Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for providing content. An example method can comprise receiving, at a content provider, a request for a content transmission from a first device and determining a parameter related to the first content transmission and comparing the parameter to a threshold. An example method can comprise determining, by the content provider, a second content transmission based on the comparison to the threshold and providing the second content transmission to the first in response to the request.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a networking device in a network receives traffic from the network. The networking device duplicates the traffic into a duplicate traffic copy. The networking device encapsulates the duplicate traffic copy into a multicast frame. The networking device sends, via a multicast address, the multicast frame to a network sensor in the network for analysis, wherein the multicast address is reserved in the network for traffic analysis.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for providing content. An example method can comprise receiving a first multicast content transmission at a first bit rate and recording at least a portion of a content item from the first multicast content transmission. An example method can comprise receiving a first request for the content item and requesting at least one differential content transmission configured to be combined with the recording of the portion of the content item to form a copy of the content item at a second bit rate.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide for asymmetric data transmissions using one or more efficiency features, which can be used in such applications as data network communications between sensors (e.g., cameras, motion, radar, etc.) and computing equipment within vehicles (e.g., smart and autonomous cars), or data network communications between a media server (e.g., movies or music) and a display device (e.g., one in a passenger compartment of a vehicle).

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for latency-oriented router. An incoming packet is received on a first interface. The type of the incoming packet is determined. Upon the detection that the incoming packet belongs to latency-critical traffic, the incoming packet is duplicated into one or more copies. Subsequently, the duplicated copies are sent to a second interface in a delayed fashion where the duplicated copies are spread over a time period. The duplicated copies are received and processed at the second interface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wireless communication method for uplink multi-user transmission scheduling and a wireless communication terminal using the same. To this end, provided are a base wireless communication terminal comprising a processor and a transceiver, wherein the processor transmits a trigger frame soliciting an uplink multi-user transmission, determines whether the uplink multi-user transmission is successful based on received uplink multi-user data in response to the trigger frame, and retransmits the trigger frame when it is determined that the uplink multi-user transmission has failed and a wireless communication method using the same.

Abstract: To perform evidentiary analysis on media files generated by a video surveillance system, a media file is analyzed to determine the format of the media file. Information about that format is used to decode media files from that video surveillance system into separate streams of media data. A computer system assists a person in defining logical parameters that can be used to parse and decode a media file of a particular type and outputs corresponding format data. The format data includes data that instructs a decoder how to decode media files of that type. A second computer system that provides analysis tools includes the decoder, which receives one or more media files of a particular type and corresponding format data for that type. The second computer system can access and process each of the separate streams individually for playback or other image or media processing.

Abstract: A method for waking up, from a low-power mode, a first communications node coupled to a second node via a first communication link, includes determining, while the first node is awake, a first transmission rate for transmitting data over the first link, storing the first rate at the second node, and selectively transmitting, from the second node to the first node, a first wake-up command at a symbol rate corresponding to the first rate. Where a third node is coupled to the second node via a second link, the method may further include determining, at the second node, while the third node is awake, a second transmission rate for transmitting data over the second link, storing the second rate at the second node, and selectively transmitting, from the second node to the third node, a second wake-up command at a symbol rate corresponding to the second rate.

Abstract: Examples relate to seamless roaming across subnets. In an example, a system receives an indication that a client device has been authenticated at a first network device of a network. The system receives precursor keys and identification information of the client device, as generated from the authentication of the client device. The system determines second clusters, which are within a roaming domain of the cluster or the client device. The system receives one or more second precursor keys corresponding to the second clusters and distributes the second precursor keys to the corresponding second clusters. The system determines to create one or more tunnels among the second clusters and the cluster and provisions the tunnels to transmit data through the tunnels.

