Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for using distributed queues in an overlay network. Embodiments of the invention can be used to replicate queue state (e.g., inserted and/or deleted messages) within an overlay network and can be used to continue a process at a different node within the overlay network based on replicated queue state. Accordingly, embodiments of the invention can be used to increase the availability of queue state, compensate for node failures within an overlay network, and promote replication of consistent queue state between nodes within an overlay network.

Abstract: A device provides an ager ring that ages entries associated with managed resource of a device, and determines whether a particular entry associated with a particular managed resource of the device is to be updated. The device also updates, when the particular entry is to be aged out in a particular time frame, the particular entry in the ager ring based on a bucket offset and a current time bucket associated with the particular entry and based on a current time, a refresh timeout, and a maximum timeout associated with the ager ring. The device further updates, when the particular entry is being aged during processing, the particular entry in the ager ring based on a new bucket, the current time bucket, and the bucket offset associated with the particular entry and based on the maximum timeout associated with the ager ring.

Abstract: A ring communication network according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of nodes in which a single one of the nodes is configured for full channel conversion and the remaining nodes, other than the single node, are configured for no channel conversion. Links with no more than W channels couple the nodes. The ring communication network also may include N nodes and links connecting the nodes for carrying data in W channels such that N?2 log2 W?1 where W is a power of 2. Each of the N nodes includes switches connected such that each channel of a first one of the links adjacent to any one of the N nodes can be switched to no more than W?1 channels of another one of the links adjacent any one node.

Abstract: A method and system for rerouting data over a local area network is provided. The method comprises defining at least one port group associated with a bridging device, each port group including interfaces linked to the bridging device. A plurality of statuses for each port group is defined, the status being dependent on the individual statuses of the interfaces linked to the bridging device. At least one target port associated with each port group, each target port relating to a path for data. The method further comprises defining an action for each status of a port group and monitoring the status of the interfaces forming part of each port group. In response to determining the status of a port group, triggering the predefined action associated with the port group status at one of the port group's target ports.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for initializing a system configured in a programmable logic device (PLD) is described. In some examples, the method includes: initializing memory elements in the system with first data; executing a first iteration of the system to process the first data; partially reconfiguring the PLD, during execution of the first iteration, to initialize shadow memory elements in the PLD with second data, the shadow memory elements respectively shadowing the memory elements in the system; transferring the second data from the shadow memory elements to the memory elements; and executing a second iteration of the system to process the second data.

Abstract: A number of caching agents are interconnected by a ring. A number of trackers of a home agent are pre-allocated to each of the number of caching agents. A tracker provides a permit for a caching agent to issue a request to the home agent. In case a caching agent needs to issue more requests to the home agent, the caching agent may borrow a tracker from another caching agent by sending a message via the ring to other caching agents. A caching agent receiving the borrowing message may either respond the borrowing message by lending a tracker pre-allocated to the corresponding caching agent, or deny the borrowing request by forwarding the borrowing message to another caching agent.

Abstract: Customer triggered resource reservation requests (131) are granted or refused in an access node (104) on the basis of available resources on downlinks (102) between the access node (104) and customer premises, and eventually uplinks (105) between the access node (104) and an aggregation network (106). Network triggered resource reservation requests (121) are granted or refused in a central resource admission control device (108) on the basis of knowledge of available resources in the aggregation network (106) and the contents of an admission control report (123) received from the access node (104). The admission control report (123) is generated by the access node (104) on the basis of available resources on downlinks (102) between the access node (104) and customer premises, and eventually uplinks (105) between the access node (104) and an aggregation network (106).

Abstract: A network having a plurality of electronic equipments and a plurality of network nodes is disclosed. The nodes are connected and form a reference ring, according to which ring the nodes are ordered by successive ranks. Each node is connected by a direct receiving connection to an upstream node and via a direct transmission connection to a downstream node. The network is adapted to tolerate a number of network node breakdowns, n being greater than 1. Each node is connected by a direct receiving connection to all of the other nodes placed, in the reference ring, up to: 2 ranks downstream and 1 rank upstream or 1 rank downstream and 2 ranks upstream if n is 2; n-1 ranks downstream and n-1 ranks upstream, if n is odd; or n-1 ranks downstream and n-2 ranks upstream, or n-2 ranks downstream and n-1 ranks upstream, if n is even and greater than 2.

