Abstract: A system and method for creating an ad-hoc network is described. A user may navigate a number of options to create an ad-hoc network and/or join an ad-hoc network using the described system.

Abstract: Methods and systems for per-session dynamic management of media gateway resources are disclosed. According to one method, the logical and physical resources in a media gateway are divided and dynamically managed at the Transport Layer (i.e. OBI Layer 4), which results in finer granularity than managing such resources statically at the Data Link Layer (i.e. OBI Layer 2) or Network Layer (i.e. OBI Layer 3). Voice-processing resources provided by voice server cards may be pooled into a common pool available to all external networks. For each new call/session, the dynamic resource manager of the media gateway dynamically allocates a voice chip from the pooled voice processing resources, and assigns a logical resource identifier (e.g. a local IP and local UDP pair) to the session. When a network interface card receives incoming voice packets, it checks the destination IP and UDP and optionally the source IP and UDP to find out, and forward voice packets to, the voice chip assigned to the session.

Abstract: In an ATM network, data loss caused by pre-programmed network optimizations can be reduced or avoided if a record of such optimizations is made, and if, prior to another optimization, some event occurs. The detection of some external event should indicate that another optimization is warranted.

Abstract: A first forwarding instance is provided that includes a first set of routes. A second forwarding instance is provided that includes a second set of routes comprising a subset of the first set of routes. The first routing instance and the second routing instance are associated with a same virtual private routed network (VPRN).

Abstract: An Asynchronous Transfer Mode network (100) comprising at least one ATM node (102-106) and at least one network element (108) is disclosed. The network element is adapted to carry out signalling and routing in accordance with Private Network-Network Interface, PNNI, protocol for at least a portion of said ATM nodes. Said network element (108) is further adapted to allocate a separate time period for every one of said ATM nodes (102-106) connected to said network element (108) and to carry out said signalling and routing for every one of said connected ATM nodes (102-106) during said allocated time periods.

Abstract: An optical network unit and an optical line terminal which efficiently control the data receiving and dechurning processes in a passive optical network. In a churning parameter memory subsystem, a first memory bank stores churning parameters that are currently used, while a second memory bank stores updates made to the churning parameters. Under the control of the churning parameter memory subsystem, those first and second memory banks change their roles with each other at a churning key updating time point. A data dechurning unit receives a data stream consisting of a plurality of frames and dechurns the information contained in the data stream, according to the stored churning parameters. When an update is done to the parameters in a certain frame, the data dechurning unit makes the update effective at the next frame, thus starting data dechurning operations from the next frame.

Abstract: An aggregate virtual circuit multi-link frame relay-based platform can detect connection of at least one constituent virtual circuit to at least a second aggregate virtual circuit and then, prior to initiating ordinary use of that detected connection, automatically transmit, via each detected connection, an identifier to that second aggregate virtual circuit. The latter can then use that identifier to facilitate confirming that the detected connections represent a logical coupling that is at least substantially consistent with a physical coupling as between these two aggregate virtual circuits. This identifier can comprise, for example, an identifier for the aggregate virtual circuit itself or even, if desired, a globally unique identifier that uniquely and separately identifies each constituent virtual circuit. By one approach, when an aggregate virtual circuit determines that the logical coupling is not substantially consistent with the physical coupling, a predetermined action can be responsively taken.

Abstract: A method for moving permanent virtual circuits in an ATM network with minimal downtime includes creating a list of the permanent virtual circuits to be moved; building a set of shadow permanent virtual circuits using the new ATM port and a temporary set of virtual path identifier and virtual circuit identifier pairs; moving a physical connection from the original ATM port to the new ATM port; deleting the permanent virtual circuits on the original ATM port; and changing the shadow permanent virtual circuits to use the original virtual path identifier and virtual circuit identifier pairs.

Abstract: Bandwidth control over users accommodated under ONU in PON is achieved. BAS sets user bandwidth information obtained during user authorization in OLT. The OLT achieves bandwidth control on a user basis, using bandwidth information set from the BAS. The present invention enables bandwidth control over users under the ONUs.

