Abstract: The performance and ease of management of wireless communications environments is improved by a mechanism that enables access points (APs) to perform automatic channel selection. A wireless network can therefore include multiple APs, each of which will automatically choose a channel such that channel usage is optimized. Furthermore, APs can perform automatic power adjustment so that multiple APs can operate on the same channel while minimizing interference with each other. Wireless stations are load balanced across APs so that user bandwidth is optimized. A movement detection scheme provides seamless roaming of stations between APs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting management information on a communication network enables universal health indicators to be defined so that management information may be presented to a network operator on a management station. The universal health indicators may be defined in a top-down manner such that the definitions of the health indicators may be used across multiple network elements without changing the health indicator definitions. The health indicators may be organized in a tree-like hierarchical structure to enable additional information to be obtained about the health of the reporting network element in a predictable and organized fashion. Network element raw measurements and computed measurements are used to provide data to the health indicators, and are selected on a network technology type or MIB type basis to enable the same health indicators to be supported by multiple network technology types.

Abstract: The performance and ease of management of wireless communications environments is improved by a mechanism that enables access points (APs) to perform automatic channel selection. A wireless network can therefore include multiple APs, each of which will automatically choose a channel such that channel usage is optimized. Furthermore, APs can perform automatic power adjustment so that multiple APs can operate on the same channel while minimizing interference with each other. Wireless stations are load balanced across APs so that user bandwidth is optimized. A movement detection scheme provides seamless roaming of stations between APs.

Abstract: A service tender node functions as an intermediary between subscribers and adjunct telecommunications services from multiple service providers to facilitate negotiation of services in real-time. The service tender node includes an index of services which is maintained and employed to search for applicable services in response to a tender request generated by a subscriber. Records in the index are described with an adaptive service definition which includes standard parameters and subjective parameters. The standard parameters identify types of service pursuant to telecommunications industry standards. The subjective parameters may be specified by individual service providers in order to differentiate their services within the service type defined by the standard parameters. Services generated from a search of the index pursuant to the standard parameters may be further sorted and filtered according to a comparison between a subscriber profile and the subjective parameters.

Abstract: Performance of applications such as service capabilities in a container for providing a multimedia service is monitored. Performance monitoring indicates how well the applications are functioning in terms of predefined metrics and also whether the applications are functioning at all. Responses are prompted if performance monitoring indicates that an application is performing below a predefined level or failing to perform entirely. For example, a hung application may be restarted and other applications may alter their manner of function. This allows complex recovery logic through combinations of simple rules.

Abstract: Network elements may be synchronized over an asynchronous network by implementing a master clock as an all digital PLL that includes a Digitally Controlled Frequency Selector (DCFS), the output frequency of which may be directly controlled through the input of a control word. The PLL causes the control word input to the master DCFS to be adjusted to cause the output of the master DCFS to lock onto a reference frequency. Information associated with the control word is transmitted from the master clock to the slave clocks which are also implemented as DCFSs. By using the transmitted information to recreate the master control word, the slaves may be made to assume the same state as the master DCFS without requiring the slaves to be implemented as PLLs. The DCFS may be formed as a digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) or as a Direct Digital Synthesizer (DDS).

Abstract: Customer Traffic may be segregated using customer provisioned IPSec VPNs implemented using group security association for IPSec tunnels, by causing the CE network element to implement multiple VRFs for the several VPNs, each of which may be used for a different segment of the customer's traffic. The CE network element may implement a single MPBGP peering session with the GCKS/RR for all VPNs, and may establish secure data channels for each of the VPNs based on the group security associations for each of the VPNs. Although a common MPBGP peering session may be used, routing information for the several VRFs may be separated by applying per-VRF import policies at the CE, so that each VPN only has access to routes intended to be advertised to that VPN.

Abstract: A transit memory assembly of a rotator-based switching node is logically partitioned into two sections, one operated as a common-memory switch fabric and the other as a time-shared space-switch fabric. The composition of data received at input ports of the switching node determines adaptive capacity division between the two sections. Based on an indication of traffic type, a controller of at least one input port selects one of the two sections. The space-switch section enables scalability to a high transport capacity while the common-memory section enables scalability to a high processing throughput. The switching node includes rotators and a bank of transit-memory devices that facilitate the incorporation of any mixture of periodic, aperiodic, contention-free exclusive-access, concurrent-access, and multicast switching.

Abstract: A system and method for Access Point (AP) channel selection based upon a Channel Quality Index (CQI) is described. The Channel Quality Index (CQI) is a value which quantifies a transmission quality of a channel. The transmission quality is evaluated based on a combination of different types of measured interference in the channel. In one embodiment the different types of measured interference include co-channel congestion, adjacent channel interference and in-band interference. The CQI is a value derived from the measurements, and for example may be a sum of all of the measurements.

Abstract: A previously unknown wireless device, which may be either an access point or a station, is detected by receipt of transmissions from that device at one or more access points that are currently operating within a managed wireless network. A graphic representation of the newly detected device is displayed in a region of a user interface external to a region containing a representation of the physical environment of the managed wireless network. A user selects a number of known access points from which an estimated distance to the newly detected device is to be determined and represented. A representation is generated of an estimated distance from each one of the selected number of access points, such as those access points that are estimated to be physically closest to the newly detected device, for example on the basis of signal strength with regard to transmissions from the newly detected device received at the known access points.

Abstract: A system and method for Access Point (AP) channel selection based upon a Channel Quality Index (CQI) is described. The Channel Quality Index (CQI) is a value which quantifies a transmission quality of a channel. The transmission quality is evaluated based on a combination of different types of measured interference in the channel. In one embodiment the different types of measured interference include co-channel congestion, adjacent channel interference and in-band interference. The CQI is a value derived from the measurements, and for example may be a sum of all of the measurements. Each AP of the present invention determines the CQI of potential transmission channels, and selects a channel for use which has the ‘best’ CQI; for example if the CQI is a sum of all measured interferences, the ‘best’ AP is the one with the lowest CQI.

