Abstract: A one-bounce data network comprises a plurality of nodes interconnected to each other via communication links, the network including a plurality of interconnected switch devices, said switch devices interconnected such that a message is communicated between any two switches passes over a single link from a source switch to a destination switch; and, the source switch concurrently sends a message to an arbitrary bounce switch which then sends the message to the destination switch.

Abstract: One embodiment disclosed relates to a method of automated path tracing from an original mesh switch through a switching mesh to a specified destination. A mesh traceroute packet to the specified destination is built. The mesh traceroute packet is transmitted via an exit port associated with the specified destination and the returned packet is received. Another embodiment disclosed relates to a method of responding to receipt of a mesh traceroute packet during an automated path tracing. The mesh traceroute packet is received at a switch. A hop entry is appended to the mesh traceroute packet by the switch.

Abstract: A vehicle network system is provided with a plurality of star networks, a plurality of devices mounted on a vehicle are connected in a star shape through respective branch lines in each of the star networks, and a trunk line for connecting the plurality of star networks, the branch lines are communication lines for optical communications, and the trunk line is a communication line for electric communication.

Abstract: A network element including an active/standby pair of line units, an active/standby pair of switch fabric units, at least one service unit, and a management and control unit. Each line unit maintains data communications using a first communications protocol. Each switch fabric unit maintains data communications using a second communications protocol. Each service unit includes a first backplane interface supporting the first communications protocol, and a second backplane interface supporting the second communications protocol. The management and control unit provides a control infrastructure for selectively communicating data units between the active/standby pair of line units, the active/standby pair of switch fabric units, and the service unit, responsive to provisioning information or information contained within the respective data unit.

Abstract: In one embodiment, one or more self checking pairs are implemented at the application layer in a network that supports the qualified propagation of data at the transport layer (for example, in a network having a braided ring topology).

Abstract: Redundant wireless links in a meshed backhaul network may be used to improve quality of service on the backhaul network by confining knowledge of the duality to the attached network elements. Globally, an aggregate bandwidth of the redundant wireless links may be advertised to allow network level routing to treat the redundant links as a single logical link. At the link level, however, the network elements may differentiate between different types of traffic to provide preferential service to particular types of traffic. By using different physical links within the logical link for particular types of traffic, the quality of service for that type of traffic may be improved by not causing different types of traffic to compete for the same bandwidth. The redundant links may be interfaced using a tower network including a radio accessed router optionally powered using solar power, to isolate the tower network from ground equipment.

Abstract: A communication method and system allowing MN (mobile nodes) to acquire a home address in a visited network. The communication system includes a home network installed with a home agent for holding mobile terminal location information and, a visited network installed with a radio communications device for communicating with that mobile terminal, and gateway equipment in the visited network for forming an interface with the home network. The radio communication device includes an access request transfer unit for forwarding access requests from a mobile terminal of the visited network to the gateway equipment which makes an acquisition request to the home agent for an identifier of that mobile terminal, and forwards that acquired identifier to that mobile terminal.

Abstract: A system for (and a method of) selectively establishing communication with one of plural devices associated with a single telephone number during a disaster or disaster recovery period. The method can offer disaster recovery to an enterprise depending upon its size, financial well-being and desired capabilities. For example, the enterprise has the option of owning or renting all of the equipment required so that it may perform disaster recovery on its own and with little outside intervention. The enterprise may own some or none of the necessary equipment and contract with a service bureau so that the bureau provides recovery equipment when needed. The system also provides for roll call, priority preemption and seamless switching services to and from circuit and packet communication devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to a network comprising a plurality of network nodes. At least part of the network nodes are directly coupled to each other via at least one star node. The star node comprises a plurality of star interfaces which are assigned to at least one network node. In dependence on a respective pilot signal, a star interface conveys a message from the assigned network node to the other star interfaces, or from another star interface to at least one of the assigned network nodes. Also in the event of simultaneous arrival of at least two pilot signals at the respective star interfaces, a decision circuit releases one star interface for the transmission of data.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods wherein communication link redundancy may be provided which is optimized to the primary links. Specifically, a redundant link portion of a communication system may be deployed to provide redundant links for a primary link portion of the communication system having substantially greater information communication capacity. However, through the use of isolation of portions of the primary link capacity, such as through the preferred embodiment sectors, sufficient redundant link capacity may be maintained economically. According to a preferred embodiment, a single redundant sector may be coextensive with a plurality of primary sectors and, thus, be relied upon for providing redundant links for any such primary sector. Preferred embodiments allow for the subsectoring of primary sectors while maintaining the configuration of a redundant sector corresponding thereto.

