Abstract: A method of communicating data between a network device and a data network to which the device is connected via an optical fiber data link in which the device is connected to the optical fiber data link and the connection is monitored to detect data communication at a first standard. If data communication is detected at the first standard, data communication is established using the first standard. If not, the connection is monitored at the second standard. If data communication is detected at the second standard, data communication is established using the second standard.

Abstract: A method for retrieving data from a network having network elements in a multi-level hierarchical tree includes providing a data exchange interface defining formats for requesting and delivery of types of data to be retrieved, generating a request at the data exchange interface to define the data to be retrieved, using the request to define a canonical name and a depth indicator, implementing, at one or more levels in the network, a data retrieval routine that uses the canonical name to generate a command that is issued to the element or elements from which data are to be retrieved to cause the element or elements to return data including a description and a value, and communicating the returned data to the data exchange interface in the defined data format.

Abstract: Amethod of framing data for transmission to or from one of a number of users connected to a VLAN data network, comprising dividing the data into frames including a header and a payload, the header comprising a portion of one of two selectable values assigned according to whether the data is to be transmitted from or to a user, wherein the header comprises a VLAN tag including a Tag Protocol ID (TPID) portion and a Tag Control Information (TCI) portion, a first TPID value being assigned to data to be transmitted from the user and a second, different, TPID value being assigned to data to be transmitted to a user.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention comprises a method of operating a network for providing services to subscribers, the network including a configuration system comprising: a core system comprising primary and secondary cores, each core being separately capable of controlling operation of the system; at least one cell connected to the core system; and at least one network element connected to the cell, each network element supporting a number of subscribers for provision of the services; the method comprising: operating the configuration system using the primary core; monitoring operation of the primary core for a failure event preventing the primary core from properly controlling operation of the configuration system; on detection of a failure event, transferring control of operation of the configuration system to the secondary core; following correction of the failure event such that the primary core again becomes capable of properly controlling operation of the configuration system, configuring the secondary core

Abstract: A method of configuring a router to provide DHCP IP address services to a number of network clients sending messages to the router to request IP addresses, the network clients connecting to a network via the router which is under the control of a control system, the method includes obtaining configuration instructions for the router by sending messages from the router to the control system to request configurations for DHCP services, sending configuration instructions from the control system to the router, and configuring the router in accordance with the configuration instructions.

Abstract: A method of communicating data between a network device and a data network to which the device is connected via an optical fiber data link in which the device is connected to the optical fiber data link and the connection is monitored to detect data communication at a first standard. If data communication is detected at the first standard, data communication is established using the first standard. If not, the connection is monitored at the second standard. If data communication is detected at the second standard, data communication is established using the second standard.

Abstract: A method of managing transmission of a fragmented datagram in a network having end devices and intermediate routing or switching devices in which fragmentation of the datagram takes place at an upstream intermediate device. The method includes receiving and temporarily storing a first datagram fragment at a downstream intermediate device, the fragment including data allowing classification of the fragments of the datagram; and receiving and temporarily storing subsequent fragments of the same datagram at the downstream device. Once all datagram fragments are received, all of the fragments are classified and transmitted on based on the classification data of the first fragment. However, if a predetermined time period has elapsed and at least one fragment is missing, an action other than transmission on to a subsequent device is initiated.

Abstract: A system includes a router, a user device, and an external server. The router includes a series of configuration templates and is configured to forward requests from the user device to the external server and to direct responses from the external server to the user device. The responses include a name of one of the configuration templates with which the router is to be configured.

Abstract: A local system including at least two VLANs may be connected to a local layer 2 switch to a wider network by providing a connection between the local switch and a router port and a single logical layer 3 interface may be assigned to the VLANs. A VLAN tag may be assigned to each connected VLAN. Outgoing data including the user's address, the intended recipient of the data and the VLAN tag assigned to the VLAN may be communicated to the router. The address of the user and the VLAN tag may be copied to a forwarding table, and the outgoing data may be forwarded to the wider network for delivery to the intended recipient. Incoming date intended for delivery to the user may be received at the assigned layer 3 interface and forwarded to the local switch for delivery to the user.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting user equipment to a broadband network includes a chassis having attachment points for connection to a supporting surface and a guide that permits entry of a communication cable. A cable termination unit may be mounted on the chassis such that a cable that is led through the guide can be connected and provided with a termination to which functional connections can be made. A cover may be mounted on the chassis in such a way as to be removable and reattachable to allow access to the chassis. The chassis may include mounting points for connecting at least one functional module to the communication cable and for allowing different communication functions to be provided to user equipment that is connected to the network via the apparatus.

Abstract: A method of forwarding a series of data packets in a data flow in a network, wherein the data packets having N predetermined parameters where N>1 and ranges of values of the N parameters defining an N-dimensional parameter space, and wherein the data flow is one selected from a series of aggregated data flows, the method comprising: defining at least one parameter-based rule applicable to the series of aggregated data flows in the N-dimensional space; applying the or each rule to the aggregated data flows so as to define a series of non-overlapping N-dimensional hyper-cubes in the N-dimensional space, each containing at least one data flow from the aggregated data flows; determining discrete values of the N parameters for the data flow containing the series of related packets, defining a point in the N-dimensional space; and forwarding the related packets in accordance with the rule applicable in the hyper-cube in which the point is located.

Abstract: A system includes network elements and a network provisioning and control system by which connection of network elements to a broadband network is controlled. The network provisioning and control system includes a configuration rendering engine that operates to configure the network elements connected to the network. Network element configuration templates are stored in the network provisioning and control system, each template including predetermined configuration data and conditional configuration data. A network element connected to the network and requiring configuration is detected and a template relating to the specific network element to be configured is determined. The system is interrogated. A configuration statement for the network element based on the selected template is determined using the predetermined configuration data and the determined, discrete values of the conditional configuration data. The network element is configured using the configuration statement.

Abstract: Service is delivered from a service provider to a customer in a network system having a plurality of service providers and a network control and provisioning system through which connection of the customer and service provider is controlled. The service provider is connected to the control and provisioning system via a service manager application which contains predetermined values of conditional data parameters for services to be provided to the customer and the customer's connection to the network is interrogated by the service manager to determine the current values of conditional data parameters. The current values are compared with the predetermined values to determine whether or not conditions for provision of the requested services are met. The results of the comparison are communicated to the service provider.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention comprises a method of operating a network for providing services to subscribers, the network including a configuration system comprising: a core system comprising primary and secondary cores, each core being separately capable of controlling operation of the system; at least one cell connected to the core system; and at least one network element connected to the cell, each network element supporting a number of subscribers for provision of the services; the method comprising: operating the configuration system using the primary core; monitoring operation of the primary core for a failure event preventing the primary core from properly controlling operation of the configuration system; on detection of a failure event, transferring control of operation of the configuration system to the secondary core; following correction of the failure event such that the primary core again becomes capable of properly controlling operation of the configuration system, configuring the secondary core

Abstract: A method of configuring a network comprising: creating, in the configuration system core, an overall configuration tree that describes all services available to the subscribers; and the location of each individual subscriber in the network and the particular services to which it subscribes; providing each cell with a local configuration tree comprising that part of the overall configuration tree that describes all services available to the subscribers connected to network elements in that cell; and the location of each individual subscriber in that cell and the particular services to which it subscribes; and configuring each network element according to the local configuration tree in its respective cell.