A hierarchical network management system (NMS) in which a plurality of NMS managers, each responsible for different portions or aggregations of a communications network, are logically arranged in a tree structure. The NMS managers are further organized into various sub-groups. The NMS managers within each sub-group monitor the status of one another in order to detect when one of them is no longer operational. If this happens, the remaining operational NMS managers of the sub-group collectively elect one of them to assume the responsibility of the non-operational NMS manager. The NMS is thus “self-healing” in the sense that one NMS manager can dynamically, without operator intervention, assume the responsibilities for another NMS manager.

Self-healing hierarchical network management system, and methods and apparatus therefor

A system, apparatus and method for an efficiently performing address lookups and switching for computer networks is disclosed. The present disclosure provides for address translation between network devices utilizing different protocols. The system, apparatus and method described herein provide for address translation for encapsulated communications to enable mixed protocol communications using a network switch fabric system.

System, apparatus and method for address forwarding for a computer network

A method and apparatus are provided for configuring a network switch. Method and apparatus may include, in some embodiments, an application software that may be executing on an application subsystem coupled to a system control subsystem. The application software may, in some embodiments, communicate configuration or other information to the system control subsystem, which may then be utilized to configure the network switch. Additionally, data may be transferred to the application software from the system control subsystem or other subsystem relating to configuration information, fault information, or other data.

Method and apparatus for switch fabric configuration

A system and method are provided for processing storage commands between a host and a target. The system includes a first line card, a system card, and a second line card. The storage command that is issued from the host is received by the first line card. The first line card determines whether or not it can process the request by itself and, if so, forwards the storage command to the second line card for forwarding (and eventual processing) by the target. If the first line card cannot process the storage command by itself, it forwards the storage command to the system card for additional processing. The revised storage command is issued from the system card to the first line card. The first line card then issues the revised storage command to the second line card for eventual processing by the target.

System and method for scalable switch fabric for computer network

A system and method for providing flow control for a computer network is disclosed. In one embodiment of the present invention, buffer-to-buffer credit flow control is implemented to limit the amount of data a port may send based on the number and size of the frames sent from that port.

Buffer to buffer credit flow control for computer network

A node management architecture for use at an optical switch/node in an optical communications network. A software task is provided for managing each line card according to a type of the line card. The architecture may identify the line card type, and assign a corresponding software task to manage it. To avoid delays, unassigned software tasks may be created ahead of time for managing line cards that are later installed at the optical switch. Furthermore, different types of software tasks are provided for managing corresponding different types of line cards, while software tasks that manage the same type of line card may be organized as an array of the same type. Moreover, the software tasks may act as an intermediary between the line card managers and other software processes at the node manager, such as a database manager, alarms manager, or optical cross-connect manager.

Node management architecture with customized line card handlers for a modular optical network, and methods and apparatus therefor

A Line Card Manager (LCM) architecture for use at an optical switch in an optical communications network. A LCM with a dedicated processor is provided for different line cards at the switch. The LCM includes a first interface, such as a connector to the line card, for receiving monitored parameters from the line card, and a processor that executes software for determining when an event such as a fault should be set, e.g., when a monitored parameter is out of range. The LCM has a second interface to a local area network at the switch for reporting the event to a Node Manager, which manages the LCM. The LCM is preferably a removable plug-in module of the line card to allow easy upgrades and maintenance. The LCM includes generic software for managing different types of line cards.

Embedded controller architecture for a modular optical network, and methods and apparatus therefor

A Line Card Manager (LCM) and Node Manager architecture for use at an optical switch in an optical communications network. LCMs are provided for managing different line cards at the switch, and a Node Manager at the switch manages the LCMs. The Node Manager and LCMs exchange messages using a message-passing interface. The messages may include, e.g., read messages that enable the node manager to retrieve monitored parameter values that the LCM receives from its line card, write messages that enable the node manager to write provisioning data to the LCM, alarm messages that allow the LCMs to report alarm conditions to the node manager, an audit message that enables the node manager to verify a presence of the line card at the optical switch, and discovery messages that allow a LCM to announce its presence to the node manager, e.g., after rebooting.

Embedded controller and node management architecture for a modular optical network, and methods and apparatus therefor

An optical transport switching system having an all-optical switch (200) can be selectively configured to provide cross-connection (240, 245) and add/drop multiplexing (230, 235) functions. In a further aspect, a hierarchical and distibuted control architecture (280, 250, 410) for managing an optical communications network is provided. In further aspect, a Line Card Manager (LCM) (410) and Node Manager (250) architecture are used at an optical communications network, where the node manager (250) manages line cards (420) at the optical switch. In a further aspect, a hierarchical network management system (NMS) (5910) where a plurality of NMS managers (5910), each responsible for different portions or aggregations of a communications network, are logically arranged in atree structure. In a further aspect, a protection switching capability is achieved in an optical communications network having at least one optical switch (5225) connected to a network access device (5140).

Richard Garrick

Papers

Node management architecture with customized line card handlers for a modular optical network, and methods and apparatus therefor

Embedded controller architecture for a modular optical network, and methods and apparatus therefor

Embedded controller and node management architecture for a modular optical network, and methods and apparatus therefor

Node architecture and management system for optical networks