Abstract: A system and method for detecting an idle or inactive data port connection on a personal computer (PC) and blocking external access, e.g., Wide Area Network (WAN) access to an end-user PC is presented. The system provides for added security for unattended PCs having broadband connections. The idle time period for detection/blocking logic initiation of a blocking signal to disable communications, e.g., Ethernet port access to the PC, may be for a fixed time period or may be determined by a user of the end-user PC.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed to enable backup wireless devices. An example method disclosed herein includes receiving a first activation code from a first wireless device, comparing the first activation code associated with the first wireless device with a first activation code in a database, activating the first wireless device when the first activation code associated with the first wireless device matches the first activation code in the database, and when a second wireless device is active, deactivating the second wireless device in response to receipt of the first activation code associated with the first wireless device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for convenient changing of a character display on a handheld device is disclosed. An example handheld device includes a screen to display an alphanumeric character, the alphanumeric character being displayable in at least two different font sizes. A user input device enables selection between the at least two different font sizes. The device includes a processor responsive to the user input device to change the font size of the alphanumeric character. A second user input device is provided to change the brightness of the screen when a user touches the second control device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing data and communicating encrypted data are provided. A method of processing data and communicating encrypted data may include receiving input traffic data at a first interface of a channel service unit/data service unit (CSU/DSU). The method may also include determining management data associated with the input traffic data. The method may also include encrypting the management data at the CSU/DSU to produce encrypted management data. The method may further include sending the encrypted management data via a second interface of the CSU/DSU to a remote terminal of a local area network for viewing by user via a data router coupled to the CSU/DSU.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter provide methods and systems to store a policy specifying at least one rule relating to recording, storage or delivery of broadcast programming to a consumer of such programming, and to record, store or deliver broadcast programming in response to at least one of the rules in the policy. According to another example embodiment, a method and system provide for a subscriber requesting that at least one broadcast television program be saved for the subscriber upstream from the subscriber in a television distribution system, and further that the at least one program offered to the subscriber for saving is determined based on a policy established for the at least program.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter provide methods and systems to record broadcast programming for at least one television channel for a period of time, wherein the recording is performed upstream from subscribers in a television distribution system, and further including after the period of time, keeping recorded programming by request from at least one subscriber. And further wherein the request is for at least one television program contained in the recorded programming or for a time window for a particular channel. According to another embodiment a subscriber requests that broadcast programming be saved for the subscriber upstream from the subscriber in a television distribution system, and wherein the subscriber may request the programming be saved for later viewing by the subscriber between the time the programming was broadcast and a later point in time.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a communication node coupled to a first data network and a second data network is disclosed. The first data network is a wide area data network. The communication node includes a first data interface to the first data network, a second data interface to the second data network, a data processor responsive to the first data interface and to the second data interface, and an encryption module coupled to the data processor. The first data interface is a telephony type interface and the second data interface is a packet data interface. The data processor receives input traffic data carried over the first data interface and generates management performance data based on measurements with respect to the input traffic data. The encryption module receives the management performance data to produce encrypted management performance data to be communicated to the second data network via the second data interface.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for testing the integrity of a communication cable. A method that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a smart network interface (SNI) (114) has a communications device (202) located at a building (112) and coupled to a portion (111) of a cable (109) of a communications network (100), and a controller (204). The controller is programmed to intercept (308) a request to test the cable, and perform (310, 312, 314) an integrity test on the cable according to said request.

Abstract: A method and system for use in identifying customer premises equipment (CPE) in a distributed network are presented. The method includes receiving a first point-to-point-over Ethernet active discovery packet generating a device identifier code that identifies a product model of a customer premises equipment (CPE) device, and sending a second point-to-point over Ethernet (PPPoE) active discovery packet. The second PPPoE active discovery packet includes a tag that includes the device identifier code.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method configured to and facilitate network security. When a lack of security in a communication network is detected by a security agent or when a remote device requests security, a security profile can be determined by a security manager based on the detection or the request and the available network equipment. The security profile may contain numerous executable security objects that are selected based on the security issue and parameters of the specific network device(s) that will be implementing the security feature. The system and method may include a plurality of executable security objects configured to provide security for operations associated with multiple network devices communication over the network.