Abstract: A wireless access gateway provides a telecommunications link between a packet switched network and a base transceiver station (BTS), the BTS enabling wireless communication with mobile stations in a wireless coverage area. A session manager controls sessions through the packet switched network, and a mobility server performs mobility management for mobile stations being served by wireless access gateways. A wireless access gateway includes a packet agent, a coding agent, a radio frequency (RF) manager, and a signaling control agent. The packet agent packetizes frames from the BTS into packets and depacketizes packets into frames for the BTS. The coding agent transcodes content contained in packets from a first format to a second format. The RF manager performs RF management of the BTS. The signaling control agent sends queries to and receives responses from the session manager to control the operation of the wireless access gateway.

Abstract: A method for performing end-to-end “tree-based ordered multicasting” (TOM) which ensures collective integrity and consistency of distributed operations, and which is applicable to distributed multiparty collaboration and other multipoint applications. The TOM protocol performs cascaded total ordering of messages among on-tree hosts en route from senders to receivers, and does not require the building of a separate propagation graph to compute ordering information. TOM elects sequencer nodes dynamically based on address extensions of the multicast tree. Message ordering is performed by multicasting a message from each source node to receivers, unicasting a control message from a source node across a primary node to an ordering node for the designated multicast group or transmission in the tree, determining a binding sequence number for the message and a multicast to the receiver group, and delivering messages at end hosts according to the agreed-upon sequence numbers.

Abstract: A wireless hub uses a first processor to communicate with IEDs, uses a second processor to communicate with landline SCADA devices, and uses a third processor to extract, store and exchange messages between SCADA protocols and IED data formats so as to as to permit two way communications between SCADA users and IEDs which are independent of protocol data formats and time of exchange.

Abstract: Architecture for a SONET network element. The architecture includes an interconnection system for a network element, including a line unit slot, a switch fabric slot, and service unit slots. The line unit slot is connected as a hub to the switch fabric slot and the service unit slots in a first star interconnection configuration. The switch fabric slot is connected as a hub to the line unit slot and the service unit slots in a second star interconnection configuration. The star interconnection configurations provide fault isolation between different units, and allow for replacement of failed units without interfering with the links of other units to the hub. A service unit is provided including a first backplane interface for connecting with an ATM star interconnect configuration within the network element, and a second backplane interface for connecting to an STM star interconnect configuration within the network element.

Abstract: A conferencing method not requiring additional or dedicated hardware in a processor controlled telephone terminal, nor requiring an external conference bridge, is provided by one of the terminals designating the conference, processing signals from two other conferees and delaying only two of the conferees active talkers at any given time. The two active conferees do not receive their own signal. An active conferee remains declared active during a dynamic hangover time, which varies between a minimum and a maximum corresponding to the activity time of the conferee.

Abstract: A method of transmitting data over a single-channel wireless network having a plurality of nodes is disclosed. According to the method, a first link is established between two of the nodes and data is transmitted therebetween. A break in transmission between the two nodes is listened for, and a first predetermined time interval is waited if a break in transmission between two nodes occurs. A second predetermined time interval is established if the first predetermined time interval lapses with no detected transmission over the channel. The second predetermined time interval is divided into a plurality of slots, and each node randomly selects one of the slots. One of the nodes establishes a second link if that node has selected a slot earlier in time than slots selected by the remainder of the nodes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a network comprising a plurality of intercoupled network nodes. Controlled by a bus guardian the network nodes transmit messages during a respectively assigned time slot and receive messages from other network nodes outside this time slot. Each network node comprises a test signal generator which delivers a test signal outside the respectively assigned time slot, and includes a test signal detector which detects outside the respective time slot, after receiving a test signal from at least another network node, that there is a defective circuit portion in the assigned network node and/or in at least another network node.

