Abstract: A computer-implemented method and apparatus verifies integrity of a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) virtual connection at an analog terminal adapter (ATA) at an edge of an Internet Protocol (IP) network. A VoIP transaction is initiated toward a cooperating test unit across the IP network, establishing a VoIP virtual circuit. The test unit responds by transmitting a digital representation of or information representing a test tone across the IP network to the ATA. By evaluating the test tone at the ATA, integrity of a bearer channel of the virtual circuit can be verified directly, and integrity of a signaling channel of the virtual circuit can be verified indirectly.

Abstract: A multiport test jack that supports the testing of a number of individual telephone lines in an interface device, such as a network interface device or an optical line terminal, has a physical structure that is smaller in size than the size of a corresponding number of individual test jacks.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, methods and computer program products are provided for downloading a whitelist onto a passive optical network including a passive optical network and a management interface communicatively coupled to the passive optical network and configured to provision the whitelist. An optical line terminal also on the passive optical network includes a passive optical network card operable to broadcast the whitelist to optical network terminals which are configured to receive and enforce the whitelist.

Abstract: The need for fiber optic connectors is increasing as the use of fiber optic transmission members is being incorporated in data and other transmission systems. Typically, strain relief provides extra support at the junction of a cable and connector interface. However, there is a need to provide strain relief for the connector portion itself. An example cover includes a housing member defining an aperture spanning transversely from a first end to a second end and engages a connector therewithin. The cover further includes at least two prongs protruding from the first end in a direction opposite to the second end in an axial direction relative to the aperture. The prongs may be inserted into a panel defining at least two openings to receive the prongs. The prongs in combination with the housing member provide strain relief to the connector in an angular direction relative to the at least two prongs.

Abstract: Providing a user service may be threatened due to an inability to communicate upstream in an event of a network or network node fault. Often the user service is simply terminated leaving a user with a poor perception of the provided user service. In contrast, providing a network service, such as an alternative to the terminated user service, may leave the user with a better perception of the provided user service. Accordingly, a method and corresponding apparatus are provided to support a network service by monitoring states of an access network interface and user network interface of an access network device, and providing a predetermined non-requested channel to the access network device based on a combination of the monitored states. As a result, a service provider can more reliably provide a user service to a user.

Abstract: Typical battery backup solutions for network devices provide power for a limited range of services over a limited duration, and lack user serviceability. A configurable, redundant battery solution according to an example embodiment of the invention employs two or more battery backup units (BBUs) available to a device. The device and BBUs are responsive to respective configuration data directing usage of the BBUs and/or operation of the device. In the event of a power failure, the BBUs provide power to the device based on their respective configuration data. Through use of the at least one embodiment, an Optical Network Terminal (ONT) in a Passive Optical Network (PON) can be configured by a service provider to provide eight hours of emergency dial-out call service and configured by a user to provide other services, such as Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) and data services, in a customized manner during a backup power condition.

Abstract: Installing and maintaining equipment, such as optical network terminals (ONTs), at customer sites is time consuming. At present, there is no way to manage field service to improve installation and maintenance procedures. A method or corresponding system in an example embodiment of the present invention provides aids to manage field service to make installation and maintenance procedures more efficient. In one embodiment, field technicians use a data collection device to track installation tasks and corresponding Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) coordinates. The collected data and coordinates are analyzed, possibly for a fee, and used to make changes in installation and maintenance procedures. As a result, service provider can save significant cost on future installations and service calls.

Abstract: Example embodiments of the present invention help extend service provider visibility to all premises equipment (CPE) devices that are ranged with an Optical Line Terminal (OLT) by associating an Optical Network Terminal (ONT) within each device (CPE-ONT), such as a personal computer (PC), set-top box (STB), broadband home router (BHR), or analog telephone adapter (ATA). Therefore, each CPE device is managed independently via the CPE-ONT integrated with it. This allows each CPE device to terminate only optical signals supporting communications supported by the CPE device. Further, each CPE device has access to the entire GPON bandwidth, thereby increasing performance and eliminating bottlenecks caused by electrical communications over 10/100/1000 BaseT interfaces.

Abstract: In traditional networks, a user provides an authorization to establish a connection for services with an Optical Network Terminal (ONT) and an Optical Line Terminal (OLT). The ONT becomes vulnerable to unauthorized users because the ONT restricts access at an Internet Protocol level. An embodiment of the present invention includes a system that restricts user access to services by causing a ranging fault to disable an ONT from communicating upstream with the OLT in an event the user fails to provide a valid ONT level user authorization. In an event the ONT is in a ranged state and the user fails to provide a valid service level authorization, the system causes a service level fault to restrict the ONT from granting user access to the user to services. Thus, unauthorized users are prevented access to the ONT and increased security is achieved.

Abstract: Because networks, such as Optical Distributed Networks (ODNs), dynamically change over time as more users and services are added, service providers are challenged to test operational robustness following installation of equipment or provisioning of services or upgrades. Example embodiments of the present invention allow testing of various services along a communications path, including software upgrades, throughput tests and simulations, and combinations of simulated scenarios with live customer traffic. The example embodiments allow generation of reports based on the testing of various services so that a technician may correct errors and ensure proper provisioning during equipment installation. Such testing may be useful to detect installation or activation problems encountered when a subscriber activates a service at a later date or adds additional devices. The example embodiments simplify installation and provisioning, saving service providers cost on a per installation or provisioning basis.

