Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining traffic that is to be forwarded to a neighboring device, and determining if the neighboring device is in a state that enables the neighboring device to receive the traffic. The method also includes automatically sending a first packet to the neighboring device if the neighboring device is not in the state that enables the neighboring device to receive the traffic. The first packet includes a bit sequence arranged to cause the neighboring device to awaken itself if the neighboring device is asleep.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes identifying at least one parameter as being associated with a service provided to an entity, as for example a subscriber. The service is arranged to service the entity. The method also includes monitoring the parameter to determine if accessibility to the service by the entity is compromised, and invoking a notification mechanism to send a notification to the entity if it is determined that the accessibility to the service by the entity is compromised. The notification indicates that the accessibility to the service is compromised.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a request to provision a first customer interface to a service instance, and identifying a resource capacity for a resource associated with a service controller of a system. A determination is made as to whether a sum of resource requirements for a first set of customer interfaces that does not include the first customer interface exceeds the resource capacity. The method further includes provisioning the first customer interface to the service instance if it is determined that the sum of the customer instance resource requirements does not exceed the resource capacity.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for assigning floor control based upon when a floor control request was initiated are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a first request for floor control from a first endpoint and granting the floor control to the first endpoint. The method also includes receiving a second request for floor control from a second endpoint, that has approximately the same priority level as the first endpoint, and determining if the first request was initiated from the first endpoint at approximately the same time or earlier than the second request was initiated from the second endpoint. If it is determined that the first request was not initiated from the first endpoint at approximately the same time or earlier than the second request was initiated from the second endpoint, then floor control is preempted from the first endpoint and granted to the second endpoint.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining a first message that includes at least a first bandwidth request that specifies a first bandwidth and a second bandwidth request that specifies a second bandwidth. The first bandwidth is a preferential bandwidth. The method also includes determining whether the first bandwidth may be allocated, and storing the first bandwidth and the second bandwidth in a stored reservation state if the first bandwidth may be allocated. If the first bandwidth may not be allocated, the method includes determining whether the second bandwidth may be allocated. The second bandwidth in the stored reservation state if it is determined that the second bandwidth may be allocated. In one embodiment, if the second bandwidth may be allocated, the first bandwidth is removed during process prior to sending the message to a subsequent node upstream.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes characterizing a first packet of a video stream as being associated with a first frame type, wherein the video stream is arranged to be transmitted on a wireless local area network. The method also includes processing at least the first packet of the video stream as being associated with the first frame type if the first packet of the video stream is characterized as being of the first frame type.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing distance extension and other transport functions such as error monitoring, provisioning, and link/service management in a fiber channel path are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a transport node includes a processing arrangement and an output interface. The processing arrangement creates a first ordered set that includes information associated with an ability for the transport node to receive a first fiber channel frame, and inserts the first ordered set between a second ordered set and a third ordered set of a fiber channel stream. The output interface transmits the fiber channel stream, which includes the information regarding whether the transport node is capable of receiving the first fiber channel frame.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for creating independent circuit connections within a through-hole of a substrate are described. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method includes defining a through-hole in a substrate, applying a conductive plating to a holewall of the through-hole, and selectively removing at least a first area of the plating. The through-hole has a height relative to a first axis, and the perimeter of the through-hole at each point along the first axis is approximately the same. Selectively removing the first area of the plating includes defining second areas of the plating. At least one of the plurality of second areas does not span a height of the hole.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining an object associated with a host server and determining if the object includes an indication that identifies a first zone. The method also includes identifying a message contained in the object if the object includes the indication that identifies the first zone, and creating a formatted notification if the object includes the indication. The formatted notification includes a representation of the message. Finally, the method includes broadcasting the formatted notification within a network.