Abstract: A method of handling datagrams in a network device coupled to other network devices is disclosed. The method includes the steps of receiving an incoming datagram at a port of the network device, determining an egress port for the incoming datagram based on a destination address contained in the incoming datagram and a lookup of an address resolution lookup (ARL) table and performing a lookup of the ARL table based on a source address contained in the incoming datagram to determine whether the source address has been learned previously. The method also includes the steps of writing an entry into the ARL table when the source address has not been learned previously, determining whether the other network devices have learned the source address when the source address has been learned previously and continuing to relay a learning message with the source address to the other network devices when it is determined that the other network devices have not learned the source address.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for accessing data of a message memory of a communication module by inputting or outputting data into or from the message memory, the message memory being connected to a buffer memory assemblage and the data being transferred to the message memory or from the message memory, the buffer memory assemblage having an input buffer memory in the first transfer direction and an output buffer memory in the second transfer direction; and the input buffer memory and the output buffer memory each being divided into a partial buffer memory and a shadow memory, the following steps being performed in each transfer direction: inputting data into the respective partial buffer memory, and transposing access to the partial buffer memory and shadow memory, so that subsequent data can be inputted into the shadow memory while the previously inputted data are already being outputted from the partial buffer memory in the stipulated transfer direction.

Abstract: In some embodiments, it is determined that a primary node has been elected from among a plurality of nodes in a replica set of nodes. The primary node accepts and processes client data access requests. The replica set includes the primary node and other secondary nodes. The primary node receives client data access requests. The primary node assigns a data sequence number to each client data access request that mutates state in the order the client data access requests are received. The data sequence numbers include a linearized processing order that is to be followed by each of the nodes in the replica set. The primary node sends the mutating client data access requests including any corresponding data sequence numbers to the secondary nodes. The primary node receives, from a threshold number of secondary nodes, an acknowledgement indicating reception of the client data access request. The primary node commits the data mutating access request.

Abstract: A network device includes at least one source physical port coupled to a network, and a plurality of egress ports. A logical port assignment mechanism assigns source logical port information to a data packet received via one of the at least one physical port. The source logical port information is based on characteristics of the data packet, and the source logical port information corresponds to a logical entity that is different from any source physical port. A forwarding engine determines one or more egress ports for forwarding the data packet based on at least the assigned source logical port.

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

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for enabling a protected circuit path to be created efficiently are disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a method for creating a protected circuit path within an optical network system includes identifying a first node, a second node, and a third node. Once the nodes are identified, a pseudo link or a virtual link may be created between the second node and the third node. A first circuit path is then routed between the first node and the second node, and a second circuit path which protects that first circuit path is routed between the first node and the third node using the pseudo link.

Abstract: Techniques are described for sharing content among peers. Locality domains are treated as first order network units. Content is located at the level of a locality domain using a hierarchical DHT in which nodes correspond to locality domains. A peer searches for a given piece of content in a proximity guided manner and terminates at the earliest locality domain (in the hierarchy) which has the content. Locality domains are organized into hierarchical clusters based on their proximity.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for using distributed timers in an overlay network. Embodiments of the invention can be used to replicate timers within an overlay network and can be used to make progress towards completing a portion of work within the overlay network based on a replicated timer. Accordingly, embodiments of the invention can be used to increase the availability of timer data as well as compensate for node failures within an overlay network.

Abstract: A network device includes a data structure and an ager. The data structure includes a group of positions. One or more of the positions are associated with at least one item. The ager is configured to sequentially analyze each position of the group of positions, and recycle, at each analyzed position, any item associated with the analyzed position.

