Abstract: To determine a path traceroute for an existing (e.g., TCP) flow, a path node (e.g., the flow's source node) transmits towards the flow's destination node a set of traceroute packets having different time-to-live (TTL) values and the same payload as the payload in a captured, existing flow packet so that the destination node will drop (large-TTL) traceroute packets having duplicate payloads. The traceroute is determined from timeout packets received from hops that received expired (i.e., small-TTL) traceroute packets.

Abstract: To determine a path traceroute, after a connection between the path's source and destination nodes has been established, the source node transmits a set of traceroute packets having different time-to-live (TTL) values and different payloads to prevent hops from dropping different traceroute packets having identical payloads. In a communication network that supports TCP and ICMP protocols, the traceroute packets are TCP data packets, timeout packets from the hops are ICMP timeout packets, and acknowledgment packets from the destination node are TCP ACK packets.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a source node in a communication network transmits a so-called hopstamp packet to a destination node, which re-transmits the hopstamp packet back to the source node to complete a round-trip path for the hopstamp packet. Each hop along the round-trip path populates a corresponding hopstamp field with at least the identity of the hop and the time delay between the hop receiving the hopstamp packet from the previous node of the round-trip path and the hop transmitting the hopstamp packet to the next node of the round-trip path. When the hopstamp packet arrives back at the source node, the populated hopstamp fields will identify at least the traceroute for the round-trip path and the time delay for each of hops in the round-trip path. This hop-level latency information can then be used to control the routing of data in the network.

Abstract: A connection management resource tracks multiple instances of a mobile communication device wirelessly connecting to each of multiple wireless access points at different times to access a remote network. Based on the tracking, the connection management resource determines a set of the multiple wireless access points that reside in a first geographical region. The connection management resource then assigns a selected wireless access point such as a first wireless access point from the set as being a default wireless access point in which to provide the mobile communication device wireless connectivity to the remote network. In one situation, the connection management resource assigns the first wireless access point as the default wireless access point in response to detecting that the mobile communication device most frequently, amongst the multiple instances, establishes wireless connectivity with the first wireless access point to access the remote network.

Abstract: A Configuration Auditor and Configuration Enforcer (CACE) automatically runs audits of cells in a network and finds any discrepancies between the actual and preferred configuration. The CACE has access to lists of parameters and preferred settings for the network operator in which the cell being audited is located and thus knows the preferred settings for the given type of radio being audited and/or use of the radio in terms of the intended coverage area and/or traffic type being communicated. The list of parameters to which the actual radio settings is compared is sometimes referred to as a “golden parameter list”. The detection of radio parameter setting discrepancies, e.g., setting errors, and the correction of the parameter settings is performed automatically with parameter settings being automatically corrected on the fly, e.g., immediately, when possible without disrupting service or during a scheduled service interval if a radio reboot is required.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for enhancing performance of a wireline communication network backhaul for a wireless node. In one embodiment, the node comprises a small-cell or other wireless base station that is backhauled by a DOCSIS system within a managed HFC network, and the methods and apparatus enable enhanced communication between the small cell/base station and the backhaul network so as to support adaptation by the wireline network for frequencies used by the node so as to mitigate interference or other issues. In one implementation, enhanced cable modem (CM), cable modem termination system (CMTS) and node devices coordinate to inform the CMTS of use of potentially interfering frequencies by the base station so that the CMTS can monitor, and reconfigure as necessary, any affected wireline RF channels.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for operating multiple link premises devices in a wireless network. In one embodiment, premises devices such as a wireless gateway, Access Point (AP) or user devices use Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) technology for the transmission of data on multiple links operating on different frequencies. The disclosed apparatus and methods provide a solution to share channel statistic or similar data across the different links, such as for link performance improvement via more optimal MIMO operation. In one implementation, large-scale channel statistics are shared via the pre-amble or mid-amble of a frame across multiple links between an AP and a user device to enhance receiver performance. In another embodiment, the channel statistics are shared between multiple AP devices which can coordinate with each other, and/or are made specific to individual client devices, in order to enhance receiver performance.

Abstract: For a flow of data packets in a communication path from a source host to a destination host, an intermediate node forwards data packets transmitted by the source host on a downstream link towards the destination host; forwards, towards the source host, acknowledgment (ACK) packets transmitted by the destination host in response to receiving the data packets; detects congestion in the downstream link; and directly modifies at least some of the ACK packets to inform the source host of the congestion. ACK-packet modification may include marking, dropping, and/or delaying at least some of the ACK packets.

Abstract: When a first (e.g., CBRS) network receives instructions to modify its operations with a dual-SIM, dual-subscription (DSDS) device, e.g., due to the local incumbent activity, instead of modifying CBRS operations for the DSDS device, the DSDS device is proactively handed off to a second (e.g., non-CBRS) network, thereby avoiding a reduction of quality of service to the DSDS device. If and when the local incumbent activity ceases, the original CBRS operations can be automatically restored by handing off from the non-CBRS network back to the CBRS network. In some implementations, these functions are orchestrated by a DSDS Mobile Transfer Entity of the CBRS network.

