Patents Assigned to Level 3 Communications, LLC
  • Patent number: 11706645
    Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems and methods for intelligent node type selection in a telecommunications network. In one implementation, a customer set is obtained for a communications node in the telecommunications network. The customer set includes an existing customer set and a new customer set. A set of customer events is generated for a node type of the communications node using a simulator. The set of customer events is generated by simulating the customer set over time through a discrete event simulation. An impact of the customer events is modeled for the node type of the communications node. The node type is identified from a plurality of node types for a telecommunications build based on the impact of the customer events for the node type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: William Gray, James Sayre, Stephen Limburg
  • Patent number: 11706132
    Abstract: Systems and methods for routing traffic through a network along Label-Switched Paths (LSPs) that may extend across multiple autonomous systems include performing Internet Protocol (IP) routing lookups as a packet is transmitted along the LSP. In one implementation, a packet having a predetermined value (which may be inserted by an upstream network device) is received at a network device after travelling along a first segment of an LSP. In response to identifying the predetermined label value of the packet, the network device may perform an IP routing lookup using IP routing information included in the packet to identify a next hop for the packet. The network device may then update a label of the packet such that the packet is routed along a second segment of the LSP and transmit the communication packet to the next hop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventor: Eric Osborne
  • Patent number: 11700539
    Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems and methods for intelligent node type selection in a telecommunications network. In one implementation, a customer set is obtained for a communications node in the telecommunications network. The customer set includes an existing customer set and a new customer set. A set of customer events is generated for a node type of the communications node using a simulator. The set of customer events is generated by simulating the customer set over time through a discrete event simulation. An impact of the customer events is modeled for the node type of the communications node. The node type is identified from a plurality of node types for a telecommunications build based on the impact of the customer events for the node type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: William Gray, James Sayre, Stephen Limburg
  • Patent number: 11700318
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method, operable on a device in a content delivery network (CDN), wherein the CDN delivers content on behalf of at least one content provider, the device implementing a content delivery (CD) service, the method includes, by the service on the device: receiving a request for a particular resource from a client; determining whether the client includes an optimization support mechanism; when the client includes an optimization support mechanism, providing the client with a first version of the particular resource, optimized, at least in part, for the capabilities of the client in combination with the optimization support mechanism; otherwise providing the client with either (i) an un-optimized version of the particular resource, or (ii) a version of the particular resource optimized, at least in part, for the capabilities of the client without the capabilities of the optimization support mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Newton
  • Patent number: 11700319
    Abstract: Examples described herein relate to standardizing content requests and responses in a content delivery network (CDN). An edge node receives a control object including sets of instructions each implementing portions of a customer's business logic. The edge node may receive, from a client, a content request identifying a content item, and may apply a set of the instructions which causes the edge node to (i) determine whether any changes are needed for the benefit of a cache server and whether any changes are need for the benefit of an origin server, and (ii) generate a processed client request identifying the content item and including, if needed, any changes for the benefit of the cache server and the origin server. The edge node transmits the processed client request to the cache server, receives a response from the cache server, and transmits a processed client response to the client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: William Crowder, Daniel Jensen, Pawel Jakobowski, Laurence Lipstone, William Power
  • Publication number: 20230216930
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve a CDN utilizing a Direct Server Return (DSR) request command to create a tunnel from one content server to another content server of the CDN. Through the DSR tunnel, a request for content may be served from a content server that is more advantageous for the CDN for any number of reasons, such as from a content server that is logically closer to the content server. In determining when a DSR tunnel is created to provide the content, the CDN may access a database storing various information concerning the CDN, such as the location of egress gateways of the CDN in relation to one or more content servers, connecting network location information, the capabilities of one or more content servers, and/or load information of available content servers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2023
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Applicant: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Joelle T. Maslak, Joseph C. Lawrence
  • Publication number: 20230216582
    Abstract: In an alien wave system, one or more transponders connected to a line system may be owned and operated by a different entity from the entity that owns and operates the line system. In such a situation, diagnosing and correcting faults, and achieving good performance, may be challenging. As such, a system and methods for interoperability in an alien wave system are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Applicant: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Paul M. Johnson, James E. Shearer
  • Publication number: 20230216826
    Abstract: Improved methods for retrieval of content from CDNs is provided that includes a rendezvous controller that receives information of an identification of content being requested and an estimated location of a content requesting device. Based on this information, the rendezvous system identifies a server within a CDN from which the requested content may be retrieved. The selected server may be based on a repeatable hash function such that the likelihood that the content being requested is cached at the selected server. Steering requests to a server of the CDN which may have the content cached may reduce the number of servers within the CDN with the same cached content, particularly for the highest requested content. The rendezvous system may then return a corresponding domain name associated with the selected server and that can be subsequently submitted to a DNS for resolution to the IP address of the identified server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2023
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Applicant: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin C. Johns
  • Patent number: 11695805
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing monitoring and detection of fraudulent or unauthorized use in telephone conferencing systems or voice networks. In various embodiments, a computing system might monitor call activity through telephone conferencing system or voice network. In response to detecting use of the telephone conferencing system or voice network by at least one party based on the monitored call activity, the computing system might identify incoming and/or outgoing associated with a call initiated by the at least one party. The computing system might analyze the identified incoming and/or outgoing call data to determine whether the call initiated by the at least one party constitutes at least one of fraudulent use or unauthorized use of the telephone conferencing system or voice network. If so, the computing system might initiate one or more first actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Adam Uzelac, Andrew J. Broadworth, Robert P. Slaughter
  • Publication number: 20230208768
