to execute the data command. By applying a set of rules to a setting of a state variable associated with the TCS, the permission system will determine whether to grant the permission. If so, the TCS will execute the data command and change the setting of the state variable. If a close command is later received by the TCS to close the communication session, permission will once again be requested from the permission system, which will again apply a set of rules to the current setting of the state variable to determine if the session can be safely closed.

Abstract: A system and method efficiently conveys Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) membership information across a bridged network. In particular, an intermediate network device, such as a bridge, includes a plurality of ports for interconnecting entities of a computer network. For each port, a Generic Attribute Registration Protocol (GARP) participant is established that has a compact GARP VLAN Registration Protocol (GVRP) application component and a GARP Information Declaration (GID) component. The GID component operates a plurality of state machines to maintain registration state for all of the VLANs of which the port has been made aware. The compact-GVRP application component further includes an encoder/decoder unit that collapses VLAN registration information according to an encoding algorithm. The collapsed VLAN registration information is then loaded into a single compact-GVRP PDU message for transmission from the respective port.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for processing a packet. The method includes receiving the packet by a physical network interface, determining a target virtual network interface card (VNIC) using the destination address and a virtual switching table (VST), transferring the packet to a receive ring (RR) associated with the target VNIC, wherein the RR is located on the NEM, determining, by the target VNIC, that the packet is in the RR, determining, by the target VNIC, that the packet is to be processed using an offload engine, transferring the packet to offload memory located on an offload computer, wherein the offload computer is operatively connected to the NEM via the chassis interconnect and wherein the offload engine is executing on the offload computer, processing the packet by the offload engine to obtain a processed packet, and transferring the processed packet to a target computer memory using the chassis interconnect.

Abstract: Disclosed are improved methods, devices and systems for storage management in digital networks.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the provisioning and redundancy of RFID middleware servers. Middleware servers can be automatically provisioned and RFID device/middleware server associations can be automatically updated. Some implementations of the invention provide for automatic detection of middleware server malfunctions. Some such implementations provide for automated provisioning and automated updating of RFID device/middleware server associations, whether a middleware server is automatically brought online or is manually replaced. Changes and reassignments of the RFID device populations may be accommodated.

Abstract: A subscriber network system is provided which is capable of reducing the response time and reducing the device cost. In the subscriber network system, a control cell is received that includes an ID portion, a data portion, and a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) portion. The control cell is processed in cooperation with a virtual path identifier (VPI), where the processing obtains the ID portion and the CRC portion. The ID portion and the CRC portion are processed and the ID portion is compared to a first stored value and the CRC portion is compared to a second stored value to produce information. A cell is produced to include the information and the produced cell is used to facilitate a connection in a network.

Abstract: In general, the invention relates to a method for creating a virtual network path. The method includes instantiating a number of virtual network interface cards (VNICs) on a number of virtual machines, where each virtual machines is located in one of the computers, each of the computers is connected using a chassis interconnect, and the computers share a physical network interface. The method further includes populating a virtual switching table associated with the VNICs and implementing the virtual network path using the virtual switching table. The virtual network path includes a first virtual wire between a first VNIC and a second VNIC, wherein the first VNIC is located in a first computer and wherein the second VNIC is located in a second computer selected from the plurality of computers.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to advertise network routes to implement a hybrid network topology are disclosed. An example method involves receiving a route advertisement from a first node and identifying a first destination internet protocol address associated with the route advertisement. When the first destination internet protocol address matches a second destination internet protocol address, the route advertisement is associated with a first route target value equal to an import route target value of a second node. The first network node is a first spoke node in a hub-and-spoke network, and the second network node is a second spoke node in the hub-and-spoke network.

Abstract: A system and related method for enhancing routing optimality in IP networks requiring path establishment, including one or more of the following: first and second network clouds including a plurality of communication elements, ones of the plurality of communication elements in the network clouds being first and second communication element, the network clouds having boundaries beyond which each of the plurality of communication elements are unable to see a connectivity between any other communication elements outside the respective network clouds; a path computational element that automatically computes an explicit optimal network route between the first and second communication elements and having an overview of all communication elements in the network clouds, the path computational element providing the computed explicit optimal network route to a routing engine; commissioning a path through the first network cloud and the second network cloud from the first communication element to the second communicatio