Abstract: An integrated web-based system for performing telecommunications system testing includes an application server that includes a plurality of test applications. The application server provides a graphical user interface to a plurality of workstation clients. Users can launch tests and monitor test results at the workstation clients. The test are performed by a plurality of telecommunications system test devices. The test devices include such devices as protocol analyzers, bit error rate testers, sniffers, and the like. A test access server provides an interface or bridge between the application server and each of the test devices. The test access server routes and provides appropriate translation of messages and commands between the test devices and the application process server.

Abstract: A messaging response system is disclosed wherein a service providing system provides services to users via messaging communications. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, multiple respondents servicing users through messaging communications may appear to simultaneously use a common “screen name” identifier.

Abstract: A system and method for checking for data transmission errors in a network includes a cyclic redundancy code (CRC) generator and a processing device. The CRC generator receives a stream of data representing cells in a packet of data. The CRC generator generates a CRC value for each cell and transmits the CRC value to a processing device. The processing device combines the cell CRC values to generate a CRC for a packet of data. The processing device then compares the packet CRC to an expected value to determine whether an error occurred in the data transmission.

Abstract: The number of ring layers necessary to support the traffic in a stack ring network is determined, and the ring layers are divided into a first set of layers and a second set of layers. The interchange points between the first set of layers and the second set of layers are determined, and the traffic between the first set of layers and the second set of layers is allocated. The method subdivides each of the first and second sets of layers into a first set of layers and a second set of layers, and repeats the process of determining interchange points, allocating traffic, and subdividing the sets of layers until each set of layers consists of a single layer.

Abstract: A method and system for resolving contending requests for resources connected from a computer network by application programs running on computers attached to the communications network. The distributed resource allocator system comprises a number of identical processes running on one or more computers attached to the communications network. Application programs request allocation of resources from a local distributed resource allocator system process running using a resource allocator applications programming interface. Application programs request allocation of resource from a remote distributed resource allocator system process via a resource allocator access protocol. Contending resource requests are first resolved by the priority of the resource request. If contention cannot be resolved by priority alone, then contentions are next resolved by examining the resource request's time of arrival in light of its priority.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system that prevalidates service orders that are placed by an inter exchange carrier with a local exchange carrier for connection of the inter exchange carrier with a business customer. An integrated prevalidation system and service order system is disclosed in which prevalidation requests are performed using the data that is entered for the service order. Prevalidation responses are then used to ensure that the order will be correct when submitted, thereby avoiding the necessity for expensive supplemental orders. Further, the present invention allows for stand alone prevalidation requests which enable a provisioner to determine availability of circuits, and to determine location information and equipment identification directly from the LEC databases. Further, the present invention is capable of reconciling the database of the inter exchange carrier with the database of the LEC to avoid submission of incorrect service orders.

Abstract: A shim-tuned transformer for matching the impedance of a generator and a load coupled to the generator via a transmission line. The transformer includes an outer conductor having an inner surface and an inner conductor positioned within the outer conductor. The transformer further includes at least one shim disposed on the inner surface of the outer conductor and encircling the inner conductor. The at least one shim is slideable along the inner surface of the outer conductor for matching the impedance of the generator and the impedance of the load.

Abstract: A bidirectional optical link has a plurality of wavelengths to carry information in first and second differing transmission directions to optimize system performance. First and second sets of wavelengths of the plurality of wavelengths are determined wherein the wavelengths of the first set alternate with the wavelengths of the second set. Transmitting is performed in the first transmission direction by way of the first set of wavelengths and in the second transmission direction by way of the second set of wavelengths whereby the transmission directions of adjacent wavelengths of the plurality of wavelengths differ. The wavelengths of the plurality of wavelengths are wavelength division multiplexed within the optical link and the wavelengths transmitted in the same direction are multiplexed with each other. The wavelengths of the plurality of wavelengths can be substantially evenly spaced apart from each other or adjacent wavelengths transmitted in different directions may overlap.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing placement of network equipment and information load in a network over a period of time. A demand input structure having a plurality of demands organized by their time points and MUX levels is provided as an input to a model generator and an optimization processor associated therewith. Starting with the earliest demand with the highest MUX level to be serviced by the network, a directed graph network model is obtained by using appropriate transformation techniques. A MUX modularity constraint is imposed in order to obtain a filtered network model that can support a MUX level of a selected demand at a particular time point. A cost function associated with the filtered network model is constructed using a flow cost term and an equipment cost term. Appropriate constraints are imposed on the cost function for optimization. A solution set comprising network placement information and demand routing information is obtained for a MUX level at a current time point.