Abstract: In a protection switching method for a passive optical network system, a communication abnormality is detected in at least one active-system virtual path established between an optical line terminal and a subscriber terminal through a transmission path and a network unit. When a communication abnormality is detected in an active-system virtual path, a switch is controlled to switch the transmission paths to establish a standby-system virtual path between the optical line terminal and the subscriber terminal as a communication partner. A protection switching apparatus for a passive optical network system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A star communication network including a hub node (102) and links (102E) couple to the hub node for carrying data along routes in W channels. The hub node has switches connecting each channel of a first one of the links to various channels of a second one of the links through the hub node.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus which facilitate the handling of data between platforms interconnected by any of a variety of network environments are disclosed. In general terms, the present invention represents an improvement over conventional packet parsing and searching mechanisms. The parse mechanism sequentially analyzes each character of the packet data and passes relevant characters to the search mechanism as soon as each character is reached. Preferably, the characters of each data field are parsed character-by-character. In one implementation, prior to searching a relevant data field, the parser initializes the appropriate search mechanism based on at least the data field type (e.g., the cookie field or URL field of an HTTP request). Each character of the relevant data is then passed sequentially to the search mechanism, where a search state are obtained for each passed character. Accordingly, the parser passes each character of the relevant data fields to the search mechanism.

Abstract: A data transmission system for aircraft is formed by a global transmission network that includes at least one subnet with at least one star distributor. At least one peripheral unit is connected to the star distributor. The star distributor is so wired or circuit connected that each subnet forms a cross-distributor for a respective peripheral unit connected to the subnet.

Abstract: A method of managing layer 2 devices uses SNMP protocol with an Ethernet connection without an USB or RS-232 port. When a gateway is setup to communicate with a client PC, an Ethernet packet with a pre-configured static IP address is sent out for the layer 2 device to read, intercept and process the payload in the IP packet of the Ethernet packet. If the gateway does not exist or is not set up properly for communication, a multicast frame to the address of 224.0.23.1 is sent out. The layer 2device recognizes the multicast address and process the protocol.

Abstract: Systems and methods for recovering and managing location information in mobile communication networks using a fast recovery protocol and load balanced query and update processes. According to the fast recovery protocol, if a location update processor does not receive a message from a global database server acknowledging receipt by the global database server of a location update message after a predetermined retry interval has elapsed since the location update message was sent by the location update processor, the location update processor sends a location update retry message after each predetermined retry interval elapses until the location update processor receives an acknowledgement message from the global database server. The global database server can use the location update retry messages and the predetermined retry interval to recover from a database or link failure. The recovery period using the fast recovery protocol is bounded by the predetermined retry interval.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mechanism for supporting high digital bandwidth in a multi-drop bus system. A first device of the system encodes multiple bits in a symbol and drives the encoded symbol onto the multi-drop bus. Multiple receiving devices are linked to the bus through electromagnetic couplers. A receiving device samples the encoded symbol through the electromagnetic coupler and recovers the encoded bits from the sampled symbol.

Abstract: Embodiments of a topology for a backplane for a switch fabric and operation thereof are described.

Abstract: A reference timing architecture is disclosed that provides a level of flexibility that was not available with the architecture in the prior art. In particular, the present invention provides for multiple reference timing outputs that can be routed to equipment nodes relying on the timing information, wherein each of the timing processing paths that provide timing outputs can be controlled independently of one another.

Abstract: An application program interface capable of routing commands received from external devices to the appropriate system application that is runtime configurable is disclosed. At runtime, the application program interface receives enrollment signals from external interface packages used to provide communications to the external devices and dynamically updates a first routing table. Additionally, at runtime, the application program interface receives enrollment signals from system application packages used to perform system commands and dynamically updates a second routing table. The routing tables are used to route command request and responses between the external interface and system application packages and thus, provides a communication interface between external devices and system application software. Since the routing tables are configured at runtime, the application program interface can be re-configured without re-compiling the software used to implement it.

