Abstract: The gateway devices in a VPN require configuration when the VPN is set up and to reflect changes. To process the configuration tasks efficiently, a method is described of configuring a virtual private network (VPN) within a shared network, in which a queue of configuration tasks is created for gateway devices belonging to the VPN. The configuration tasks include sending static network routing information to said gateway devices. The tasks are deployed by retrieving a next task from the queue, and interrogating the gateway device to which the task relates, to identifying any change in subnetworks connected thereto since the task was created. If no change is identified, the retrieved task is performed. If, on the other hand, a change is identified, update configuration tasks are created for all relevant gateway devices in the VPN.

Abstract: A computer system comprises host processor and a network interface, wherein the host processor includes resources supporting a full power mode, a lower power mode and a power down mode, as seen in standard system bus specifications such as PCI and InfiniBand. The network interface includes a medium interface unit coupled to network media supporting a least high speed protocol, such as a Gigabit Ethernet or high-speed InfiniBand, and a lower speed protocol, such as one of 10 Mb and 100 Mb Ethernet or a lower speed InfiniBand. Power management circuitry forces the medium interface unit to the lower speed protocol in response to an event signaling entry of the lower power mode. In the lower power mode, the network interface consumes less than the specified power when executing the lower speed protocol, and consumes greater than the specified power when executing the high speed protocol.

Abstract: A system and method for Internet telephony between a caller station and a callee station are described. The caller station is connected to a first edge network via a first telephony interface, and the callee station is connected to a second edge network via a second telephony interface. An intermediate network is connected to the first edge network via a first router and is connected to the second edge network via a second router. The callee station is associated with a callee station number. The first router initiates the call in response to a setup message that includes the callee station number. A first gatekeeper, controlling the first router, and a second gatekeeper, controlling the second router, together mediate the process of setting up the call. A back end server, in communication with the first and second gatekeepers, stores the addresses and station numbers needed to set up the call.

Abstract: A method and system receives a far-end signal and determines whether the far-end signal is representative of a modulated signal. The method and system also receives a near-end signal and determines whether the near-end signal is representative of a modulated signal. Predetermined characteristics of the near and far-end signals are determined as is whether the echo canceller will converge for the far-end signal. The operation of the echo canceller is controlled in response to the determination of the predetermined conditions and in response the determination of whether the far-end and near-end signals are modulated signals.

Abstract: A method for predicting the compression rate of a particular compression algorithm upon a data stream before applying the compression algorithm to the data stream. The method utilizes a predefined threshold value and an estimated compression rate to determine whether the data stream should be compressed. If the estimated compression rate is below the threshold value, the compression algorithm will not be applied to the data stream. If the estimated compression rate is above the threshold, the compression algorithm will be applied. For example, if a series of data streams are transmitted over a wireless connection, the claimed method will determine which data streams can be successfully compressed and which data streams have already been compressed.

Abstract: A system and method for maximizing the use of bandwidth optimization techniques in a voice-over-packet telephony system. In exemplary embodiments, the VOP system includes a plurality of telephones connected to a VOP telephony system. Upon receiving request to initiate a VOP connection, the end office switch connects to an originating softswitch for signaling functions and to an originating media gateway for transporting the media associated with the VOP connection. A connection information system accessible to the softswitch maintains connection information relating to media sessions between the originating media gateway and a plurality of candidate terminating media gateways. The connection information system may be accessed during connection initiation and advantageously used to determine whether there are nearly-simultaneously occurring and distinct media sessions having common endpoints such that bandwidth optimization techniques may be implemented.

Abstract: A telephone is described that allows any arbitrary combination of key strokes, including numerical keys, extension keys, as well as function keys such as TRANSFER, CONFERENCE, etc., to be programmed such that the entire sequence of key strokes can be recalled with the touch of a single button. The phone can be programmed directly by operation of the telephone user interface on the phone (i.e., the keys, phone display, and speaker prompting the user) and a program button dedicated to the feature of programming a separate programmable button to map to the specified key sequence. The feature can be implemented in advanced telephones capable of voice over Internet Protocol networks, and supporting the Session Initiation Protocol. In these more advanced phones, the programming can be done by a system administrator or by the user of the phone via a computer with internet access.

Abstract: The present invention presents a method and system for upgrading a live system. With the benefits of this invention a live system can be upgraded to a new version and then tested without significant downtime. If the upgrade fails the system can continue to run on a backed-up environment until the upgraded components are fixed, or the system can be rolled back to its original version.

Abstract: A wired or wireless signal transmitter or receiver and methods providing improved signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) performance for the reception of data packets transmitted in the form of symbols modulated onto a signal. More particularly, apparatus and methods are disclosed for detecting the preamble and symbol boundaries of received data packets encoded with OFDM and other multi-carrier symbol transmission systems. Also disclosed are combinations of sensitive preamble detection and data payload and/or signal field encoding methods to spread data redundantly, to improve reception under a low SNR condition. This invention may be applied to a variety of standards utilizing OFDM and similar technologies, including IEEE 802.11a, Hiperlan/2 and MMAC.