Abstract: In a network providing a wide-area LAN service which allows communications to be performed between user networks (12, 13) via a carrier network (11), edge switches (14, 15) each comprise: a tentative learning registration means (16) which, when a packet whose source MAC address and receiving port are not yet learned is received from the carrier network, registers the source MAC address and the receiving port in a tentatively learned state; a learned state changing means (17) which changes the learned state of the destination MAC address of a packet received from an associated one of the user networks to a permanently learned state; and a permanent learning registration means which, when a packet whose destination MAC address is registered in a learned state is received from the carrier network, registers the source MAC address and receiving port of the packet received from the carrier network in a permanently learned state.

Abstract: A label switching router having an internal channel share function over an asynchronous transfer mode that sets up an internal channel in advance of the external channel and shares it when an external channel needs to be set up, and a method for sharing an internal channel using the same.

Abstract: Selective passive address resolution protocol (ARP) learning can provide a passive mechanism to synchronize link layer adjacency information among network elements. Selective passive ARP learning can be implemented by a modification to the ARP requests processing of the standby node, with a filter list containing a set of match rules for target network addresses. The implementation, thus, can be a configurable filter that enables software modules to specify a set of internet protocol (IP) addresses that the ARP input engine should monitor.

Abstract: A method for communicating from a first virtual machine, defined by a virtual machine operating system, to an external device via a local area network (LAN). The virtual machine operating system also defines other virtual machines and a base portion common to all of the virtual machines. The first virtual machine writes an IP datagram to an output buffer allocated to the first virtual machine. The IP datagram comprises data and a destination IP address associated with the external device. The program functions in the base portion read the IP datagram from the output buffer to determine the destination IP address and then copy the IP datagram from the output buffer into storage allocated to the common base portion whereby the IP datagram passes from the first virtual machine into the common base portion storage without passing through any other virtual machines. Then, the program functions request a tangible adapter card for the network to send the IP datagram to the IP destination address.

Abstract: A communications switch comprising a plurality of numerically identified input traffic ports, a plurality of numerically identified output traffic ports, at least one significant label extractor and at least one numerical processor, the communications switch being arranged whereby each message entering the communication switch by a numerically identified input traffic port contains a header, which header contains a label stack, which label stack includes at least one valid label, of which one valid label is a significant label. The numerical value of the significant label contained within the header of a particular message which entered the communications switch via a particular numerically identified input traffic port is extracted by the at least one significant label extractor and is supplied to one of the at least one numerical processors.

Abstract: An LAC manages multicast destinations, and forms and distributes copies of the multicast packets. An L2TP tunnel and an L2TP session are formed between LAC 1-i and LNS 2-i, and LNS 2-i is connected to network NW2 such as the Internet. Data is transferred between a subscriber and the network through the L2TP connection. LNS 2-i and sever S1 are connected through network NW2 which has routers. A packet transfer apparatus enables LAC 1-i to manage subscriber information and to form and distribute copies of the packets to the subscribers when server S1 on network NW2 distributes multicast packets of a program or the like to the subscribers.

Abstract: A method for processing cells at a user-network interface with automatic identification of virtual circuit identifiers and a testing function is provided. The method includes distinguishing the source of the cell. When the cell is from a first source, the method tests the cell against at least one selected criteria. When at least one test determines the cell is invalid, the cell is marked. When the tests determine that the cell is valid, the method translates a virtual circuit identifier to a default setting and forwards the cell to a queue for further processing.

Abstract: Two transmission devices connected to a link in which a failure occurs turn back a ring. Other transmission device changes a transmission ring of an NNI packet which is a UNI packet whose transmission source is its own transmission device and which had been transmitted through the link before the failure occurs to have a reverse direction. In addition, each transmission device, upon receiving an NNI packet whose transmission destination NNI address is one or any one of a plurality of NNI addresses applied to its own transmission device, outputs the packet to a self-owned tributary port irrespectively of whether it is sent through an inner ring or an outer ring.

Abstract: A packet transfer scheme in a network system capable of realizing a high speed, large capacity inter-network communication under an internet environment. A network interconnection apparatus (router) has a memory for storing a correspondence relationship between a virtual connection used in receiving a packet from one logical network and a virtual connection used in transmitting a packet to another logical network, and a transfer at a datalink layer is carried out according to the registered correspondence relationship, to effectively form a bypass pipe capable of transferring a packet by an datalink layer level processing alone over a plurality of networks from the transmission terminal to the destination terminal, so that a high speed packet transfer between networks can be realized.