Abstract: The present technology discloses methods, systems, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for establishing a redundant path connection. An example method can include configuring a software-defined wide-area network (SDWAN) tunnel between an on-premises router and a plurality of SDWAN routers; configuring a virtual layer 2 connection between the plurality of SDWAN routers and handoff locations for a virtual cloud resource (VCR) associated with at least one VCR tag, wherein a software-defined cloud infrastructure (SDCI) underlay associated with at least one SDCI provider connects to a cloud service provider (CSP) at the handoff locations; configuring a VCR connection between at least one VCR associated with the VCR tag and the handoff locations for the at least one VCR; configuring a border gateway protocol (BGP) session between the plurality of SDWAN routers and the handoff locations; and validating the SDWAN tunnel, the virtual layer 2 connection, the VCR connection, and the BGP session.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for detecting a video bitstream, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium are disclosed. The method may include: receiving a first feature value generated by a source node which transmits a video bitstream, where the first feature value is feature information of the video bitstream generated by the source node according to a preset rule; receiving a second feature value generated by another node which transmits the video bitstream, where the second feature value is feature information of the video bitstream generated by the another node according to the preset rule; determining whether the first feature value is consistent with the second feature value via comparison; and generating an alarm in response to a comparison result that the first feature value is inconsistent with the second feature value.

Abstract: A commissioning system and method that applies a design configuration, representative of a building automation and control system, to a mesh network of network-capable devices. A cloud-based server system works in concert with an installing device, such as a smartphone or tablet, to apply the relevant configuration of scenarios and spaces, as defined in the design configuration during a design phase, to each mesh node in the mesh network. The commissioning system first transforms the defined scenarios and spaces, which essentially represent a logical configuration of the building automation and control system, into a network-centric configuration. Then, the system decomposes the network-centric configuration into a physical configuration of each mesh node, resulting in a set of parameters for each mesh node.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wireless communication method for uplink multi-user transmission scheduling and a wireless communication terminal using the same. To this end, provided are a base wireless communication terminal comprising a processor and a transceiver, wherein the processor transmits a trigger frame soliciting an uplink multi-user transmission, determines whether the uplink multi-user transmission is successful based on received uplink multi-user data in response to the trigger frame, and retransmits the trigger frame when it is determined that the uplink multi-user transmission has failed and a wireless communication method using the same.

Abstract: The method is aimed at providing secure multicast communication between a plurality of devices forming a cluster of devices connected to one another by a local network. The method provides for electing a key distribution device and generating a group encryption key in said key distribution device. A secure communication channel is then established between the key distribution device and each device of a group of devices to be connected to the cluster. The group encryption key is transmitted from the key distribution device to the devices to be connected to the cluster and stored thereby. When all devices of the cluster have received the group encryption key, multicast communication among the devices of the cluster can start.

Abstract: A method for DoS attacks at an NF includes maintaining, at a first NF, an NF subscription database containing rules that specify maximum numbers of allowed subscriptions and corresponding rule criteria. The method further includes receiving, at the first NF and from a second NF, a subscription request for establishing a subscription. The method further includes determining, by the first NF, that the subscription request matches criteria for at least one rule in the NF subscription database and incrementing, by the first NF, at least one count of a number of subscriptions for the at least one rule. The method further includes determining, by the first NF, that the at least one count of the number of subscriptions exceeds a maximum number of allowed subscriptions for the at least one rule.

Abstract: A system for enterprise collaboration is associated with an overlay network, such as a content delivery network (CDN). The overlay network comprises machines capable of ingress, forwarding and broadcasting traffic, together with a mapping infrastructure. The system comprises a front-end application, a back-end application, and set of one or more APIs through which the front-end application interacts with the back-end application. The front-end application is a web or mobile application component that provides one or more collaboration functions. The back-end application comprises a signaling component that maintains state information about each participant in a collaboration, a connectivity component that manages connections routed through the overlay network, and a multiplexing component that manages a multi-peer collaboration session to enable an end user peer to access other peers' media streams through the overlay network rather than directly from another peer.

