Abstract: A bi-directional flow-switched packet ring protection scheme. A primary ring is the ring upon which a flow is sent unless a failure prevents it from reaching its destination node. A secondary ring is the other ring (one of the dual counter-rotating rings) on which the flow can be switched to in the event of failure to the primary ring. In a normal mode of operation, both the primary and secondary rings are functioning properly. However, if there is a failure on the primary ring, this failure is broadcast to all nodes, identifying the failed connection. These nodes then immediately redirect the flows that are affected by the ring failure onto the secondary ring. When the failure condition is removed, all sources must switch their redirected flows back on to the primary ring.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus to balance load in a cluster of switches in a network. The switches include a local switch and one or more remote switches. Messages containing load information of the switches are exchanged among the switches. One of the switches is selected to respond to a connection request to the local switch based on a metric.

Abstract: An asymmetric network system manages bandwidth allocation and configuration of remote devices in a broadband network. A modular architecture of the system permits independent scalability of upstream and downstream capacity separately for each of the upstream and downstream physical paths. Allocation of downstream bandwidth to requesting devices is made according to bandwidth utilization by other devices, bandwidth demand by the requesting remote device, class or grade of service by the requesting remote device or bandwidth guaranteed to other remote devices.

Abstract: A system (10) for communicating information includes a connecting link (50) to communicate ATM cells. A first switching system (14) receives ATM cells for at least first and second virtual circuits using a first link (20) and communicates ATM cells for the second virtual circuit using the connecting link (50). A second switching system (14) receives ATM cells for at least the first and second virtual circuits using a second link (20) and communicates ATM cells for the first virtual circuit using the connecting link (50). The first switching system (14) receives the ATM cells for the first virtual circuit from the second switching system (14), using the connecting link (50), and sequences all ATM cells for the first virtual circuit using first IMA functionality (80).

Abstract: A distributed switch fabric network (200) includes a plurality of nodes (202-210), where each of the plurality of nodes includes at least a portion of a switching function (220-228). A plurality of receiver channels (434, 436, 438) within each of the plurality of nodes, where the plurality of receiver channels are coupled to receive a plurality of packets (414, 416, 418), and where the plurality of receiver channels aggregate in a plurality of stages (451) within the node. A shared memory resource (409) within each of the plurality of nodes, wherein the shared memory resource is coupled to receive the plurality of packets from the plurality of receiver channels.

Abstract: Disclosed is an information network system which comprises a plurality of functional appliances, a plurality of relaying appliances each provided with respect to its corresponding functional appliance, a data transfer path for enabling the relaying appliances to be communicated with each other, an operation part for selecting a desired one from among the functional appliances so as to select a desired function from among a plurality of functions of the selected functional appliance, and a command conversion part provided between a predetermined one of the functional appliances and the relaying appliance corresponding thereto and having a command conversion table having stored therein function commands corresponding to the functions of the functional appliances.

Abstract: Systems and methods consistent with this invention allow for each node within one or more rings to obtain connection and topology information from other nodes within these rings. In such a system, each node is able to maintain connection table and topology tables for each node and each ring within a ring network. In particular, such information can be kept current because this scheme allows for dynamic updating of connection and topology information in real time. With such current information, a node is able to utilize this information to execute such operations as squelching connections on a protect line and timeslot interchange. In addition, by supporting timeslot interchange, the ring can be managed as more than a single logical entity as well as can have better bandwidth management utilization.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to improve the bandwidth utilization of a data transport network, such as SONET or SDH. Using knowledge of the topology, the network capacity that in the prior art was used to taxi the data to the sending node (2.1-2.4, 2.15, 2.16, 4.1-4.4, 5.1, 9.8) is instead used to send new data between nodes (2.1-2.4, 2.15, 2.16, 4.1-4.4, 5.1, 9.8). The method and apparatus can also be used to eliminate the bandwidth-inefficient taxiing of frames that are blocked and recirculated. by busy nodes (2.1-2.4, 2.15, 2.16, 4.1-4.4, 5.1, 9.8) in SONET-based data networks.