Abstract: A communication system comprises a multiplicity of slave units and a master unit. The slave units are coupled to one another via a first communication path and a second communication path, the first communication path and the second communication path operating in opposite directions to one another, and a master unit, the master unit being coupled to the multiplicity of slave units via the first communication path and the second communication path. The master unit comprises a transmit control unit, the transmit control unit separately transmitting an information signal with a data field which has for each slave unit an associated data area, on the first communication path as a first information signal and on the second communication path as a second information signal.

Abstract: The relay apparatus relays frames in which a plurality of network identifiers are set and comprises a frame determining unit, a converting unit, and a sending unit. The frame determining unit determines whether a frame received at a communication port is a specific frame or not. The converting unit converts, when it is determined that the received frame is a specific frame and when the communication port is a blocking port, a network identifier set in the specific frame to another network identifier among the plurality of network identifiers. The sending unit sends the specific frame, the network identifier of which has been converted by the conversion unit, from a port opposing the communication port.

Abstract: In general, techniques are described for implementing a virtual snooping bridge in computer networks. The techniques may be implemented by a ring network comprised of a plurality of ring network devices arranged in a ring topology. In one aspect, a ring network device coupled to an adjacent device that provides access to multicast content implements the techniques. This ring network device comprises one or more ports and a control unit. The ports receive ring messages from one or more of the other ring network devices in accordance with a group management ring protocol (GMRP). The ring messages indicate operations requested by one or more host devices with respect to delivery of content of the multicast group. The control unit then presents the received operations to the adjacent network device such that, from the perspective of the adjacent network device, the ring network appears as a single layer two network device.

Abstract: A peer-to-peer IT (Information Technology) backbone. The system includes at least one IT server and a plurality of client computers arranged in a peer-to-peer IT backbone. Each of the client computers includes an in-band processor, an out-of-band (OOB) microcontroller, and a storage device coupled to the in-band processor and OOB microcontroller. The storage device includes a reserved area for the OOB microcontroller to enable an IT-administration to push IT payloads from the at least one IT server onto the reserved area of at least one of the plurality of client computers. The IT payloads are disseminated throughout the peer-to-peer IT backbone by the OOB microcontroller of the client computers.

Abstract: An advanced processor comprises a plurality of multithreaded processor cores each having a data cache and instruction cache. A data switch interconnect is coupled to each of the processor cores and configured to pass information among the processor cores. A messaging network is coupled to each of the processor cores and a plurality of communication ports. In one aspect of an embodiment of the invention, the data switch interconnect is coupled to each of the processor cores by its respective data cache, and the messaging network is coupled to each of the processor cores by its respective message station. Advantages of the invention include the ability to provide high bandwidth communications between computer systems and memory in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

Abstract: An interface unit is provided for a communication system comprising a master unit and a plurality of slave units serially connecting the master unit via a double ring structure comprising a first communication path and a second communication path. The interface unit comprises a first switching unit, which is configured to output information signals received by the master unit as a first information signal to the first communication path and as a second information signal to the second communication path; and a second switching unit, which is configured to forward the first information signal circulating on the first communication path and second information signal circulating on the second communication path to the master unit.

Abstract: A system includes multiple processing devices. Each processing device is configured to receive first and second status flags from first and second neighboring processing devices, respectively. Each status flag identifies whether one or more of the processing devices are ready for operation. Each processing device is also configured to determine that all processing devices are ready for operation using the status flags. Each processing device is further configured to wait for a specified amount of time before entering operation. The specified amount of time is selected so that the processing devices are substantially synchronized. The processing devices could be coupled together in a ring configuration, the first neighboring processing device could include a right neighboring processing device in the ring configuration, and the second neighboring processing device could include a left neighboring processing device in the ring configuration.

Abstract: A source application reads a body of data in data block sized units and calculates a checksum value for each data block before sending the data block, the calculated checksum value and the identifier. Upon receipt, a destination application independently calculates a checksum value for each received data block and compares the two checksums. Non-matching checksums indicate a network-induced error in the data block. Identifiers for the erroneous data blocks are transmitted to the source application after all of the data blocks have been initially transmitted. The source application thereafter resends only those data blocks identified. The destination application repeats the process of comparing checksums and transmitting identifiers to the source application until all of the data blocks of the body of data have been correctly received, and then uses the data blocks to recreate the body of data.

