Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080291823 | DATA DRIVEN CONNECTION FAULT MANAGEMENT (DDCFM) IN CFM MAINTENANCE POINTS - A Connection Fault Management (CFM) maintenance point and method for providing Data Driven Connection Fault Management (DDCFM) in CFM maintenance points in a communication network. A Reflection Responder, an RFM Receiver, and a Decapsulator Responder are implemented in existing CFM maintenance points. The Reflection Responder selects frames to be reflected, mirrors the selected frames if a Continuation option is set, and encapsulates the selected frames with Return Frame Message (RFM) OpCode. The RFM Receiver sends received RFM frames to an analyzer if addressed to the maintenance point and otherwise to a passive multiplexer. The Decapsulator Responder decapsulates Send Frame Message (SFM) frames and sends decapsulated frames toward the destination specified in each frame. | 11-27-2008 |
20090185480 | Method and System for Re-enabling Disabled Ports in a Network with Two Port MAC Relays - A system and method for enabling a disabled port on a device such as a Two Port Medium Access Control (MAC) Relay (TPMR), which relays MAC frames in a communication network. When a link in the network fails, the TPMR disables the port due to operation of a link failure propagation protocol. When the TPMR detects that the failed link is repaired, the TPMR stops transmitting link failure Packet Data Units (PDUs) and transmits a Link Failure Terminating PDU to other connected TPMRs in the network. Receipt of the Link Failure Terminating PDU indicates the failed link is repaired and all ports disabled as a result of the failure should consequently be enabled. | 07-23-2009 |
20100034118 | Control Frame Handling By a Provider Backbone Bridge - A method and Bridge in a Provider Backbone Bridge Network (PBBN) for enabling frames from a Higher Layer Entity attached alternatively to a Provider Instance Port (PIP) on an I-Component of a Backbone Edge Bridge or to a Customer Backbone Port on a B-Component of the Backbone Edge Bridge, to reach an intended entity in the PBBN. A Virtual Instance Port Service Access Point (VIP SAP) is configured for every VIP and every Higher Layer Entity configured on the I-Component. An Enhanced VIP Port Connectivity function utilizes the VIP SAP to tunnel customer-initiated Layer 2 Control Protocols (L2CPs). A Special Multiplexed SAP handles the frames of the Higher Layer Entity, and is assigned an I-SID value that is universally recognized to identify the L2CPs. A Service Instance Multiplex Entity utilizes the Special Multiplexed SAP to transfer frames between the PIP or the Customer Backbone Port and the entity inside the PBBN. | 02-11-2010 |
20100054157 | Method And Apparatus For Network Tree Management - There is disclosed a manner of managing the active topology, that is the scheme for forwarding data, in a computer network such as an Ethernet local area network. A root bridge is selected from a plurality of bridges in the network; the root bridge calculating at least one spanning tree from a topology database that has been populated by bridge neighbor information gleaned from link state advertising messages. The root bridge may also calculate an alternate topology for implementation in the event a failure condition that affects the primary spanning tree is detected. The root bridge then advertises the spanning tree and remotely configures the port states of the bridges in the spanning tree through tree advertising messages that the bridges are arranged to process and set their ports accordingly. | 03-04-2010 |
20100118740 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING NON-MULTIPLE SPANNING TREE PROTOCOL CONTROL PLANES - A system, method, and node for identifying non-Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol control planes. The method includes the steps of identifying a specific non-Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol control plane instance, associating a General Control Plane Identification, GCPID, with the specific control plane instance, wherein the GCPID binds a Virtual Local Area Identifier, VID, with the specific control plane, and advertising the GCPID to identify the specific control plane instance. | 05-13-2010 |
20100165884 | Ethernet Spanning Tree Provision - A method and apparatus for providing a Spanning Tree to nodes on an Ethernet network. A Spanning Tree topology is calculated, and a Resource Reservation Protocol Traffic Extension path message is generated. The path message contains at least a part of the Spanning Tree topology. The path message is sent to bridges on the Ethernet network. The bridge nodes that receive the path message configure their port states depending on the information contained in the path message, and may also configure port Virtual Local Area Network membership. | 07-01-2010 |
20100172238 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ETHERNET PROTECTION SWITCHING IN A PROVIDER BACKBONE BRIDGING TRAFFIC ENGINEERING DOMAIN - A system and method of providing Ethernet protection switching in a PBB-TE Domain. Two PBB-TE trunks are established between a first B-component and a second B-component. Each trunk includes two unidirectional Ethernet Switching Paths (ESPs), each associated with a possibly different VLAN identifier. Data traffic is mapped onto the first PBB-TE trunk, where the first PBB-TE trunk corresponds to a working entity and the second PBB-TE trunk corresponds to a backup protection entity. Data traffic is sent via a first ESP of the first trunk associated with a first VID and a second ESP of the first trunk associated with a second VID. The two PBB-TE trunks are monitored for faults. Upon detecting a fault on one of the PBB-TE trunks, data traffic is remapped onto the other PBB-TE trunk via a third ESP associated with a third VID and a fourth ESP associated with a fourth VID. | 07-08-2010 |
