Abstract: An approach is provided for monitoring interface utilization. Bandwidth data for an interface is collected during a configurable time interval, and a peak utilization of the interface over the time interval is determined using a plurality of incremented policers to measure the collected bandwidth data. An implementation of which is system that includes a monitoring module configured to collect bandwidth data for an interface over a configurable time interval, a plurality of incremented policers configured to measure the collected bandwidth data, and an analysis module configured to determine a peak utilization of the interface over the time interval using the measurements of the plurality of incremented policers.

Abstract: A method is provided that includes setting a first oversubscription factor of a control plane for an interface, measuring forwarding plane utilization on the interface, and calculating a second oversubscription factor of the control plane for the interface using the measured forwarding plane utilization as compared with a target forwarding plane utilization on the interface. The method also includes determining whether to update the first oversubscription factor based upon the calculated second oversubscription factor.

Abstract: Exemplary carrier Ethernet service bandwidth allocation systems and methods are disclosed herein. An exemplary method includes a carrier Ethernet service system 1) receiving an Ethernet layer operation, administration, and management (“OAM”) protocol based message provided by a customer premises device to a network interface device over a user network interface (“UNI”), the Ethernet layer OAM protocol based message including a request to adjust an amount of bandwidth allocated to a carrier Ethernet service provided by the Ethernet service system to the customer premises device, and 2) adjusting, in response to the request, the amount of bandwidth allocated to the carrier Ethernet service. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: An approach is provided for monitoring and analyzing network traffic. Traffic is monitored during a configurable time interval. A number of bursts associated with the traffic are tracked. A measured traffic rate is generated based on the number of bursts occurring within the time interval. The measured traffic rate is compared with a committed rate to determine if the measured traffic rate exceeds the committed rate.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing a termination point for service emulation instances in an access network is provided. In an embodiment, the service emulation instances are implemented utilizing, for example, pseudowires. Communications to and from the access network are aggregated and transmitted via one or more pseudowires to a service emulation instance terminator. The service emulation instance terminator converts the traffic to its native form and, if necessary, converts the traffic to a different type of format or service. The service emulation instance terminator then frames the traffic for the appropriate type of service and transmits the traffic to the service edge. Traffic received from the service is removed prepended with a pseudowire label and aggregated with other traffic. The aggregated traffic is transmitted to the customer via the access network. If necessary, an interworking function may convert the traffic from one type of service to another type of service.

Abstract: An approach is provided for monitoring interface utilization. Bandwidth data for an interface is collected during a configurable time interval, and a peak utilization of the interface over the time interval is determined using a plurality of incremented policers to measure the collected bandwidth data. An implementation of which is system that includes a monitoring module configured to collect bandwidth data for an interface over a configurable time interval, a plurality of incremented policers configured to measure the collected bandwidth data, and an analysis module configured to determine a peak utilization of the interface over the time interval using the measurements of the plurality of incremented policers.

Abstract: An approach is provided for monitoring interface utilization. Bandwidth data for an interface is collected during a configurable time interval, and a peak utilization of the interface over the time interval is determined using a plurality of incremented policers to measure the collected bandwidth data. An implementation of which is system that includes a monitoring module configured to collect bandwidth data for an interface over a configurable time interval, a plurality of incremented policers configured to measure the collected bandwidth data, and an analysis module configured to determine a peak utilization of the interface over the time interval using the measurements of the plurality of incremented policers.

Abstract: An approach is provided for auto-bandwidth adjusting bandwidth allocations for traffic-engineered tunnels used to carry traffic along a network. Traffic over the tunnel is sampled at a first interval period and at a second interval period, where the second interval period is shorter than the first interval period. A determination is made as to whether the sampled traffic taken using the second interval period is greater than the bandwidth allocation, and the bandwidth allocation is adjusted upward based upon a determination that the sampled traffic taken using the second interval period is greater than the bandwidth allocation. Also, a determination can be made as to whether the sampled traffic taken using the first interval period is less than the bandwidth allocation, and the bandwidth allocation can be adjusted downward based upon a determination that the sampled traffic taken using the first interval period is less than the bandwidth allocation.

Abstract: An approach is provided for auto-bandwidth adjusting bandwidth allocations for traffic-engineered tunnels used to carry traffic along a network. Traffic over the tunnel is sampled at a first interval period and at a second interval period, where the second interval period is shorter than the first interval period. A determination is made as to whether the sampled traffic taken using the second interval period is greater than the bandwidth allocation, and the bandwidth allocation is adjusted upward based upon a determination that the sampled traffic taken using the second interval period is greater than the bandwidth allocation. Also, a determination can be made as to whether the sampled traffic taken using the first interval period is less than the bandwidth allocation, and the bandwidth allocation can be adjusted downward based upon a determination that the sampled traffic taken using the first interval period is less than the bandwidth allocation.

