Cisco Technology, Inc.

Richard W Bradford

Jean-Philippe Vasseur

Daniel C Tappan

Heidi H Ou

Danny Prairie

Ali Sajassi

Samer Salam

George Swallow

Philip Clifford Jacobs

Ashok Narayanan

Adam Laurence Taylor

Richard Stewart

Daniel J Biagini

In one embodiment, a first Edge Device may join a multicast group via a multicast router, wherein the first Edge Device is in a local network and the multicast router is in a remote network. The first Edge Device may ascertain an existence of both a first multicast source in the local network and a second multicast source in the remote network. The first Edge Device may select the first multicast source as a multicast source from which to receive multicast data for the multicast group. The first Edge Device may notify the second multicast source in the remote network that the first Edge Device is not interested in receiving multicast data for the multicast group from the second multicast source.

Optimizing OTV multicast traffic flow for site local receivers

In one embodiment, a first Edge Device may join a multicast group via a multicast router, wherein the first Edge device is in a first site of a network and the multicast router is in a second site of the network. The first Edge Device may ascertain an existence of both a first multicast source in the first site of the network and a second multicast source in the second site of the network. The first Edge Device may select the first multicast source as a multicast source from which to receive multicast data for the multicast group. The first Edge Device may notify the second multicast source in the second site of the network that the first Edge Device is not interested in receiving multicast data for the multicast group from the second multicast source.

Techniques are provided for detecting connectivity failures within an OTV network using CFM. In an embodiment, a method and apparatus for using E-OAM to accurately test connectivity in an OTV network is provided. In an embodiment, one method comprises: in a first edge router that is in a local area network (LAN) and that is coupled to a core network: maintaining, for each node of the LAN, a mapping of a source address to one or more delivery multicast groups, each delivery multicast group comprising a set of other edge routers, each of the other edge routers having a connection to a distinct LAN; receiving a frame from a particular source node of a particular source address; sending the frame to a plurality of the delivery multicast groups that are mapped, in the mapping, to the particular source address.

Testing connectivity in networks using overlay transport virtualization

In an embodiment, a method is provided for transferring network traffic for multi-homed devices. In this method, capacity information is received from a network device. This capacity information identifies a network capacity of the network device. Upon detection of network traffic to exceed a threshold, an excess capacity of the network device is identified based on the capacity information. A portion of the network traffic is then transferred to the network device by way of a link aggregation protocol, and the portion of network traffic is transferred based on the identified excess capacity of the network device.

Transfer of network traffic for multi-homed devices

In one embodiment, a path computation client (PCC) generates a path computation request and transmits the path computation request to a path computation element (PCE). The PCC receives from the PCE a response including path segments defining a path, at least one of the path segments being an encrypted path segment that has been encrypted according to an encryption algorithm associated with a remote domain. The PCC then generates a path reservation message that includes the encrypted path segment. This is done without decrypting the encrypted path segment at the PCC. The PCC transmits the path reservation message to one or more nodes along the path, which may be capable of decrypting the encrypted path segment.

System and method for retrieving computed paths from a path computation element using encrypted objects

In one embodiment, a method generally includes identifying at a local Virtual Private LAN Service Provider Edge (VPLS PE) device whether remote VPLS PE devices are configured for operation as a Provider Backbone Bridge (PBB), negotiating pseudowire connections with the remote VPLS PE devices based on identification of the remote VPLS PE device configuration, receiving a frame destined for one of the remote VPLS PE devices, and transmitting the frame in a format compatible with the remote VPLS PE device. The local VPLS PE is configured for operation as a PBB and at least one of the remote VPLS PE devices is not configured for operation as a PBB. An apparatus for use in mixed mode VPLS network is also disclosed.

Virtual private LAN service networks with mixed mode network devices

A technique retrieves computed path segments across one or more domains of a computer network in accordance with a stateful ('semi-stateful') path computation element (PCE) model. The stateful PCE model includes a data structure configured to store one or more path segments computed by a PCE in response to a path computation request issued by a Path Computation Client (PCC). Notably, each computed path segment stored in the data structure is identified by an associated path-key value ('path key'). The path segment and path key contents of the data structure are temporarily saved (&#x201c;cached&#x201d;) at a predetermined location in the network for a configurable period of time.

System and method for retrieving computed paths from a path computation element using a path key

A technique retrieves computed path segments across one or more domains of a computer network in accordance with a stateless Path Computation Element (PCE) model. The stateless PCE model includes one or more PCEs configured to compute one or more path segments through the domains in response to a path computation request issued by, e.g., a Path Computation Client (PCC). Notably, each computed path segment is encrypted as a data structure to preserve confidentiality across the domains. Each PCE then cooperates to return a path computation response, including the encrypted path segments and an explicit route object (ERO) containing compressed path descriptions of the computed path segments, to the PCC.

The invention is directed to techniques for suppressing the voice of a user of an audio electronic device, such as a mobile phone, from being heard by an unintended listener. In one arrangement, the invention includes an input microphone, an electronics module, and a suppression speaker. The user speaks into the input microphone, and the electronics module generates an antivoice signal from a voice signal received from the input microphone. The suppression speaker outputs an antivoice output that combines with the voice of the user to form a voice suppression zone next to the speaker. The user thus can carry on his or her conversation in private as long as the unintended listener is within the voice suppression zone. Alternately, the user can avoid distracting other users of similar devices nearby, such as in a crowded office environment with many individuals using telephones at the same time. In another arrangement, the invention includes multiple suppression speakers that can be oriented in different directions to provide one or more voice suppression zones.

Methods and apparatus for providing privacy for a user of an audio electronic device

Systems and methods for link discovery and verification technique that minimize the need for line termination resources that generate and interpret packets. Of two nodes verifying a link to one another, only one node need have any line termination capability. The node lacking line termination capability simply loops back packets generated by the other node thus verifying the link. Thus, an optical cross-connect can verify links to a wide variety of node types by employing a single line termination unit capable of terminating any suitable packet type. Alternatively, a router can verify connectivity to an optical cross-connect even when the optical cross-connect lacks any line termination capability at all. This saves greatly on implementation costs for optical networks.

Link discovery and verification procedure using loopback

Systems and methods for link discovery and verification that minimize the need for line termination resources to generate and interpret packets. To verify a link between two nodes, a first of the nodes toggles light or another signal output by one of its ports while the other node attempts to detect the toggling through its own ports. A link is therefore verified between the port that is toggling and the port that detects the toggling. This link verification technique does not require packet termination capability at either node. Furthermore, this link verification technique is very simple and may be executed very quickly even at nodes having a very large number of ports to which links maybe established.

Growing community of inventors

Westford, MA, United States of America

Richard W Bradford