Abstract: A mobile ad hoc network is formed by selecting at least one client to function as a Virtual Mobile Server (“VMS”) on behalf of other clients: Those other clients subsequently communicate with a cell station via the VMS on an UWB format. Other clients may function as Virtual Distributed Mobile Servers (“VDMSs”) which relay communications between the VMS and clients which are out of direct communication range of the VMS. Further, multiple VMSs may be implemented for a single ad hoc network in order to bundle bandwidth. Clients may also extend the communication range of the VMS to a new cell station in order to enable earlier initiation of cell station handoff.

Abstract: The performance and ease of management of wireless communications environments is improved by a mechanism that enables access points (APs) to perform automatic channel selection. A wireless network can therefore include multiple APs, each of which will automatically choose a channel such that channel usage is optimized. Furthermore, APs can perform automatic power adjustment so that multiple APs can operate on the same channel while minimizing interference with each other. Wireless stations are load balanced across APs so that user bandwidth is optimized. A movement detection scheme provides seamless roaming of stations between APs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for designing a PLL enables initial component characteristics and design specifications of the PLL to be specified. Time constants for a loop filter that would be required to create a PLL having the desired design specifications and component characteristics are then computed. The performance or behavior characteristics of the PLL may then be computed for the PLL given the time constants and the initial set of components, to determine whether the performance of the PLL would be considered satisfactory. For example, PLL design software may determine whether a PLL would be sufficiently stable if it was to be created using the particular selected components given the required design specifications. Where the PLL does not meet particular behavior characteristics, the PLL design software may provide guidance as to what component characteristics would improve performance of the PLL. Designed PLLs may be used for timestamp based clock synchronization.

Abstract: An access point in a wireless network includes an external indication of the access point's proximity to another access point. The external indication can be a LED that blinks at a rate that is related to the proximity of the access point to the other access point. An access point is also capable of producing a network map that indicates the access point's proximity relative to other access points that are coupled to the network. The access point is further capable of monitoring wireless network traffic to ascertain whether wireless network traffic has exceeded a threshold, and if so, releasing some client devices so that wireless network traffic no longer exceeds the threshold. The access point is also capable of automatically choosing one of a plurality of radio frequencies on which to operate. The access point chooses a frequency after evaluating frequencies on which other access points may be operating.

Abstract: The expected processing bandwidth of System Processing Units (SPUs) in an extranet gateway is first assessed, for example by multiplying a CPU processor speed by a conversion factor or determining the type of accelerator, and then adjusting the capacity to take into account other processing requirements on the SPU. Once assessed, a load distribution system assigns tunnels to the SPUs based on their processing capacity. As tunnels are assigned and torn down, the estimated available processing capacities of the SPUs are adjusted to account for the assignment or release of the system processing resources attributable to those VPN services. Tunnel assignment may take into account the ability of a SPU to handle the type of tunnel, the absolute or relative capacity of the SPUs, the type of tunnel being assigned, features of the tunnel such as the presence of compression, and efficiencies of the SPU at handling that tunnel type with selected features.

Abstract: A presence management system is described whereby connections between watching parties and watched parties in a multiple access communications network are managed. When the presence management system receives a contact request from a watching party it determines whether the required watched party is available for contact. The system then provides information about this to the watching party who made the request. The presence management system chooses the best mode of communication (e.g. email or fax) taking into account the watched parties preferences and details about the facilities available to the watching party. If, the presence management system informs the watching party that the watched party is unavailable, the watching party is able to set up a monitor. In determining whether the required watched party is available for contact, the presence management system uses stored information about the watched party, information about the required connection (e.g. size and type) and also rules.

Abstract: A universal flat panel display mounting system includes a central hub and a plurality of telescoping arms pivotably connected to the hub. The arms are intermeshed to provide synchronized movement relative to each other. By telescoping the arms to adjust their length, and adjusting the angles of the arms, connection points on the arms may be positioned so that the universal flat panel display mounting system may work with flat panels in different VESA size categories or for flat panel displays that don't conform to the VESA standard. The universal mounting system is configured to enable the pitch of the flat panel display to be adjusted and to enable the flat panel display to be rotated relative to the mounting system. The mounting system may connect to arms or brackets to enable it to be supported on a pole, a wall mounting system, or in another manner.

Abstract: A method and system for enabling firewall traversal of media communications from a client device. The firewall infers authentication or validation of the client device based upon communications between the client device and a device controller known to the firewall. The firewall monitors packets sent from the device controller to the client device. If the device controller sends packets to the client device for a sufficiently long period of time and with sufficient frequency, or if the packets are of a certain type, then the firewall deems the client device to be validated and permits the client device to send data packets through the firewall. The device controller may include a media gateway controller, a port discovery server, or similar such device controllers. The device controller and client device communicate based upon a protocol, which need not be understood by the firewall.

Abstract: Routing information may be provided to VPN sites on demand to allow smaller VPN sites with smaller routing tables to communicate directly with other VPN sites. This allows the meshed VPN architecture to scale to a size larger than where each VPN site is required to store routing information for all other VPN sites. A route server is instantiated on the network, optionally in connection with a Group Controller Key Server, to manage distribution of routes on the network and to provide routes to VPN sites on demand. As routes are learned by the VPN sites they are advertised to the route server, which selectively advertises the routes to other VPN sites depending on the per-site preferences. When a VPN site needs routing information to communicate with another VPN site, the network element will check its routing table for the route, and if the route is not available, will obtain the route on-demand from the route server.