Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring connectivity in a network at a bearer path layer are disclosed. For example, the method receives a request to monitor a user endpoint, identifies an internet protocol address of the user endpoint, an internet protocol address of each transport network element between the user endpoint and a bearer trace server, a bearer path identification of each bearer used by the user endpoint, a quality of service associated with each bearer used by the user endpoint, and a tunnel identification of each bearer used by the user endpoint; and performs a fault isolation and performance monitoring at a bearer path layer, wherein the fault isolation identifies a particular segment where a fault is detected at the bearer path layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating configuration information for a communication system is disclosed. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network policy manager can have a collection element that receives a plurality of service component definitions associated with a corresponding plurality of services of a communication system, a service bundle generation element that generates a plurality of service bundles from the plurality of service component definitions, and a policy element that determines a network configuration for each of the plurality of service bundles. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring connectivity in a network at a bearer path layer are disclosed. For example, the method receives a request to monitor a user endpoint, identifies an internet protocol address of the user endpoint, an internet protocol address of each transport network element between the user endpoint and a bearer trace server, a bearer path identification of each bearer used by the user endpoint, a quality of service associated with each bearer used by the user endpoint, and a tunnel identification of each bearer used by the user endpoint; and performs a fault isolation and performance monitoring at a bearer path layer, wherein the fault isolation identifies a particular segment where a fault is detected at the bearer path layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring connectivity in a network at a bearer path layer are disclosed. For example, the method receives a request to monitor a user endpoint, identifies an internet protocol address of the user endpoint, an internet protocol address of each transport network element between the user endpoint and a bearer trace server, a bearer path identification of each bearer used by the user endpoint, a quality of service associated with each bearer used by the user endpoint, and a tunnel identification of each bearer used by the user endpoint; and performs a fault isolation and performance monitoring at a bearer path layer, wherein the fault isolation identifies a particular segment where a fault is detected at the bearer path layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating configuration information for a communication system is disclosed. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network policy manager can have a collection element that receives a plurality of service component definitions associated with a corresponding plurality of services of a communication system, a service bundle generation element that generates a plurality of service bundles from the plurality of service component definitions, and a policy element that determines a network configuration for each of the plurality of service bundles. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating configuration information for a communication system is disclosed. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network policy manager can have a collection element that receives a plurality of service component definitions associated with a corresponding plurality of services of a communication system, a service bundle generation element that generates a plurality of service bundles from the plurality of service component definitions, and a policy element that determines a network configuration for each of the plurality of service bundles. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring connectivity in a network at a bearer path layer are disclosed. For example, the method receives a request to monitor a user endpoint, identifies an internet protocol address of the user endpoint, an internet protocol address of each transport network element between the user endpoint and a bearer trace server, a bearer path identification of each bearer used by the user endpoint, a quality of service associated with each bearer used by the user endpoint, and a tunnel identification of each bearer used by the user endpoint; and performs a fault isolation and performance monitoring at a bearer path layer, wherein the fault isolation identifies a particular segment where a fault is detected at the bearer path layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring connectivity in a network at a bearer path layer are disclosed. For example, the method receives a request to monitor a user endpoint, identifies an internet protocol address of the user endpoint, an internet protocol address of each transport network element between the user endpoint and a bearer trace server, a bearer path identification of each bearer used by the user endpoint, a quality of service associated with each bearer used by the user endpoint, and a tunnel identification of each bearer used by the user endpoint; and performs a fault isolation and performance monitoring at a bearer path layer, wherein the fault isolation identifies a particular segment where a fault is detected at the bearer path layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing services in a communication system is disclosed. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system having a collection element that receives a plurality of service component definitions associated with a corresponding plurality of services of a communication system, a service bundle generation element that generates a plurality of service bundles from the plurality of service component definitions, a policy element that determines a network configuration for each of the plurality of service bundles, a loop rate determination element that determines a data rate for a communication loop coupled to the communication system, and a service offering element that presents one or more service bundles selected from the plurality of service bundles according to the data rate. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring connectivity in a network at a bearer path layer are disclosed. For example, the method receives a request to monitor a user endpoint, identifies an internet protocol address of the user endpoint, an internet protocol address of each transport network element between the user endpoint and a bearer trace server, a bearer path identification of each bearer used by the user endpoint, a quality of service associated with each bearer used by the user endpoint, and a tunnel identification of each bearer used by the user endpoint; and performs a fault isolation and performance monitoring at a bearer path layer, wherein the fault isolation identifies a particular segment where a fault is detected at the bearer path layer.