Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing spanning tree support are provided. According to one aspect of the present invention, a network device includes two or more ports that are a part of a trunk. One of the two or more ports is selected for participation in a loop-free topology discovery protocol (520). Then, the loop-free topology discovery protocol is executed for the selected port (540). If the loop-free topology discovery protocol indicates the selected port is to be blocked (550), then all the ports of the trunk are to be blocked (560). According to another aspect of the present invention, a set of states for association with each port of a network device is provided. The set of states includes a 'blocked' state in which both learning and forwarding remains inhibited, and a 'non-blocked' state in which both learning and forwarding are permitted.

Abstract: A telephony apparatus is disclosed. The telephony apparatus has a receiver for receiving an email and a processor circuit having a communications port, for automatically forwarding at least a portion of the email from the communications port to a remote device, in response to receiving the email.

Abstract: The past quarter of a century has brought with it significant change in the field of port management, both in terms of the goals that are set and the tools used. This trend has resulted in increased pressure on port authorities. The purpose of this paper is to deal in greater detail with developments in this area of port economics.

Abstract: The provision of port services is an important link in international logistics. Historically, ports have constituted a bottleneck in maritime transport. Moreover, the quality of port services has been compromised by the complex internal port organisation and the considerable number of bodies that participate in the transfer of goods between ships and inland transport vehicles. The efficiency of port services affects not only the port authorities, service providers and customers, but also the port hinterland through the multiplier effect on the regional economy. The problems of port organisation are explained using principal‐agent concepts. The authors then explore the concept of quality in relation to port services, and discuss certification of service providers as a means of signalling quality to their customers. Finally, the accreditation system of the port of Valencia, Spain, is presented as a model, one that is superior to the accepted ISO standards, whereby port service quality and efficiency may be enhanced.

Abstract: A switching method and apparatus operates as a work conserving network device. An arbiter using an arbitration algorithm controls a switch fabric interconnecting input ports and output ports. To switch cells, a virtual output queue of an input port is selected that corresponds to an output port with a lowest occupancy rating and a request is sent to this output port. In a greedy version of the algorithm, input ports may send requests to the lowest occupied output port for which they have a cell. In a non-greedy version, requests may only be sent if that input port has a cell for the lowest occupied output port in the entire network device. An output port that receives one or more requests from input ports uses an input port selection algorithm to select an input port from which to receive a packet. After as many input and output ports are matched as is possible in a phase, the packets for those matched ports are transferred across the switch. The switch fabric operates with a speedup of only twice that of the input port data rates and is still work conserving.

Abstract: A network communication device including port control circuitry for controlling packet flow between the ports of the device, where the port control circuitry includes a port manager that directs packets between the ports and port bonding circuitry that bonds two or more of the ports into a bonded port set. For each packet to be sent via the bonded port set, the port bonding circuitry selects one of the bonded ports for transmitting the packet. More than one bonded port set may be defined in a given communication device, and each bonded port set may include from two ports up to all the ports of the device, as long as each port is included in only one bonded port set. One or more port bonding registers are provided to identify which of the plurality of ports are bonded in each bonded port set. In one embodiment, the bonded ports are selected on a packet by packet basis so as to achieve a relatively even distribution of packets sent by each bonded port. In an alternative embodiment bonded ports are assigned to packet source identifiers so as to achieve a relatively even distribution of source identifiers among the bonded ports. If bonded ports are assigned to particular source identifiers, then the traffic is preferably monitored and the assignments are periodically adjusted to achieve even distribution of packet flow on the bonded link. The bonded ports may have different bandwidths, in which case traffic is distributed on a proportionate basis.

