Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing communications within a broadband network between a network edge device and a customer premises device. Network data traffic is diverted from the customer premises device to a test device. The test device emulates the customer premises device through the use of identifying data associated with the customer premises device. In one embodiment, data is diverted from the customer premises device to a test port loop back converter, which performs a DSL conversion of the data. The converted data is backhauled from the test port loop back converter to a test network edge device. The data is then sent from the test network edge device to a test customer premises device. The test customer premises device can be located at a site remote from the network edge device or can be collocated with and directly coupled to the network edge device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an intranet for providing on-demand Internet access to subscribers which includes a service node and a plurality of subscriber terminals coupled to the service node by corresponding xDSL lines. In turn, the service node includes a switch coupled to the xDSL lines, a gateway coupled to the Internet, a router which couples the switch to the gateway and a bandwidth measurement server coupled to the gateway. The bandwidth measurement server determines upload and/or download data transfer rates between the service node and requesting ones of said the subscriber terminals coupled thereto.

Abstract: A method of operating a service provider network comprising selecting a first access network from a plurality of access networks, transmitting first traffic for a first service from a testing system in the service provider network to the first access network over a first virtual connection between the testing system and the first access network wherein the first traffic indicates a first subscriber of the first access network as the origin of the first traffic and the testing system as the destination of the first traffic, receiving second traffic for the first service into the testing system from the first access network over a first service connection wherein the second traffic indicates the first subscriber as the origin of the second traffic and the testing system as the destination of the second traffic, and processing the second traffic to test the first service.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes a method of operating a remote testing access system. The method comprises receiving a test request from a test device over an incoming time division multiplexed (TDM) connection and in a TDM format wherein the test request indicates a one of a plurality of types of tests to perform on a soft switch, processing the test request to select a one of a plurality of service applications of the soft switch corresponding to the one type of test, and transmitting communications for the one type of test to the one service application in a packet format.

Abstract: A method of operating a communication system for providing packet services, the method comprising receiving a session setup request for a session, processing the session setup request to select an end point for the session, determining a first resource group of a plurality of resource groups associated with the end point, determining a first profile of a plurality of profiles of the resource group, determining if the session will violate the first profile, and generating an authorization message for the session in response to determining that the session will not violate the first profile.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a intranet for providing on-demand Internet access to subscribers which includes a service node and a plurality of subscriber terminals coupled to the service node by corresponding xDSL lines. In turn, the service node includes a switch coupled to the xDSL lines, a gateway coupled to the Internet, a router which couples the switch to the gateway and a bandwidth measurement server coupled to the gateway. The bandwidth measurement server determines upload and/or download data transfer rates between the service node and requesting ones of said the subscriber terminals coupled thereto.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing communications within a broadband network between a network edge device and a customer premises device. Network data traffic is diverted from the customer premises device to a test device. The test device emulates the customer premises device through the use of identifying data associated with the customer premises device. In one embodiment, data is diverted from the customer premises device to a test port loop back converter, which performs a DSL conversion of the data. The converted data is backhauled from the test port loop back converter to a test network edge device. The data is then sent from the test network edge device to a test customer premises device. The test customer premises device can be located at a site remote from the network edge device or can be collocated with and directly coupled to the network edge device.

Abstract: A method for activating an alarm based on a series of error counts generated by a monitoring device, including an integrator, an accumulator, and an alarm. The integrator adjusts the error count and produces an adjusted count, which it then sends to the accumulator. The accumulator keeps a running total of the adjusted counts and can activate the alarm when the running total exceeds a predetermined alarm level. The adjustment of the error count by the integrator is accomplished by a set of formulas that use a set of variables. The values for these variables can be derived through a series of calculations or can be chosen by a user. The ability to adjust the error counts allows the user to better control the circumstances that cause activation of an alarm.