Abstract: A network usage monitoring module is provided for monitoring network usage at a network access point, i.e. network traffic aggregation point, typically at a gateway device or a similar network interface device. As such, the network usage monitoring module can monitor the usage of a number of network users who are attempting to access various network services provided via the gateway device. Thus, the usage information collected by the usage monitoring module is considerably more robust than that offered by conventional monitoring techniques. As such, the information is considerably more valuable to network service providers, network users, network beneficiaries and the like. In addition, the usage monitoring method and apparatus offers a number of particular features to improve the monitoring process as well as the value of the usage information that is collected.

Abstract: A method for initiating a security feature request at the beginning of or during an active telephone call. The telephone subscriber can select one of a plurality of security levels that may be required to ensure privacy during a call. Since each level of security is based on a different encryption and authentication algorithm, the levels of security can be incrementally priced. Thus, selecting an algorithm which is deemed to be very secure can be billed to the subscriber at a higher rate than an algorithm that is deemed to be less secure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for switching a connection between a client computer and a first intermediary computer to a connection between the client computer and a second intermediary computer is described. A user interface is displayed by the client computer. The user interface can be in the form of a graphics user interface (GUI) that accepts inputs for selecting between the first and second intermediary computers. A user selects the second intermediary computer. A client proxy stores an internet address associated with the client computer as assigned by the ISP controlling the second intermediary computer in a translation table. The client proxy then performs address translation for any packets communicated between the client computer and the second intermediary computer using the translation table.

Abstract: A method of providing high quality multimedia communications between end users uses an ATM-ADSL access system, which provides 6 megabits per second downstream and 640 kilobits per second upstream multimedia signal in conjunction with a multicasting feature. An end user can receive multiple video/audio streams downstream while the end user's video/audio is transmitted upstream to the multicast network and is multicast to the end points.

Abstract: A network ed system of multicast-unicast gateways receives multicast information from a multicast host. A first MUG receives a multicast session request from a unicast host. The first MUG sends a message to other MUGs with a unicast host identifier. Each MUG that receives the message determines if it is designated to serve as the multicast-unicast gateway for the requesting unicast host. A MUG is designated if it is disposed to more efficiently act as a multicast-unicast gateway for the requesting unicast host. If it is, it sends a designation message to the first MUG, which reroutes the unicast host request to the designated MUG. If a designated MUG is identified, then the designated MUG acts as the multicast-unicast gateway for the unicast host. Otherwise, a default MUG acts as the gateway. This more efficiently uses network resources in managing the exchange of information between multicast and unicast hosts.

Abstract: A modem concentrator is provided that creates network-initiated connections to users of the network. According to the method, active downstream data is received from a data network at one data port. A controller of the modem concentrator reads the active downstream data and compares recipient information contained therein with stored identifiers of users. The identifiers are stored in association with identifiers of a user-side port to which the modem concentrator is connected. The controller identifies another data port associated with the identified recipient and causes a connection to be made between the one data port where the downstream data is received and the other data port connected to the user. The modem concentrator provides a use-once registration feature. When the concentrator processes upstream data, data from a user to be delivered to the network, it reads the upstream data to identify source information identifying the user that generated it.

Abstract: A unique simple and generic ABR-MAC interoperability approach is employed which minimizes the impact of a Host Digital Terminal (HDT) ATM switch ABR connection on individual Information Appliances (IAs present at customer premises) and by employing a suitable MAC protocol to transfer data to an ATM network interface buffer (ATM-NI) located at the HDT. To this end, a unique arrangement is employed to regulate the buffer storage unit status in an ATM-NI. More specifically, the arrangement monitors upstream data traffic from active IA-HDT connections and, additionally, any incipient IA-HDT connections. This is realized by employing dual ATM-NI buffer storage unit threshold values that are selected depending on a particular ATM-NI buffer storage providing the particular information appliance on an active connection with information to allow the information appliance to adjust its transmission unit capacity, namely, a low, i.e., first, threshold value and a high, i.e., second, threshold value.

Abstract: When a cable or equipment failure interrupts delivery of data services being transmitted to subscriber clients located in a first access area on a modulated RF carrier signal over a hybrid fiber-coaxial cable network, at least one channel within the roll-off spectrum above the passband of the coaxial amplifiers in the network is used as a protection data channel to supply these data services to the affected subscriber clients via an alternate signal path through an adjoining second access area. The data channel within the passband is upconverted to the roll-off spectrum and transmitted through the adjoining second access area which is interconnected to the first access area through a plurality of protection units. Each protection unit interconnects a side leg within each access area.