Abstract: The addresses of a mobile station (MS) and a second party (B) connected to the Internet (12) are converted in such a way that a short message service center (SMSC) receives an allocation request (2-1) from a mobile station for allocating a virtual number (VN) to a combination comprising the address (IAB) of a second party preferably also a mobile station identifier. The SMSC sends a reply (2-2) to the mobile station, the reply indicating the allocated virtual number (VN). The mobile station (MS) transmits a short message (2-9) to the virtual member. The SMSC forms an Internet address (IAB) of the second party (B) on the basis of the virtual number (VN) and the allocation request (2-1) and sends to the Internet address an e-mail message (2-10) whose text part corresponds to the text part of the short message. The B party can reply (2-11) by using the reply function of the e-mail, which exchanges the sender for the recipient The B party can also use (2-13) the ISDN number of the mobile station.

Abstract: A wireless local area network is provided with simplified RF ports which are configured to provide lower level media access control functions. Higher level media access control functions are provided in a cell controller, which may service one or more RF ports that are capable of operating based on a pre-assigned security level. Mobile units can also be configured with the higher level media access control functions being performed in a host processor.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention a method of operating a data network loop having at least two nodes includes monitoring deletions in an adaptive elasticity first-in, first-out (FIFO) buffer in each node, identifying each adaptive elasticity FIFO buffer that is a deleter, the deleter being an adaptive elasticity FIFO buffer for which information is deleted more often than information is inserted, and reducing a deletion threshold for each adaptive elasticity FIFO buffer that is a deleter. According to another embodiment of the present invention a buffer includes an adaptive elasticity FIFO buffer and a control circuit operatively configured to monitor deletions in the adaptive elasticity FIFO buffer, determine if the adaptive elasticity FIFO buffer is a deleter, and reduce a deletion threshold for the adaptive elasticity FIFO buffer if the adaptive elasticity FIFO buffer is a deleter.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods wherein communication link redundancy may be provided which is optimized to the primary links. Specifically, a redundant link portion of a communication system may be deployed to provide redundant links for a primary link portion of the communication system having substantially greater information communication capacity. However, through the use of isolation of portions of the primary link capacity, such as through the preferred embodiment sectors, sufficient redundant link capacity may be maintained economically. According to a preferred embodiment, a single redundant sector may be coextensive with a plurality of primary sectors and, thus, be relied upon for providing redundant links for any such primary sector. Preferred embodiments allow for the subsectoring of primary sectors while maintaining the configuration of a redundant sector corresponding thereto.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods wherein communication link redundancy may be provided which is optimized to the primary links. Specifically, a redundant link portion of a communication system may be deployed to provide redundant links for a primary link portion of the communication system having substantially greater information communication capacity. However, through the use of isolation of portions of the primary link capacity, such as through the preferred embodiment sectors, sufficient redundant link capacity may be maintained economically. According to a preferred embodiment, a single redundant sector may be coextensive with a plurality of primary sectors and, thus, be relied upon for providing redundant links for any such primary sector. Preferred embodiments allow for the subsectoring of primary sectors while maintaining the configuration of a redundant sector corresponding thereto.

Abstract: A method for consolidating backward resource management (BRM) cells in an available bit rate point-to-multipoint tree including a root, a plurality of leaves and a branch point interconnected between the root and the leaves. Initially, congestion information memory devices are reset. Then for each incoming return BRM cell to the branch point a determination is made whether the branch point has received a return BRM cell from a predetermined number of candidates in a candidate set of candidate-branches. If the branch point has not received a return BRM cell from the predetermined number of candidates in the candidate set then the congestion information from the incoming return BRM cell and the congestion information in the congestion information memory devices are consolidated in the congestion information memory devices.

Abstract: In a communication network of the present invention, there are arranged a plurality of groups of nodes, a plurality of exchange nodes, a plurality of first transmission lines connecting the node groups with respective ones of the exchange nodes, and at least a second transmission line for connecting the exchange nodes with each other. The nodes are connected with each other through at least one of the exchange nodes by multiplexed communication channels for transmission of a data signal established in the first and second transmission lines, and the nodes are connected with the exchange nodes by the multiplexed communication channels and at least one control channel for transmission of a control signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a network comprising a plurality of network nodes and one star node, which star node is provided for the direct coupling of at least two network nodes. The star node comprises a plurality of star interfaces which are assigned to at least one network node and which comprise each an activity detector for detecting activities in the message signal coming from the assigned network node and for transferring the message signal from the assigned network node to the other star interfaces or from another star interface to the assigned network node in dependence on at least one activity.

