Abstract: A telecommunications network comprises a plurality of network terminations interconnected through the network, each network termination being connectable to network termination equipment configurable for the input or output of data communicated between the terminations over the network. The data collection and generation equipment is controlled by a central server to generate data required for the monitoring of this performance, such as latency in a connection between two of the terminations. This server has configuration means for controlling a data retrieval means and data processing means to generate the outputs required of it, and is associated with a data storage means comprising means to store data relating to the arrangement of the network and the network terminations. The configuration means identifies, from the network data store, the network terminations required to perform the data collection required and transmits instructions to them to generate this data.

Abstract: A telecommunications network comprises a plurality of network terminations interconnected through the network, each network termination being connectable to network termination equipment configurable for the input or output of data communicated between the terminations over the network. The data collection and generation equipment is controlled by a central server to generate data required for the monitoring of this performance, such as latency in a connection between two of the terminations. This server has configuration means for controlling a data retrieval means and data processing means to generate the outputs required of it, and is associated with a data storage means comprising means to store data relating to the arrangement of the network and the network terminations. The configuration means identifies, from the network data store, the network terminations required to perform the data collection required and transmits instructions to them to generate this data.

Abstract: A virtual local area network 2 provides a multicasting facility between a first termination point 1 and a plurality of other termination points 3, 4, wherein a source identifier associated with the first termination point 1 is advertised over the network with an indication that it relates to the multicast, and the other termination points 3, 4 select transmissions associated with the said source identifiers to be advertised to the other termination points such that the other termination points 3, 4 can identify and select data transmissions relating to the multicast. The data may also be transmitted by way of another network 9 as a backup, the termination points 3, 4 preferentially selecting data transmissions from the virtual local area network 2 by identification of a weighting applied to those transmissions sent via the VLAN.

Abstract: A virtual private data network is overlain on an internet connection to allow prioritisation of connection between two or more specified terminations over a switched network, thereby minimising latency in the system. Data to be transmitted between the specified terminations is identified by a weighting prefix and its routing is prioritised over other data for the same destination termination.

Abstract: A virtual private data network is overlain on an internet connection to allow prioritisation of connection between two or more specified terminations over a switched network, thereby minimising latency in the system. Data to be transmitted between the specified terminations is identified by a weighting prefix and its routing is prioritised over other data for the same destination termination.

Abstract: A virtual local area network 2 provides a multicasting facility between a first termination point 1 and a plurality of other termination points 3, 4, wherein a source identifier associated with the first termination point 1 is advertised over the network with an indication that it relates to the multicast, and the other termination points 3, 4 select transmissions associated with the said source identifiers to be advertised to the other termination points such that the other termination points 3, 4 can identify and select data transmissions relating to the multicast. The data may also be transmitted by way of another network 9 as a backup, the termination points 3, 4 preferentially selecting data transmissions from the virtual local area network 2 by identification of a weighting applied to those transmissions sent via the VLAN.