Abstract: An optical transmission network is disclosed that classifies digital broadcast channel data according to virtual channel connection (VCC) before transmission. In the optical transmission network, an optical signal receiver converts an optical signal from an optical line terminal (OLT) into an ATM cell that is classified according to the VCC. A VCC-based ATM cell classifier detects header information and a payload part from the classified ATM cell of each VCC. PID analyzers receive a payload part of an ATM cell corresponding to one VCC from the VCC-based ATM cell classifier, extract PID of each broadcast channel from digital broadcast channel data included in the payload part, and output specific broadcast channel data in the broadcast channel data included in the payload part. A switch receives broadcast channel data output from the PID analyzers and switches the received broadcast channel data to a broadcast channel desired by each subscriber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to group restart in switched ATM networks. In accordance a method of one embodiment of the present invention, a first network switch receives a message (e.g., a call setup message) at one of a plurality of interfaces to the first network switch. This first network switch reads data (e.g., a group identifier) contained in the message. In response, the first network switch generates first modified data as a function of both the data of the message and first interface identifier data. The first interface identifier data corresponds to or identifies the interface at which the first network switch received the message. The first network switch replaces the data in the message with the first modified data thereby creating a first modified message. Lastly, the first network switch outputs the first modified message from another of the plurality of interfaces.

Abstract: Network data switching comprises receiving a cell, associating the cell with a destination port, selecting an egress link that has been soft configured to be associated with the destination port, and switching the cell to the selected egress link. A network switch comprises an ingress link configured to receive a cell and a switch circuit coupled to the ingress link, configured to associate the cell with a destination port, to select an egress link that has been soft configured to be associated with the destination port, and to switch the cell to the egress link.

Abstract: A short message gateway may include signal transfer point (STP) functionality, mobile originating short message service center (SMSC) functionality, and short message delivery peer-to-peer (SMPP) gateway functionality. The short message gateway may receive an SS7 message including a short message payload. The short message gateway may formulate an SMPP message including the short message payload and access one or more internal address resolution and/or number portability databases to determine the destination address for the SMPP message. The short message gateway may then forward the SMPP message to its destination.

Abstract: A communication system comprising a plurality of sources, a plurality of destinations, and a plurality of switches forming an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network connecting the sources to the destinations. Each switch in the plurality of switches includes a plurality of line cards. The ATM network comprises a plurality of connections where, for each respective connection, one of the plurality of sources is linked to one of the plurality of destinations through the network by linking one or more switches, in the plurality of switches, that is associated with the respective connection. The ATM network further comprises operation administration and maintenance (OAM) cell processing circuitry for detecting a failure in a connection in the network. The failure is localized to the exact line card in a switch associated with the connection that is causing the connection to fail.

Abstract: A system for a global concurrent path computation in a communication network is disclosed. The system includes a path computation element communication protocol, wherein the protocol includes an indicator field indicating the global concurrent path computation, a global objective function field providing an overarching objective function, a global constraint field specifying at least one global constraint, a global concurrent vector field specifying at least one path computation request, and another indicator field indicating an outcome of a path computation request.

Abstract: A data transmitting and receiving device, which transmits and receives ATM cells between the calculation processing modules is described. The ATM-based data transmitting and receiving device includes a transmitting means and a data receiving means. The data receiving means includes a memory controller for controlling storage of successively received ATM cells in corresponding cell buffers, and a memory controlled by it. The memory includes a linked cell buffer, a free cell buffer identifier queue, a receiving state table and a receiving completion state queue. Accordingly, a separate device (e.g., ASIC chip) can be used to transmit and receive ATM cells instead of the conventional calculation processing module so that the transmission efficiency of the ATM cell can be increased and the load of the calculation processing device can be reduced.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for routing AAL5 PDU in a mobile communication system, capable of routing AAL5 PDU using a Hash lookup table.