Abstract: An optical communication system and method of use thereof which uses dispersion compensators to intentionally create a dispersive condition at the output of subsequent inline optical amplifiers. The present invention reduces four-wave mixing and increases the allowable spacing between optical amplifiers, thus reducing the required number of amplifiers and dispersion compensators for a given length of optical fiber. In one embodiment, dispersion compensators and optical amplifiers are alternately spaced from one another along a length of an optical fiber such that the dispersion compensators render a dispersive condition at the amplifiers allowing each amplifier to be run at a higher power level. In another embodiment, the dispersion compensator is collocated with the amplifier, but is positioned between a pre-amp stage and a high power output stage to overcompensate both the slope and absolute dispersion of the fiber up to that point.

Abstract: A system controls the flow of traffic in a network, especially an Ethernet-based network. The system receives a flow control message indicating that traffic flow to a downstream device is to temporarily cease and determines an appropriate flow control action based on a set of control policies in response to the flow control message. The system then performs the selected flow control action.

Abstract: A system for providing services in a communications network includes a service processing function, a universal directory function, and a nodal resource manager. The service processing function receives service requests, formulates requests for interworking functions based upon service requests, and formulates resource requests based upon service requests and interworking functions. The universal directory function receives addresses from the service processing function and returns interworking functions based upon addresses. The nodal resource manager receives resource requests and allocates resources to the service processing function in response to resource requests. The nodal resource manager maintains a resource database that includes an entry corresponding to each network resource managed by the nodal resource manager.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in a switching element for maintaining data used in operation of a communications system. Examples of such operations include serving sessions and routing calls. A local data structure is maintained within the switching element wherein the local data structure contains data used by the switching element in its operation in the communications system. Responsive to a requirement for needed data that is unavailable or out-of-date from the local data structure, a request is generated for the needed data from a server through a communications link from the switching element to the server.

Abstract: A call processing network performance verification and validation system and test methodology. The call processing network implements Internet Protocol (IP) subnet topology, ATM WAN configuration, equipment placement, and device configuration to provide partitioning of a call processing application across multiple sites. The partitioning reduces latency for mission critical messages, while providing for necessary provisioning traffic needs. Further, the overall topology provides the redundancy and resiliency necessary for mission critical call processing application, utilizing the IP subnets, ATM permanent virtual circuits, network device configuration, and server segregation to achieve Quality of Service (QoS). The validation testing method and system proves out the various segregated routes, verifies subnet integrity and measures total latency and data path traversal in a verifiable manner.

Abstract: A method of routing a telephone call includes receiving an indication, at a handset device 112, to initiate a telephone call. It is then determined, preferably by the handset device 112, whether the telephone call is an emergency services telephone call. If the telephone call is not an emergency services telephone call, it is routed to a proxy server 134. On the other hand, if the telephone call is an emergency services telephone call, it is routed to a local gateway 116 without first accessing the proxy server 134.

Abstract: A system and method for providing an addition to the Session Initiation Protocol is disclosed. The addition is a new field header, preferably entitled “Feature”, that is added to the REGISTER message. This field would contain control information for various feature services, like the Do Not Disturb feature and other services provided by traditional PBX systems.

Abstract: A probing router is used at a source site of a virtual private network. In-band probing operations are performed by components within the probing router, using processing resources available from a router engine portion of the probing router. In this way, changes in the network and service level agreement statistic collection processes may be quickly and easily accommodated within the probing router. Furthermore, the probing router communicates the probe message through an in-band communication channel so as to provide a direct measurement of service level data for the channel used for communicating information between the source site and a destination site.

Abstract: A method and system for providing intelligent network control services in IP telephony, wherein the system includes a location manager and an IP telephony proxy server. The location manager includes an interface to a legacy telephony service control entity and the IP telephony proxy server includes an IP interface to the location manager. If the IP telephony proxy server requires intelligent network services, then the IP telephony proxy server sends an IP telephony session initiation request to the called party at the location manager. The location manager uses the information to query the legacy telephony service control entity for routing information. When the location manager receives a routing response from the service control entity, the location manager maps the response to an IP telephony session control message back to the IP telephony proxy server.

Abstract: Systems, methods and program products are disclosed for determining billable usage of a communications system where services are provided involving telephony and instant communications. In some exemplary embodiments, the present invention provides for authorizing the fulfillment of service requests based upon information pertaining to a billable account.

Abstract: A system and method for reliably delivery of datagram protocol data unit (PDU) packets generated by a network oriented application at a first computing network element to a second computing network element across a network. The method steps include: at the first computing network element, capturing generated datagram packets destined for the second computing network element; determining a size of a payload associated with the datagram and communicating the size of the payload to the second computing element via a reliable connection-oriented transport service; communicating the actual payload to the second computing element via the reliable connection-oriented transport service; and, at the second computing network element, utilizing payload size and payload to reconstruct a datagram PDU including the payload for a network application at the second computing network element. By this technique, reliable datagram PDU transport over the network is ensured.