20100182902 | CONNECTIVITY FAULT MANAGEMENT IN A PROVIDER BACKBONE BRIDGE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING (PBB-TE) DOMAIN - A system and method for providing Connectivity Fault Management (CFM) in a Provider Backbone Bridge Traffic Engineering (PBB-TE) telecommunication network utilizing Ethernet-based packet transport. PBB-TE point-to-point and point-to-multipoint services are identified, and PBB-TE maintenance points associated with the identified PBB-TE services are addressed. The addressed PBB-TE maintenance points are modified by adding a PBB-TE Service Demultiplexer to each PBB-TE maintenance point for identifying independent PBB-TE service instances. Basic CFM protocols are enhanced to duplicate the behavior of CFM protocols on virtual local area network (VLAN)-based maintenance associations. The PBB-TE maintenance points may be Maintenance association End Points (MEPs) and Maintenance association Intermediate Points (MIPs). | 07-22-2010 |
20100182913 | CONNECTIVITY FAULT MANAGEMENT FOR ETHERNET TREE (E-TREE) TYPE SERVICES - A Maintenance Association and corresponding method for configuring maintenance entities for Ethernet Tree (E-Tree) type service instances. A root MEP communicates with each of a plurality of leaf MEPs. Remote MEP state machine instances are activated within the root MEP for each of the plurality of leaf MEPs. Within each leaf MEP, however, only the remote MEP state machine instance for the root MEP is activated while leaving the remote MEP state machine instances for all other leaf MEPs in an inactive state in which Connectivity Check Messages (CCMs) are not exchanged. | 07-22-2010 |
20100316058 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF DEMULTIPLEXING PROVIDER BACKBONE BRIDGING TRAFFIC ENGINEERING INSTANCES - A system and method of demultiplexing Provider Backbone Bridging Traffic Engineering (PBB-TE) service instances. The method is used when monitoring service instances between a first bridge port and a second bridge port by exchanging CFM frames over each service instance. The CFM frame is received by the second bridge port where the complete ESP-3-tuple is demultiplexed. The CCM frames may be demultiplexed by a Full Traffic Engineering Service Instance Multiplex Entity which demultiplexes both the source address value and destination address value of the CCM frames. | 12-16-2010 |
20110026397 | CONNECTIVITY FAULT MANAGEMENT TRAFFIC INDICATION EXTENSION - A method in a Maintenance Association Endpoint, MEP, for controlling traffic between a first network element and a second network element connected by a working Traffic Engineering Service Instance, TESI, and a protection TESI. The first network element sets a Traffic field in a Connectivity Check Message, CCM, sent to the second network element. The Traffic field may be set by utilizing a reserved bit within a Flags field of the CCM. The Traffic field indicates which TESI is being utilized to transport the traffic. The second network element takes action to control the traffic based upon a value of the Traffic field in the received CCM. When the Traffic field value in the received CCM does not match the Traffic field value in CCMs sent from the second network element for a predefined period of time, the second network element moves the traffic from its current TESI to the other TESI. | 02-03-2011 |
20110080854 | Method And System For Controlled Tree Management - There is disclosed a method and apparatus for facilitating a network, such as an Ethernet LAN, for efficient forwarding of data traffic by collecting neighbor information, generating and distributing link state advertisements, populating a topology database for the network, and calculating trees for each bridge serving as a root bridge. In a preferred embodiment the method and system also prepare one or more backup topologies, and store them for use if they are needed due to a failure condition detected in the network. In a particularly preferred embodiment, probabilities are assigned to various potential failure conditions, and the probability values are used to decide which backup topologies to calculate, store, or use. | 04-07-2011 |
20110128861 | Method and Apparatus for Supporting Mismatch Detection - The present invention relates to a method and a network node for service instance management in telecommunications network. According to the method a plurality of network paths are monitored. A number of network paths form a protection group associated with a service instance or group of service instances. The monitoring of the network paths includes periodic transmission of CCMs on the network paths. To facilitate detection of mismatches related to protection switching, some CCMs include a mismatch information element that specifies traffic status of a working network path and of a protection network path for a set of protection groups. The set of protections groups includes the protection groups which the monitored network path is a member of. A CCM that includes the mismatch information element also includes an indication bit that indicates presence of the mismatch information element in the CCM. | 06-02-2011 |