Abstract: The technologies described herein are generally directed to facilitating operation of system that can include a processor and a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, facilitate performance of operations. In embodiments, the operations can include receiving, from a source user equipment, a first request to communicate to a destination group of user equipment via a multi-cast connection. Further operations can include identifying respective service areas of ones of the destination group, comprising a service area of a destination user equipment of the destination group. In some embodiments, operations can include generating a second request to initiate the multi-cast connection, the second request comprising the destination group of user equipment with the respective service areas, wherein the respective service area of the destination user equipment is for selection, by second network equipment based on the service area, a gateway group of base station equipment.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of operating such apparatuses are disclosed. Vector processing circuitry performs data processing in multiple parallel processing lanes, wherein the data processing is performed in a subset of the multiple parallel processing lanes determined by bit values of a vector predicate which are set. Predicate monitoring circuitry is responsive to the vector predicate to generate a predicate summary value in dependence on the bit values of the vector predicate. A first value of the predicate summary value indicates that a sparse condition is true for the vector predicate, the sparse condition being true when the bit values of the vector predicate comprise a set bit corresponding to a vector element at a higher index immediately followed by a non-set bit corresponding to a vector element at a lower index. A second value of the predicate summary value indicates that the sparse condition is not true for the vector predicate. Improved predicate controlled vector processing is thus supported.

Abstract: A system and method for managing memory resources. In some embodiments, the system includes a first memory server, a second memory server, and a server-linking switch connected to the first memory server and to the second memory server. The first server may include a cache-coherent switch and a first memory module. In some embodiments, the first memory module is connected to the cache-coherent switch, and the cache-coherent switch is connected to the server-linking switch.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for facilitating a synchronous display of a time-based media object (e.g., a video or audio file) with a remote device is provided. In one example, the apparatus comprises control logic for controlling the display of a media object in response to a user entered command with a first device, and communication logic for causing communication of the user entered command (e.g., play, pause, skip, etc.) and a metric (e.g., time or frame reference) associated with the media object to a second device for synchronizing the display of the media object with the first and second devices. The first and second devices may communicate via peer-to-peer communications, for example, in a collaborative or social application such as an IM application. Further, the apparatus may include various devices such as a personal computer, mobile phone device and/or mobile personal entertainment device, DVR, or the like.

Abstract: Provided is a digital switch including: a plurality of input-side memories, which are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with a plurality of input ports, and are configured to accumulate time-division multiplexed data; a plurality of output-side memories, which are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with a plurality of output ports, and are configured to accumulate time-division multiplexed data; and a switch matrix configured to receive, as input, the time-division multiplexed data read out in every cycle from each of the plurality of input-side memories, and execute routing for selecting, in accordance with a connection control signal received from outside, any one of the plurality of output-side memories such that the time-division multiplexed data read out in every cycle is output from each of the plurality of output ports without causing a difference in delay, to output the time-division multiplexed data.

Abstract: A method comprises collecting device data and connection data corresponding to a plurality of connected devices in a system, and identifying a plurality of network connections between two or more of the plurality of connected devices from the device data and the connection data. In the method, one or more configuration issues across one or more of the plurality of network connections are detected, and a visualization of a topology of the plurality of connected devices in the system is generated. The visualization comprises a depiction of the plurality of connected devices, the plurality of network connections and the one or more configuration issues.

Abstract: Computer networks for secure demand-driven file distribution are described. In one example, a client device receives a notification to check in for updates. In response, the client device checks in with a device services computing device on a computer network. The device services computing device determines a path list to certain cache computing devices on the computer network for receipt of the files, builds a markup file including the path list to the files, and transmits the markup file to the client device. The markup file can also include unique identifiers of the files and an encryption key for secure distribution of the files. Using the markup file, the client device can request the files, and the computer network is physically and logically arranged to distribute the files among the cache computing devices and to the client device in a secure and demand-driven manner.

Abstract: A reception device is provided that includes circuitry configured to receive a container. The container includes a video stream obtained by encoding video data. The video data is obtained by performing photoelectric conversion on input data of a high dynamic range image. The container further includes characteristic information for an electro-optical conversion of the video data that is inserted into a layer of the video stream and/or a layer of the container. The characteristic information indicates one of a plurality of types for the electro-optical conversion. The circuitry is configured to process the video stream included in the container.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for enabling multicast-based performance routing and policy controls for software-defined networking in a wide area network deployment including a multicast application-route policy based on sources, groups, receivers, dynamic application-route policy path selection from multicast replicators, and application-route SLA switchover across paths and multicast replicators based on SD-WAN multicast routing architecture; and dynamically selecting SD-WAN multicast replicators based on policies for replication including allowed multicast groups, geographic location, bandwidth indications, system load, and performance, and switching over dynamically across multicast replicators based real-time multicast replicator status updates.

