Brendan J Fee

US Patent:

6415314, Jul 2, 2002

Filed:

Aug 6, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/130234

Inventors:

Brendan Fee - Nashua NH
Kurt Dobbins - Bedford NH
Dave Arneson - Bow NH
Pat Mullaney - Nashua NH

Assignee:

Enterasys Networks, Inc. - Portsmouth NH

International Classification:

G06F 1516

US Classification:

709201, 709202, 709203

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for allocating the performance of applications in a networking chassis among one or more modules in the chassis. In particular, the system acts as a chassis agent for performing network management functions. The agent performs a discovery function whereby each module discovers the location and current utilization of resources and applications for itself and transmits that information to other modules, and wherein each module maintains a slot table of such information for all modules. Based on the information in the slot table, each module performs an election function for allocating applications among the various modules in the chassis. The agent uses MIBs to gather information about the chassis and to effect control on the chassis, wherein each managed object is registered both locally and remotely in a MIB tree maintained on each module, and the data is maintained locally on the module on which the managed object resides. The system enables the chassis to be managed âas a wholeâ while the management functions are distributed across the system, and the system is both fault tolerant and enables ready expansion and modification of the management applications.

US Patent:

6449279, Sep 10, 2002

Filed:

Nov 20, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/716675

Inventors:

David Belser - Penacook NH
Richard Bussiere - Manchester NH
Jeff Cioli - Derry NH
Brendan Fee - Nashua NH
William T. Haggerty - Dunstable MA

Assignee:

Enterasys Networks, Inc. - Portsmouth NH

International Classification:

H04L 1248

US Classification:

370397, 370355, 370392, 370409, 709238

Abstract:

A method and apparatus are provided for connection-oriented switching in a communications network wherein a pre-established path is established between a select pair of an ingress switch and an egress switch. The use of pre-established paths enables a reduction in the total number of connections required inside the switch cloud, reduces the CPU load on trunk switches, and shortens the time for connection setup. In the embodiment described, the DA/SA fields of a MAC frame data packet are replaced with a âvirtual pathâ, which identifies the pre-established path between the ingress and egress switches. A âvirtual circuitâ is provided in another field of the modified packet which specifies the out-port and out-header on the egress switch for demultiplexing the modified packet upon receipt at the egress switch. The virtual circuit is exchanged between the ingress and egress switches at connection setup. The virtual path is assumed to already be in place, and known to both switches, prior to connection setup.

US Patent:

6618762, Sep 9, 2003

Filed:

May 9, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/142042

Inventors:

Brendan Fee - Nashua NH
Kurt Dobbins - Bedford NH
Dave Arneson - Bow NH
Pat Mullaney - Nashua NH

Assignee:

Enterasys Networkds, Inc. - Andover MA

International Classification:

G06F 1516

US Classification:

709245, 709201

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for allocating the performance of applications in a networking chassis among one or more modules in the chassis. In particular, the system acts as a chassis agent for performing network management functions. The agent performs a discovery function whereby each module discovers the location and current utilization of resources and applications for itself and transmits that information to other modules, and wherein each module maintains a slot table of such information for all modules. Based on the information in the slot table, each module performs an election function for allocating applications among the various modules in the chassis. The agent uses MIBs to gather information about the chassis and to effect control on the chassis, wherein each managed object is registered both locally and remotely in a MIB tree maintained on each module, and the data is maintained locally on the module on which the managed object resides. The system enables the chassis to be managed âas a wholeâ while the management functions are distributed across the system, and the system is both fault tolerant and enables ready expansion and modification of the management applications.

US Patent:

6711171, Mar 23, 2004

Filed:

Oct 19, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/174991

Inventors:

Kurt Dobbins - Bedford NH
Thomas A. Grant - Derry NH
David A. Ruffen - Salem NH
Laura Kane - Merrimack NH
Theodore Len - Amherst NH
Philip Andlauer - Londonderry NH
David H. Bahi - Manchester NH
Kevin Yohe - Nashua NH
Brendan Fee - Nashua NH
Chris Oliver - Rochester NH
David L. Cullerot - Manchester NH
Michael Skubisz - Durham NH

Assignee:

Enterasys Networks, Inc. - Andover MA

International Classification:

H04L 1228

US Classification:

370400, 370408

Abstract:

Method and apparatus providing connection-oriented services for packet switched data communications networks. Directory services include distributed discovery of MAC addresses and protocol alias addresses. Topology services include a link state topology exchange among switches, which provides each switch with a complete topology graph of the network. This enables an access switch receiving a data packet to determine a complete path from a source end system to a destination end system. Another service includes resolution of broadcast frames to unicast frames, in order to reduce the amount of broadcast traffic. Policy restrictions may be applied prior to connection setup. Path determination services enable multiple paths from a source to a destination. Connection management includes source routed mapping of connections on the desired path. A distributed call rerouting service is provided wherein if a link on an active path fails, each switch receives a topology change notification and unmaps any connection involving the failed link.

