Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for two layer user authentication associated with connected home devices. In use, it is determined whether a user is authenticated to control at least one connected home device utilizing a user device, as a first layer of security. If it is determined the user is authenticated to control the at least one connected home device, a command for controlling the at least one connected home device is received by the user utilizing the user device. Further, it is determined whether at least one registered fingerprint is accessible by the user device. If it is determined that at least one registered fingerprint is accessible by the user device, a fingerprint identification interface is displayed on a display associated with the user device. Additionally, a fingerprint input is received from the user utilizing the fingerprint identification interface. Furthermore, the received fingerprint input is compared with the at least one registered fingerprint.

Abstract: An event-based system, method, and computer program product are provided for intervening in connection with a network service. A plurality of measurements are identified that correspond to at least one aspect of a network service. Such measurements are processed and it is determined whether a criterion has been met, based on the processing. One or more events are identified based on the determination whether the criterion has been met. Further, the one or more events are aggregated, and at least one record is produced, based on the aggregation. To this end, an intervention is carried out in connection with the network service, based on the at least one record.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for deploying a disk image in a communication network, based on network topology. In use, a disk image to be distributed in association with a communication network is identified, the communication network including a plurality of datacenters. Additionally, one or more of the plurality of datacenters in which to distribute the disk image are identified, based on one or more network topology characteristics associated with the communication network. Further, the disk image is distributed to the identified one or more of the plurality of datacenters. Still yet, a list indicating all of the plurality of datacenters that contain the disk image is sent to the plurality of datacenters.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided that utilize a decoy in response to a distributed denial of service attack in a communication network. In use, a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack directed at one or more resources of a communication network is detected. Additionally, at least one first communication channel associated with the communication network that is subject to the DDoS attack is identified. Further, at least one second communication channel to implement functionality of the at least one first communication channel is initiated, while maintaining the at least one first communication channel subject to the DDoS attack to use as a decoy for the DDoS attack. Moreover, the at least one second communication channel is utilized to implement the functionality of the at least one first communication channel while the at least one first communication channel subject to the DDoS attack is used as the decoy for the DDoS attack.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for implementing optimal regression test strategies. In use, one or more functional testing entities are identified to be utilized to determine a scope associated with at least one regression test to be performed. The at least one regression test to be performed is associated with at least one change made to a functional system based on multi-dimensional modelling. Additionally, source code is mapped to the one or more functional testing entities, the source code being associated with the functional system. Further, a multi-dimensional impact score is calculated for each of the one or more functional testing entities resulting from the at least one change made to the functional system, based on the mapping of the source code to the one or more functional testing entities. Moreover, an output is generated showing impacted functional testing entities based on the multi-dimensional impact score for each of the one or more functional testing entities.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for calculating a customer value for communication service provider customers for network optimization and planning. In use, at least one customer of a communication service provider (CSP) is identified. The customer is identified to calculate a current customer value of the customer to the communication service provider. Additionally, a current location of the customer is identified based on a determined current location of a user device being utilized by the customer. Further, information associated with a current service being utilized by the customer on the user device being utilized by the customer is identified. Moreover, the current customer value of the customer to the communication service provider is calculated based on at least the current location of the customer and the current service being utilized by the customer.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer program product are provided for software development testing utilizing one or more minimal testing features. An acceptance testing system receives one or more first minimal testing features for a first software development component to be developed by a first provider, and one or more second first minimal testing features for a second software development component to be developed by a second provider. Before completion of the second software development component, it is determined whether the first software development component is complete. If it is determined that the first software development component is complete, testing is performed on the first software development component utilizing the one or more first minimal testing features, before the completion of the second software development component.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for providing security in a Network Function Virtualization based (NFV-based) communication network. In operation, a security attack is identified. Additionally, a first hardware unit attacked by the security attack is identified. Further, a hardware unit in which to initiate a security defense software program is identified. Moreover, the security defense software program is initiated in the identified hardware unit.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for testing a network service associated with a communications network. In use, a network service to be tested is identified, the network service including at least one network service associated with a communication network. Further, test criteria associated with the network service to be tested is identified. Additionally, a test scenario is generated for testing the network service based on the testing criteria.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for accessing data on a big data platform. In use, a request associated with a data processing job to process data stored in a big data store is identified, the data being stored in a plurality of rows with each row being associated with a unique key. Additionally, a data processing job input associated with the request is received, the data processing job input including a set of keys required to be read for processing. Further, the set of keys is translated into one or more queries, the one or more queries including at least one of a request to read an individual key or a request to read a range of keys. Moreover, the data is loaded from the big data store based on the one or more queries.