Abstract: One aspect of the specification is the use of a virtual entity to represent the bandwidth bottleneck point in a network. Areas of the network where bandwidth does not need to be managed can be modeled as zones. This model enables more flexibility as the virtual bottleneck point can represent a collection of components (e.g. routers), or a portion of a real component (e.g. a router could be represented by multiple virtual bottleneck points with different purposes.) This model can also allow a user to decide which points in their network should be managed, independent of the underlying data network infrastructure. These virtual entities can be placed between areas of the network, and configured with specific policies. Bandwidth usage across these virtual entities can be tracked and compared to the configured bandwidth limit available to the application at each bottleneck point. When the bandwidth available at the bottleneck point is fully utilized, additional calls can be blocked or rerouted.

Abstract: A method for configuring a network device includes connecting the device to a LAN that is connected to a WAN and detecting that the device has not been configured. Accessing within the device a pre-defined address of a configuration server located on the WAN and sending a configuration request for a service to the configuration server. The request includes a network identifier locating the device on the LAN. Receiving the request at the configuration server and preparing a configuration profile for the device. The configuration profile includes i) a service address for the device, and ii) a wide area network address for a service provider that will provide the service. The method also includes sending the profile to the device from the configuration server, and activating the profile in the device such that the device is configured to access the service via the service provider.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for modulating an application associated with at least one of a first communication device and a second communication device is provided. Proximity between the first communication device and the second communication device is determined. The application associated with at least one of the first communication device and the second communication device is modulated based on the proximity.

Abstract: This specification can provide resource allocation in peer-to-peer networks. This specification describes techniques whereby individual resources can in certain circumstances share their local views to create a network-wide view. The use of a performance manager facilitates this sharing. The sharing of fault information both access multiple devices and for a single device across restarts is also provided. A network-based aggregator for performance and fault analysis is also provided so that complex analysis algorithms can be provided centrally to assist network performance management.

Abstract: A system and method of associating at least two communication devices is provided. First information identifying a first communication device and second information identifying a second communication device is received via a link layer protocol over a data network. It is determined if the first communication device and the second communication device are co-located based on first link layer data associated with the first communication device and second link layer data associated with the second communication device. An association is triggered between the first information and the second information if the first communication device and the second communication device are determined to be co-located.

Abstract: A network intelligence provides stateless elemental device control to a plurality of network connected components. Selected ones of the network connected components may be associated with one another as an aggregate device and the state of each associated component may be maintained at the network intelligence in a logical model of the aggregate device. Service adapters in the network intelligence may represent this association of components to data network services as a single, multi-function device.

Abstract: A system and method of associating at least two communication devices is provided. First information identifying a first communication device and second information identifying a second communication device is received via a link layer protocol over a data network. It is determined if the first communication device and the second communication device are co-located based on first link layer data associated with the first communication device and second link layer data associated with the second communication device. An association is triggered between the first information and the second information if the first communication device and the second communication device are determined to be co-located.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for modulating an application associated with at least one of a first communication device and a second communication device is provided. Proximity between the first communication device and the second communication device is determined. The application associated with at least one of the first communication device and the second communication device is modulated based on the proximity.

Abstract: One aspect of the specification is the use of a virtual entity to represent the bandwidth bottleneck point in a network. Areas of the network where bandwidth does not need to be managed can be modeled as zones. This model enables more flexibility as the virtual bottleneck point can represent a collection of components (e.g. routers), or a portion of a real component (e.g. a router could be represented by multiple virtual bottleneck points with different purposes.) This model can also allow a user to decide which points in their network should be managed, independent of the underlying data network infrastructure. These virtual entities can be placed between areas of the network, and configured with specific policies. Bandwidth usage across these virtual entities can be tracked and compared to the configured bandwidth limit available to the application at each bottleneck point. When the bandwidth available at the bottleneck point is fully utilized, additional calls can be blocked or rerouted.

Abstract: This specification can provide resource allocation in peer-to-peer networks. This specification describes techniques whereby individual resources can in certain circumstances share their local views to create a network-wide view. The use of a performance manager facilitates this sharing. The sharing of fault information both access multiple devices and for a single device across restarts is also provided. A network-based aggregator for performance and fault analysis is also provided so that complex analysis algorithms can be provided centrally to assist network performance management.

Abstract: The present specification provides a system for the configuration of multiple devices on a local network. The system can permit configuration by unskilled personnel. The configuration is resilient in that the devices can cooperate to preserve configurations for devices which are temporarily removed. The system includes a local configuration server which will restore the configuration of previously configured devices as they return to the network, or assist newly connected devices in obtaining initial configuration. The local configuration server can be a component of an already existing end user device, or can be a separate entity, and can be elected from the set of all so capable devices present in the network. The currently active local configuration server can be configured to distribute current data to other devices capable of serving as the local configuration server in the network, for resiliency, in case of failure or disconnection and to allow for a new device to be elected.

Abstract: A method for configuring a network device is provided comprising connecting the device to a local area network that is connected to a wide area network and detecting that the device has not been configured. The method also comprises accessing within the device a pre-defined address of a configuration server located on the wide area network and sending a configuration request for a service. The configuration request is sent from the telephone to the configuration server. The configuration request includes a network identifier locating the device on the local area network within the wide area network. The method also comprises receiving the configuration request at the configuration server and preparing a configuration profile for the device at the configuration server. The configuration profile includes i) a service address for the device, ii) a wide are network address for a service provider that will provide the service.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for processing data on a plurality of communication devices is provided. Data is received at a master communication device via a master communication network. The data is distributed to a plurality of communication devices in communication with the master communication device. Processing of the data at, at least a subset of the plurality of communication devices is triggered. Distribution of the data may occur via a cascade process wherein the data is first distributed to communication devices which are designated as masters, and the data is further distributed to the remaining communication devices via the masters.

Abstract: A packetised data network includes IP telephones (ITs) and a network intelligence (NI). All of the keys of each IT are “soft” keys (i.e., they have no fixed function). The NI associates a configuration data structure with the IT which correlates the keys with functions, and, based on this, may control the display of the IT to indicate the current function of certain of the soft keys. Some of the functions are requests for data services at the telephone (e.g., video or programmed audio over the internet). When a user requests such a service with a key press, the NI sets up the service between the data source and the telephone. This may require associating a new configuration data structure with the keys of the IT. The IT user may activate multiple data services through the NI.