Abstract: Management of forwarding databases in the case of link failures on bridges according to the all improved spanning tree, limits the propagation of notifications of topology change to only those parts of the network which are affected by the link failures, and trigger partial flushing as opposed to complete forwarding database flushing of learned MAC addresses to relearn the sets of addresses associated with ports affected by the change in topology. When a bridge moves its root port to a new port, the bridge can move the addresses learned through the original root port to the new root port without any relearning. The sets of addresses associated with the designated ports on upstream bridges from the old root port, are subject to flushing. Also when the bridge attaches to the new branch, it triggers a message to the root instructing all bridges in the new path to the root to flush addresses learned on their root ports.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing data communication between a source station having multiple connections to a first switch and a destination station having multiple connections to a second switch. A trunk identifier to each port on the first switch and each port on the second switch. A data frame is encoded with the trunk identifier for an ingress port on the first switch. The data frame is sent to the second switch from the first switch. A list of egress ports for the destination station is obtained from a station list contained in the second switch. An egress port is selected from the list of egress ports based upon the source address, destination address and trunk identifier. The data frame is sent to the destination station through the selected egress port.

Abstract: A selective call device (200) has a preassigned address port and a plurality of assignable sub-address ports (246), a receiver (204) for receiving a directory of information services and designated address assignments corresponding to the directory of information services on the preassigned address port and a user interface (216) for selecting an information service from the directory of information services to be received on an assignable sub-address port corresponding to a designated address assignment. The selective call device (200) also has transmitter (208) for transmitting a selection of a selected information service, a programmer (244) for programming the assignable sub-address port in response to a receipt of an authorization and for disabling the assignable sub-address port when a time period for the selected information service has expired and the receiver (204) for receiving the selected information service on the assignable sub-address port (246).

Abstract: A method for redirecting communication (20) on a network between a client (10) and a network resource (14) includes executing a software program (24), the software program (24) configured to listen to at least one communications port (26a-26c) of the client during the communication session, the software program (24) redirecting a message received on the communications port to the network resource.

Abstract: A network device with unified management including at least one port operable at any one of a plurality of media standards, port apparatus coupled to the port(s) that monitors and controls the port(s) for each of the media standards, and a management system that interfaces the port apparatus to manage the port(s) in a unified manner with respect to all of the media standards. The management system manages each of the ports in a unified manner regardless of the particular supported media standards. In one embodiment, the network device includes a memory and maintains multiple sets of statistical information per port. The port apparatus stores the first and second sets of statistics in the memory. The management system receives a statistics request and provides a unified statistic or a corresponding statistic from either the first or the second set of statistics. For port intrusion detection and prevention, one or more ports are assigned one or more authorized source addresses. The port apparatus disables a port for all media standards if an unauthorized source address is received at that port. The management system ensures that the port is disabled for all media standards.

Abstract: Access to the port of Antwerp in Belgium is provided through locks connecting the river with the docks. The decision to build a container quay on the river, outside the port, will hinder through tr...

Abstract: A distributed computer network for use with a general purpose computer (2) has a communications port and capable of running applications software for controlling the network. The network includes a master controller (4) and one or more input/output controllers (6).

Abstract: A network controller system including a plurality of network ports and a driver system that operates the network ports as a team. The team is operated to simulate a single logical device in one of several team modes, such as fault tolerance or load balancing modes, to enhance performance of communication of the computer in a network. The driver system periodically determines and updates the status of each of the network ports, where the status of each is based at least on whether at least one directed packet has been received and transferred to the driver system by a respective network port. If any one of the network ports has not received a directed packet within a predetermined time period, the driver system commands another network port to transmit a directed heartbeat packet to the network port that has not received a directed packet. The team may include a primary and one or more secondary ports. The primary port sends a directed packet to any secondary port that has not received a directed packet within the predetermined time period. One or more of the secondary ports may each send a directed heartbeat packet to the primary port if the primary port has not received a directed packet within the predetermined time period.