20110228774 | MULTICASTING IN A PROVIDER BACKBONE BRIDGE NETWORK - A method and Provider Backbone Bridge (PBB) for handling customer multicast frames that are received by a Customer Network Port or Provider Network Port on an I-component of the PBB. Customer multicast frames that are forwarded to a Virtual Instance Port (VIP) on the I-component are encapsulated with a Backbone Destination Address (B-DA) equal to the original Customer Destination Address (C-DA) of the received customer multicast frames instead of the Default B-DA. This capability may be controlled by an “EnableCustomerMulticast” parameter enabling the above behavior to be independently set for each VIP on the I-component. | 09-22-2011 |
20110299529 | Multicast Interworking Systems and Methods - Systems and methods according to these exemplary embodiments provide for methods and systems for interworking between an Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) and a MAC address Multiple Registration Protocol (MMRP). For example, an IGMP join or leave message which is received at node ( | 12-08-2011 |
20110305143 | MAXIMUM TRANSMISSION UNIT (MTU) SIZE DISCOVERY MECHANISM AND METHOD FOR DATA-LINK LAYERS - An L2 Ethernet end-station and MTU size discovery method are described herein that are capable of discovering a Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU) size for each Data Link Layer (DLL) connection to other similarly capable L2 Ethernet end-stations. | 12-15-2011 |
20110310904 | L2 METHOD FOR PARTIAL VLAN SERVICE MIGRATION - An upgraded edge node (e.g., enhanced PBB edge node, enhanced IP/MPLS edge node) and a method are described herein for providing a VLAN service for a customer in a metro network. In addition, a metro network is described herein which includes the upgraded edge nodes, traditional PB edge nodes, and a PB domain that has PB core nodes located therein. | 12-22-2011 |
20120002572 | CONTROL FRAME HANDLING BY A PROVIDER BACKBONE BRIDGE - A method and Bridge in a Provider Backbone Bridge Network (PBBN) for enabling frames from a Higher Layer Entity attached alternatively to a Provider Instance Port (PIP) on an I-Component of a Backbone Edge Bridge or to a Customer Backbone Port on a B-Component of the Backbone Edge Bridge, to reach an intended entity in the PBBN. A Virtual Instance Port Service Access Point (VIP SAP) is configured for every VIP and every Higher Layer Entity configured on the I-Component. An Enhanced VIP Port Connectivity function utilizes the VIP SAP to tunnel customer-initiated Layer 2 Control Protocols (L2CPs). A Special Multiplexed SAP handles the frames of the Higher Layer Entity. A Service Instance Multiplex Entity utilizes the Special Multiplexed SAP to transfer frames between the PIP or the Customer Backbone Port and the entity inside the PBBN. | 01-05-2012 |
20120106322 | TECHNIQUE ESTABLISHING A FORWARDING PATH IN A NETWORK SYSTEM - A method and network for determining an interconnect node for establishing a forwarding path for service based data within a network system. The method includes assigning, interconnect node status information to network interconnect nodes, wherein a network interconnect node to which a passive status is assigned is only allowed to transmit service based data between an external link and another interconnect node of the network, or between two other interconnect nodes of the network. Only a network interconnect node with active status is allowed to send or receive service based data to or from the network. The method includes determining, for a given service, an interconnect node with active status for establishment of a forwarding path including the interconnect node with active status and an external link, wherein the determination is based on the respective status information assigned to the network interconnect nodes for the service. | 05-03-2012 |
20120155281 | CONNECTIVITY FAULT MANAGEMENT IN A PROVIDER BACKBONE BRIDGE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING (PBB-TE) DOMAIN - A system and method for providing Connectivity Fault Management, CFM, in a Provider Backbone Bridge Traffic Engineering, PBB-TE, telecommunication network utilizing Ethernet-based packet transport. PBB-TE point-to-point and point-to-multipoint services are identified, and PBB-TE maintenance points ( | 06-21-2012 |
20120170489 | Method And Apparatus For Network Tree Management - There is disclosed a manner of managing the active topology, that is the scheme for forwarding data, in a computer network such as an Ethernet local area network. A root bridge is selected from a plurality of bridges in the network; the root bridge calculating at least one spanning tree from a topology database that has been populated by bridge neighbor information gleaned from link state advertising messages. The root bridge may also calculate an alternate topology for implementation in the event a failure condition that affects the primary spanning tree is detected. The root bridge then advertises the spanning tree and remotely configures the port states of the bridges in the spanning tree through tree advertising messages that the bridges are arranged to process and set their ports accordingly. | 07-05-2012 |
20120195191 | CONNECTIVITY FAULT MANAGEMENT TRAFFIC INDICATION EXTENSION - A method for detecting a mismatch between a first port and a second port includes determining whether a destination address associated with the second port and a virtual local access network identifier (VID) for a service instance monitored by a first maintenance end point are included in a table of the first port. The method further includes setting a traffic field in a first continuity check message. The method additionally includes receiving, at the first maintenance end point, a second continuity check message that includes a traffic field. The method also includes detecting a mismatch when the value of the traffic field in the second continuity check message does not match the value of the traffic field in the first continuity check message. | 08-02-2012 |