Abstract: Customer premises equipment (CPE), such as optical network terminals (ONT), are often located on the outside of a premises, and are susceptible to theft and to weather elements. A cap for portions of customer premises equipment (CPE) used in telecommunications networks protects the CPE from theft and from the weather elements. The cap typically covers a portion of the CPE that carries communications and power connectors, providing protection from the weather elements. Additionally, the cap may be lockable, preventing unauthorized removal of the CPE or portions of the CPE. The cap may also provide strain relief for cables coupled to the CPE. The cap may also prevent unauthorized removal of covers on a CPE housing that protects valuable components, such as battery back-ups.

Abstract: A problem of collecting data unnecessarily in an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) network is, in part, caused by a centralized approach to data collection, whereby data is collected for logical channels, even if not currently streaming to an end node. A method or corresponding apparatus of fault detection according to an example embodiment of the present invention provides for detecting and reporting faults specific to a logical IPTV channel in an IPTV network for logical channels actively streaming to an end user device, such as in response to a “join” request. One or more nodes supporting a logical IPTV channel provide fault indicators, which may be reported to another node or end user. Node(s) in the IPTV network may aggregate and process multiple fault indicators from across a network, thereby enabling diagnosis of specific errors in the IPTV network. Through the use of the method or apparatus, network resources are conserved.

Abstract: A method and system for collecting and analyzing diagnostic data relating to an Optical Network Terminal (ONT) anomaly or failure is disclosed. Example embodiments of the method and system employ a SIP configuration server to collect and analyze diagnostic data efficiently to determine a cause of the anomaly or failure in both live and post-mortem scenarios. The collected data may be communicated to a central location, where analysis of the data may be conveniently performed by a technical support entity. The method and system are scalable and may be applied to an entire installed base of ONTs across many individual Passive Optical Networks (PONs).

Abstract: Cell phones or other wireless devices are becoming increasingly more accessible to customers, but cell phone features are primarily focused on communications services. A system employing an example embodiment activates services for an Optical Network Terminal (ONT) in the presence of wireless devices. In particular, the ONT responds to a ranging request from an Optical Line Terminal (OLT) with an ONT Identifier (ID) and an ID of a wireless device. If the ID of the wireless device is known, the ONT may enable activate a service, such as a security service for a homeowner. If the ID of the wireless device is unknown, the system may employ security measures, such as notifying the homeowner that a person with a wireless device having an unknown ID is on the premises. Thus, the example embodiment enables or disables premises security or other security based on the ID of the wireless device.

Abstract: An Optical Network Terminal (ONT) has a fixed number of voice ports. A system employing an example embodiment of the invention increases the number of voice ports without changing hardware in the ONT by employing an Analog Terminal Adaptor (ATA) expander and configuring the ATA expander through use of a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) and other network resources already available in a network with which the ONT is associated. The ATA expander is configured to be compatible with the ONT and, thus the ONT can increase voice services without hardware changes to support growing demands by customers for access to voice services via increasing number of Customer Premises Equipment (CPE).

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and computer program for providing selective advertising. The method includes providing an advertisement request specifying that advertising content be provided and automatically providing the advertising content on at least one network service in response to the advertisement request. The advertising content provided is based upon advertising content preferences pre-specified by a subscriber. Also provided is a method for exchanging payments, which includes determining a payment payable to a network service provider from a subscriber and providing the payment to the network service provider from the subscriber. The payment is determined as a cost for access to a selective advertisement service and/or a provisioning of selective advertising.

Abstract: A network device mounting bracket and system for mounting multiple network devices. A network device mounting bracket includes a device interface for receiving a network device and a connection interface for connecting to other network device mounting brackets. Alternatively, the network device mounting bracket includes multiple device interfaces. The brackets can have various wire management capabilities.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, computer program, and method for providing a Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) (or other multimedia-over-coaxial cable technology) network in conjunction with an optical network. In example embodiments, MoCA data is communicated between network nodes in an optical signal. In other example embodiments, MoCA data, or other data, is transmitted in optical frequencies above 860 MHz.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, methods and computer program products are provided for downloading a whitelist onto a passive optical network including a passive optical network and a management interface communicatively coupled to the passive optical network and configured to provision the whitelist. An optical line terminal also on the passive optical network includes a passive optical network card operable to broadcast the whitelist to optical network terminals which are configured to receive and enforce the whitelist.

Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer programs for measuring power levels of media signals in a communications network such as, for example, an FTTx network, using an Optical Network Terminal (ONT) and a Set Top Box (STB). A method for detecting a signal power level of a channel in a communication network includes (1) selecting a channel to be measured, and a corresponding node and user terminal communicatively coupled thereto, on the network, (2) detecting a signal power level of the selected channel at the corresponding node, (3) detecting a signal power level of the selected channel at the corresponding user terminal, (4) performing a comparison involving the detected signal power levels, and (5) providing a notification of a result of performing the comparison if the result exceeds a predetermined threshold.