Abstract: Network service orchestrator Network service orchestrator operationally connected to a network management system, the network service orchestrator comprising a connectivity services database comprising information representing multiple connectivity services configured on a network managed by the network management system, the network service orchestrator further comprising input means for receiving service orders, processing means configured to process an orchestrator algorithm to select a set of connectivity services out of said multiple connectivity services based on said service orders, and a signal generator for generating and transmitting a signal to activate/deactivate the selected set of connectivity services on the network.

Abstract: A frame work to build and use a generic content switch is provided. The applications and the routing policy for the content switch are provided by the application provider. The content switch, however, is managed by a network provider so that there is a clear separation of the switching action and the switching policy. The basic framework consists of two key elements; a content switch and a user-defined application that also contains the switching policy.

Abstract: An operation is performed for executing a plurality of first-level queries. Execution of each first level query determines if a respective type of operational condition exists within a network. If needed due to the quantity of first-level queries, the first-level queries are executed in a sampled manner such that less than all of the first-level queries are applied to a specified collection of network elements of the network during each one of a plurality of instances of executing the first-level queries being performed and such that all of the first-level queries are applied to the specified collection of network elements in accordance with a prescribed query execution timeframe. An operation is performed for executing a second-level query in response to one of the first-level queries determining that the respective type of operational condition exists within the network.

Abstract: Performance measurements are taken in a data network where information from a source is sent to a set of receivers via a plurality of routers using multicast addressing by generating a performance measurement packet having indicia indicating that the packet is a performance measurement packet at the source. The performance measurement packet is forwarded from the source to a subset of one or more identified receivers over the same respective paths as non-measurement packets. The performance measurement packets are received at the subset of identified receivers, but not at receivers in the set that are not part of the subset.

Abstract: A network management system and a method are described herein that determine if one or more devices (e.g., consumer premises equipment(s)) are experiencing an unacceptable packet loss for downstream multicast traffic in an access network. In one embodiment, the network management system performs the following operations: (1) cause a trigger probe to be sent to the one or more devices, where each trigger probe contains information which causes the corresponding device to start a packet loss measurement; and (2) receive an unacceptable loss measurement message from one of the devices if that one device experienced packet losses over a certain period of time that exceeded a predetermined threshold which would be an indication that the one end device is experiencing an unacceptable packet loss.

Abstract: A virtual router network (VRN) for performing real-time flow measurements (RTFM) is provided. The VRN effectively reduces the number of traffic metering points required thereby simplifying the aggregation and exportation of flow records to a collector. The collector may be service manager in a network management system. The metering points, in a preferred embodiment, are at virtual interfaces (VI) which are edge nodes in VRN. One of the virtual interfaces is selected as a master virtual interface and act as a collector and distributor of flow related information. In one aspect of the invention the VRN is used to provide, non-invasively, per-flow delay monitoring in a communication system.

Abstract: A diagnostic tool for identifying priority errors within a data network is realized using a priority trace data packet. The priority trace data packet is originated at an originating node of interest and terminated at a terminating node of interest. At various intermediate network nodes along the data path between the originating and terminating nodes, the priority trace packet is inspected to determine the current priority value of the priority trace packet. The current priority value is stored in a priority trace field that can be analyzed by a network management node to identify one or more sources of priority errors.

Abstract: A method and system for logical group endpoint discovery in a data communication network is disclosed. A network endpoint receives from a source a request identifying a logical group and determines whether a port associated with the endpoint is a member of the logical group. If a port associated with the endpoint is a member of the logical group, the endpoint transmits to the source a reply identifying the port and the logical group. The request may be multicast while the reply may be unicast. The logical group may be a VLAN or a multicast group. The source and endpoint are preferably 802.1ag maintenance endpoints. The request may include an IEEE 802.1ag continuity check multicast address as a destination address.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for facilitating DHCP diagnostic functionality comprises a plurality of operation. An operation is performed for identifying misconfigurations to a DHCP option configuration of a DHCP agent between a DHCP server and a client of the DHCP server. An operation is performed for confirming proper address concentration configuration with respect to the DHCP agent. An operation is performed for snooping on address assignments from the DHCP server to the client of the DHCP server to determine unauthorized ones of the address assignments.

Abstract: A diagnostic tool and method are described herein that are capable of diagnosing and localizing a multicast connectivity flow fault within a layer 2 aggregation network. In one application, the diagnostic tool and method can be used by a customer service representative to diagnose why a customer cannot receive a television channel even though they can receive other television channels within an IPTV network.