Abstract: The invention relates to an exchange for a telecommunication network, with a message/dialogue device, whereby said message/dialogue device, comprises one interface each for a packet-oriented data transmission network and a line-oriented data transmission network and a virtual port for controlling the message/dialogue device, by means of a connection running through the packet-oriented data transmission network, for the transmission of messages and/or dialogues to a user.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for determining independent authorization levels. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a controlling element that manages operations of a virtual private network. The controlling element manages operations of a virtual private network (VPN) by validating that a call belongs to an ISDN access type of the VPN, retrieving from a look-up table a private number associated with a switch identifier, a trunk group identifier, and an Originating Station Number (OSN) corresponding to the call in response to determining that the call belongs to the ISDN access type of the VPN, and identifying a first authorization level associated with the private number. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for configuring a packet destination, that includes creating the packet destination on a host, obtaining a network configuration for the packet destination, determining whether the host comprises a virtual network stack, where the virtual network stack includes the network configuration, and assigning the packet destination to the virtual network stack.

Abstract: Techniques for load balancing network traffic over virtual point-to-point data links at a data-link layer include determining a particular group of virtual point-to-point data links that reach a particular local area network of one or more network nodes. A particular data-link address for a particular node of the particular local area network is associated with each virtual point-to-point data link of the particular group. When a data packet is received that includes data that indicates the particular data-link address as a destination; one virtual point-to-point data link of the group is determined to balance traffic among the group. The data packet is sent only over the one virtual point-to-point data link. These techniques enable virtual point-to-point data links through two or more intermediate network nodes, such as a pair of provider edge nodes, to be bundled for load balancing purposes.

Abstract: A computer communications network comprises a plurality of interconnected ATM switches forming a WAN or LAN area network over which ATM cells are transmitted, and a plurality of user devices including LAN interface adapters for connection to one or more to local area networks (LANs). An interface device connects at least some of the respective ATM switches to the LAN interface adapters. The interface adapts the ATM cells for transport over the LANS. The user devices can thus communicate through the LAN interface adapters transparently with the wide area network.

Abstract: A technique for multiple path forwarding of label-switched data traffic in a communication network across multiple paths such that traffic associated with a particular label-switched path (LSP) is forwarded on the same path in the network. An incoming label associated with a packet is used to select an Equal Cost Multiple Path (ECMP) technique that is used to identify an interface among a plurality of interfaces on which the packet may be forwarded. An incoming label associated with the packet is used to identify an outgoing label for the packet as well as the plurality of interfaces on which the packet may be forwarded. A label in the packet's label stack is hashed to produce a hash value. The hash value is then used to identify an interface from the plurality of interfaces on which the packet is forwarded. The outgoing label is placed in the packet and the packet is forwarded on the identified interface.

Abstract: To send a connection control message associated with a first set of attributes, only a difference of the first set of attributes from a second set of attributes associated with an already active virtual circuit (to a common destination) may be sent (contained in the connection control message). The devices receiving the message may create the necessary configuration for the new virtual circuit by modifying a copy of the configuration of the active virtual circuit. Processing requirements may be minimized as the devices may not need to parse and decode long list of information element. The feature may be particularly important in setting up a virtual circuit for voice calls, as a long list of attributes may be associated with each virtual circuit, but the difference of attributes being only minimal.

Abstract: The relay device, comprising an address correspondence holding section which holds, for each of the terminals, the IP address and real MAC address of the terminal and a virtual MAC address being a MAC address that is virtual; a proxy reply section which, when a first ARP request frame that seeks the acquisition of the virtual MAC address from the terminal is received, reads the virtual MAC address of the corresponding terminal from the address correspondence holding section and sends back the virtual MAC address to the terminal; a MAC address conversion section which receives a first frame addressed to the virtual MAC address when the first frame is sent and received between the terminals, performs conversion of the virtual MAC address and real MAC address for the MAC address of the first frame, and sends back a converted second frame; and a security check section.

Abstract: A network system includes a terminal on a network, and a network-setting device, wherein the terminal has a temporary address acquisition unit that acquires a temporary address from an address assignment device; a notification sending unit that sends a notification, including the acquired temporary address, to the network-setting device; and a fixed address acquisition unit that acquires a fixed address to be assigned to the terminal, the fixed address being provided by the network-setting device in response to the notification, and the network-setting device has a fixed-address-providing unit that provides the fixed address, which is to be assigned to the terminal, to the terminal identified by the temporary address included in the notification in response to the notification.