Abstract: An advanced processor comprises a plurality of multithreaded processor cores each having a data cache and instruction cache. A data switch interconnect is coupled to each of the processor cores and configured to pass information among the processor cores. A messaging network is coupled to each of the processor cores and a plurality of communication ports. In one aspect of an embodiment of the invention, the data switch interconnect is coupled to each of the processor cores by its respective data cache, and the messaging network is coupled to each of the processor cores by its respective message station. Advantages of the invention include the ability to provide high bandwidth communications between computer systems and memory in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

Abstract: Sets of communication modules each have a pair of ring-channel ports for a ring-configured channel in a network, a peripheral device port for peripheral device data, and dual-ring ports for an inter-ring channel for the pair of modules. First and second ones of a set of communication modules send duplicate data packets on their respective first and second rings. Responsive to duplicate data packets arriving via the rings at first and second modules in a next set within a predetermined time interval of one another, each of the next modules transmits its ring-channel received data packet out a downstream ring-channel port. Responsive to one of the duplicate packets arriving at the DRP of a module a predetermined time interval before arriving at a ring-channel port of the module, the module sends the corresponding packet received at the DRP out its other ring-channel port and its peripheral device port.

Abstract: In a serial bus system data in the form of telegrams, representing process images of control tasks of the active station, are transmitted to the connected passive stations, and the process data are allocated to the process images in the passive station.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement and method support a multithreaded rendering architecture capable of dynamically routing pixel fragments from a pixel fragment generator to any pixel shader from among a pool of pixel shaders. The pixel fragment generator is therefore not tied to a specific pixel shader, but is instead able to utilize multiple pixel shaders in a pool of pixel shaders to minimize bottlenecks and improve overall hardware utilization and performance during image processing.

Abstract: A data transmission method with multiple token mechanism in wireless token ring protocol is provided. First, (a) a logical ring with M nodes is provided; (b) a k-th node is selected from the logical ring, and a token in the k-th node is generated; (c) a first message is sent to a (k+1)-th node from the k-th node with the token, and whether the (k+1)-th node responds a second message is judged, if yes, the data to be transmitted is transmitted from the k-th node, otherwise, the token of the k-th node is eliminated; (d) the token is sent to the (k+1)-th node from the k-th node after completing the transmission of the transmitted data of the k-th node, a generation token sequence is generated in a i-th node, and sent to a (i?1)-th node; and (e) the token is generated for the (i?1)-th node with the generation token sequence.

Abstract: A method and system for retrieving data from devices in a way that seeks to preserve privacy and ensure the integrity of the retrieved data is provided. A retrieval system is implemented on a network of devices that communicate with each other via a secure communications link. Each device is directly connected to one or more “friend” devices that it trusts. The retrieval system operates by forwarding a request for data from one friend device to another friend device. Each friend device may optionally add data to the request until all the requested data is added. The request with the retrieved data is returned to the device that initiated the request.

Abstract: A method and system for provisioning a Resilient Packet Ring (“RPR”) over a Wavelength Division Multiplexing (“WDM”) network is disclosed. A plurality of stations send data packets to each other over a dual ring fiber optic link. The data packets travel over the dual ring fiber optic link at a unique wavelength to distinguish the different data packets. When one station of the plurality of stations detects a location of a failure in the WDM network, the station identifying the location of the failure either notifies all stations of the plurality of stations of the location of the failure or notifies only the stations of the plurality of stations abutting the location of the failure. If all stations of the plurality of stations are notified of the failure, all stations steer data packets sent towards the location of the failure away from the location of the failure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for allocating bandwidth in a resilient packet ring (RPR), including: determining a relationship between an arrival rate A(n) as a function of a fairness rate Fk(n) of a kth node of the RPR over time; computing an estimate of a slope -M of the relationship A(Fk(n)) at time n; and computing a next fairness rate Fk(n+1) of the kth node as a function of the slope M at time n+1.