Abstract: IllustrationsMapsAcknowledgementsAbbreviationsIntroductionPART I: CONTROLLING SEA SPACE - GEOPOLITICS, WAR AND NAVAL POLICY1 Aboriginal Settlement and European Expansionism: British Australia in the Asia-Pacific Region2 Independent Australia: Security and the Dilemmas of Self-reliancePART II: OVERCOMING DISTANCE - SHIPPING, SETTLEMENT AND PORTS3 Bridging the Oceans: Ships, Cargoes and Passengers4 Exploration, Settlement and Coastal Shipping5 The Heart of Maritime Life: Australia's Ports and Port CitiesPART III: LIVING WITH THE SEA - WORK, CULTURE AND LIFESTYLE6 Australians Offshore: Harvesting the Sea7 Maritime Workers and their Unions8 A Culture of the Sea9 The Sea in Australia's LifeEndnotesSelect BibliographyIndex

Abstract: As a result of fundamental developments in economy, technology, and society the location behaviour of economic actors is changing. Traditional boundaries no longer hold. One category of locations confronted with these changes is seaports. Port-related activities are increasingly located in secondary centres at a distance from the port, resulting in the development of a ‘port network’. The rise of port networks is considered a new stage in the development of ports. To cope with the transition towards the new stage, port authorities need to revise their strategy. In this paper, the development of port networks is considered as an example of new spatial patterns and organisational structures in a borderless world. The factors behind the rise of port networks are identified and the contours of a new port strategy outlined. The theoretical model is illustrated by the case of Rotterdam.

Abstract: A method for aggregating distributed information from a plurality of data sources each having an address. A plurality of user criteria are received and site specific information describing idiosyncrasies of each data source are stored. A plurality of query messages are generated based upon the received criteria and the stored idiosyncrasy information. For each query message, a communication packet is generated comprising the query message and an address for the corresponding data source. A plurality of communication ports are created with each port associated with one of the communication packets. Each communication packet is sent over its associated port to the addressed data source.

Abstract: A method for and apparatus of testing a multi-port RAM (random access memory) detect single port faults and inter port shorts in multi-port random access memories. The algorithm performs a conventional single-port test such as MARCH or SMARCH on one port of the memory and performs an inter-port test on all other ports. The algorithm does not impose any extra test time and requires the addition of only a few gates to a conventional single-port BIST controller, independently of the size of the memory. An address to select ports of the multi-port RAM includes a row address signal of a plurality of bits. A specific bit of the row address signal is changed.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating with a serial communications device using multiple virtual ports. The multiple virtual ports are mapped to device names using a port router. The virtual ports are accessed to provide a communications port, or to provide a command/status port for accessing status and performance information about the communications device. The virtual ports may be used to establish a communications connection and, concurrently, to run a second application that monitors the communications speed. The communications speed may be displayed to the user in real-time.

Abstract: An improvement to the spanning tree protocol provides for identifying a port on the bridge in the alternate port role which qualifies as a next best root port. Upon detection of a failure at the root port, or other event causing a change in the root port to a blocking state, the next best root port transitions to the root port role, and forwarding state immediately without traversing the listening and learning states of the standard protocol. Also, in networks in which there is a possibility of shared media links between bridges, ports that have the alternate port role, and connect to a LAN which is also connected through a designated port on the same bridge are identified as a backup. The algorithm prevents such backup ports from transitioning to the forwarding state before the designated port connected to the same LAN segment transitions to a blocking state.

Abstract: Australia port reform initiatives have taken on a variety of forms — from out-right sale and transfer of ownership, to the sale of particular assets of infrastructure or services, or to long-term lease arrangements; or in some cases state governments, unable to relinquish control, have opted for corporatization or commercialization strategies. Reform is driven by the belief that ownership impacts on efficiency and efficiency is perceived to suffer if governments either retain ownership or direct control. As a result a major aim of reform is to either remove or distance governments from day to day port operations. The sale of ports removes government control outright and privatized ports are subject to identical regulatory constraints as any company in the private sector. But corporatization strategies are such that government ownership is retained and ports have been transformed into statutory state owned corporations. Effectiveness of this strategy requires legislation to be such that port corporations a...

Abstract: In a computer network system, data packets are transmitted to a designated network port. A port sharing protocol enables multiple applications to listen to the same port. Each interested application attempts to bind to the port. The first application to successfully bind to the port is deemed the “primary” application, and all remaining applications are deemed “secondary” applications. The secondary applications register themselves with the primary application by submitting their IP addresses and a port number of the port. The primary application adds the secondary applications to a distribution list. The primary application listens for incoming packets delivered over the port. When a packet is received, the primary application sends a copy of the packet to each secondary application on the distribution list. The primary and secondary applications are then free to consume the packets for their own purposes. As a result, multiple applications are able to receive the same data packets received over one port.