Abstract: A method and system for use in identifying customer premises equipment (CPE) in a distributed network are presented. The method utilizes a unique identifier provided by a CPE device to an access concentrator during the discovery stage of PPPoE communications in a distributed network. The access concentrator receives the unique identifier and stores the identifier in a database for use in identifying and managing CPE devices attached to a service provider's network. A system for identifying a communications device includes an access server and a database server. The access server is configured to receive an active discovery packet from a communications device. The active discovery packet has a tag comprising a device identifier field. The device identifier field is embedded in the tag by a module in the communications device, e.g., CPE device.

Abstract: Transmitting network metrics data from disparate client platforms to a service provider for the calculation of performance measurements so that the level of service may be verified. The metrics data is received by the service provider in formats associated with the subscriber's platform. When the metrics data is received by the service provider, it is converted into a host format so that it may be presented to the network subscribers.

Abstract: A method and system for use in identifying customer premises equipment (CPE) in a distributed network are presented. The method utilizes a unique identifier provided by a CPE device to a host server during the discovery stage of PPPoE communications in a distributed network. The server receives the unique identifier and stores the identifier for use in identifying and managing CPE devices attached to a service provider's network. The host server is configured to receive an active discovery packet from a communications device. The active discovery packet has a tag comprising a device identifier field. The device identifier includes chipset and firmware information regarding remote DSL CPE.

Abstract: Transmitting network metrics data from disparate client platforms to a service provider for the calculation of performance measurements so that the level of service may be verified. The metrics data is received by the service provider in formats associated with the subscriber's platform. When the metrics data is received by the service provider, it is converted into a host format so that it may be presented to the network subscribers.

Abstract: A method and system for use in identifying customer premises equipment (CPE) in a distributed network are presented. The method utilizes a unique identifier provided by a CPE device to a host server during the discovery stage of PPPoE communications in a distributed network. The server receives the unique identifier and stores the identifier for use in identifying and managing CPE devices attached to a service provider's network. The host server is configured to receive an active discovery packet from a communications device. The active discovery packet has a tag comprising a device identifier field. The device identifier includes chipset and firmware information regarding remote DSL CPE.

Abstract: An outage reporting method and system are disclosed for a telecommunications system. The outage reporting system includes a processor to record a data element value. The data element value indicates a type of outage that occurred in the telecommunications system, such as an administrative or network outage. The data element value can be sent to a network management system for use by the telecommunications provider, for example, to determine whether or not the telecommunications user should receive a refund.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for transparent adjustment of a network node timing component. A system incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a housing component at least partially defining an external surface and an internal cavity. A broadband modem component may be at least partially located within the internal cavity along with a home networking mechanism, which may be communicatively coupled to the broadband modem. In operation, the home networking mechanism may facilitate providing a home network node with access to a backhaul enabled by the broadband modem. A processor may also be located within the internal cavity and may be communicatively coupled to the broadband modem and to a memory.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for indicating network connectivity and access to an information service offering. A method incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may include receiving at a router a request to establish a Point to Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE) session for a LAN-side device. The LAN-side device may be acting or capable of acting as a LAN node and may be “sharing” a broadband backhaul accessible via the router. In response to receiving the request to establish a PPPoE session, a PPPoE discovery stage packet may be output and may contain a tag identifying and/or assigned to the LAN side device. Similarly, if a different LAN-side device desires a PPPoE session, a request packet to establish a different PPPoE session may be received, and another PPPoE discovery stage packet including a different tag may be output.

Abstract: In a particular embodiment, the disclosure is directed to a method of making a digital subscriber line (DSL) connection to a remote network. The method includes detecting the presence of a powered-on network capable device that is connected to a DSL modem; establishing a network connection over a DSL line to the remote network after detecting the presence of the powered on network capable device; terminating the network connection over the DSL line after detecting an absence of network capable devices connected to the DSL modem; and releasing network resources supported by the remote network after the network connection is terminated.

Abstract: An outage reporting method and system are disclosed for a telecommunications system. The outage reporting system includes a processor to record a data element value. The data element value indicates a type of outage that occurred in the telecommunications system, such as an administrative or network outage. The data element value can be sent to a network management system for use by the telecommunications provider, for example, to determine whether or not the telecommunications user should receive a refund.