Abstract: A communication apparatus of the embodiment is provided with a first IF card that performs a relay process of a data frame in a first direction of a ring network, a second IF card that performs a relay process of a data frame in a second direction of the ring network, a communication-status determination unit that monitors the communication status from the first IF card to the second IF card, a block control unit that sets a new block point to either the first IF card or the second IF card when the communication status is abnormal, and a ring protocol processor that notifies other communication apparatuses that constitute the ring network of information for notifying the switching of a block point in the ring network, which indicates that the new block point has been set.

Abstract: A multi-service network system which forms a wide area network connecting a plurality of metropolitan areas, including a primary network ring including at least one primary node and at least one secondary node; and a secondary network ring connecting the at least one secondary node to business premises equipment, wherein the business premises equipment are associated with respective customer premises equipment.

Abstract: An advanced processor comprises a plurality of multithreaded processor cores each having a data cache and instruction cache. A data switch interconnect is coupled to each of the processor cores and configured to pass information among the processor cores. A messaging network is coupled to each of the processor cores and a plurality of communication ports. In one aspect of an embodiment of the invention, the data switch interconnect is coupled to each of the processor cores by its respective data cache, and the messaging network is coupled to each of the processor cores by its respective message station. Advantages of the invention include the ability to provide high bandwidth communications between computer systems and memory in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

Abstract: In a method for enabling facilitation of re-convergence, designation information for a first port of each one of a plurality of bridges in a multi-bridge ring is received and designation information for a second port of each one of a plurality of bridges in a multi-bridge ring is received. The first port of each one of a plurality of bridges is a first direction Ring Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RRSTP) port and the second port of each one of a plurality of bridges is a second direction RRSTP port. The first direction around the ring (e.g., a forward direction) is opposite the second direction around said ring (e.g., a backward direction). A first reserved RRSTP MAC address is associated with the first direction port of each one of the bridges and a second reserved MAC address is associated with the second direction port of each one of the bridges.

Abstract: A functionality and method for determining aggregate data transit bandwidth requirements for the nodes of an Ethernet ring network for traffic management and to improve the operation, efficiency, and Quality of Service. An aggregate bandwidth database is produced, based on a priori knowledge of the ring network, including topology, path utilization, bandwidth sharing, and failure protection scenarios. Aggregate bandwidth requirements are determined independent of the actual real-time data traffic rates, and without requiring any actual real-time data traffic rate information. Aggregate bandwidth is automatically determined upon configuration or reconfiguration of the ring network.

Abstract: Provided are a forced protection switching method and a forced protection switching clearing method in an Ethernet ring network. When an operator desires to block a port of a specific node for maintenance and repair, the operator gives a forced switching (FS) command to the specific node in order to block the port. When the operator desires to clear FS, the operator gives a clear command to the specific node in order to clear the blocked port. As a result, operation flexibility of the Ethernet ring network is provided.

Abstract: Methods are provided for determining a master node on a ring network. According to one embodiment, a first node on the ring network initiates circulation of an arbitration token by (i) determining an arbitration token timeout period has elapsed and (ii) transmitting the arbitration token to a neighboring node. Upon receipt of the arbitration token by a node, it determines its relative priority by comparing its ID to an ID field of the arbitration token, initialized by the first node. If the node is determined to be higher priority, then it overwrites the ID field and retransmits the arbitration token onto the ring network. If the node is determined to be lower priority, then the node retransmits the arbitration token without overwriting the ID field. If the node is determined to be of equal priority and the node is the first node, then it assumes the master node role.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for Fiber Channel interconnection is provided between a plurality of private loop devices through a Fiber Channel private loop device interconnect system. In the preferred embodiments, the Fiber Channel private loop device interconnect system is a fabric or an intelligent bridging hub. In one aspect of this invention, a Fiber Channel private loop device is connected to two or more Arbitrated Loops containing, or adapted to contain, one or more private loop devices. Preferably, the interconnect system includes a routing filter to filter incoming Arbitrated Loop physical addresses (ALPAs) to determine which Fiber Channel frames must attempt to be routed through the fabric.