Abstract: A transmission device including circuitry is provided. The circuitry is configured to apply photoelectric conversion characteristics to high dynamic range video data to obtain transmission video data. The circuitry is configured to transmit a container including a video stream obtained by encoding the transmission video data. The circuitry is configured to insert type information to designate the type of conversion characteristics corresponding to the applied photoelectric conversion characteristics for photoelectric conversion of the transmission video data into a layer of the video stream and/or a layer of the container. The type of the conversion characteristics designated by the type information is determined regardless of luminance of a display.

Abstract: Methods and systems provide synchronized sharing of multimedia between multiple devices. The multiple devices may form an ad-hoc network for sharing of multimedia. In an embodiment, group members may have playlist manipulation privileges such as pausing, rewinding, fast forwarding, or adding tracks to the playlist. A system may stream or distribute content according to the shared playlist. Playback may be synchronized for group members so that everyone is exposed to a same part of the content as the same time.

Abstract: A broadcast signal transmission method includes generating, by a packetizer, a first transport packet carrying one or more fragments of a delivery object and a second transport packet carrying signaling data based on an Asynchronous Layered Coding/Layered Coding Transport (ALC/LCT) scheme. Further, a header of the first transport packet includes offset information representing a starting byte position of a fragment of the delivery object included in the first transport packet, the header of the first transport packet includes Transport Object Identifier (TOI) information that is mapped to Uniform Resource Locator (URL) information for the delivery object described in the signaling data and Transport Session Identifier (TSI) information for identifying a transport session, and the signaling data includes content type information presenting a type of a content.

Abstract: A transmission device including circuitry is provided. The circuitry is configured to apply photoelectric conversion characteristics to high dynamic range video data to obtain transmission video data. The circuitry is configured to transmit a container including a video stream obtained by encoding the transmission video data. The circuitry is configured to insert type information to designate the type of conversion characteristics corresponding to the applied photoelectric conversion characteristics for photoelectric conversion of the transmission video data into a layer of the video stream and/or a layer of the container. The type of the conversion characteristics designated by the type information is determined regardless of luminance of a display.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of a device that performs a hitless update a boot image of a network element. In this embodiment, the device identifies the network element to update and determines if the network element has redundant paths. If this network element has redundant paths, the device configures the network element to drain data processing of the network element. In addition, the device updates the network element to a new boot image when the data processing of the network element is drained.

Abstract: A method for providing multicast services to mobile devices, comprising: providing, at a controller node, an interface representing a single network node to a multicast server node; receiving, at the controller node, link status messages from a first and a second network node; constructing, at the controller node, a multicast route at the controller node based on the received link status messages; receiving, at the controller node, a multicast data stream from the multicast server node; and sending the multicast data stream to at least two mobile devices via the constructed multicast route.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a pre-5th-Generation (5G) or 5G communication system to be provided for supporting higher data rates Beyond 4th-Generation (4G) communication system such as Long Term Evolution (LTE). The present disclosure provides an apparatus and method for efficiently transmitting a packet in a wireless communication system. The present disclosure relates to an operation method for a transmitter in a wireless communication system, the operation method comprising the steps of: mapping a parameter according to quality of service (QoS) information or a service type; determining, on the basis of the parameter, whether to duplicate a packet; when it is determined that the packet is to be duplicated, duplicating the packet; and transmitting the duplicated packets to a receiver.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a communication method and system for converging a 5th-Generation (5G) communication system for supporting higher data rates beyond a 4th-Generation (4G) system with a technology for Internet of Things (IoT). The present disclosure may be applied to intelligent services based on the 5G communication technology and the IoT-related technology, such as smart home, smart building, smart city, smart car, connected car, health care, digital education, smart retail, security and safety services. An information format and apparatus used by a base station to make a scheduling decision when the base station allocates resources to a terminal in a mobile communication system are provided. Operations of a terminal to report a maximum transmission power accurately to the base station in a scheduling process are also provided. A method for calculating a maximum transmit power in a constant manner regardless of a channel status is also provided.