Abstract: In wireless communications, an uplink imbalance can exist for a wireless device (e.g., a cell phone), where the uplink signal strength is insufficient for reliable uplink transmissions from the wireless device to the serving node (e.g., 4G/5G base station or Wi-Fi access point) even though the downlink signal strength is sufficient for reliable downlink transmissions from the serving node to the wireless device. In one implementation, the wireless device detects an uplink imbalance based on missing downlink ACK messages from the serving node in response to its periodic uplink measurement reports to the serving node. In another implementation, the network (e.g., the serving node) detects an uplink imbalance based on missing uplink measurement reports from the wireless device. In either case, the detection of an uplink imbalance triggers initiation of handover processing to a neighbor node having sufficient signal strength.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for managed or “intelligent” paging of a user device in one or more wireless networks. In one embodiment, the apparatus and methods provide enhanced wireless services which enable prioritized paging operations of a given user device (e.g., a mobile 3GPP-compliant UE) within two or more mobile networks (e.g., PLMNs) when the UE is operating in a “dual” mode such as 3GPP 5G NR dual-SIM, dual standby (DSDS) mode. In one implementation, the UE contains multiple SIM cards to enable connection to different PLMNs simultaneously, such that paging associated with one network can be managed and prioritized as needed when the UE is actively utilizing another network.

Abstract: Various embodiments comprise systems, methods, architectures, mechanisms and apparatus for configuring CPE provisioning to provide a dynamic service flow so as to temporarily enable augmented bandwidth capabilities and Quality of Service (QoS) sufficient to support firmware updates and the like to the CPE (or CPE-supported equipment), and to do so without utilizing customer bandwidth or disrupting customer service or Quality of Experience (QoE).

Abstract: Methods and systems for identifying external interference in a wireless communications network from channel state information.

Abstract: When two dual-SIM, dual-subscription (DSDS) wireless devices are located outside of their own (first) network operator's coverage area, but inside the coverage area of a second network operator having a roaming agreement with the first operator, the two devices are instructed to transmit data directly to one another via a side-link that is instigated and approved by the first operator, thereby reducing fees owed by the first operator to the second operator for the inter-device communications. In one implementation, the first operator secures a channel grant for the side-link from a CBRS SAS, and synchronization information for the side-link is provided to the two devices by the second operator.

Abstract: A verification computing system obtains from a vendor computing device software product version information that identifies a most recent version of a software product available from a software vendor. It is determined that an updated version of the first software product is available that has not been tested by the verification computing system. The verification computing system causes a generation of a first test computing environment that comprises one or more computing hosts or virtual machines. The updated version of the first software product using the first test computing environment is tested. The verification computing system generates information that indicates that the updated version of the first software product failed or passed a test threshold.

Abstract: A wireless access point receives a first report from a first wireless communication device. Via a report from the first wireless communication device, the wireless access point detects a condition in which a second communication device resides within a region of wireless coverage provided by the first wireless communication device. In response to detecting that the second wireless communication device resides outside a region of wireless coverage provided by the wireless access point and resides within the region of wireless coverage provided by the first wireless communication device, the wireless access point notifies the first wireless communication device to operate in a tethering mode. In the tethering mode, the first wireless communication device provides the second wireless communication device connectivity through the first wireless communication device to the wireless access point.

Abstract: Methods and systems for smart reattachment of mobile devices to service provider networks such as WiFi networks. A method for smart reattachment of local wireless service includes scanning, by a mobile device, for access points to establish a local wireless service connection although local wireless service is user switched off on the mobile device, determining, by an application on the mobile device, whether radio frequency metrics for a scanned access point exceeds radio frequency metrics for a cellular service when the cellular service is being used on the mobile device, and automatically switching, by the application and the mobile device, to the local wireless service connection when the radio frequency metrics for the scanned access point exceeds the radio frequency metrics for the cellular service.

Abstract: A location analyzer resource (a.k.a., communication management resource) receives location information indicating expected locations of one or more installed physical assets in a network environment. The location analyzer resource also retrieves network infrastructure map information such as including images associated with the network environment. The network infrastructure map information and corresponding images indicate actual locations of available physical infrastructure in the network environment. Among other operations, the location analyzer resource analyzes images of the available physical infrastructure to determine a respective actual location of each installed physical asset of interest.

Abstract: Various embodiments comprise systems, methods, mechanisms, and apparatus adapting Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) traffic flows between a cable modem termination system (CMTS) and a plurality of cable modems (CMs) connected thereto via respective CMTS-CM TCP connections supported by respective CMTS-CM communication links. Each CMTS-CM communication link is monitored to determine Quality of Service (QoS) information including jitter information. If the jitter information associated with a particular CMTS-CM communications link exceeds a threshold level (e.g., a level where TCP ACK/NACK reception timeout may occur), then the TCP connection(s) supported by the communication link are adapted to function in a non-normative manner by, illustratively, increasing downlink and/or uplink throughput of TCP connections supported by the communications link irrespective of the usual or normative response of the TCP connection(s).

Abstract: In various embodiments an explicit congestion feedback capabilities indication, e.g., information indicating a UE's support or lack of support for low latency, low loss and scalable throughput services (L4S), is communicated in a message sent from a UE to device in a network core. In some embodiments the communicated UE capability information provides information about the capability of the UE sending the message to support the use of feedback (e.g., congestion feedback) for scalable throughput services (e.g., (L4S services) or other explicit congestion notification (ECN) services which use congestion feedback for encoding and/or data rate control). In some embodiments the message or messages communicating the UE capability information include a PDU Session Establishment Request message, a PDU Session Modification Request message, and/or a Registration Request message.