Abstract: Mechanisms and techniques provide a method for routing a packet that includes a content request and an Internet Protocol address and port number that identify a source transmitting the packet. The method relates to selecting a routing policy to forward the packet, based upon at least a portion of content request. The method includes a data communications device receiving a packet having a content request and an Internet Protocol address and port number that identify a source transmitting the packet. The device performs a network address translation, based upon at least a portion of the content request, to translate the Internet Protocol address and port number of the packet to a respective communications device Internet Protocol address and communications device port number. The device then selects a routing policy based upon the communications device Internet Protocol address and routes the packet to a destination according to the routing policy.

Abstract: The system and method allow Customer Premises Equipment Network Access Devices using ATM as a datalink layer transport, to automatically determine what VC addresses are supported by the remote Network Access Concentrator end of the physical connection. A “divide and conquer” approach is used to ping as quickly as possible the most likely VPI/VCI values. The VC discovery mechanism attempts to discover active VP's and pings only VC's on these VP's. If there are no VP replies, it pings VC's to a limited VCI depth covering the entire VP range. The maximum predetermined range of VC's to ping (MAX-PING) and the physical upstream line speed determines the overall amount of time required by this procedure. Direct benefits of the proposed approach include: time and money saved by not having to customize the firmware in each NAD destined for particular Network Service Providers, and improved end-user experience by providing plug-and-play convenience out of the box.

Abstract: A node apparatus includes a header processing section (2) for determining an output destination of an incoming packet and a quality class from the header information of the packet, a route table (3), and a quality description table (4), and storing the packet in an output queue (6) determined by the determined output destination and quality class, an output control section (7) for reading out a packet from the output queue in accordance with the quality set for each output queue (6) and sending out the read packet through a VC determined by the determined output destination and quality class.

Abstract: A system and method provide enhanced services for a call that is transported from a communication device through an asynchronous transfer mode system. The call has user communications in asynchronous transfer mode cells and call signaling. A signaling processor receives the call signaling and processes the call signaling to determine a connection to a service platform. The signaling processor transports a processor control message designating the selected connection. An asynchronous transfer mode interworking unit receives the user communications from the communication device and the processor control message from the signaling processor. The asynchronous transfer mode interworking unit converts the user communications from the asynchronous transfer mode cells to a format compatible with the service platform and dynamically transports the user communications to the service platform in real time. The service platform processes the user communications.

Abstract: A system and method for transmitting data from a first site to a second site over a shared Multi-Protocol Label Switched (MPLS) network comprising a plurality of routers, including an ingress router in communication with the first site and an egress router in communication with the second site, includes configuring a plurality of label switching paths between the ingress router and the egress router over a plurality of label switching devices.

Abstract: A transmission system is provided which multiplexes and transmits synchronous data and asynchronous data, while maintaining the communication quality required of synchronous data and of asynchronous data respectively. A tag having information used to identify the data as synchronous data or as asynchronous data is added to both synchronous data and to asynchronous data. Tags added to each data item are extracted, and based on the information contained in the tag, each data item is identified as synchronous data or as asynchronous data, and synchronous data is transferred to a time-division switch, while asynchronous data is transferred to a packet switch.

Abstract: Transparent redundancy may be achieved at a MPLS-MPLS hierarchical boundary or a BMA-MPLS hierarchical boundary by utilizing local repair mechanisms extant in each domain to select automatically the same boundary network devices as the primary and secondary boundary network devices. In the MPLS domain, two LERs advertise the ability to forward traffic to a phantom LER and map all traffic originated into that domain as having been on a path originating at the phantom LER. This will cause the LERs to appear as being one hop away from the phantom LER, causing MPLS to assume the real LERs are part of a LSP terminating at the phantom LER. MPLS local repair will thus establish one of the LERs as the primary LER and the other LER as the secondary LER. In an Ethernet domain, each boundary network device is treated analogously to a router in the VRRP scheme for routers.