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for planning distribution of one or more network resources in a Network Function Virtualization based (NFV-based) communication network. In use, at least one Virtual Network Function (VNF) instance of a VNF is migrated between processing units in a NFV-based communication network, according to a change of load. Further, a lack of at least one network resource associated with at least one network node is reported for planning distribution of one or more network resources in the NFV-based communication network, the missing network resource at least partially limiting migration of one or more VNF instances.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for customizing a response to a request. In use, a request is received. Additionally, one or more elements associated with the request are determined. Further, a response to the request is customized, utilizing the determined one or more elements associated with the request. Further still, the response to the request is initiated.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for selecting at least one new physical element and/or virtual element for use in a system including a network function virtualization orchestrator (NFV-O). In use, information corresponding to data traffic associated with a network system including an NFV-O module is identified, the NFV-O module being operable to manage data flow associated with one or more Virtual Network Functions (VNFs) and one or more physical elements of the network system. Additionally, an overall expected usage of the network system is determined based on the information corresponding to the data traffic. Further a cost of implementing at least one of one or more new physical elements or one or more VNFs is determined, based on the overall expected usage.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for instructing a virtual network function (VNF) to operate in accordance with one of a plurality of function definitions. In use, a virtual service including a plurality of VNFs is identified, the virtual service being a virtual service in a Network Function Virtualization (NFV-based) communication network, and at least one of the plurality of VNFs being capable of operating based on any one of a plurality of function definitions. Additionally, information associated with a current operation of the virtual service is received. Furthermore, it is determined which one of the plurality of function definitions the at least one of the plurality of VNFs is to operate, based on at least one of a plurality of policies and the information. Moreover, the at least one of the plurality of VNFs is automatically instructed to operate in accordance with the determined one of the plurality of function definitions.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for automatically accessing data in a database based on query information. In use, query information is received from a user interface, the query information including at least one selection of a preconfigured set of queries that are grouped logically based on a team or an application and the query information further including input parameters defined by a user utilizing the user interface. Additionally, data to access in at least one database is identified based on the query information. Further, a connection with the at least one database is automatically established, the connection with the at least one database being established utilizing a predefined database connection for one or more environments with which the user interface is associated. Moreover, the data in the at least one database is automatically accessed based on the query information.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for maintaining service continuity associated with a mobile device during travel, by providing alternative navigational routes based on user defined inputs and preferences. In use, at least one input parameter is received from a mobile device associated with at least one communication network, the at least one input parameter corresponding to a navigational task to be performed utilizing the mobile device. Further, a starting point associated with the navigational task is identified. Additionally, an ending point associated with the navigational task is identified. Furthermore, at least one route is determined from the starting point to the ending point, based at least in part on a current service continuity associated with the mobile device, a historical service continuity associated with the mobile device, and the at least one input parameter.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for identification of common root causes with sequential patterns. In use, a plurality of customer event sequences are identified. Additionally, the plurality of customer event sequences are grouped into a hierarchical framework of patterns. Further, a root-cause analysis (RCA) is performed for the customer event sequences utilizing the hierarchical framework of patterns.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for managing distribution of a finite amount of resources. In use, a quota is received from a first repository, the quota including a portion of a finite amount of resources. Additionally, a plurality of requests is received from a plurality of entities, where each of the plurality of requests is requesting one or more of the resources. Further, the one or more of the resources are conditionally provided to the plurality of entities, in response to the plurality of requests. Further still, it is determined whether a predetermined amount of resources exist. Also, an additional quota is conditionally requested from the first repository, based on the determining.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a system, method, and computer program product for communicating information in a communication network using network function virtualization (NFV-based communication network), the method including: sending a communication from a first entity of the NFV-based communication network, the first entity being a sender, and receiving the communication by a second entity of the NFV-based communication network, the second entity being a receiver, where the communication includes: an identification of the sender of the communication, and an identification of the receiver of the communication, an identification of a function associated with the NFV-based communication network, and an authorization associating one or more of the sender and the receiver with the function.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for generating a visibility model for a project. In use, a plurality of systems associated with at least one project are identified. Additionally, information associated with the at least one project is received from the plurality of systems, the information including information corresponding to discrete activities associated with the at least one project and the information being received by a visibility model generation system that is separate from the plurality of systems. Further, the received information corresponding to the discrete activities is organized into common groups of work. In addition, at least one visibility model associated with the at least one project is generated utilizing the information corresponding to the discrete activities organized into common groups of work.