Abstract: An architecture for a SONET network element, such as a hybrid STM/ATM add-drop multiplexer. The disclosed system includes an interconnection system for a network element, including a line unit slot, a switch fabric slot, and two or more service unit slots. The line unit slot is connected as a hub to the switch fabric slot and the service unit slots in a first star interconnection configuration. The switch fabric slot is connected as a hub to the line unit slot and the service unit slots in a second star interconnection configuration. The star interconnection configurations provide fault isolation between different units, and allow for replacement of failed units without interfering with the links of other units to the hub. In a preferred embodiment, the switch fabric slot and one of the service unit slots comprise the same slot, thus permitting flexible configuration of the device within a minimal space.

Abstract: The invention relates to a network comprising a plurality of network nodes. At least part of the network nodes are directly coupled to each other via at least one star node. The star node comprises a plurality of star interfaces which are assigned to at least one network node. In dependence on a respective pilot signal, a star interface conveys a message from the assigned network node to the other star interfaces, or from another star interface to at least one of the assigned network nodes. Also in the event of simultaneous arrival of at least two pilot signals at the respective star interfaces, a decision circuit releases one star interface for the transmission of data.

Abstract: A switching system for integratedly switching voice, data, image information and the like. The switching system comprises a plurality of front-end modules each adapted to perform a switching processing in association with a subscriber line or a trunk line, and a single or a plurality of central modules for interconnecting the plurality of front-end modules in star-type fashion and switching information prevailing between the front-end modules, in unit of block accommodating the information and a header added thereto to contain connection control information and in accordance with the contents of the header. The front-end modules are connected to the central module via inter-module highways each having frames occurring at a predetrmined period and time slots contained in each frame to carry blocks.

Abstract: An L2 integrated access (L2IA) system is constructed from: L2IA subscribers for supporting communications between user terminals using various communication media, each L2IA subscriber having an L2IA identifier for uniquely identifying each L2IA subscriber within the L2 integrated access system and a terminal ID for uniquely identifying each L2IA subscriber within each communication medium associated with each L2IA subscriber; and an L2IA relay network formed by relay units to be connected with the L2IA subscribers through various communication media and relaying communications between the L2IA subscribers through the L2IA relay network, each relay unit being provided in correspondence to one communication medium such that at least one relay unit is provided in correspondence to each communication medium, and each relay unit having an L2IA relay ID for uniquely identifying each relay unit within the L2IA relay network and a terminal ID for uniquely identifying each relay unit within each communication medium

Abstract: A scalable low-latency switch extends the functionality of a multiple level minimum logic interconnect structure for usage in computers of all types, networks and communication systems. The multiple level minimum logic interconnect structure employs a data flow technique based on timing and positioning of messages moving through the structure. The scalable low-latency switch is distributed throughout multiple nodes in the structure so that a supervisory controller providing a global control function and complex logic structures are avoided while the interconnect structure operates as a “deflection” or “hot potato” system in which processing and storage overhead at each node is reduced. The interconnect structure using the scalable low-latency switch employs a method of achieving wormhole routing through an integrated circuit chip by a novel procedure for inserting messages into the chip.

Abstract: A data transmission system, including a first sending and receiving control system and a second sending and receiving control system, which may be a media access control system of a CSMA/CD type system including plural terminals having data frame sending and receiving mechanisms connected to the ports of hub units in a star shape configuration, and wherein the hub units of both sending and receiving control systems are connected to each other with signal transmission lines, such that at a certain point in time, one of the plurality of hub units performs a control of the transmission approval function which enables a data frame from a corresponding terminal to be sent to the ports of the hub units in a prescribed sequence.