US Patent:

7295556, Nov 13, 2007

Filed:

Feb 28, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/377014

Inventors:

John J. Roese - Newmarket NH, US
Richard W. Graham - Derry NH, US
David Frattura - New York NY, US
Anja A. Allen - Fairfax VA, US
Brendan J. Fee - Nashua NH, US

Assignee:

Enterasys Networks, Inc. - Andover MA

International Classification:

H04L 12/56

US Classification:

3703953, 370400

Abstract:

A method for location discovery in a data network includes receiving, at a first device, connection information from a neighboring network device and determining a physical location of the first device based on the connection information. The method can include receiving, at the first device, the physical location transmitted from the neighboring network device. The method can further include associating a level of trust with the physical location based on the neighboring network device. The first device be one of a variety of devices, such as a router, a switch, a network entry device, a firewall device, or a gateway.

US Patent:

7706369, Apr 27, 2010

Filed:

Nov 12, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/938518

Inventors:

John J. Roese - Newmarket NH, US
Richard W. Graham - Derry NH, US
David Frattura - New York NY, US
Anja A. Allen - Fairfax VA, US
Brendan J. Fee - Nashua NH, US

Assignee:

Enterasys Networks, Inc. - Andover MA

International Classification:

H04L 12/28

US Classification:

370389, 370392

Abstract:

A method for location discovery in a data network includes receiving, at a first device, connection information from a neighboring network device and determining a physical location of the first device based on the connection information. The method can include receiving, at the first device, the physical location transmitted from the neighboring network device. The method can further include associating a level of trust with the physical location based on the neighboring network device. The first device be one of a variety of devices, such as a router, a switch, a network entry device, a firewall device, or a gateway.

US Patent:

7720076, May 18, 2010

Filed:

Mar 1, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/791655

Inventors:

Kurt Dobbins - Bedford NH, US
Thomas A. Grant - Derry NH, US
David J. Ruffen - Salem NH, US
Laura Kane - Merrimack NH, US
Theodore Len - Amherst NH, US
Philip Andlauer - Londonderry NH, US
David H. Bahi - Manchester NH, US
Kevin Yohe - Nashua NH, US
Brendan Fee - Nashua NH, US
Chris Oliver - Rochester NH, US
David L. Cullerot - Manchester NH, US
Michael Skubisz - Durham NH, US

Assignee:

Enterasys, Inc. - Andover MA

International Classification:

H04L 12/28

US Classification:

37039553, 37039552, 370401, 370432, 370469, 709226

Abstract:

Method and apparatus providing connection-oriented services for packet switched data communications networks. Directory services include distributed discovery of MAC addresses and protocol alias addresses. Topology services include a link state topology exchange among switches, which provides each switch with a complete topology graph of the network. This enables an access switch receiving a data packet to determine a complete path from a source end system to a destination end system. Another service includes resolution of broadcast frames to unicast frames, in order to reduce the amount of broadcast traffic. Policy restrictions may be applied prior to connection setup. Path determination services enable multiple paths from a source to a destination. Connection management includes source routed mapping of connections on the desired path. A distributed call rerouting service is provided wherein if a link on an active path fails, each switch receives a topology change notification and unmaps any connection involving the failed link.

US Patent:

7990981, Aug 2, 2011

Filed:

Mar 23, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/729740

Inventors:

Kurt Dobbins - Bedford NH, US
Thomas A. Grant - Derry NH, US
David J. Ruffen - Salem NH, US
Laura Kane - Merrimack NH, US
Theodore Len - Amherst NH, US
Philip Andlauer - Londonderry NH, US
David H. Bahi - Manchester NH, US
Kevin Yohe - Amherst NH, US
Brendan Fee - Nashua NH, US
Chris Oliver - Rochester NH, US
David L. Cullerot - Manchester NH, US
Michael Skubisz - Durham NH, US

Assignee:

Enterasys Networks, Inc. - Andover MA

International Classification:

H04L 12/28

US Classification:

37039553, 370401, 370432

Abstract:

Connection-oriented services for packet switched data communications networks are provided, including distributed MAC and protocol alias addresses discovery. Link state topology exchanges provide each switch with network topology graphs to determine paths from source to destination end systems. Broadcast frames are resolved to unicast frames to reduce broadcast traffic. Policy restrictions may be applied prior to connection setup. Connection management includes source-routed mapping of connections on the desired path. Distributed call rerouting is provided so switches receive topology change notifications and unmap failed link connections. Broadcast/unknown services provide non-resolvable packet restricted flooding. Connection-oriented switching is provided based on source and destination MAC addresses. Resolution of networks outside the switch domain is enabled by listening for network and server route advertisements and maintaining best routes to the networks and servers.