Abstract: A network switch routes data transmissions between network stations, each data transmission including network addresses of the source and destination network stations. The network switch includes a set of input/output (I/O) ports each for receiving data transmissions from and transmitting data transmissions to a subset of the network stations. Each I/O port is identified by a “physical” port ID and a “logical” port ID. While each I/O port's physical port ID is unique, all I/O ports that can route data to the same subset of network stations share the same logical port ID. Each I/O port receiving a data transmission from a network station sends its logical port ID and the network addresses included in the data transmission to an address translation system. The address translation system uses data in the translation request to maintain a lookup table relating each subset of network addresses to a logical port ID identifying all I/O ports that communicate with network stations identified by that subset of network address. The address translation system responds to an address translation request by returning the logical port ID of all I/O ports that can send data transmissions to a destination station identified by the destination address included in the data transmission. In response to the returned logical port ID, the network switch establishes a data path for the data transmission from the I/O port receiving the data transmission and any idle I/O port having that logical port ID.

Abstract: An examination is made of the nature of corporate restructuring among liner shipping companies to meet the needs of producers for logistic services within the Asia-Pacific Economic Region. This task is undertaken by detailing the development of the global alliances forged in 1996. Then their impact on port selection and competition within the Asia-Pacific Economic Region is studied with particular reference to the Trans-Pacific trade. As the composition of these alliances has already changed by mergers their likely effect on port destinies is considered.

Abstract: This article addresses a range of conceptual issues relating to the history of European port cities in order to construct a framework for comparative research. Port cities played a key role in European urban development and their growth was often determined by common factors. Particular attention is paid to the demography of port cities, their specific labour markets and the dominant ideology of merchant capital. The article establishes a basis for analysing case studies of individual port cities and for exploring their location within the overall process of European urbanization.

Abstract: Korea has achieved remarkable economic growth over the last three decades. This has largely been due to the adoption of export-oriented economic policies. This economic development has resulted in a rapid increase in export and import cargoes. Since the foreign trade of Korea is carried predominantly by sea transport (approximately 99.8% in terms of volume), ports play a crucial role in this process. Although recent port developments are aimed at keeping pace with ever-growing seaborne cargoes, problems persist, especially insufficient port capacity and inefficient management and operations. As a consequence, the ports of Korea suffer from serious port congestion. This problem is particularly acute in Pusan, the fifth largest container port in the world. In the past, all ports in Korea were controlled and administered by the Korea Maritime and Port Administration, which was a public port authority. In August 1996, the Korean government established a new government organization, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF), with a remit to control and manage its seaports and other related activities and to improve management efficiency in the maritime area. As a way of solving problems related to port congestion and other sources of inefficiency, the new MMAF has launched several new port development schemes. In this context, this paper will discuss the extent of congestion in Korean ports, especially Pusan, the major seaport of the country; and governmental and commercial reaction to solving the problems, including measures such as new port development schemes aimed at attracting private and foreign finance. From this analysis, a strategy for port development in developing countries may be inferred.

Abstract: In this research work two fundamental approaches analysing the eco- nomic impact of ports are presented. In the first section we outline the theoretical frame- work in its most significant versions: Models of port demand , the Economic base approach , the Keynesian income-expenditure approach and the Input-output approach. In the following section we present the approach applied in the version of survey studies, of input-output methodology and of a mix of both, that is specialised surveys and input-output methodol- ogy. In the third part we offer an application of the last methodology to the port of Santander in the Spanish region of Cantabria. In the final section we put forward the main conlcusions of the study. Analyses of port economic impact basically refer to the effects ports have in the economy of the area in which they have influence. Although these effects can be evaluated in many different ways, conventionally they are measured (1) by the contribution of the activities of the port sector (in a broad sense) to the level reached by some economic variables, such as added value, employment, salary incomes and taxes. In short, the basic aim of port economic impact studies is to show the whole of net economic ben-