Abstract: In a clustered computer system with multiple power domains, a bus number manager within each power domain manages multiple nodes independently of other power domains. A node within a specified power domain includes a non-volatile memory that includes bus numbering information for its own buses as well as bus numbering information for two of its logically-interconnected neighbors. This creates a distributed database of the interconnection topology for each power domain. Because a node contains bus numbering information about its logical neighbor node(s), the bus numbers for the buses in the nodes are made persistent across numerous different system reconfigurations. The clustered computer system also includes a bus number manager that reads the non-volatile memories in the nodes during initial program load (i.e.

Abstract: An image forming system comprising an information terminal device and a printing device that is connected to the information terminal device through a network and a local connection and performs a printing process of image data sent from the information terminal device, in which the information terminal device includes a network identifier acquisition unit that obtains through the local connection a network identifier of the printing device on the network at the time of the local connection between the information terminal device and the printing device, and a data communication unit that performs data communications with the printing device through the network according to the network identifier obtained by the network identifier acquisition unit.

Abstract: A method for voice based communication between a number of mobile terminals of a telecommunication network, the method comprising the steps of creating a group of said number of terminals and storing group information in each of the number of terminals, recording a voice message in one of the terminals of the group, dispatching the voice message to the terminals of the group from the one of the terminals, and receiving the voice message at least all other terminals of the group. The step of creating a group of terminals further comprises the steps of coupling together a number of mobile terminals, initiating a group creation command from at least one of the terminals, sending predetermined information from terminal to terminal to each terminal of the number of terminals for forming a group information, and transmitting the group information to all of the terminals thus forming a group of the terminals.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for using distributed queues in an overlay network. Embodiments of the invention can be used to replicate queue state (e.g., inserted and/or deleted messages) within an overlay network and can be used to continue a process at a different node within the overlay network based on replicated queue state. Accordingly, embodiments of the invention can be used to increase the availability of queue state, compensate for node failures within an overlay network, and promote replication of consistent queue state between nodes within an overlay network.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus comprises one or more hub interfaces and one or more processors. A hub interface is coupled to an access network element of a ring network comprising a number of access network elements. The ring network comprises a pair of rings: a first ring traveling in a first direction and a second ring traveling in a second direction. The processors perform the following for each access network element: facilitate establishing a pair of point-to-point logical connections to couple a access network element to a hub interface at a corresponding dedicated bandwidth, a first connection traveling along the first ring, a second connection traveling along the second ring; facilitate establishing a pair of tunnels on the pair of point-to-point connections; and utilize the tunnels to protect the ring network.

Abstract: A heterogeneous processing element model is provided where I/O devices look and act like processors. In order to be treated like a processor, an I/O processing element, or other special purpose processing element, must follow some rules and have some characteristics of a processor, such as address translation, security, interrupt handling, and exception processing, for example. The heterogeneous processing element model abstracts an I/O device such that communication intended for the I/O device may be packetized and sent over a network. Thus, a virtualization platform may packetize communication intended for a remotely located I/O device and transmit the packetized communication over a distance, rather than having to make a call to a library, call a device driver, pin memory, and so forth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a digital multimedia network of apparatuses each comprising a control device, wherein a device parameter of an apparatus is controlled by sending a command message (CMD) to said control device of said apparatus containing a tree-structured hierarchical parameter address (HPA) which consists of parameter grouping identifiers each corresponding to a hierarchy level of a predetermined tree-structured parameter hierarchy used for addressing device parameters throughout said digital multimedia network.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a field bus network system having a ring topology, which has a master unit and a plurality of slave units, which are connected by a field bus in a ring topology.

Abstract: The ‘IP Diagnostics’ software is a new and innovative method of aiding the deployment and troubleshooting of IP enabled POS terminals. Its purpose is to identify where a failure in the IP connection is occurring. The IP Diagnostics application does this by testing major failure points within the IP chain from the POS terminal to the host.