Abstract: A point-to-point protocol (PPP) proxy module enables subscribers to seamlessly establish multiple, simultaneous PPP connections with one or more telecommunications networks through different service providers offering various services. The PPP connections are established over an access network maintained by an access provider. The subscriber performs a service selection process over a PPP connection that serves as dedicated control link between the subscriber's customer premises equipment (CPE) and the PPP proxy module. When a subscriber performs the service selection process, the PPP proxy module references stored information about the selected telecommunications network, and establishes a PPP connection that serves as a transmission link for media or other content between the CPE and a telecommunications network having the selected service.

Abstract: An access network adapted to be coupled to a local exchange over a high-speed link is provided. The access network has a digital line carrier having a port adapted to be coupled to the high-speed link and a plurality of line cards. Each line card has at least one port adapted to be coupled to a transceiver. The digital line carrier selectively connects a transceiver associated with a port of one of the plurality of line cards of the digital line carrier with a transceiver associated with a port of another line card of the digital line carrier based on a signal sent to and returned by the local exchange.

Abstract: An alarm mechanism is provided. The alarm mechanism includes a hardware component and a software component. The hardware component includes first and second registers. The first register is adapted to store a value that indicates a change in state of at least one alarm and the second register is adapted to store current states of each of the at least one alarm. The software component is responsive to interrupt requests from the hardware component and is adapted to read the first and second registers.

Abstract: A method of dynamic modification of a communication link is provided. The method includes assigning a new carrier frequency to a first communication link. The method further includes adjusting the carrier frequency of the first communication link until the new carrier frequency is reached without substantially interrupting the first communication link. Further, the first communication link uses a single link during the modification.

Abstract: An ATM buffer system includes a buffer to communicate with 16 ATM ports, and the system can implement two buffers to communicate over 32 ATM ports. A flow control signal is provided between the buffers in the 32-port configuration to route a buffer status signal to an ATM matrix using overhead data. The multiple buffers communicate with the ATM matrix using a single low voltage differential signal (LVDS) transmit and receive connection.

Abstract: A telecommunications network is provided. The network includes a packet network. The network also includes a plurality of multimedia channel banks. The multimedia channel banks are coupled to the packet network over a communication link, and are configurable to have a plurality of ports that are each capable to receive signals from user equipment in one of a variety of formats. The network also includes a multimedia resource manager communicatively coupled to the packet network. The plurality of multimedia channel banks and the multimedia resource manager are associated in a client/server relationship to control attributes of the multimedia channel banks and to control allocation of bandwidth in the communication link between the multimedia channel bank and the packet network.