Abstract: A network node having a receiver for receiving input packets, a local node memory where one or more parameters for coding are stored, an encoder for creating coded packets from the input packets using linear network coding, and a transmitter to transmit the coded packets. Each coefficient of the linear network coding is a parameter of the one or more parameters or a pre-determined function of the one or more parameters. A related method and a network are also presented.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of communication apparatuses grouped into groups, a delivery apparatus that delivers content to the communication apparatuses that belong to the groups, and a communication control apparatus that performs grouping. The communication control apparatus acquires transmittability of the delivery apparatus, acquires transmittability of the communication apparatuses, and acquires bit rates of the content, and the grouping unit determines total transmittability of the communication apparatuses of each of the groups and a total of the bit rates, and performs grouping such that either higher one of the total transmittability and the total bit rate does not exceed transmittability of the communication apparatuses of a group in a higher hierarchical level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for updating an encryption key for performing encrypted communication over a communications network. The method comprises, within a timestamp distribution node, transmitting a message to at least one timestamp reception node of the communications network containing a timestamp value. The method further comprises, within the at least one timestamp reception node, receiving the message from the timestamp distribution node and extracting the timestamp value. Wherein, within each of the timestamp distribution node and the at least one timestamp reception node, the method comprises generating at least one updated encryption key for performing encrypted communication based at least partly on the extracted timestamp value.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to base station and method for content synchronization when broadcasting data in a communications network. The base station comprises a receiver configured to receive data sequences and a transmitter configured to transmit content of the received data sequence. Each data sequence comprises a packet level sequence number and byte-numbered sequence numbers. The base station further comprises a processing circuitry configured to synchronize transmission with another base station of the content using said packet level sequence number and said byte-numbered sequence numbers.

Abstract: A system enables initiation of request driven peak-hour builds to override “off-peak” patching schedules for updating server applications. An “off-peak” patching schedule is generated to minimize disruption from installing builds of patches. Notwithstanding the “off-peak” patching schedule, a tenant administrator initiates request driven peak-hour builds when some performance failure occurs during peak business hours. For example, the tenant administrator may generate a service request that includes incident data that is usable to identify and/or develop a particular patch for resolving the performance failure. Based on the service request, the “off-peak” patching schedule is overridden to expedite an out-of-sequence installation of a particular patch. In this way, a tenant administrator that becomes aware that some performance failure is disrupting information workers during a peak usage time-range (e.g.

Abstract: Particular embodiments use the segmented bandwidth in downstream channels and upstream channels to manage a narrowcast service for subscribers. Particular embodiments include a channel manager that can process the signal from the headend to down-convert and filter narrowcast services that are sent in one or more of the downstream channels. Also, in the upstream direction, the channel manager can up-convert and stack narrowcast signals for sending to the headend. Further, in one embodiment, the narrowcast service may be provided using visible light communication (e.g., Li-Fi). Using visible light communication may overcome the last connection restrictions described in the background, such as end to end optical connections may be used. Further, using visible light communication may not interfere with other Wi-Fi links in the subscriber premises, such as existing MoCA connections, and may actually enhance the service at the subscriber premises.

Abstract: A fast change method for a digital video broadcasting (DVB) channel. A fast channel change (FCC) server is introduced into an existing DVB system architecture, and a unicast transport stream is fast sent to a user equipment in a manner of unicast of the FCC server assisting broadcast. A transport stream (TS) stream and a Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) stream are synchronized by comparing presentation time stamp (PTS) values of TS streams on a DVB side and an FCC side. In this way, it is ensured that the user equipment fast displays an image, channel change time is reduced, a channel change speed is increased, and user experience is improved.

Abstract: Features related to systems and methods for predictive estimation for network inventory planning for items for distribution through a multi-echelon network are disclosed. The problem may be modeled to account for demand for an item that may be satisfied by fulfillment centers within the network. The model considers benefits to ensuring adequate inventory to meet expected demand streams along with any savings accruing from a lower transfer and salvage costs.

