Other

Null Networks LLC

Network Elements, Inc.

Richard B Keller

I Claude Denton

Claude Denton

Claude I Denton

A synchronous optical network (SONET) framer includes a frame dimension unit and a programming interface. The frame dimension unit can be programmed with a frame dimension through the programming interface. The SONET framer converts a data stream to and/or from a frame format based on the frame dimension programmed into the frame dimension unit. For instance, in various embodiments, a SONET framer can be programmed to support a variety of SONET frame sizes and to provide a number of testing and design advantages.

Programmable SONET framing

An insertion apparatus receives a byte value from a signaling channel, locates a particular unused byte location within an overhead portion of a synchronous optical network (SONET) frame, and inserts the byte value from the signaling channel into the particular unused byte location. An extraction apparatus receives a synchronous optical network (SONET) frame, locates a particular byte location within an overhead portion of the SONET frame that is unused for SONET purposes, and captures a byte value from the particular byte location, wherein the byte value comprises a signaling channel.

Utilizing available SONET overhead bytes for additional signaling channels

Methods and apparatus provide single or multi-port, flexible, cost-effective, built-in self-test capabilities for network communications equipment, such as for example switches, and programmably generate, and subsequently analyze, one or more sequences of test packets, wherein the test packets simulate at least two flows of traffic. Such test packets can have programmable headers, payloads, and duty cycle. A line card embodying the present invention may generate its own traffic pattern, which may be similar or identical, to traffic patterns observed on Internet backbones. These traffic patterns may contain a bimodal distribution of control packets interspersed with data packets wherein the control packets and data packets are relatively short and long respectively. A plurality of test packet generators/receivers can be deployed in a network communications device having a plurality of ports. In such a configuration, test generator/receiver is associated with each of the plurality of ports. Under software control, test packets can be sent from at least any one of the plurality of ports to at least any other one of the plurality of ports. In this way, an in-circuit testing procedure may be implemented without having to disconnect line cards from the switch and connect the switch to expensive external test equipment.

Method and apparatus for programmable generation of traffic streams

A CRC generation unit is equipped with multiple polynomial division circuits (PDC) to perform multiple different bit lengths polynomial divisions in parallel, including outputting of multiple remainder values, for an iteration of an iterative CRC generation for a data block. In one embodiment, the unit also includes a selector to select one of the remainder values, and a register to store the selected remainder value, return the stored remainder value to the PDCs for formation of different bit length dividends, and output the stored remainder value of the last iteration as the generated CRC value. In one embodiment, the unit further includes alignment circuitry to align the data block. In one embodiment, multiple units are provided to generate the CRC values of successive variable length data blocks. In one embodiment, the units form a shared resource to multiple network traffic flow processing units of a network traffic routing IC.

Fast cyclic redundancy check (CRC) generation

A CRC generation unit includes a number of CRC calculation assemblies to be selectively employed to incrementally calculate a CRC value for a first sequence of N data bytes. The calculation is iteratively performed, one iteration at a time. Further, the selection of the CRC calculation assemblies is made in accordance with the group size of each of a number of data word groups of the N data bytes. In one embodiment, the CRC calculation assemblies include a first assembly for incrementally calculate the CRC value for an iteration, whenever the group size is n/2 bytes or less for the iteration, and a second assembly for incrementally calculate the CRC value for an iteration, whenever the group size is more than n/2 bytes for the iteration. In one embodiment, the CRC generation unit is a shared resource to multiple network traffic flow processing units of a network traffic routing IC.

Growing community of inventors

Vancouver, WA, United States of America

Richard B Keller