Abstract: An optical receiver includes a first interferometer having a plurality of arms. The optical receiver further includes first tunable optical filters connected in series with the arms of the first interferometer, where each first tunable optical filter is tuned to filter a region of overlap in the optical frequency spectrum between adjacent optical channels.

Abstract: A device simulates an emergency services test call based on an automatic number identification (ANI) to be tested, and generates a test notification associated with the emergency services test call. The device also automatically initiates the emergency services test call, receives results of the emergency services test call, and generates an emergency services call information report based on the results of the emergency services test call.

Abstract: An approach is provided for managing facilities (e.g., wire centers) based on weather vulnerability analysis. Data representing trouble tickets associated with a plurality of facilities is received. Weather information relating to the facilities is received. A determination is made of the vulnerability of the facilities to weather based on the data and the weather information. The facilities are prioritized based on the determined vulnerability. Preventative maintenance activities (as well as financial forecasts) can be performed for one or more of the facilities based on the prioritization of the facilities.

Abstract: A device may receive a bandwidth (B) available on each link of a link aggregation group (LAG) that includes a number (N) of links, assign a primary LAG link and a redundant LAG link to a virtual local area network (VLAN), set an available bandwidth for primary link booking to (B?B/N), and set an available bandwidth for redundant link booking to (B/N).

Abstract: An approach is provided activating a distinctive alert in a mobile station. An input from a user is received for generating an alert on a mobile station. In response to the input, a control signal is generated to activate the alert on the mobile station irrespective of any pre-existing alert setting of the mobile station.

Abstract: A method may include receiving handshake signals to establish a media session between at least two endpoints, determining location information of the at least two endpoints based on the handshake signals, and releasing media exchanged between the at least two endpoints if it is determined that the location information of the at least two endpoints indicates that the at least two endpoints are in a same location.

Abstract: In one of many possible embodiments, an exemplary method includes establishing a secure packet-switched connection for exchanging predefined signaling messages between network elements associated with distinct network domains, determining and implementing at least one media exchange technology for transporting media between the network domains, exchanging signaling and media border processing information between the network domains, exchanging access device information between the network domains, determining and implementing at least one service policy associated with the network domains, and providing a packet-switched network-to-network interconnection interface configured for peering at least one session between the network domains based on the predefined signaling messages, media exchange technology, signaling media border processing information, access device information, and service policy.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering a long-tail content comprising a set-top box configured to couple an external signal to a user device. The long-tail content server also comprises a long-tail content server configured to provide the external signal to the set-top box from a central server. The long-tail content server further comprises a long-tail content asset manager configured to control a communication between at least one of the central server, the long-tail content server and the set-top box and at least one of the central server, the long-tail content server and the set-top box.

Abstract: A charging factor is determined applicable to each time interval in a period of time during which at least one data transfer was conducted. An amount of data transferred during each time interval is determined. A total charge applicable to the at least one data transfer is computed based at least in part on the charging factor applicable to each time interval and the amount of data transferred. Alternatively or additionally, a plurality of potential start times and an amount of data for a data transfer are identified. A set of time intervals associated with each of the potential start times are determined. For each of the potential start times, an estimated charge applicable to the data transfer is computed based at least in part on a charging factor applicable to each of one or more time intervals associated with the potential start time and the amount of data estimated to be transferred.

Abstract: A system and method for supplying, to a provider of the device, requirements for information to be stored on a device, obtaining device data for provisioning the device on a network, storing device configuration information on storage associated with the network, receiving a service request from a user of the device, detecting attachment of the device to the network, authenticating the device utilizing a device identifier and shared credentials to enable the device to be configured without storing a network address for configuration in the device, providing network information to the device, and providing configuration information to the device.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods and computer-readable storage mediums are provided for calculating estimated addressing and bandwidth requirements of a customer domain, such as to facilitate designing the respective domain. A method includes selecting customer premises equipment (CPE) of a domain including a plurality of CPEs, where each CPE includes one or more devices, and one of the one or more devices include an interface with which the domain communicates with the respective CPE. The method also includes determining if the interface of the selected CPE comprises a router, and calculating an addressing requirement of the selected CPE, where the addressing requirement includes a number of device addresses for the selected CPE. The method may additionally or alternatively include analyzing traffic patterns of the selected CPE with respect to one or more other CPEs, and based on the analysis, calculating a bandwidth requirement of the selected CPE.