Abstract: A unidirectional ring operates in accordance with a call setup procedure in which a single node on the ring, referred to herein as the “hub node,” simultaneously (i) processes call setup information from and provides call setup information to an ATM network, and (ii) controls the call setup operations of the nodes on the ring. When a source node that is part of the ring initiates a call, the node directs a call setup message to the hub node. The hub node determines if there is sufficient bandwidth available on the ring for the call. If so, the hub node passes the call setup message to the ATM network, and simultaneously multicasts call setup information to the nodes on the ring. While the call setup message is progressing over the ATM network in a conventional manner, the nodes on the ring simultaneously set up the associated virtual path and/or virtual circuit and send back connection information to the hub node.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a self-healing ring network and a method for fault handling in said network. Said network comprises two communication paths (1, 2) and at least two nodes (N1, N2, N3, N4, N5). A first node (N1) and a second node (N5) suppress transmission to and/or reception from a segment (IS) in the ring, called an inactive segment. In the case of an occurring fault, the inactive segment is moved to the fault. According to the invention the network comprises a separate supervisory channel (OSC) for transmitting information of the fault between the nodes (N1, N2, N3, N4, N5) of the network, in which supervisory channel (OSC) a fault flag (ASSERT_PSS) is provided for the indication of the fault.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method and apparatus for shared protection in an Optical Transport Network ring based on the ODU management, based on the access of the APS/PCC bytes of the ODU Overhead at nodes, preferably by a dedicated sub-layer (like the Tandem Connection Monitoring TCM), and on the use of an end-to-end signaling APS protocol in an ODU-Shared Protection Ring topology.

Abstract: A system and method for processing and connecting a call has the communication devices in the system connected through a Fiber Data Distributed Interface (FDDI) network ring. A signaling processor, an interworking unit, and an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) matrix are configured as stations on the FDDI ring. The signaling processor receives, generates, and processes call signaling to select connections for the call. The interworking unit interworks calls between ATM and non-ATM connections. The ATM matrix connects calls between different ATM connections. Because the call processing system devices are connected through the FDDI ring, efficiencies of speed and cost can be gained for transmissions between the devices. Additional devices may be added or removed from the ring structure without disturbing the configuration or call processing.

Abstract: A system and method for transporting data packets in a ring network includes a plurality of network nodes having a protection switching agent and at least one fast downstream path circuit that provides a low-latency packet cut-through function for forwarding packets from an upstream node to a downstream node. The network nodes include three interfaces, two interfaces for coupling the network node to other network nodes in the ring network, and a third interface for coupling the network node to a local node. A plurality of virtual paths are provided between a data packet gateway, such as an Internet gateway, and the local nodes that are coupled to the network nodes of the ring network. A virtual channel identifier is embedded within data packets transported on the network so that the protection switching agent in each network node can determine whether to route received data packets to the local node, or to the low-latency cut-through downstream path circuit.

Abstract: A network designing method is provided that decides the slot allocation in a bi-directional ring system through which paths are routed, at minimum total costs for ring systems and for cross connect (XC) connecting them. Routes for a ring candidate and a node base path candidate are created based on connection information regarding nodes and spans and based on demand pairs and hubs (step A1). Thus, an integer programming problem is created and solved (step A2). The solved results are used to decide the number of ring candidates to be installed in bi- and uni-directional ring systems, nodes to which ADMs are installed in each ring system, node base path capacities, and slot numbers allocated to channels routing a bi-directional ring system (step A3).

Abstract: A wireless area network (99) includes at least one access point (100), provides for multiple possible network devices (104, 105), and is located in a structure (108) with wiring (201). The wireless area network includes an interface unit (200) that extends the range of the network devices (104, 105). The interface unit (200) is for receiving wireless signals from the access point (100) and for transmitting the wireless signals on the wiring (201). The interface unit (200) is also for receiving the wireless signals from the wiring (201) and for transmitting the wireless signals to the access point (100).

Abstract: A method of exchanging data streams between a local exchange and a number of access devices for serving a plurality of destination users, the method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a local exchange capable of generating at least one output data stream and of receiving at least one corresponding input data stream for carrying data blocks respectively relevant to one or more of the access devices; (b) providing two or more said access devices, each permitting passage there-through of at least one data stream carrying data blocks, being capable of extracting, from said at least one data stream, data blocks relevant to this particular device and of introducing there-into data blocks to be transmitted from this particular device to the local exchange; and (c) arranging one or more close loop data streams, each being intended for serving said two or more access devices using one of said output data streams and the corresponding input data stream of the local exchange, by causing the output data stream leaving

Abstract: A communications node for an optical network is disclosed. The node includes a tunable wavelength receiver for receiving optical data from source nodes at a plurality of source wavelengths and a tunable wavelength transmitter for transmitting optical data to destination nodes at a plurality of destination wavelengths. The node also includes a media access controller which creates at least one reservation map for reserving time slots and wavelengths for transmitting data to and receiving data from a plurality of nodes, made up of the source nodes and destination nodes, based upon available time slots and wavelengths in the optical network, the reservation map being based upon demand data or other data from the plurality of nodes.