Abstract: The present invention presents a method for setting up a QoS (Quality-of-Service) supported bi-directional tunnel and distributing L2VPN (Layer-2 Virtual Private Network) membership information for an L2VPN using an extended LDP (Label Distribution Protocol). In a network providing MPLS based L2VPN service, which includes a plurality of VPN provider edges (PEs), a plurality of VPN customer edges (CEs) connected to the PEs and a VPN DNS (Domain Name Service) server for managing PE information associated with a plurality of VPNs, a PE registers information associated with the VPN DNS server to provide the L2VPN service, and uses the extended LDP for QoS supported bi-directional tunnel setup and the extended LDP for QoS supported L2VPN membership information distribution. A VPN CE needs only a simple Layer-2 connection providing function for the L2VPN service.

Abstract: A buffer management method for a modem having virtual circuits is provided. The buffer management method includes steps of: detecting the virtual circuits, and counting the number of virtual circuits in use; collecting the buffers of the modem; and distributing the buffers of the modem to the virtual circuits in use. A buffer management system is also provided.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for transmitting data packets in wide area networks (WAN) by way of a synchronous digital data transmission network (SDH), wherein the data packets are packed into synchronous transport modules (STM-N) and are transmitted by way of virtual connections formed by subunits of synchronous transport modules of the same size. The virtual connections are entered into an address table and an evaluation of the target address of the data packets takes place in one of the network elements of the synchronous digital data transmission network. On the basis of the address table and the target address, at least for a part of the data packets, a decision is made by at least one of the network elements of the synchronous digital data transmission network as to which one of the virtual connections is used to transmit this data packet. Furthermore, a network element is disclosed, which operates in accordance with the transmission method.

Abstract: A packet switching system for switching packets over corporate networks and the Internet using Internet Protocol (IP) suite of protocols is provided with an encryption detecting unit that determines whether at least a section of a portion of an incoming packet allocated for Internet Protocol (IP) address fields comprises encrypted data. If the encrypted data is detected, a decrypting unit decrypts the encrypted data. A packet identifying unit detects a virtual connection identifier (VCID) marker indicating that a VCID is provided in the portion of the incoming packet allocated for IP address fields. A data extracting unit extracts the VCID from the decrypted data. For example, the data extracting unit may extracts original source and destination IP addresses, or a Quality of Service (QoS) field for identifying parameters of Quality of Service. A route processing engine determines a route for forwarding the packet, and a packet forwarding unit places the packet into a queue for transmission.

Abstract: Virtual channels are used to improve quality of service through a large port count switch. Data frames are sent from one small switch to another small switch within the large port count switch on virtual channels. The use of virtual channels helps prevent congestion caused by a first external source device sending data to a first external destination device from affecting a second external source device sending data to a second external destination device.

Abstract: A packet processing device has an on-board match engine memory. Actions to be taken on a packet can be looked up in the match engine memory using a key comprising a match engine index and a protocol field from the packet. The match engine index is obtained from either a relatively small on-board parser memory or a larger context memory. The parser memory contains match engine indices for sparse protocols. Performance approaching that of hard-wired packet processors can be obtained. New protocols or changes in protocols can be accommodated by writing new values into the match engine, parser and context memories. The packet processing device can be provided in a pipelined architecture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for layer 3 switching packets between locally attached virtual local area networks without using a routing protocol are provided. A learning internetwork switch is connected between a router and a plurality of virtual local area networks. Communications between devices on the virtual local area networks and the router pass through the learning internetwork switch. By inspecting certain packets that flow between the devices and the router, the learning internetwork switch learns the location of the devices without having to use a routing protocol. The learning internetwork switch learns the network layer and the data link layer addresses of the various devices. Once the learning internetwork switch has learned the location, the network layer address and data link layer address of a device, the learning internetwork switch can forward packets between devices on different virtual local area networks using layer 3 switching without involving the router.

Abstract: A method for providing an early packet termination such that prior to the complete transmission of the number of cells specified in the first cell of a packet, a crossbar connection is released. The act of releasing the connection is triggered on recognition of an End of Packet bit (EOP) set in any cell of the stream. The feature can be enabled, for example, by a specific act of setting a register bit, connecting a pin to Vcc or ground or some other intentional act. The feature will default to the inactive state upon reset.