Abstract: A logical services loopback framework for establishing transparent loopback connections and associations across Layer-2 networks is provided. The loopback framework operates as a termination/processing point for Transport, Connectivity and Services OAM flows. As a termination/processing point, the disclosed loopback framework realizes connections and associations that are used to transparently test and monitor various layers, such as OSI-specified protocol layers, policy-enabled layers, and/or business-oriented layers.

Abstract: Ethernet, or more generally any packetized network system, remote management techniques are provided, where management instructions and data (“management packets”) are presented during the active idle signal period (e.g., during the inter-packet gap). The management packets are separated from the signalling before normal packet data processing. Thus, remote management is achieved transparently and without using payload bandwidth. Line cards, media converters, and other network devices can employ the management techniques. The management channel enables write and read commands to remote devices on the network, and alarm reporting by a remote device. Also, monitoring of remote device parameters (e.g., temperature, power status), monitoring of remote statistics, remote link testing (loopback), remote adjusting of maximum burst size, and bandwidth provisioning are enabled.

Abstract: An Ethernet, or more generally any packetized network system, remote management device and system operable via Ethernet connections according to non-Ethernet message instructions presented during the active idle signal period, e.g. during the inter-packet gap (IPG), which are separated from the Ethernet signalling before detection. A locally managed device includes a physical layer interface adapted to receive a secondary signal which is encoded to provide a corresponding signal while conforming to the active idle and minimum IPG requirements, and is received by a remote device managed according to the encoded signals provided from the local device during the IPG. Further embodiments provide multiple (serial) nesting of such remote devices along the Ethernet path, with the instructions to and data from the most distant such remote devices forwarded through intermediate remote devices according to the present invention.

Abstract: A bi-directional network medium monitor including a tap apparatus connected inserted in a network media, e.g. Fiber Optic (FX) and Twisted Pair (TX), comprising a transceiver and a clock recovery element for each medium and medium monitor connection, and a bi-directional serial data multiplexer which directs the medium data while in the serial data format. Also, the medium monitor may interrupt medium data transfer in either medium direction and insert its data for diagnostic or other network purposes. Thus, the apparatus according to the present invention is operable to monitor a network at the maximum data rates currently used while providing no significantly network data delay.

Abstract: A bidirectional network medium translator connected between two dissimilar network media, e.g. Fiber Optic (FX) and Twisted Pair (TX), comprising a transceiver and a clock recovery element for each medium, and a bidirectional serial buffer which receives, processes and transmits the data while in the serial data format. Thus, the apparatus according to the present invention is operable to the maximum data rates currently used, provides significantly reduced data delay, and may be field-modified to a variety of different media.