20120207014 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ETHERNET PROTECTION SWITCHING IN A PROVIDER BACKBONE BRIDGING TRAFFIC ENGINEERING DOMAIN - A method of providing protection switching on a backbone network includes configuring a service instance table for a first port of a first bridge. The service instance table includes a Virtual Local Access Network (VLAN) identifier entry for one or more service instances. The method also includes mapping data traffic received at the first bridge onto a first trunk by setting a VLAN identifier entry for a first service instance and transmitting data traffic to a second bridge on the first trunk in accordance with the mapping and monitoring the first trunk for faults by exchanging continuity check messages with the second bridge over the first trunk. The method additionally includes, upon detecting a fault, remapping data traffic for the first service instance by changing the VLAN identifier entry for the first service instance and transmitting data traffic to the second bridge in accordance with the remapping. | 08-16-2012 |
20120213093 | CONNECTIVITY FAULT MANAGEMENT IN A PROVIDER BACKBONE BRIDGE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING (PBB-TE) DOMAIN - A system and method for providing Connectivity Fault Management, CFM, in a Provider Backbone Bridge Traffic Engineering, PBB-TE, telecommunication network utilizing Ethernet-based packet transport. PBB-TE point-to-point and point-to-multipoint services are identified, and PBB-TE maintenance points ( | 08-23-2012 |
20120243435 | Provider Edge Bridge with Remote Customer Service Interface - A method and Provider Edge Bridge for providing a Virtual C-tagged User Network Interface (VUNI) service interface or a Hairpin Switching service interface. In one embodiment, the Provider Edge Bridge includes a Customer Virtual Local Area Network (C-VLAN) component; a first Service VLAN (S-VLAN) component connected to the C-VLAN component and to a Metro Ethernet Network (MEN); and a second S-VLAN component connected to the C-VLAN component, to the first S-VLAN component, and to an External Network Network Interface (E-NNI). In another embodiment, the Provider Edge Bridge includes the C-VLAN component and a single S-VLAN component connected to the C-VLAN component, to the MEN, and to the E-NNI. In both embodiments, the Provider Edge Bridge is configured to provide the VUNI service interface or the Hairpin Switching service interface without utilizing a S-VLAN mapping component. | 09-27-2012 |
20120314565 | METHOD FOR PROTECTION AGAINST SUPERLOOPS IN AN ETHERNET RING - The present invention relates to a method in an interface node for protecting an Ethernet ring from a superloop going through the Ethernet ring, wherein the Ethernet ring comprises a pair of interface nodes between the Ethernet ring and a VPLS-domain, the method comprising the steps of: receiving in the interface node a priority message indicating a priority level for each Ethernet ring connected to the VPLS-domain; receiving in the interface node a withdrawal message intended to indicate that the other interface node is malfunctioning; and transmitting from the interface node a signal failure message to the Ethernet ring in a case any other Ethernet rings has a lower priority level than said Ethernet ring. | 12-13-2012 |
20130021901 | Method For Protecting an Ethernet Ring From a Superloop Going Through The Ethernet Ring - The present invention relates to a method in an Ethernet ring for protecting the Ethernet ring from a superloop going through the Ethernet ring, wherein the Ethernet ring comprises at least one ring node and two interface nodes between the Ethernet ring and a VPLS-domain, the Ethernet ring further comprises a ring protection link, the method comprises the steps of: receiving in one of the interface nodes a withdrawal message intended to indicate that the other interface node is malfunctioning, the method being further characterized by the further step of; maintaining said ring protection link in the Ethernet ring in response to the withdrawal message. | 01-24-2013 |
20130039167 | DATA DRIVEN CONNECTION FAULT MANAGEMENT (DDCFM) IN CFM MAINTENANCE POINTS - A Connection Fault Management (CFM) maintenance point and method for providing Data Driven Connection Fault Management (DDCFM) in CFM maintenance points in a communication network. A Reflection Responder, an REM Receiver, and a Decapsulator Responder are implemented in existing CFM maintenance points. The Reflection Responder selects frames to be reflected, mirrors the selected frames if a Continuation option is set, and encapsulates the selected frames with Return Frame Message (RFM) OpCode. The RFM Receiver sends received RFM frames to an analyzer if addressed to the maintenance point and otherwise to a passive multiplexer, The Decapsulator Responder decapsulates Send Frame Message (SFM) frames and sends decapsulated frames toward the destination specified in each frame. | 02-14-2013 |
20130051245 | Interworking Between Ethernet and MPLS - A source node for addressing target nodes ( | 02-28-2013 |
20130094512 | Interworking Between Ethernet And MPLS - A network bridge configured to convey customer traffic between a customer equipment and any of an MPLS network and an Ethernet network is disclosed. The network bridge comprises a C-VLAN component, an S-VLAN component and an MPLS component. The C-VLAN component can receive an Ethernet frame that carries the customer traffic, and forward the Ethernet frame to the S-VLAN component or to the MPLS component in dependence of a C-VID value of the Ethernet frame. The MPLS component can, when the Ethernet frame is received from the C-VLAN component, add MPLS information to the Ethernet frame, and forward the Ethernet frame to the S-VLAN component. The S- VLAN component then forwards the Ethernet frame to any of the MPLS network and the Ethernet network. A related network core bridge, methods and computer-readable medium are also described. | 04-18-2013 |