Abstract: A method described in this document enables building a (logical) SDH/SONET ring where the connections between the packet-switched Access Interfaces of the SDH/SONET ring are automatically and dynamically (at 1 ms time-scale) arranged based on the actual volumes of the packet traffic flows between the Access Interfaces of the SDH/SONET ring and fair sharing of network resources. Traffic prioritizing is possible within the Access Interface to Access Interface traffic flows. No packets are lost in the SDH/SONET ring, unless temporarily in case of line or equipment failure.

Abstract: Auto-adaptive method of load balancing in a data transmission system wherein one active station (32) amongst a plurality of stations requests the access to the resources of a host (10), the active station being connected to a connected-oriented network linked to host (10) by means of a plurality of communication controllers (12, 14, 16) identified by the station (32) with the address of host (10), the connected-oriented network implementing a protocol in which route discovery frames are sent from the station (32) to all the communication controllers (12, 14, 16) and response frames are sent back with a predefined delay from each one of the communication controllers to the station (32), whereby the station (32) selects the route defined by the first received response frame, this method being characterized in that the delay to apply to the response frame is at each moment dynamically defined by using a logarithmic function of the current number of active stations.

Abstract: A method for transmitting a packet in a wireless access network based on a wavelength identification code scheme. The method comprises the steps of connecting n number of RNCs (Radio Network Controllers) to one sub-ring where the “n” is a positive integer, and assigning a unique wavelength to each RNC; identifying a packet to be transmitted between the RNCs located within a same sub-ring using the assigned unique wavelength, and transmitting the packet through an SRC (Sub-Ring Controller); connecting m number of SRCs to one main-ring where the “m” is a positive integer, and assigning a unique wavelength to each SRC; and detaching a wavelength identification code from the packet to be transmitted between the RNCs located within different sub-rings, and transmitting the packet having the encapsulated wavelength identification code through an MRC (Main-Ring Controller).

Abstract: Procedure for determining register recall filtering time in a telecommunication system in conjunction with a V5 interface in different national mappings.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for setting transmission routes in which the transmission bandwidth is expanded by incorporating in a virtual concatenation signal those protection paths that are in a normal standby state. A protection control means selects paths to use in accordance with the state of each path in a redundancy configuration that is realized by prescribed working paths and protection paths. A bandwidth management means receives the states of working paths and protection paths from the protection control means. The bandwidth management means then incorporates protection paths in a virtual concatenation signal that includes working paths if the protection paths are in a normal standby state. If the protection paths are in an unusable state or in a used state, the bandwidth management means constructs the virtual concatenation signal with only paths that can be used in virtual concatenation.

Abstract: Counters are implemented within a bridge device so that adequate forwarding and transmission statistics can be monitored. The counting of frame discards as a result of ingress and egress rules implemented within the bridge are utilized within the IEEE 802.IQ VLAN bridge model to calculate the number of frames forwarded and the number of frames transmitted.

Abstract: In a ring topology network, a number of nodes interconnect transmission links to form first and second working rings and first and second optical protection rings in a ring topology. Multiple working paths are established on each working ring and multiple protection paths are established on each protection ring corresponding to the working paths. A first working path spans across first and second nodes for transmission of a signal in a first direction of the ring topology, and a second working path of the second working rings spans across the first and second nodes for transmission of a signal in a second direction of the ring topology opposite to the first direction. A first protection path on the first protection ring spans across the first and second nodes for transmission of a signal in the second direction of the ring topology, and a second protection path of the second protection ring spans across the first and second nodes for transmission of a signal in the first direction of the ring topology.

Abstract: A telecommunication usage metering management architecture includes a telecommunication network formed of a plurality of hierarchically structured elements and a management system comprising a hierarchical set of software components. Each software component is associated with an element of the telecommunication network and each hierarchical level of the set corresponds to a hierarchical level of the telecommunication network. At least one of the software components can send messages to at least one usage metering system. Only the lowest level software resources can access information contained in the network elements and relating to the use of the associated network elements.