Abstract: A method for transmitting a broadcast signal in a digital transmitter, includes generating transport packets of transport streams including service data; generating link layer packet including the transport packets; the link layer packet including a base header including configuration information indicating a configuration of a payload of the link layer packet, the link layer packet further including an additional header including information for segmentation or concatenation based on the configuration of the payload, and the additional header further including information representing that an optional header for a sub-stream identification identifier is present after the additional header, the link layer packet further including an optional header having the sub-stream identification identifier; generating signaling information including link mapping information between the sub-stream identifier and an IP address and an UDP port carrying a transport stream for the sub-stream identifier; generating a broadcas

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting/receiving a downlink channel in a wireless communication system are provided. A downlink control channel and a downlink data channel corresponding to the downlink control channel are transmitted/received within a transmission time interval (TTI). A reference signal (RS) of an antenna port used for transmission of both the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel is transmitted/received on an OFDM symbol with the downlink control channel, and an RS of an antenna port used only for transmission of the downlink data channel is transmitted in the remaining OFDM symbol(s) of the TTI.

Abstract: In one illustrative example, a switch for use in a network fabric which includes a plurality on interconnected switches configured to facilitate communication of IP multicast traffic amongst host devices may be provided. The switch may receive, from a controller, a global set of host policies associated with the plurality of switches of the network fabric. The switch may select, from the global set of host policies, a local subset of host policies applicable to the switch. The switch may grant or deny admission of host devices to receive or send IP multicast traffic flows in the network fabric according to the selected, local subset of host policies.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication are described. A transmitting device may select an orthogonal metric based at least in part on at least one of each direction of a plurality of directions to transmit millimeter wave discovery signals or a location parameter associated with the transmitting device. The transmitting device may transmit, in the each direction of the plurality of directions, the millimeter wave discovery signals, where the each transmitted millimeter wave discovery signal has a different orthogonal metric applied that was selected based at least in part on the at least one of the each direction or the location parameter.

Abstract: A load control system may include control devices for controlling electrical loads. The control devices may include load control devices, such as a lighting device for controlling an amount of power provided to a lighting load, and input devices, such as a remote control device configured to transmit digital messages comprising lighting control instructions for controlling the lighting load via the lighting device. The remote control device may communicate with the lighting device via an intermediary device, such as a hub device. The remote control device may detect a user interface event, such as a button press or a rotation of the remote control device. The remote control device or the hub device may determine whether to transmit digital messages to as unicast messages or multicast messages based on the type of user interface event detected.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a security arrangement comprising a data processing unit for serial transmission of data for controlling outputs and for querying inputs of a process and a corresponding method; further comprising at least one parallel-to-serial converter comprising a shift register for converting data to query the inputs; at least one serial-to-parallel converter comprising a shift register for converting data to control the outputs; wherein the data to be transmitted includes diagnostic bits that are output from the serial-to-parallel converter and read back from the parallel-to-serial converter; and the read-back data is checked for errors by the data processing unit to ensure a secure data transmission.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving a request to initiate a wireless media broadcast of media content by way of a wireless mobility network to mobile devices within a geographical area, wherein the media content is provided by a first mobile device. A group of wireless access terminals is determined based on the geographical area, wherein the group of wireless access terminals provides wireless services of the wireless mobility network to a serving area within the geographical area. The group of wireless access terminals is directed to initiate a Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS) bearer service to distribute the media content to the group of mobile devices within the serving area. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reverse link acknowledgement in a wireless local area network. A method includes receiving, at a first node, a data communication over a common channel, the data communication being decodable by other nodes. The method also includes determining transmission resources from the data communication, wherein the transmission resources are different for each node, and transmitting a response over the common channel using the determined transmission resources. An apparatus includes a transmitter configured to transmit to a plurality of nodes a data communication over the common channel, and a receiver configured to receive responses from the plurality of nodes, wherein each response was sent using different transmission resources determined from the data communication.

Abstract: An authentication module may be internally or externally installed on a lift control of a vehicle lift and allows new and updated features to be added to the vehicle lift without requiring a connection to a local or cellular network. The authentication module connects to one or more other electrical components of the lift control to allow for the exchange of data. A module containing software and configurations for enabling a feature may be removably attached to the authentication module, which uses the stored configurations to verify and enable the associated feature. The use of enabled features may be persistently tracked by the authentication module even in the absence of an external power source or network connection, and may be disabled by the authentication module if the feature use expires or is exhausted.