20130194973 | In-Service Upgrade of Provider Bridge Networks - A system and method for in-service migration for a Virtual Local Area Network, VLAN, service if a Provider Bridge Metro Ethernet Network, PB MEN, is upgraded to a Provider Backbone Bridge, PBB, MEN or an Internet Protocol/Multi Protocol Label Switching, IP/MPLS, MEN. After the deployment of the new PBB or IP/MPLS technology, a sequence of management actions are performed to configure PBB or IP/MPLS edge nodes to use the new technology as well as the old PB-based technology to support the VLAN service. Both old and new connectivity structures are maintained in the edge nodes during the entire migration process. Customer traffic is then redirected per edge node to the new technology. When each edge node entirely provides the VLAN service under the new technology, the migration is complete. | 08-01-2013 |
20130195111 | Shortest Path Bridging in a Multi-Area Network - A method that improves multi-area routed Ethernet network design, in which multipath implementation in each of the areas is independent of each other area to allow optimal network design in each area. The network implements a shortest path bridging medium access control (SPBM) protocol. The areas include a Level 2 (L2) routing area coupled to a Level 1 (L1) routing area via multiple area border bridges (ABBs). The L1 routing area including a backbone edge bridge (BEB) coupled to the ABBs via multiple L1 multipath instances identified by respective backbone VLAN identifiers (B-VIDs). The ABBs receive an advertisement from the BEB that indicates a set of BEB identifiers, each of which identifies the BEB and is associated with a respective B-VID. Each of the BEB identifiers is unique. The ABBs also advertise into the L2 routing area, and translate the B-VIDs based on service identifiers for frames transiting the ABBs. | 08-01-2013 |
20130201872 | Control Frame Handling by a Provider Backbone Bridge - A method, Bridge, and system in a Provider Backbone Bridge Network (PBBN) for enabling frames from a Higher Layer Entity attached alternatively to a Provider Instance Port (PIP) on an I-Component of a Backbone Edge Bridge or to a Customer Backbone Port on a B-Component of the Backbone Edge Bridge, to reach an intended entity in the PBBN. A Multiplexed Service Access Point (SAP) of a Service Instance Multiplex Entity handles the frames of the Higher Layer Entity, and is assigned a Service Instance ID (I-SID) value that is universally recognized to identify Layer 2 Control Protocols. The Service Instance Multiplex Entity utilizes the Multiplexed SAP to transfer frames between the PIP or the Customer Backbone Port and the entity in the PBBN. | 08-08-2013 |
20130229913 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ETHERNET PROTECTION SWITCHING IN A PROVIDER BACKBONE BRIDGING TRAFFIC ENGINEERING DOMAIN - A method of providing protection switching includes exchanging data traffic between a backbone network and an external network using a first port of a first bridge that connects the backbone network to the external network. The data traffic is identified by a service instance identifier corresponding to a service instance supported by the first bridge. The method also includes filtering the data traffic based on service instance identifier values configured for the first port and transmitting data traffic having service instance identifier values configured for the first port on a first trunk corresponding to a working entity for the service instance identifier. The method also includes monitoring the first trunk for faults and, upon detecting a fault on the first trunk, transmitting the data traffic on a second trunk that connects the first bridge to the second bridge corresponding to a backup protection entity for the service instance identifier. | 09-05-2013 |
20130246635 | Technique for Bundling in Link Aggregation - Methods and apparatus are disclosed for applying multiple Link Aggregation Group (LAG) entities on the same set of physical links, thus making bundling of individual services or conversations possible by the different LAG entities within Link Aggregation. Each LAG entity is configured such that a single physical link is Active and all the other links are Standby. Each LAG entity may be regarded as a “bundle.” Thus the services/conversations are bundled into a LAG entity and are handed-off on the Active link during normal operation. If service hand-off is not possible on the Active link (e.g., due to a failure), then the LAG entity switches over to a Standby link thus the service/conversation is handed-off on that formerly Standby link. Bundling may simplify operations of control and signaling. | 09-19-2013 |
20130254327 | DATA PLANE FOR RESILIENT NETWORK INTERCONNECT - The present disclosure relates to a technique for forwarding frames received by a network interconnect node ( | 09-26-2013 |