Abstract: A method and corresponding network element configuration for delivering communications services between first and second survivable rings, each comprising a respective plurality of network elements, at least two of which are common to both rings. For each particular service, one of the common network elements is designated as a primary gateway node and another as a secondary gateway node. A primary inter-ring connection is established for the particular service by a switch at the primary gateway node, but no inter-ring connection is established at the secondary gateway node. The secondary gateway node comprises a controller for monitoring the status of the primary gateway node and establishing a new inter-ring connection for delivery of said service upon detecting a failure of the primary gateway node. This provides survivable inter-ring traffic which is bandwidth-efficient and with a low switching delay.

Abstract: A single node is constituted by a core node that carries out overall management of the node and extended nodes that are connected by transmission lines to the core node. The core node comprises: an Operation Administration & Maintenance (OAM) function part for managing the extended nodes; N common function parts for receiving and outputting by way of transmission lines OAM signals generated by the OAM function part and main signals, and an aggregate-side interface. The extended nodes each comprise individual interfaces and a common function part for processing main signals and OAM signals that are communicated over the transmission lines. The core node and extended nodes are each arranged in appropriate locations and are each housed in individual cases.

Abstract: Logical ports allow multiple customers to be connected to and to receive different services over a common physical port of a packet forwarding device. Such logical ports allow for customer separation and may be created based on VLAN ID and MPLS labels. In one embodiment, each service provided via a packet forwarding device is associated with a unique logical port. The logical port may span multiple physical ports.

Abstract: An access node has a portal which performs interfacing between a wireless network domain and content/service providers in the Internet. On the wireless side the portal is linked with an SMSC, a CBC, and a USSD server for interfacing with and management of bearer stacks. Service functionality includes modular systems including a Push server, a Pre-paid calling server, and a location server in addition to internal portal functions. The latter provide for subscriber self-provisioning, customer care provisioning, subscriber device provisioning, and service provisioning. Thus, the node caters for both particular subscriber service and mobile device requirements.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system in which the lower address bits of an IP address are used as a mobile station's short identifier. According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the operator of a MSC/PMSC node is normally assigned, from an ISP, several class C-networks to provide to its packet mobile subscribers. When these networks are chosen with the same high order bits, as is most often the case, it is possible to directly map the lower bits of the IP-address to a unique key value that could be used within the node. For a PPDC-node, this key value can be used as a short mobile station identifier in the LAPDm protocol. For other data-link protocols on other platforms, it is also possible to use the new key value as a short identifier for the mobile station. Therefore, the translation process turns simply into a matter of adding or removing the high order bits in order to convert the IP address into the mobile station identifier.

Abstract: A fast router and a fast hardware-assisted routing method are disclosed in a network having endpoints, switches and interconnect links. The switches are programmable to allow endpoints to be connected through a particular configuration of switches. The switches also comprise: propagation circuitry which allows a search signal to be propagated through the network; allocation circuitry to set the configuration of switches once a path has been found; and deallocation circuitry to clear a configuration of switches once no path has been found.

Abstract: A communication system carries out communication between a master device and one or more groups of multiple slave devices. In addition to bus 5 that connects master device 1 and multiple slave devices 30, the communication system also has multiple daisy chain connection lines 7-1˜N that connect multiple devices 30 in a daisy chain DC. By using the daisy chain, a device identifier can be automatically assigned to each slave device in the slave device group, or a sequential number in a sequence for allocating a sharable resource is assigned to each slave device.

Abstract: A flexible cross-connect with a data plane is presented which allows the establishment of connections between network interfaces at any network interface card to another network interface on any other network interface card. The system can cross-connect connections at an STS-1 and VT 1.5 granularity, and allows the switching and routing of information in a data plane without the use of the cross connect fabric. This permits routing, bridging, and concentration of data services to be performed without burdening of the cross connect. For reliability, a range of protection configurations can be employed including 1:1, 1:5 and mixed 1:N protection. A backplane is used which provides point-to-point traces between each card and the cross connect unit, between each card and a timing, communications and control unit, and between the network interface cards themselves.

Abstract: A packet communications method whereby reliable and high-speed communication is possible without depending on the processing of other layers, and also whereby the system configuration can be flexibly changed without making circuit changes to the receiving unit. A device on the sending side adds a packet identifier to the packet and sends this packet along with a packet identical to this packet to a device on the receiving side. The device on the receiving side receives the packets sent from the device on the sending side, checks the packets for errors and, based on the packet identifier, determines whether or not the error-free packets have arrived first. If the packet arrived first, the packet with the packet identifier removed is subject to sending to a terminal, but if it arrived last, the packet is not subject to sending to the terminal, so only error-free packets are subject to the determination of whether it arrived first or not, and thus the determination can be performed accurately.