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system and method of providing communications services. In a particular embodiment, the method includes receiving data related to an attainable bandwidth of a communications loop coupled to a customer premise equipment (CPE) device, wherein at least one first communications service is provided by a private access network via the CPE device. The method also includes selecting at least one additional communications service to be offered, the at least one additional communications service selected based at least partially on the attainable bandwidth.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to support network policy managers are disclosed herein. An example method for use in a communication system includes receiving an adjustment request from a user premises to temporarily adjust a policy defining a bundled service associated with the user premises, the bundled service including a first service assigned a first percentage of a network resource and a second service assigned a second percentage of the network resource; automatically adjusting the policy such that the first service is assigned a third percentage of the network resource, wherein the third percentage is greater than the first percentage; receiving a notification of a termination of an application associated with the first service; and readjusting the policy such that the first service is assigned the first percentage in response to the notification.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network policy manager having a controller element to provision one or more network elements in a communication system with at least one base policy template and at least one atomic policy template retrieved from one or more base policy templates and a plurality of atomic policy templates according to a service order of a subscriber. At least one base policy template can correspond to an operating baseline of the one or more network elements, while at least one atomic policy template can correspond to one among a plurality of service configurations of the one or more network elements. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of encapsulating data packets for use in a distributed computer network is disclosed. The method includes providing a data packet for transmission over the distributed computer network, the data packet selected from one of a customer data packet and an OAM data packet; and encapsulating the data packet with a medium access control outer packet. The disclosed data packet handling method includes receiving a data packet from a customer facing data port, the customer facing data port within a network node of a computer network; performing medium access control (MAC) learning for the received packet; determining whether the data port is a MAC-in-MAC port; performing a packet mapping to a destination address based on a service provider destination address; and encapsulating the received data packet with a header associated with the service provider.

Abstract: A method of encapsulating data packets for use in a distributed computer network is disclosed. The method includes providing a data packet for transmission over the distributed computer network, the data packet selected from one of a customer data packet and an OAM data packet; and encapsulating the data packet with a medium access control outer packet. The disclosed data packet handling method includes receiving a data packet from a customer facing data port, the customer facing data port within a network node of a computer network; performing medium access control (MAC) learning for the received packet; determining whether the data port is a MAC-in-MAC port; performing a packet mapping to a destination address based on a service provider destination address; and encapsulating the received data packet with a header associated with the service provider.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network policy manager having a controller element to provision one or more network elements in a communication system with at least one base policy template and at least one atomic policy template retrieved from one or more base policy templates and a plurality of atomic policy templates according to a service order of a subscriber. At least one base policy template can correspond to an operating baseline of the one or more network elements, while at least one atomic policy template can correspond to one among a plurality of service configurations of the one or more network elements. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for managing IP addresses is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a gateway having a controller element to receive a block of IP addresses from a dynamic host configuration protocol server. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing communication services are provided. A method of providing communication services may include provisioning at least one first communication service at a network interface unit (NIU) associated with a premises. The at least one first communication service may be associated with a placeholder account. The method also includes receiving, via the at least one first communication service, a request to activate at least one second communication service. The method also includes automatically activating the at least one second communication service.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system and method of providing communications services. In a particular embodiment, the method includes receiving data related to an attainable bandwidth of a communications loop coupled to a customer premise equipment (CPE) device, wherein at least one first communications service is provided by a private access network via the CPE device. The method also includes selecting at least one additional communications service to be offered, the at least one additional communications service selected based at least partially on the attainable bandwidth.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating configuration information for a communication system is disclosed. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network policy manager can have a collection element that receives a plurality of service component definitions associated with a corresponding plurality of services of a communication system, a service bundle generation element that generates a plurality of service bundles from the plurality of service component definitions, and a policy element that determines a network configuration for each of the plurality of service bundles. Additional embodiments are disclosed.