20130272140 | Data Driven Connection Fault Management (DDCFM) In CFM Maintenance Points - A Connection Fault Management (CFM) maintenance point and method for providing Data Driven Connection Fault Management (DDCFM) in CFM maintenance points in a communication network. A Reflection Responder, an RFM Receiver, and a Decapsulator Responder are implemented in existing CFM maintenance points. The Reflection Responder selects frames to be reflected, mirrors the selected frames if a Continuation option is set, and encapsulates the selected frames with Return Frame Message (RFM) OpCode. The RFM Receiver sends received RFM frames to an analyzer if addressed to the maintenance point and otherwise to a passive multiplexer. The Decapsulator Responder decapsulates Send Frame Message (SFM) frames and sends decapsulated frames toward the destination specified in each frame. | 10-17-2013 |
20140050120 | Provider Edge Bridge with Remote Customer Service Interface - A method and Provider Edge Bridge for providing a C-tagged service interface. In one embodiment, the Provider Edge Bridge includes a Customer Virtual Local Area Network (C-VLAN) component; a first Service VLAN (S-VLAN) component connected to the C-VLAN component and to a Provider Bridged Network; and a second S-VLAN component connected to the C-VLAN component, to the first S-VLAN component, and to customer equipments. In another embodiment, the Provider Edge Bridge includes the C-VLAN component and a single S-VLAN component connected to the C-VLAN component, to the Provider Bridged Network, and to the customer equipments. In both embodiments, the Provider Edge Bridge is configured to provide the C-tagged service interface without utilizing a S-VLAN mapping component. | 02-20-2014 |
20140112191 | Technique for Ensuring Congruency in Link Aggregation - The present disclosure provides a technique for ensuring that a service or conversation is carried in a congruent manner on a Link Aggregation Group (LAG). The Service ID (e.g., conversation ID) to link mapping is configured on both sides of the LAG independently of each other. The Service ID to link assignment is stored in a well-defined format, e.g. in an assignment table. A digest is then prepared on the assignment table. The digest is exchanged between the two sides of the LAG. If there is a mismatch between the digests, then the service is transmitted on a predefined and agreed-upon default link if congruency has to be enforced for that particular service. Furthermore, the digest exchange allows verification on the configuration to check whether all services to be handed-off are configured on both sides. | 04-24-2014 |
20140119369 | MULTICASTING IN A PROVIDER BACKBONE BRIDGE NETWORK - A method and Provider Backbone Bridge (PBB) for handling customer multicast frames that are received by a Customer Network Port or Provider Network Port on an I-component of the PBB. Customer multicast frames that are forwarded to a Virtual Instance Port (VIP) on the I-component are encapsulated with a Backbone Destination Address (B-DA) equal to the original Customer Destination Address (C-DA) of the received customer multicast frames instead of the Default B-DA. This capability may be controlled by an “EnableCustomerMulticast” parameter enabling the above behavior to be independently set for each VIP on the I-component. | 05-01-2014 |
20140169179 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR MONITORING A DATA PATH - The present invention relates to methods and devices for monitoring a data path extending from an originating node to a terminating node in a network. In a first aspect of the present invention, the method comprises the step of submitting, to the originating node, a request to monitor at least one network status parameter associated with a particular data flow transported on the data path. Further, the method comprises the step of submitting, to all nodes in the data path, a data flow identifier indicating the particular data flow being one out of a plurality of data flows that can be transported on the data path. Moreover, the method comprises the step of receiving, from at least one of the nodes in the data path, a response message comprising the requested at least one network status parameter. | 06-19-2014 |
20140219275 | METHOD AND SYSTEM OF SHORTEST PATH BRIDGING (SPB) ENHANCED RESILIENCE WITH LOOP MITIGATION - A method forward Ethernet frames at a node in a network supporting an implementation of shortest path bridging (SPB) protocol is disclosed. The method starts with a shortest path computation for the node (referred to as the computing node). The shortest path computation selects at least a shortest path to each destination node in the network, where a neighboring node on the shortest path to reach each node is recorded. Then it computes a downstream loop-free alternate (LFA) node for a destination node, where the LFA node is downstream of the computing node but not on the selected shortest path to the destination node from the computing node. Then when connectivity to the neighboring node on the computed shortest path is detected to be abnormal, the node forwards an Ethernet frame with a destination media access control (MAC) address corresponding to the destination node through the LFA node. | 08-07-2014 |
20140233429 | METHOD AND SYSTEM OF ENHANCING MULTIPLE MAC REGISTRATION PROTOCOL (MMRP) FOR PROTOCOL INTERNETWORKING - A method is disclosed to forward Ethernet frames associated with a service instance at a node (a “forwarding node”) in a network supporting an implementation of a protocol for creating logical loop-free topologies. The method starts with receiving a number of MMRPDUs at the forwarding node from links in the first network (receiving links), where each MMRPDU of the first plurality of MMRPDUs contains a first interested node list including one or more interested nodes identified by MAC addresses. Then a service instance identifier (SID) is identified for the service instance and a first set of MAC addresses interested in the service instance is formed. Then a number of MMRPDUs are sent to links associated with the service instance, where each MMRPDU contains a second set of MAC addresses interested in the service instance. The sending may be accompanied by the node installing filtering at the forwarding node accordingly. | 08-21-2014 |
