Abstract: A telecommunications network architecture provides transport and switching of user services, particularly PSTN/ISDN services. In the network, connections are set up between end points which typically comprise narrow band exchanges serving subscribers. Calls are set up between the end points via call servers using e.g. ISUP signalling between the end points or exchanges and the call servers. The call servers set up connections via a concatenated series of paths or tunnels across an intermediate MPLS network via media gateways serving respective nodes in the MPLS network. User information packets are carried across the MPLS network by the attachment of an appropriate label, this label being removed on egress from the MPLS network to recover the original packet.

Abstract: An optical switching system includes multiple layers for switching optical signals. A first layer is for switching optical channels. A second layer is for switching groups of optical channels. A third layer is for switching composite optical signals. Between layers demultiplexing and multiplexing of signals allows switching within a single switch core at any level from fiber to wavelength group to optical wavelengths. Optical amplifiers between layers compensate for losses within the switch and within demultiplexers and multiplexers. One configuration provided additional multiplexing and demultiplexing to allow direct connection between the first and third layers. Another configuration shares optical switching matrices between the first and third layers.

Abstract: A method for providing local number portability between subscriber lines served by a distributed switch call manager (DSCM) involves updating translation tables of the DSCM to direct call control messages to a media gateway (MG) that serves the ported number. The service features and service feature profile of the ported subscriber are ported concurrently with the directory number, without re-provisioning.

Abstract: A method and system for enabling a multi-stage switch to be adapted for single-stage switch applications. An interface manager manages the hardware interface for the multi-stage switch. The multi-stage switch includes input ports and output ports, and an input signal can be broadcast to one or more output ports. The interface manager limits the broadcasting of each input signal to avoid a blocking condition within the multi-stage switch which causes the blocking of one or more of the broadcast signals.

Abstract: Packets in a Per Hop Basis (PHB) are metered by a network element to see if they fall within a Committed Information Rate (CIR) or Committed Burst Size (CBS) for that PHB. Packets that are within the CIR or CBS for the given PHB are marked as in profile. Packets to be output over a given port that are not in profile are metered by a common Surplus Information Rate (SIR) meter, which is used to meter commonly excess packets from all PHBs configured through that port. By using a common SIR meter to meter out of profile packets for all PHBs on a given port, it is possible to allow packets from multiple PHBs to share the surplus bandwidth on a link connected to that port fairly, while not allocating bandwidth to PHBs that do not require surplus bandwidth. Token buckets may be used to implement the meters.

Abstract: To authenticate a mobile node, a Mobile IPv6 registration request is received from the mobile node, where the registration request contains authentication information. One example of the Mobile IPv6 registration request is a Mobile IPv6 Binding Update message. A procedure to authenticate the mobile node is performed based on the authentication information contained in the registration request.

Abstract: A method and system enables communications between a switched telephone network and a wireless network comprising a plurality of Mobile Switching Centers (MSCs). Each MSC is connected by respective interfaces to a broadband packet network used for the transfer of bearer traffic between the MSCs, and controls wireless communications with a respective plurality of wireless transceivers. The switched telephone network and the wireless network are interconnected by at least one media gateway for conveying bearer traffic between the switched telephone network and the broadband packet network. The system comprises a location register and a call manager. The location register is adapted to store, in respect of each wireless transceiver, information identifying a respective current MSC controlling communications with the wireless transceiver.

Abstract: A multi-facetted antenna array is disclosed for omnidirectional signalling. The multi-facetted antenna array includes a plurality of abutting facets having a planar region under the patch antenna structures, and curving regions between the planar regions and across the abutting edges of the facets. The planar regions under the patch antenna provide proper RF antenna performance, while the curved regions minimize the size of the assembled array. Further disclosed is a method of mounting the associated RF interface module across an inside corner formed by abutting facets. The disclosed multi-facetted antenna array is particularly useful for overcoming the unsightly size and wind loading problems of multi-facetted antenna arrays known in the art.

Abstract: In an apparatus and method for performing secure messaging in a digital communications network, a module sends a registration message including an initial challenge and an identification of itself to the server. In response, the server sends a message, including a response to the module's challenge and a challenge to the module from the server, to the module based on the value and service of the initial challenge. The module uses the validity of the server's response to determine whether a transmitted message is authentic. A valid response corresponds to an authentic message. Alternatively, a server may initiate communications with a module. Once the initial communication is established, messaging typically continues for all transactions between the server and the module for one or more classes of transactions. The authentication process is repeated for each message.

Abstract: A method and system for scheduling data in the down, or forward, link, on a per packet basis in a wireless telecommunications network. The scheduler determines the order of packets to be sent from multiple queues based on per IP QoS, real time channel condition and real time buffer occupancy. The scheduler determines the necessary support link adaptation on a per packet basis based on per packet QoS and the channel condition. The scheduling system and method take into consideration both upper layer per packet QoS, for example packet delay bound, and the real time channel condition (C/I) for each mobile terminal. The method of the present invention also determines the layer 2 frame length for each scheduled packet.

