Abstract: An access node (1) that is preferably a Flow-Aware Ethernet DSLAM configured to transmit Ethernet data frames between subscribers (2) and an aggregation network (3). The access node comprises a first memory (4) for storing classification rules and a second memory (6) for storing flow rules. These rules are applied by a classification agent (5) and by a service agent (7) to information extracted from incoming data frames in order to infer flow awareness information of outgoing frames corresponding to these incoming data frame. In this way, the subscriber access network evolves to a multi-service architecture by replacing ATM with Ethernet for cost reasons. The concept of “flow awareness” is applied to the present access node. With respect to known tunnel-based Ethernet DSLAMs, the present access node removes all dependency on correct encapsulation or labeling at the customer side and at the service provider side.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an IPTV Channel selection device, for use in an IPTV system said IPTV system comprising a meta-information holding part that is adapted to store meta-information on each channel of a plurality of IPTV channels, wherein the IPTV Channel selection device comprises a selection engine that is adapted to select at least one IPTV channel from said plurality of IPTV channels based on meta-information on each channel of said plurality of IPTV channels in combination with at least one user-related selection criterion.

Abstract: Systems for transmitting information from terminal systems (1) via access multiplexers (3) comprising virtual forwarder systems (5) to networks are made less complex by inserting at the terminal systems (1) virtual forwarder internet protocol addresses (35,64,66) into destination fields of internet protocol headers for heading the information and by inserting destination internet protocol addresses (36,37,38,65,67) into routing fields of the internet protocol headers. Both the terminal systems (1) and the access multiplexers (3) should be made capable of dealing with internet protocol headers of the internet protocol version-4 or the internet protocol version-6 or higher, which comprise a destination field and a routing field.