Abstract: A transport network includes a flexible topology for internally defining transport elements. The transport elements each include a port group having a plurality of geographically distributed ports from the transport network. Point-to-multipoint connectivity is defined between the ports in a port group. An identifier represents the port group as a single element to internal and/or external elements for protocol exchanges.

Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring a network that includes providing a path selector that can select between a first input and a second input, where the first input is coupled to a customer premises equipment interface that is operable to receive signals from customer premises equipment and the second input is coupled to a test signal generator that is operable to generate test signals. The method also includes determining whether operating customer premises equipment is coupled to an input of the customer premises equipment interface that is coupled to the first input of the path selector. If not, then an idle state is entered into. While in the idle state, it is determined whether a signal is received from the customer premises equipment interface at the first input of the path selector. The test signal received at the second input of the path selector is selected unless a signal is received from the customer premises equipment interface at the first input.

Abstract: A method for provisioning a network element is included where a custom default file and a standard default file are provided in a network element. The custom default file includes one or more default parameters of a same type, but having a different value from, corresponding default parameters in the standard default file. Service parameters are determined based on the default parameters of the standard default file as modified by overriding default parameters of the custom default file.