Abstract: An applications programming interface implements and manages isochronous and asynchronous data transfer operations between an application and a bus structure. During an asyncronous transfer the API includes the ability to transfer any amount of data between one or more local data buffers within the application and a range of addresses over the bus structure using one or more asynchronous transactions. An automatic transaction generator may be used to automatically generate the transactions necessary to complete the data transfer. The API also includes the ability to transfer data between the application and another node on the bus structure isochronously over a dedicated channel. During an isochronous data transfer, a buffer management scheme is used to manage a linked list of data buffer descriptors. This linked descriptor list can form a circular list of buffers and include a forward pointer to the next buffer in the list and a backward pointer to the previous buffer in the list for each buffer.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and architecture comprising a first circuit, a second circuit, and a logic circuit coupled to said first and second circuits. The first segment generally comprises a first repeater core configured to operate at one of a plurality of speeds and a first port. The second segment generally comprises a second repeater core configured to operate at one of a plurality of speeds and a second port. A logic circuit may be configured to couple each of the first and second ports to either the first or second repeater core.

Abstract: A hub port which maintains a constant phase in a datastream and reduces jitter transfer to an attached node port. The hub port includes circuitry for maintaining constant bit boundaries for all data transmitted along the hub loop from that hub port using an internal clock. In addition, the internal clock is used to reduce jitter transfer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ATM network planning is described. ATM network planning involves designing an ATM network to support traffic demands, which may include voice, data, image and video traffic. It is desirable to design a backbone network for a metropolitan area which minimizes the total network cost. The design process includes the determination of network topology, location and configuration of switches, dimensioning of all links, etc. A heuristic method is described which provides a near-optimal lowest cost network design with the cost reasonably certain to be close to the optimal solution. The advantage is a versatile method which can reliably produce a lowest cost network plan in a reasonable time.

Abstract: A method for improving network security in a network that includes a star configured interconnection device such as a repeater, a bridge or a switch, that has a plurality of ports adapted for connection to respective MAC layer devices includes storing authentication data in the star configured interconnection device that maps MAC addresses of end stations in the network to particular ports on the star configured interconnection device. Upon receiving a packet on a particular port, the process involves determining whether the packet carries a source address which the authentication data maps to the particular port. If the packet carries a source address which the authentication data maps to the particular port, then the packet is accepted. If the packet does not carry a source MAC address which the authentication maps to the port, then an authentication protocol is executed on the port to determine whether the MAC address originates from an authorized sender according to the authentication protocol.

Abstract: By providing a plurality of virtual LAN's such that ports communicating according to one protocol are grouped and communication is performed between the ports in the group, a communication is possible according to a plurality of protocols and it is possible to enter into other virtual LAN's than a virtual LAN to which a connection is made.

Abstract: A communication network and method, including an information signal line which carries a plurality of selectable information signals. Electrical lines run throughout a building, with electrical outlets connected to the electrical line. An electrical line distribution panel connects the information signal line and the electrical line for distributing the selectable information signals over the electrical line to the location of a given electrical outlet. Dielectric-core couplers which are impedance-matched with the electrical line are connected to the electrical outlets. At least one communication station is connected to a dielectric-core coupler for receiving the selectable information signals.

Abstract: An ATM network topology management method for an ATM network using an NBMA Next Hop Resolution Protocol (NHRP) to obtain an ATM address from a network address in the ATM network, when a network management system (NMS) is directly connected to the ATM network, including the following steps: (1) reading a network address of an NHRP server that has been set in an NHRP client placed in the NMS; (2) recognizing a topology of a logical subnet served by the NHRP server within the ATM network by accessing the NHRP server with a network address derived from step (1) and obtaining information on a logical subnet served by the NHRP server, an ATM terminal and an ATM switch belonging to the logical subnet; and (3) the NMS reading information on another NHRP server within the ATM network from the NHRP server, obtains a network address of the other NHRP server, accesses the other NHRP server with an obtained network address and obtains information on other logical subnet served by the other NHRP server and an ATM terminal

Abstract: In a switching hub capable of realizing a high-speed LAN communication, this switching hub is equipped with a switch unit and a plurality of ports connected to this switch unit. When a frame is received from a terminal, each of these ports attaches a tag to which a transmission source LAN number has been set to this received frame, and thereafter supplies the frame with this tag to the switch unit. When the frame with tag is received from another port within another switching hub, the port directly supplies this frame with tag to the switch unit. The switch unit registers the transmission source LAN number of the supplied frame, a transmission source MAC address, and an input port number into a LAN table. While such a port for supplying a frame is determined, either a transmission source address of this frame or a transmission source LAN number thereof is used as a retrieve key so as to try to read out the port number from the LAN table.