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include a content delivery network (CDN) for delivering content associated with a plurality of different types of applications/devices. Using a CDN flow application, a plurality of network flow parameters are generated for content delivery unique to different types of applications or devices. The network flow parameters include customized data transmission rates. The network flow parameters include predetermined settings for transmission control protocol (TCP) connections between the CDN and devices using a TCP flow control mechanism. Upon receiving a content request, the CDN fulfills the content request based upon first network flow parameters. The network flow parameters may be adjusted for each of the plurality of different types of applications/devices. The network flow parameters may be generated based upon requests or based upon the performance of each of the plurality of applications/devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Applicant: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph C. Lawrence, William R. Power
  • Publication number: 20230209112
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system and method for providing automated policy enforcement. The system and method may be implemented by a service provider to enforce a policy related to copyright infringement activities. According to an example, the policy may define a system of penalty (strike) levels for violations of the policy up to a maximum number of strikes. When a notification of a policy violation is received, the system may operate to determine whether to issue a strike in association with the notification. When a determination is made to issue a strike in association with a received notification a set of enforcement actions to perform in association with the issued strike may be selected and executed. The set of enforcement actions may terminate detected copyright infringement activities and reduce or otherwise limit the service provider's liabilities when such copyright infringement activities may occur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2022
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Applicant: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Taylor FRALEY, IV, Theresa MACDONALD, Diane WALVATNE
  • Publication number: 20230208802
    Abstract: A content provider has a plurality of content provider domain names, and a content delivery network (CDN) allocates a plurality of CDN domain names to the particular content provider. The content provider domain names are mapped to the CDN domain names. CDN domain names are bound to corresponding CDN clusters. The binding of the of CDN domain names to corresponding CDN clusters is modified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Applicant: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Newton
  • Publication number: 20230208762
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve systems, methods, computer program products, and the like, for controlling a congestion window (CWND) value of a communication session of a CDN. In particular, a content server may analyze a request to determine or receive an indication of the type of content being requested. The content server may then set the initial CWND based on the type of content being requested. For example, the content server may set a relatively high CWND value for requested content that is not particularly large, such as image files or text, so that the data of the content is received at the client device quickly. For larger files or files that a have a determined smaller urgency, the initial CWND may be set at a lower value to ensure that providing the data of the content does not congest the link between the devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Applicant: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventor: Joelle T. Maslak
  • Publication number: 20230208801
    Abstract: A DNS resolution request for a hostname of a CDN is received. An edge server of the CDN may be identified, which may be associated with a subnet. The subnet is used to generate a response IP address, where the remaining bits of the response IP address may be used to store requestor information (e.g., a requestor IP address). When a client computing device uses the response IP address to access the edge server, requestor information is extracted and associated with client computing device information (e.g., an IP address and/or location, etc.) in an association record. Association records may be used to determine predicted characteristics for devices served by a requestor. When the authoritative DNS server resolves a request from the requestor, such predicted characteristics may be used rather than relying solely on information about a requestor. Thus, an edge server proximate to the predicted location may be returned instead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Applicant: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin Johns
  • Publication number: 20230208711
    Abstract: A method on a device in a content delivery (CD) network (CDN) that distributes content on behalf of one or more subscribers. In response to receiving configuration information from a subscriber, the configuration information relating to at least one property of the subscriber, generating subscriber-specific platform configuration information for the at least one property. Storing the subscriber-specific platform configuration information in platform configuration storage. Invalidating prior platform configuration information associated with the particular subscriber. Responsive to a request from a CDN component for platform configuration information associated with the particular subscriber: obtaining the subscriber-specific platform configuration information from the platform configuration storage; and providing the subscriber-specific platform configuration information to the CDN component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Applicant: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Laurence Lipstone, Christopher Newton, William Crowder, Vikas Dogra, Kevin Johns
  • Patent number: 11689611
    Abstract: The present application describes a system and method for determining a latency between a client device and various servers of a networking system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: John R. B. Woodworth, Dean Ballew, Paul Carpenter, William R. Power, Laurence R. Lipstone
  • Patent number: 11677714
    Abstract: The present application describes a system and method for passively collecting DNS traffic data as that data is passed between a recursive DNS resolver and an authoritative DNS server. The information contained in the collected DNS traffic data is used to generate a virtual authoritative DNS server, or a zone associated with the authoritative DNS server, when it is determined that the authoritative DNS server has been compromised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: John R. Woodworth, Dean Ballew, Mark Dehus
  • Patent number: 11671405
    Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing filters within computer networks include obtaining blocklist data that includes blocklist entries for a network. Each of the blocklist entries includes one or more network traffic attributes for identifying traffic to be blocked. In response to receiving the blocklist data, a filter based on a common network traffic attribute shared between at least two of the plurality of blocklist entries is generated. The filter is then deployed to a network device within the network such that the filter may be implemented at the network device to block corresponding traffic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Benjamin
  • Patent number: 11671328
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing network devices include performing clustering operations for network devices based on attributes of the network devices. By comparing the results of subsequent clustering operations, changes in network device attributes can be readily identified and any network devices for which attributes have changed may be subject to further investigation or remedial action (e.g., blocking traffic to/from the network device). Clustering may also be used to conduct an inventory of network devices by identifying groups of network devices that have similar attributes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Benjamin
  • Publication number: 20230171249
    Abstract: A field device, including: a processor; and memory including instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: login to a local node device physically connected to the field device; enable a common command protocol on the local node device; solicit information to configure the local node device; generate a command set in the enabled common command protocol according to the solicited information; and execute the command set to automatically commission the local node device to communicate with one or more other node devices commissioned in a first network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2022
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Applicant: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy FULLENKAMP, Majdi DAWUD, Erik MCLEOD, Russell RICHARDSON, Alexander TALAVERA