Abstract: A system is provided for characterizing optical fibers carrying signal traffic. The system includes a transmitter, a variable optical attenuator (VOA), a receiver, and a computing device. The transmitter propagates an optical test signal along a channel of a fiber pathway. The VOA adjusts the attenuation of the optical test signal from an initial, greater attenuation to a subsequent, lesser attenuation. At the same time, the computing device monitors at least one other channel of the fiber pathway and identifies effects upon the other channel(s) from the optical test signal. The computing device may communicate with the VOA and with other components of the fiber pathway to direct adjustment of the signal strength. A maximum optical test signal strength may thus be achieved that does not negatively affect signal traffic on the other channels, and the fiber pathway may subsequently be tested using the achieved maximum optical test signal strength.

Abstract: A network device receives a label-switched-path (LSP) labeled data packet, maps the LSP labeled data packet to an input queue, maps a data packet in the input queue to an output queue based on a received LSP label value and a received exp label value, and transmits the LSP labeled data packet from the output queue.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and computer-readable storage medium are provided for calculating an estimated throughput requirement of a network, such as to facilitate selecting the minimum bandwidth, maximum bandwidth or some other appropriate bandwidth for providing network services to a customer accessing that network. In this regard, a method of calculating a throughput requirement of a network includes receiving a bandwidth requirement. The method also includes calculating a data link-layer frame rate requirement based on the bandwidth requirement and a frame size, where the calculated frame rate requirement is limited by a line rate for transmission of data packets across a core network. In addition, the method includes calculating a data link-layer throughput requirement based on the calculated frame rate requirement and the frame size.

Abstract: An approach is disclosed for providing navigation information for a requested listing to a mobile device caller of a directory assistance call. If the caller selects an option to receive driving directions to the listing destination, the directory assistance provider forwards the listing address to a platform that correlates the address with location coordinates. The platform can poll the calling device to obtain GPS identifying data for the mobile device and derive mapping and routing information.

Abstract: A data store includes previously collected client data records, each previously collected client data record associated with a respective first network address. A verification module is communicatively coupled to the data store, the module configured to determine that it is a competent verification module and to receive a verification request including user data and a second network address and further configured to respond with an indication of whether the user data corresponds to the previously collected client data record identified by the first network address corresponding to the second network address.

Abstract: A method may include forming a first path from a first node to a second node and transmitting data via the first path. The method also includes measuring a performance parameter associated with transmitting data via the first path and determining whether the measured performance parameter meet a required performance parameter. The method also includes sending a notification to a customer associated with the first path when the measured performance parameter does not meet the required performance parameter, where the notification indicates that the first path is unavailable.

Abstract: A method may include inputting parameters that characterize an optical network, inputting one or more demands to be routed, selecting routes, wavelengths, and wavelength translation nodes simultaneously for the one or more demands of the optical network based on the parameters, where each demand includes a working path and one or more protect paths, and configuring the optical network based on the selected routes, wavelengths, and wavelength translation nodes associated with the one or more demands.

Abstract: A wireless application server may receive, from a wireless device, information identifying an application residing on a network device in a home network. The wireless application server may further cause a connection to be established to the application and transfer traffic between the application and the wireless device.

Abstract: An electrical connector with a release mechanism configured to prevent it from hooking other cables lying transverse to its path of removal from its receptacle, when it is being removed. The default or equilibrium state of the release mechanism is such that its end remains in contact with the body of the connector, whereby any transverse cable in its path of removal simply slides over the release mechanism of the connector being removed. This prevents damage to the connector and damage to other cables/equipment which would otherwise be ensnared. Embodiments of the present invention can be used with virtually all standard connectors such as, for example, RJ11, RJ14 and RJ45 (telephone registered jacks) or 8P8C, 6P6C and 6P4C (modular connectors).