20140313932 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR UPDATING DISTRIBUTED RESILIENT NETWORK INTERCONNECT (DRNI) STATES - A method of configuring a set of conversation identifiers (IDs) at a network device in a distributed resilient network interconnect (DRNI) of a link aggregation group is disclosed. The method starts with initializing the set of conversation IDs, wherein the initialization includes setting entries of a Boolean vector associated with the set of conversation IDs to be a sequence of zeroes, and wherein the Boolean vector includes values indicating processing the set of conversation IDs through the single gateway or the single aggregator of the network device. The method continues with determining that distribution of the set of conversation IDs needs to be updated, setting values of an operational vector indexed by the conversation IDs, and setting values of the Boolean vector, wherein the Boolean vector lists whether the single gateway or the single aggregator of the network device is associated with each of the conversation IDs. | 10-23-2014 |
20140313938 | PACKET DATA UNIT (PDU) STRUCTURE FOR SUPPORTING DISTRIBUTED RELAY CONTROL PROTOCOL (DRCP) - A method supporting distributed resilient network interconnect (DRNI) in a link aggregation group at a network device is disclosed. The method starts with encapsulating a distributed relay control protocol data unit (DRCPDU) in a frame, wherein the DRCPDU includes a protocol data unit (PDU) structure. The PDU structure includes a type field indicating that the DRCPDU is for DRCP, a version field indicating a version number of the DRCP, and a set of type/length/values (TLVs) including: a terminator TLV indicating an end of the PDU structure, a portal information TLV indicating characteristics of the first portal, a portal configuration information TLV indicating configuration information of the first portal, a DRCP state TLV indicating variables associated with an intra-portal link (IPP), a home ports information TLV and a neighbor ports information TLV. The method continues with transmitting the frame encapsulating the DRCPDU from the network device to a neighbor network device. | 10-23-2014 |
20140313939 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SYNCHRONIZING WITH NEIGHBOR IN A DISTRIBUTED RESILIENT NETWORK INTERCONNECT (DRNI) LINK AGGREGATION GROUP - A method of supporting a distributed resilient network interconnect (DRNI) at a network device is disclosed. The method starts with initializing the network device for operating distributed resilient control protocol (DRCP) on an intra-portal port (IPP) coupled to a neighbor network device using an intra-port link (IPL). The method continues with the network device checking that DRCP is enabled at the IPP and then enters an expired state. The network device then receives a DRCPDU and determines that the received DRCPDU is associated with the first portal it is assigned to. It determines that the received DRCPDU is compatible with the network device, and records neighbor network device's state information included in the received DRCPDU as state operational variables of the neighbor network device at the network device, wherein the neighbor network device's state information includes DRCP variables for the IPP. | 10-23-2014 |
20140314094 | METHOD AND SYSTEM OF IMPLEMENTING CONVERSATION-SENSITIVE COLLECTION FOR A LINK AGGREGATION GROUP - A method is executed by a network device for implementing conversation-sensitive collection for frames received on a port of a link of a link aggregation group. The network device executes an aggregator to collect the frames for aggregator clients, where each frame is associated with a service identifier and a conversation identifier. The service identifier identifies a data flow at a link level for a service. The conversation identifier identifies the data flow at a link aggregation group level, where each conversation data flow consists of an ordered sequence of frames, and where the conversation-sensitive collection maintains the ordered sequence by discarding frames of conversations not allocated to the port. | 10-23-2014 |
20140314095 | METHOD AND SYSTEM OF UPDATING CONVERSATION ALLOCATION IN LINK AGGREGATION - A method of updating conversation allocation in link aggregation is disclosed. The method starts with verifying that an implementation of a conversation-sensitive link aggregation control protocol (LACP) is operational at a network device of a network for an aggregation port. Then it is determined that operations through enhanced link aggregation control protocol data units (LACPDUs) are possible. The enhanced LACPDUs can be used for updating conversation allocation information, and the determination is based at least partially on a compatibility check between a first set of operational parameters of the network device and a second set of operational parameters of a partner network device. Then a conversation allocation state of an aggregation port of the link aggregation group is updated based on a determination that the conversation allocation state is incorrect, where the conversation allocation state indicates a list of conversations transmitting through the aggregation port. | 10-23-2014 |