Abstract: Method for interconnecting a number of RPR rings in a wide area RPR network which provides for creating a hierarchical tree of RPR rings. Communications between different RPR rings in the network are allowed only according to the hierarchical tree architecture, through suitable ring identifiers assigned to the RPR rings according to the hierarchical tree structure.

Abstract: An in-band signaling mechanism for detecting and correcting congestion, load imbalance, and lack of fairness problems in an resilient packet ring (“RPR”) network, including a Wavelength Division Multiplex RPR (“WDMRPR”) network, is disclosed. The signaling mechanism comprises including unique signaling fields in the RPR header of bearer packets sent on the RPR network. In one embodiment, the signaling fields include fairness specific fields that are used only for the purposes of implementing fairness amongst the nodes of the RPR, load balancing specific fields that are used only for the purposes of detecting load imbalance and implementing load balancing between the rings, congestion control specific fields that are used only for the purposes of detecting and relieving congestion on a ring, and common fields that are used by any of the aforementioned functions.

Abstract: A telecommunications network is provided. The network uses a ring of ring switches to provide a transport mechanism for data packets that is transparent to the data and protocols contained in the data packets. This transport mechanism is simple and low cost to implement. Such networks can carry, for example, control data between a primary site and secondary sites of a cable network to set up and deliver pay per view, video on demand or near video on demand programming. The network can also be used, in other embodiments, to provide remote access to utility meters, to centralize network management of the cable network, and other appropriate monitoring and control functions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for designing multi-ring networks based on generalized quadrangles of combinatorial design theory, together with a scaling algorithm for realizing networks of arbitrary size. Multi-ring networks based on generalized quadrangles ensures that the path between any two nodes is either confined to a single ring, or traverses exactly two rings (passing through a single bridge node), referred to herein as the “one-bridge property.” The one-bridge property allows the construction of networks with small rings and low degree, while also permitting efficient congestion-free flow control protocols. Routing, access and flow control protocols are provided for the multi-ring network that capitalize on the combinatorial properties of the disclosed multi-ring networks. A “self-routing” routing protocol is disclosed wherein a source node does not need to know how to route a packet to a destination node that is not a neighbor.

Abstract: An interconnection architecture allows a digital system to be sold with a switched or ring topology interconnection fabric that can evolve into a point-to-point interconnection fabric as the computer system is expanded, and is capable of supporting high and low end computer systems with a single design. In accordance with the present invention, unique point-to-point interconnections are provided between each pair of modules. In one embodiment, a functional unit is coupled to an adaptive 1-of-N switch, which in turn is coupled to the interconnection fabric to form a switched topology. In a second embodiment, modules are coupled to a full 3×3 switch that fronts an adaptive 2-of-N switch. The second embodiment can be coupled into a ring or switched topology, and can be used to provide additional bandwidth and redundancy.

Abstract: An Ethernet Optical Area Network (EOAN) system, and methods for implementing and using such an EOAN system, are disclosed. The EOAN system may be used to improve the speed and reliability of data communications networks for small to medium-sized companies in metropolitan area networks. The EOAN system provides end-to-end Ethernet protocol, enabling professionals to have high-speed data communications in real time. The EOAN system may be generally utilized for improving data communications between branch offices, home offices, campuses, and remote sites for a wide variety of industries. The present invention preferably includes a fiber optic ring, Network Operation Center (NOC), NOC architecture components, existing client equipment, and one or more Free Space Optic (FSO) devices, microwave communication technology, and/or data switching platforms to implement high-speed Ethernet-based connections such as within a specified metropolitan area.

Abstract: In a congestion control system for congestion controlling communications on a network, a congestion control node has a congestion detection part for detecting a congestion level of the communications in the congestion control node in question and a congestion notifying part for notifying other congestion control nodes on the network of congestion information detected by the congestion detection part. The congestion control node further has a part for receiving the congestion information from the other congestion control nodes and a congestion flow estimating part for estimating, with reference to the congestion information and a routing table for designating a transfer path to destination, a flow having the congestion level that is not less than a predetermined level in the transfer path to the destination.