Abstract: A method and system for remotely accessing an intelligent IP telephony device is provided. Information about at least one IP telephony device associated with a user is stored in a database. The database is accessible to a user through a secured environment. From a remote location, the user may logon to the database and select one or more actions to be performed on any of the IP telephony devices to which they have access.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing configured to enclose an electronic component mounted to an inner portion of the housing. A thermally conductive gap-filler is in thermal contact with the electronic component. A heat sink is in thermal contact with the thermally conductive gap-filler and a thermally conductive plate is in thermal contact, at a first side, with the heat sink through an opening in the housing, and affixed, at the first side, to an outer portion of the housing surrounding the opening.

Abstract: A local area network connected to an infrastructure access device that provides the home LAN with access to voice, data and television services. The infrastructure access device includes a gateway to voice over Internet Protocol services, an interface to a data network for data access, a router to multiplex signals from the gateways and the data network and a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) transceiver connected to a gateway device in the customer premises. The gateway device includes a DSL transceiver to communicate over the DSL connecting it to the infrastructure access device to provide the home LAN with high performance communications services without the use of POTS. The DSL transceiver may communicate using a switched carrier modulation scheme to conserve power and reduce crosstalk.

Abstract: A telephone is described that allows any arbitrary combination of key strokes, including numerical keys, extension keys, as well as function keys such as TRANSFER, CONFERENCE, etc., to be programmed such that the entire sequence of key strokes can be recalled with the touch of a single button. The phone can be programmed directly by operation of the telephone user interface on the phone (i.e., the keys, phone display, and speaker prompting the user) and a program button dedicated to the feature of programming a separate programmable button to map to the specified key sequence. The feature can be implemented in advanced telephones capable of voice over Internet Protocol networks, and supporting the Session Initiation Protocol. In these more advanced phones, the programming can be done by a system administrator or by the user of the phone via a computer with internet access.

Abstract: A multi-port network unit for use in a cascade system of network units sends from a cascade port a packet including a special header having a source port ID, a destination port ID and a ‘destination port known’ field. The port IDs identify both a unit and a port within a unit. A routing database is set up, optionally by a discovery protocol, in terms of ports and either destination units (within the cascade) or source units (within the cascade). The database includes a mesh table, indicating from which cascade port a packet with a known destination port ID should be forwarded, without needing a fresh look-up. The database also includes a multicast exclusion table which allows ingress of packets with source unit IDs matched to an ingress port. The scheme allows a general mesh type of cascade while dynamically preventing closed loops.

Abstract: A multi-service access platform may have network interface cards and application cards. The network interface cards may interface the multi-service access platform to an ingress network and an egress network. The network interface cards may be coupled to the application cards by a network distribution bus. As a result, the application cards may perform digital signal processing on signals received from the ingress network. Additionally, the application cards may be coupled to a packet switching fabric. The packet switching fabric may facilitate exchange of signals between the application cards. Additionally, the packet switching fabric may permit exchange of the signals with the egress network.

Abstract: A conventional computer is coupled to an analog telephone transmission link by means of an analog/digital conversion interface adapter. Modem transmission is accomplished by performing the modulation and demodulation functions digitally in the computer's existing processor which executes programs which transfer data between the computer's memory and the interface adapter. Using the same interface adapter and existing processor, the arrangement may be used to send and receive images in the form of standard V.29 format facsimile data, to send and receive data operating as a synchronous IBM 3270 compatible terminal device, or to record and play back conventional voice transmissions rather than data to implement a telephone answering, voice message handling, and telemarketing systems.

Abstract: A wireless communication method for selective transmission of data among a group of mobile computing devices. A user's device is used to broadcast a query to determine a group of mobile computing devices within communications range. A list of resulting mobile computing devices is then presented to the user through the device's interface. The user selects at least one of the mobile computing devices from the list for a data transfer. The data transfer is then performed to the selected at least one mobile computing device. Upon completion of the transfer, a confirmation is presented to the user. In this manner, wireless data transfers can be performed with a number of different mobile computing devices within communications range. The user can select a number of mobile computing devices from the list and perform the data transfer to each of the selected number in a single step. The data transfer is performed using a wireless RF communications link.

Abstract: A method for management and control of a media session. The method comprises receiving a first message from an end user device at an application server to initiate a media session and forwarding the first message from the application server to a media server. A first media transaction between the media server and the end user device is then conducted. The method further comprises, receiving a second message from the media server at the application server to indicate that the first media transaction is complete. The method still further comprises transmitting a third message from the application server to the media server to initiate a second media transaction and conducting the second media transaction. After the second media transaction is complete, the method comprises and receiving a fourth message from the media server at the application server indicating that the second media transaction is complete.

Abstract: A method for load balancing selects one of a set of distribution formulas to associate packets of each of multiple communications sessions traversing a link to one of a plurality of output links and assigns the associated packets of at least one of the communications sessions to a different output link.

Abstract: A network unit for use in a distributed bridging fabric has a multiplicity of user ports for the transmission of data frames to and from an external network and at least one fabric port for the transmission of frames between the network unit and another unit in the fabric. The network unit has a forwarding database for containing entries each including a media access control address, and a lookup engine organized for the insertion of an entry into the forwarding database when the network unit receives a data packet at a user port. The unit broadcasts via each fabric port of an “address added” message identifying a respective media access control address. The lookup engine also responds to such an “address added” message received from another unit to make a corresponding entry in the database and to annotate an entry to indicate activity of an address in response to an address which is already in the database. The network unit has an aging engine organized for the polling of entries in the database.