Abstract: A method for avoiding loops from forming when setting up label switched paths is provided. The method uses a Label Splicing Message is followed by an Acknowledgment message to determine if loops are formed in the process of joining a new node or subtree to a multicast MPLS tree. By verifying that the path towards the root of the MPLS tree is loop-free during the construction of the tree, this method complements the loop detection mechanism provided by the label switched protocol (LDP).

Abstract: Each connection-oriented client in a network device is bound to its own communication channel. The communication channel may be an X.25 logical channel having a single virtual circuit.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention provides a method of controlling a multi-layer transport network. In accordance with the invention a determination is made as to whether a connection supporting a performance requirement of a call can be established within a first layer of the network. If the connection cannot be established, an association is defined between the call and a second call instantiated within a respective server layer of the network. By this means a network call controller in a client layer relies on a call and connection in a server layer instead of a connection in the client layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for resource scheduling on a switched underlay network enables coordination, scheduling, and scheduling optimization to take place taking into account the availability of the data and the network resources comprising the switched underlay network. Requested transfers may be fulfilled by assessing the requested transfer parameters, the availability of the network resources required to fulfill the request, the availability of the data to be transferred, the availability of sufficient storage resources to receive the data, and other potentially conflicting requested transfers. In one embodiment, the requests are under-constrained to enable transfer scheduling optimization to occur. The under-constrained nature of the requests enables requests to be scheduled taking into account factors such as transfer priority, transfer duration, the amount of time it has been since the transfer request was submitted, and many other factors.

Abstract: A method of installing a software release on a network element is described. The method includes providing at a source external to the network element a software release for delivery to a file system of the network element, and receiving from the source external to the network element the complete software release before installing the software release on the network element. The software release includes files for providing the operational characteristics of the network element.

Abstract: Replication of live streaming media services (SMS) in a communication network may be enabled by introducing the streaming media-savvy replication service on a network element, through a number of functions such as client/service registration and classification, packet interception and forwarding, media replication, status monitoring and configuration management. In an embodiment, client requests and server replies of an SMS are intercepted and evaluated by the network element. If the SMS is not streaming through the network element, the replication service registers the SMS and establishes a unique SMS session for the requesting clients. If the SMS is already streaming through the network element, the replication service replicates the streaming media and forwards it to the requesting clients. This reduces bandwidth usage on the links connecting the streaming media server with the network element and reduces the number of client connections to the streaming media provider's servers.

Abstract: Data may be preconditioned to be transferred on a switched underlay network to alleviate the data access and transfer rate mismatch, so that large files may be effectively transferred on the network at optical networking speeds. A data meta-manager service may be provided on the network to interface a data source and/or data target to prepare a data file for transmission, such as by dividing a large file into multiple pieces and causing those pieces to be stored on multiple storage subsystems. The file may then be read from the multiple storage subsystems simultaneously and multiplexed onto scheduled resources on the network. This enables the high bandwidth transfer resource to be filled by a data transfer without requiring the storage subsystem to be augmented to output the data at the network transfer rate. The file may be de-multiplexed at the data target to one or more storage subsystems.

Abstract: A mobile backhaul inter-mesh communication point forms an interface between a wireless mesh network on a first level and a wireless mesh network on a second, higher bandwidth, level. The two wireless networks are differentiated, e.g., by causing the mesh networks to be formed using different spectra, protocols or coding, or antennae. The mobile intra-mesh communication point functions as an access point in the lower level mesh network and as a relay point in the upper level mesh network. Utilizing mobile inter-mesh communication points facilitates deployment of wireless network access points while enabling the location of access points to follow the concentration of network users. Mobile inter-mesh communication points may be deployed in personal vehicles such as cars, trucks, and motorcycles, public transportation vehicles such as busses, trains, and aircraft, emergency vehicles such as fire trucks and ambulances, and many other types of vehicles.

Abstract: The present invention facilitates the forwarding of damaged packets, when the packets are carrying a certain type of content such as streaming media or other time-sensitive information where data integrity is less important than timely delivery. Once a packet is received, a determination is made as to whether the packet has been damaged. If the packet is damaged, an attempt is made to determine the type of content being carried by the packet and then a decision is made as to whether to forward the packet toward its destination or discard the packet, based on the type of content and potentially the integrity of the packet. Once a damaged packet has been discovered and a decision has been made to route the packet toward the destination terminal, the packet may be forwarded along a normal path or sent over an alternative path that is better suited for handling damaged packets.

Abstract: A visualization display network is created such that images to be displayed at the visualization presentation center(s) are formatted for direct display on the viewing terminals without requiring significant additional processing at the visualization presentation center. For example, the display terminals at the visualization presentation center may be configured to display signals received in a standard color format such as RGB, and the signals output from the visualization processing center and transported on a switched underlay optical network may be formed in the same color format. A visualization transfer service is provided to reserve resources on the switched underlay optical network and to coordinate visualization events between the visualization processing center, network, and visualization presentation center. Network resources may be scheduled in real time on demand or may be scheduled to be provided at a predetermined optionally under-constrained time.