Abstract: A bridge/router and method are described herein that are capable of avoiding packet replication at layer 2 where there is a failure in a network. In one embodiment, the bridge/router is informed about a fault which occurred within the network. Then, the bridge/router makes a determination about whether or not multiple LSPs would be used to flood/carry the same IP traffic out off a single port. If yes, the first bridge/router chooses one of the LSPs to carry the IP traffic out the single port and then prevents the IP traffic from being carried on the remaining LSP(s) out the single port which avoids the packet replication on a link which is associated with the single port. If no, then the first bridge/router allows the IP traffic to be carried on the LSPs out off more than one port.

Abstract: Performance measurements for a network, such as delay, delay variation, and loss, are performed over layer-2. A PM frame is sent from a source MEP (Maintenance End Point) to a destination MEP. The PM frame is timestamped immediately prior to transmission, and the local clock at the destination MEP is noted immediately upon arrival. MIPs (Maintenance Intermediate Points) may also time stamp the PM frame. Preferably, each PM frame has an interval (session) identifier and a sequence number within the interval. The PM frames are received by and sent by PM modules within the nodes of the network. The PM modules include a Sender function for sending an interval of one or more PM frames and a Receiver function for receiving PM frames and computing measurements.

Abstract: A D-server controller, a VoD-server controller and a policy server are described herein which implement diagnostic tools that proactively detect and prevent potential problems with different components and services in an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) network.

Abstract: The resilient packet ring (RPR for short) is receiving much attention as a telecommunications network architecture. The RPR consists of dual counter-rotating ringlets and implements a ring protection scheme such as ring wrap and source steering. Topology discovery is an important aspect of the network management of the RPR. Herein described is a new topology discovery algorithm which performs in multiple phases. According to one phase of the algorithm, a station on the ring periodically exchange with only its neighboring stations a control messages containing a topology database. The topology database indicates addresses of stations on the ring and their link status. The algorithm should find applications not only in RPR but also other ring architectures.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for facilitating DHCP diagnostic functionality comprises a plurality of operation. An operation is performed for identifying misconfigurations to a DHCP option configuration of a DHCP agent between a DHCP server and a client of the DHCP server. An operation is performed for confirming proper address concentration configuration with respect to the DHCP agent. An operation is performed for snooping on address assignments from the DHCP server to the client of the DHCP server to determine unauthorized ones of the address assignments.

Abstract: A selective, flow-based datapath architecture is described. A Flow Control Block Manager (FCBM) is located in a flow-based datapath for selectively and intelligently processing packets in the Flow Path. If, according to the FCBM, efficiency gains can be achieved by creating a flow control block and employing flow-based processing on a packet stream, the packets are processed accordingly. If, however, insufficient gains are anticipated the packets are processed in a flow-unaware manner. The FCBM determines the manner in which to process packets based on a set of criteria.

Abstract: A network management system and method are described herein that can measure on-demand the D/DV (Delay/Delay Variation) in a Broadcast Television (BTV) multicast stream for a group of listeners that are associated with an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) network.

Abstract: A diagnostic tool for identifying priority errors within a data network is realized using a priority trace data packet. The priority trace data packet is originated at an originating node of interest and terminated at a terminating node of interest. At various intermediate network nodes along the data path between the originating and terminating nodes, the priority trace packet is inspected to determine the current priority value of the priority trace packet. The current priority value is stored in a priority trace field that can be analyzed by a network management node to identify one or more sources of priority errors.

Abstract: Performance measurements are taken in a data network where information from a source is sent to a set of receivers via a plurality of routers using multicast addressing by generating a performance measurement packet having indicia indicating that the packet is a performance measurement packet at the source. The performance measurement packet is forwarded from the source to a subset of one or more identified receivers over the same respective paths as non-measurement packets. The performance measurement packets are received at the subset of identified receivers, but not at receivers in the set that are not part of the subset.

Abstract: An operation is performed for executing a plurality of first-level queries. Execution of each first level query determines if a respective type of operational condition exists within a network. If needed due to the quantity of first-level queries, the first-level queries are executed in a sampled manner such that less than all of the first-level queries are applied to a specified collection of network elements of the network during each one of a plurality of instances of executing the first-level queries being performed and such that all of the first-level queries are applied to the specified collection of network elements in accordance with a prescribed query execution timeframe. An operation is performed for executing a second-level query in response to one of the first-level queries determining that the respective type of operational condition exists within the network.