Abstract: Apparatus and methods of determining configurations for handling communication path management traffic are disclosed. Respective communication path management traffic handling configurations of communication system elements that terminate a communication link, which is a portion of a communication path, are determined. If the respective communication path management traffic handling configurations indicate that the communication system elements have been configured to pass communication path management traffic associated with the communication path toward endpoints of the communication path, then communication path management traffic for managing the communication path is exchanged through the communication link. Indications of a communication path management traffic handling configuration may be exchanged between the communication system elements during establishment of the communication link.

Abstract: Methods and a system for connecting a call across a network of network elements as a path for the call is being set up are provided. The call comprises a parameter for which a value must be assigned for each segment of the path between adjacent network elements. At least one network element supports multiple values for the parameter. A network element on the communication path receives an indicator that indicates that network elements along the path of the call are required to use a predetermined value for the parameter. A connection is established to an adjacent network element on the path using the predetermined value for the parameter, prior to setting up a next segment of the path.

Abstract: A system and method of notifying a first communication network of a fault related to a second communication network is provided. The first communication network is connected to the second communication network. The first communication network has a first OAM protocol adapted to monitor integrity of the first communication network and the second communication network has a second OAM protocol adapted to monitor integrity of the second communication network. The method includes detecting the fault related to the second communication network and generating a first OAM cell of the first OAM protocol indicating detection of the fault. The method further includes transmitting the first OAM cell to the first communication network to indicate the fault to the first communication network.

Abstract: Information transfer capability discovery apparatus and techniques are disclosed. A received tracing message for tracing a communication path in a communication system is processed in some embodiments by generating and sending a response to the received tracing message. The tracing message response includes an indication of an information transfer capability of a communication link that comprises the communication path being traced by the tracing message. A further tracing message based on the received tracing message may also be forwarded in the communication system. The further tracing message may be associated with a different domain than the received tracing message in a communication system that includes multiple domains such as maintenance domains. In a multi-domain system, indications of information transfer capability could be included in further tracing messages instead of in responses.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of determining configurations for handling communication path management traffic are disclosed. Respective communication path management traffic handling configurations of communication system elements that terminate a communication link, which is a portion of a communication path, are determined. If the respective communication path management traffic handling configurations indicate that the communication system elements have been configured to pass communication path management traffic associated with the communication path toward endpoints of the communication path, then communication path management traffic for managing the communication path is exchanged through the communication link. Indications of a communication path management traffic handling configuration may be exchanged between the communication system elements during establishment of the communication link.

Abstract: A connection control module comprises a message generating module and a determining module. A predetermined message configured as an IGMP message is generated for sending over an IGMP (Internet Group Management Protocol) control channel from the network element to another network element. The determining module determines if a reply message responsive to the predetermined message has been received from the other network element. A connection control module comprises a connectivity verification module and a control channel transfer module. Connectivity of at least part of an IGMP (Internet Group Management Protocol) control channel between two or more network elements is verified. Control is transferred to another IGMP control channel if connectivity of the IGMP control channel has failed.

Abstract: A network element comprises a multicast protocol module configured to connect to a switched layer 2 control channel, the control channel being for communicating, through a switched network, control signals for controlling the communication of multicast data between the network element and another network element. A method for providing multicast channels comprises establishing a layer 2 switched control channel through a switched network between two network elements. A P2MP (Point-to-Multipoint) switched connection is established in response to receiving a request for a multicast channel over the control channel and is used to send the data for the channel. A system comprising at least two network elements is configured to implement the method.

Abstract: Methods and a system for connecting a call across a network of network elements as a path for the call is being set up are provided. The call comprises a parameter for which a value must be assigned for each segment of the path between adjacent network elements. At least one network element supports multiple values for the parameter. A network element on the communication path receives an indicator that indicates that network elements along the path of the call are required to use a predetermined value for the parameter. A connection is established to an adjacent network element on the path using the predetermined value for the parameter, prior to setting up a next segment of the path.

Abstract: In hybrid networks, there are different schemes to identify traffic. ATM networks identify traffic on two levels. The present invention provides a method and apparatus of identifying traffic in a hybrid network on two or more levels. The method comprises mapping, at each level, the identifiers for identifying traffic in one network to identifiers for identifying traffic in an other network. The apparatus comprises an input module for receiving identifiers for identifying traffic on two or more levels for one of the networks; a mapping module for creating a map which for each level of identifier, maps the identifiers received to identifiers for another network.

Abstract: A system and method of notifying a first communication network of a fault related to a second communication network is provided. The first communication network is connected to the second communication network. The first communication network has a first OAM protocol adapted to monitor integrity of the first communication network and the second communication network has a second OAM protocol adapted to monitor integrity of the second communication network. The method includes detecting the fault related to the second communication network and generating a first OAM cell of the first OAM protocol indicating detection of the fault. The method further includes transmitting the first OAM cell to the first communication network to indicate the fault to the first communication network.

Abstract: A system and method of notifying a first communication network of a fault related to a second communication network is provided. The first communication network is connected to the second communication network. The first communication network has a first OAM protocol adapted to monitor integrity of the first communication network and the second communication network has a second OAM protocol adapted to monitor integrity of the second communication network. The method includes detecting the fault related to the second communication network and generating a first OAM cell of the first OAM protocol indicating detection of the fault. The method further includes transmitting the first OAM cell to the first communication network to indicate the fault to the first communication network.

Abstract: A system and method of notifying a first communication network of a fault related to a second communication network is provided. The first communication network is connected to the second communication network. The first communication network has a first OAM protocol adapted to monitor integrity of the first communication network and the second communication network has a second OAM protocol adapted to monitor integrity of the second communication network. The method includes detecting the fault related to the second communication network and generating a first OAM cell of the first OAM protocol indicating detection of the fault. The method further includes transmitting the first OAM cell to the first communication network to indicate the fault to the first communication network.