Abstract: Methods and apparatus for automatically detecting the frame format of a data signal and automatically provisioning a port based on the detected frame format are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a framing format detection mechanism that is suitable for use in a network within which a data signal is arranged to be transmitted includes a first device and a second device. The first device is arranged to be a part of a line card and in communication with a signal receiving port on the line card. The first device is also arranged to automatically determine a frame format associated with the data signal. The second device is arranged to display the frame format associated with the data signal substantially in real-time. In one embodiment, the first device is further arranged to automatically provision the port.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for identifying a frame format associated with a DS3 data signal are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for detecting a frame format of a signal which has a plurality of frames includes receiving a first frame and determining when a parity associated with the first frame and a first bit associated with the first frame indicate that a first counter is to be incremented. The first counter is incremented when it is determined that the first counter is to be incremented. The method also includes determining when the signal is of a first format through a comparison of the first counter with a first threshold.