Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining a call from a caller, and determining whether to offer a first callback time to the caller. The first callback time is a future time for a contact between the caller and the call center. The method also includes providing the first callback time to the caller, obtaining a response from the caller, and scheduling the contact at the first callback time if the response indicates that the caller desires a contact at the first callback time. Providing the first callback time to the caller includes soliciting the response from the caller which indicates whether the caller desires the contact at the first callback time.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing security for mobile devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes maintaining responsibility for a first item when the first item is in a first range of a first container. Maintaining responsibility for the first item includes monitoring a locator tag associated with the first item when the locator tag is within the first range. The method also includes determining when the first item is in the first range, determining if the first item is in a second range associated with a second container when the first item is not in the first range, and determining if the second container is trusted with respect to the first container if the first item is in the second range. Additionally, the method includes transferring responsibility for the first item to the second container if the second container is trusted with respect to the first container.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for authenticating a user are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for authenticating a user includes displaying a first representation of a challenge. The challenge is based on a ruleset. The method also includes receiving a first input, determining if the first input furthers a successful completion of the first representation of the challenge, and determining if the first input completes the first representation of the challenge. If it is determined that the first input completes the first representation of the challenge and that the first input furthers the successful completion of the first representation of the challenge, the method further includes positively augmenting a security indicator.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes connecting on a call with a caller and determining if social network information associated with the caller is available. If it is determined that social network information associated with the caller is available, the social network information is obtained and utilized to identify at least a first agent suitable for participating on the call with the caller. The first agent is associated with a call center. The method also includes providing the caller with information that identifies the first agent as being suitable for participating on the call with the caller.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for dialing numbers using a session initial protocol device are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method includes obtaining at least a first part of an input string associated with a dialplan. The input string includes at least one character. The method also includes determining if at least a first potential target string stored in a local cache includes the first part of the input string, and accessing an external call manager arrangement if the first potential target string stored in the local cache does not include the first part of the input string.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for varying the transmission rate of a signal transmitted within a dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) system or network are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method includes obtaining a first signal and determining a transmission rate associated with the first. If it is determined that the transmission rate is a first rate, the method includes processing the first signal as having a first transmission format and the first rate. Alternatively, it is determined that the transmission rate is not the first rate and is a second rate, the method includes processing the first signal as having a second transmission format and a second rate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for maintaining access point names (APNs) at a centralized location for distribution to gateway nodes are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for maintaining service profile information includes receiving the service profile information from a server arrangement that is substantially external to a node. The server arrangement and the node are associated with a network that supports a general packet radio service (GPRS) protocol. The method also includes storing the service profile information in a memory of the node.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for applying a single virtual private network (VPN) address to tunnels or connections associated with different access interfaces are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes establishing a first tunnel between a node and a VPN server. The first tunnel has a first address. The method also includes assigning a VPN address to the first tunnel, as well as establishing a second tunnel between the node and the VPN server. The second tunnel has a second address. The VPN address is assigned to the second tunnel, and VPN address is accessed by both the first address and the second address.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining location information associated with a remote device, and processing the location information. Processing the location information includes determining if the remote device is mobile. The method also includes configuring a filter such that at least one parameter indicates that the remote device is mobile if the remote device is mobile, and configuring the filter such that the at least one parameter indicates that the remote device is approximately stationary if the remote device is not mobile. The filter is applied to the location information to generate a filtered location estimate which is arranged to estimate a location of the remote device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes establishing a first virtual talk group (VTG) that includes a plurality of endpoints and has a first multicast address. The plurality of endpoints includes a first endpoint and a second endpoint. The method also includes monitoring traffic associated with the first VTG, determining when a denial of service (DOS) attack is indicated by the traffic, and identifying at least one rogue endpoint responsible for the DOS attack when it is determined that the DOS attack is indicated. The first endpoint and the second endpoint are notified that they are to participate in a dynamic switchover to a second VTG when a DOS attack is indicated. The second VTG is established using a second multicast address, and includes the first endpoint and the second endpoint, but not the rogue endpoint.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for allowing a traffic level switch associated with an automatic protection switching (APS) topology to occur transparently and without reconverging routing are described. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for providing protection switching configuration information associated with a router arrangement to includes identifying a first interface and a second interface of the router arrangement as an APS group. The method also includes providing information regarding the APS group to a process that implements a routing protocol. Providing the information regarding the group includes identifying the first interface as a primary interface and identifying the second interface as a backup interface that is arranged to protect the primary interface.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining a request for a notification regarding an event associated with a first party and a first location. The request is received or otherwise obtained from a second party. The method also includes determining whether the second party is permitted to receive the notification, determining whether the event has occurred, sending the notification if the event has occurred and the second party is permitted to receive the notification. Sending the notification regarding the event includes sending the notification to the second party.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for efficiently utilizing an optical control plane distinct from an electronic control plane to facilitate the setup of paths in a dense wave division multiplexing network are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method includes receiving a probe arranged determine the optical feasibility of a first path, and determining a probability of success associated with the probe. The probability of success indicates a likelihood that the probe will be successfully routed on the first path to the destination, and is associated with a particular wavelength. A second path on which to route the probe is dynamically identified if the probability indicates a low likelihood of successful routing on the first path. Finally, the method includes determining if a notification associated with the probe has been received, and altering the probability of success based on the notification if the notification has been received.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for identifying a best path from a plurality of equal cost paths while accounting for service level agreement (SLA) metrics are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for routing a packet that has a payload using a node includes obtaining the packet, and adding an address of the node to the payload. Adding the address of the node to the payload creates an augmented packet. The method also includes identifying at least one element to which the augmented packet is to be routed, and providing the augmented packet to that element. In one embodiment, the method also includes storing ingress and egress timestamps associated with the node.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for allowing a central network manager to distribute corrective configuration information to customers using e-mail are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method includes determining if an issue is reported by a first customer system that supports a first device. The issue is associated with the first device. The method also includes obtaining updating information if the issue is reported by the first customer system, and providing the updating information to the first customer system. The first customer system is arranged to distribute the updating information to the first device and to cause the updating information to be implemented on the first device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for automatically connecting an emergency caller with appropriate responders within an interoperability and collaboration system. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method includes obtaining a request for a response, and identifying a first location from which the request originated. The request is obtained from a source that utilizes a phone and is located at the first location. The method also includes identifying at least one potential responder that may be capable or appropriate for providing the response. Finally, the method also includes creating a virtual talk group that includes the source and the potential responder. The potential responder may listen substantially directly to communications from the source within the virtual talk group using a land mobile radio.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes establishing a call, and continuously monitoring the call from or using a first endpoint associated with the call. Monitoring the call includes identifying when an information element associated with the call has changed. The method also includes determining when the information associated with the call has changed, and storing a representation of the information element in an enhanced directory arrangement associated with the first endpoint when the information associated with the call has changed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining a first packet that has a first payload. The first payload identifies a first path between endpoints traversed by the first packet, and identifying information associated with a first node associated with the first path traversed by the first packet. The identifying information includes an arrival time that identifies approximately when the first packet arrived at the first node and a leaving time that identifies approximately when the first packet left the first node. A first service level agreement (SLA) parameter of the first path is determined by analyzing the arrival time and the leaving time, comparing the first SLA parameter with a second SLA parameter associated with a second path traversed by a second probe packet, and selecting the first path for sending packets if the first SLA parameter indicates a higher SLA level than indicated by the second SLA parameter.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for inter-networking nodes are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a node arrangement includes a services engine, a communications engine, and a transport engine. The services engine includes at least a first service domain that provides at least one service associated with a first community of interest. The communications engine provides at least a first forwarding table which is associated with the first community of interest and arranged to support reachability for the first service domain. The transport engine manages the zero or more exterior connections associated with the node arrangement.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a method includes obtaining a first advertisement at a first provider edge (PE) device from a first customer edge (CE) device that is associated with a virtual private network, and sending a second advertisement on a control plane path associated with a border gateway protocol after obtaining the first advertisement. The first PE device has a routing and forwarding table. The first advertisement identifies a plurality of local routes associated with the first VPN, and includes a first indication that information relating to the plurality of local routes is not to be stored in the routing and forwarding table. The second advertisement identifies the local routes, an address of the first CE device, and the first CE device as a next hop.