Abstract: Traffic demands are routed in a ring network by first determining an inter-ring path for a given demand, and then independently determining an intra-ring path for the demand on each of the rings in the inter-ring path. The intra-ring path provisioning is fully decoupled from the inter-ring path provisioning, such that the demand can be routed more quickly and efficiently. For example, both the routing direction and the interworking nodes for a dual ring interworking (DRI) connection can be determined independently for each of the rings of the inter-ring path. The invention may be implemented in the form of a hybrid centralized/distributed network architecture, in which a central operations system or other central controller determines the inter-ring path by applying a shortest path algorithm to a ring graph in which nodes represent rings in the network and links represent ring interconnections in the network.

Abstract: A twisted pair and/or coaxial cable fed, integrated residence gateway controlled set-top device provides a plurality of services. One service is lifeline service which may be provided over the coaxial cable via a cable modem of the integrated residence gateway or over the twisted pair facility. An integrated residence gateway is coupled to either or both of the coaxial cable or twisted pair and distributes the bandwidth facilities available over either service vehicle to customer devices including a set top box. A network service platform (NSP) is coupled to a cable facilities management platform (FNP) for providing services for cable television subscribers as well as telecommunication service subscribers such that an interexchange or telephone company would control the network services to the subscribers. The NSP architectural concept may permit the interexchange or telephone company to be the single service provider of information to subscribers on an equal basis.

Abstract: A telecommunications network is provided. The network uses a ring of ring switches to provide a transport mechanism for data packets that is transparent to the data and protocols contained in the data packets. This transport mechanism is simple and low cost to implement. Such networks can carry, for example, video signals between a primary site and secondary sites of a cable network to provide video on demand, near video on demand, distance learning and other video based services. Such networks can also provide telephony service as voice over IP.

Abstract: Described is a method extending the OAM functionality in the RPR networks through a new OAM loopback procedure of request-reply type together with the definition of a new RPR OAM loopback frame. The OAM loopback function allows any RPR station to check the reachability of another RPR station. It is not necessary to stop any data traffic communication on the network in order to perform this function.

Abstract: An interconnection structure including an interconnection artery ensuring the parallel transfer, on a group of conductors, of information to be exchanged, configured in at least one ring (50; 60; 70) on which information circulates in a closed loop and in a one-way direction. The artery has a plurality of coupling points to the addressable elements of the microcomputer. Some of the points of coupling (10, 20, 30) include a register associated with the corresponding addressable element with the microcomputer, and others include a gateway (G1, G2. . . . GN) towards, and from, another ring of a lower order, on which lower order ring information also circulates in a closed loop and in a one-way direction. This results in a structure of plurality of hierarchised rings. The interconnection structure is particularly useful for battery operated processor controlled devices, such as active implantable medical devices, pacemakers, defibrillators and the like.

Abstract: A distributed Link-State Routing Protocol (LSRP) system in a packet switch having external communication ports has a first card executing Update process of the LSRP, making database updates, a second card executing Decision process(Shortest Path First (SPF)) of the LSRP, and a communication fabric coupling the cards with each other and the external ports. The LSRP may be an IS-IS system. In some embodiments there are additional cards involved, and the distribution of Link-State functions is over a set of multiple cards. Also in some embodiments there is a Location Service (LS) controller monitoring and configuring cards in the system.

Abstract: In a ring network system employing the transoceanic function, the path switching time in the protection process is made shorter. From the path setting information, the determination process corresponding to the fault positions is created at the start-up time and path update time, and saved in the memory unit 23. This allows the switching information for faults to be uniquely determined, and the determination process portion increased by the transoceanic function can almost be eliminated. The switching time remains unchanged as compared with the conventional protection.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing a source interface device and destination interface device are disclosed. A method of enabling communication between the source device and one or more destination devices includes sending data from the source device to the switch for storage. A frame notify message addressed to the one or more destination devices and indicating that the data has been stored by the switch for retrieval is then sent on the ring interconnect. One of the specified destination devices obtains the frame notify message from the source device via the ring interconnect. A frame retrieval message identifying the data is then sent from the destination device to the switch in response to the frame notify message. In addition, the destination device modifies the frame notify message to indicate whether the destination device was capable of accepting the frame notify message.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and device for generating and transporting synchronous cells and switching them with circuit-packet duality switch. Different traffics are carried by the synchronous cells and switched by the circuit-packet duality switch (100). These synchronous cells are synchronously mapped into 125 &mgr;s frames and transported over synchronous cell switched network (250). Each synchronous cell in the 125 &mgr;s frame is both a time slot of the frame and a fixed size packet. A synchronous cell (12) is switched by the circuit-packet duality switch (100) either in circuit switching manner by treating the cell as a time slot, or in packet switching manner by self-routing using connection IDs in the cell header.