Abstract: An approach is provided for bit error rate characterization. A test signal representing one or more Ethernet frames exhibiting a particular bit error rate is generated. The test signal is output to a device under test. Traffic is received from the device under test. A determination is made as to whether a link failure condition exists at a port on an Ethernet switch.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing a termination point for service emulation instances in an access network is provided. In an embodiment, the service emulation instances are implemented utilizing, for example, pseudowires. Communications to and from the access network are aggregated and transmitted via one or more pseudowires to a service emulation instance terminator. The service emulation instance terminator converts the traffic to its native form and, if necessary, converts the traffic to a different type of format or service. The service emulation instance terminator then frames the traffic for the appropriate type of service and transmits the traffic to the service edge. Traffic received from the service is removed prepended with a pseudowire label and aggregated with other traffic. The aggregated traffic is transmitted to the customer via the access network. If necessary, an interworking function may convert the traffic from one type of service to another type of service.

Abstract: An approach is provided for auto-bandwidth adjustment of allocated bandwidth for a traffic tunnel over a network. A determination is made regarding a traffic load over the tunnel, where the tunnel meters traffic in accordance with the bandwidth allocation. A determination is made regarding whether the traffic load triggers an adjustment threshold, where the adjustment threshold is set to provide a desired headroom below the bandwidth allocation. And the bandwidth allocation is adjusted when the adjustment threshold is triggered to provide the desired headroom between the adjusted bandwidth allocation and the traffic load.

Abstract: A method is provided that includes setting a first oversubscription factor of a control plane for an interface, measuring forwarding plane utilization on the interface, and calculating a second oversubscription factor of the control plane for the interface using the measured forwarding plane utilization as compared with a target forwarding plane utilization on the interface. The method also includes determining whether to update the first oversubscription factor based upon the calculated second oversubscription factor.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing a termination point for service emulation instances in an access network is provided. In an embodiment, the service emulation instances are implemented utilizing, for example, pseudowires. Communications to and from the access network are aggregated and transmitted via one or more pseudowires to a service emulation instance terminator. The service emulation instance terminator converts the traffic to its native form and, if necessary, converts the traffic to a different type of format or service. The service emulation instance terminator then frames the traffic for the appropriate type of service and transmits the traffic to the service edge. Traffic received from the service is removed prepended with a pseudowire label and aggregated with other traffic. The aggregated traffic is transmitted to the customer via the access network. If necessary, an interworking function may convert the traffic from one type of service to another type of service.

Abstract: An approach is provided for auto-bandwidth adjustment of allocated bandwidth for a traffic tunnel over a network. A determination is made regarding a traffic load over the tunnel, where the tunnel meters traffic in accordance with the bandwidth allocation. A determination is made regarding whether the traffic load triggers an adjustment threshold, where the adjustment threshold is set to provide a desired headroom below the bandwidth allocation. And the bandwidth allocation is adjusted when the adjustment threshold is triggered to provide the desired headroom between the adjusted bandwidth allocation and the traffic load.

Abstract: A method is provided that includes setting a first oversubscription factor of a control plane for an interface, measuring forwarding plane utilization on the interface, and calculating a second oversubscription factor of the control plane for the interface using the measured forwarding plane utilization as compared with a target forwarding plane utilization on the interface. The method also includes determining whether to update the first oversubscription factor based upon the calculated second oversubscription factor.

Abstract: An approach is provided for bit error rate characterization. A test signal representing one or more Ethernet frames exhibiting a particular bit error rate is generated. The test signal is output to a device under test. Traffic is received from the device under test. A determination is made as to whether a link failure condition exists at a port on an Ethernet switch.

Abstract: An approach is provided for bit error rate characterization. A test signal representing one or more Ethernet frames exhibiting a particular bit error rate is generated. The test signal is output to a device under test. Traffic is received from the device under test. A determination is made as to whether a link failure condition exists at a port on an Ethernet switch.

Abstract: An approach is provided for monitoring interface utilization. Bandwidth data for an interface is collected during a configurable time interval, and a peak utilization of the interface over the time interval is determined using a plurality of incremented policers to measure the collected bandwidth data. An implementation of which is system that includes a monitoring module configured to collect bandwidth data for an interface over a configurable time interval, a plurality of incremented policers configured to measure the collected bandwidth data, and an analysis module configured to determine a peak utilization of the interface over the time interval using the measurements of the plurality of incremented policers.

Abstract: A method is provided that includes setting a first oversubscription factor of a control plane for an interface, measuring forwarding plane utilization on the interface, and calculating a second oversubscription factor of the control plane for the interface using the measured forwarding plane utilization as compared with a target forwarding plane utilization on the interface. The method also includes determining whether to update the first oversubscription factor based upon the calculated second oversubscription factor.