20140314097 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR NETWORK AND INTRA-PORTAL LINK (IPL) SHARING IN DISTRIBUTED RELAY CONTROL PROTOCOL (DRCP) - A method supporting network and intra-portal link (IPL) sharing in a link aggregation group at a network device is disclosed. The method starts with transmitting frames on the IPL at the network device, where the physical link or aggregation link of the link aggregation group is dedicated to the IPL. The network device determines that the network device is configured with a network and IPL sharing method that is consistent with the neighbor network device, the network and IPL sharing method including sharing by at least one of time, tag, and encapsulation, where the network and IPL sharing method indicates sharing of the physical link or link aggregation between frames for the IPL and frames for another IPL or a network link of the link aggregation group. Then the network device transmits the frames between the network device and the neighbor network device using the network and IPL sharing method. | 10-23-2014 |
20140317250 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SYNCHRONIZING WITH NEIGHBOR IN A DISTRIBUTED RESILIENT NETWORK INTERCONNECT (DRNI) LINK AGGREGATION GROUP - A method of updating operational states of a network device in a distributed resilient network interconnect (DRNI) of a link aggregation group is disclosed. The method starts with initializing the network device for link aggregation, wherein the initialization includes setting variables of the network device for a first portal as configured by administrative settings, where the first portal includes the network device and at least one neighbor network device. The method continues with determining that an operational state associated with the first portal is changed and updating a set of operational states of the network device for link aggregation in response to the operational state change, where the set of operational states of the network device for link aggregation includes an operational state of the gateway of the network device. | 10-23-2014 |
20140321268 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SUPPORTING DISTRIBUTED RELAY CONTROL PROTOCOL (DRCP) OPERATIONS UPON COMMUNICATION FAILURE - A method supporting a distributed resilient network interconnect (DRNI) in a link aggregation group upon communication failure at a network device is disclosed. The method starts with determining that the network device no longer communicates with its neighbor network device. The network device then determines that its partner network device no longer communicates with the partner network device's neighbor network device. The network device determines that the first portal that the network device belongs to has a higher portal priority than the second portal that the partner network device belongs to, wherein each portal is assigned a portal priority, and it determines that the network device has a lower network device priority than the neighbor network device, wherein each network device is assigned a network device priority. Then the network device halts transmitting and receiving frames of the link aggregation group at the network device. | 10-30-2014 |
20150009861 | Technique for Handling a Status Change in an Interconnect Node - A technique for status change handling in an interconnect node is described, wherein the node comprises a data plane that can assume, per service, a passive or active status. A method aspect in the node comprises transmitting, to another node, a first indication that a change has been or is about to be performed, awaiting, from the other node, reception of a second indication that the data plane in the other node has been set to the passive status, and activating, responsive to the received indication, the data plane of the node from the passive status to the active status. The method aspect in the other node further comprises receiving, from the node, the first indication, passivating, responsive to the receiving step, the data plane being in the active status to the passive status, and transmitting, upon completion of the passivating step, the second indication. | 01-08-2015 |
20150071119 | Technique for Explicit Path Control - A technique for explicit path control for traffic forwarding in a network comprising multiple nodes is described. A device embodiment comprises a path computation element that is configured to receive, from an edge node, control protocol data units of a control protocol. The path computation element is further configured to determine an explicit path from information contained in the received control protocol data units and to instruct the edge nodes to perform an action to have the explicit path installed in the network. | 03-12-2015 |
20150078390 | PROVIDER EDGE BRIDGE WITH REMOTE CUSTOMER SERVICE INTERFACE - A method and Provider Edge Bridge for providing a C-tagged service interface or a port-based interface. In one embodiment, the Provider Edge Bridge includes a Customer Virtual Local Area Network (C-VLAN) component having a Customer Edge Port (CEP) and a plurality of Provider Edge Ports (PEPs). A first Service VLAN (S-VLAN) component is connected to the C-VLAN component and to a Metro Ethernet Network (MEN). A second S-VLAN component is connected to the C-VLAN component, to the first S-VLAN component, and to an External Network Network Interface (E-NNI). A plurality of ports on the first S-VLAN component facing the MEN are designated as S-VLAN Remote Customer Ports (RCPs) when the ports are connecting internal services in the MEN to provide the C-tagged service interface or the port-based interface to customers from a far side of the E-NNI. | 03-19-2015 |
20150086209 | Arrangement in a Mobile Network - An arrangement in a network ( | 03-26-2015 |