Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for temporarily deferring transmission of frames to a destination in a data switch. When a request for transmission of a frame to the destination port is received, the congestion status of that destination is determined. If the destination is congested, the frame is stored in a deferred queue. When the status of a destination changes from congested to non-congested, the deferred queue is examined to see if any deferred frames can now be forwarded to their destination. While examining the deferred queue, incoming frames are placed on a backup queue. When the deferred queue is fully analyzed, the backup queue is emptied by either sending those frames to their destination or storing the frames in the deferred queue. While examining the deferred queue, the congested states of the destinations are not allowed to change from congested to non-congested.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for temporarily deferring transmission of frames to a destination in a data switch. When a request for transmission of a frame to the destination port is received, the congestion status of that destination is determined. If the destination is congested, the frame is stored in a deferred queue. When the status of a destination changes from congested to non-congested, the deferred queue is examined to see if any deferred frames can now be forwarded to their destination. While examining the deferred queue, incoming frames are placed on a backup queue. When the deferred queue is fully analyzed, the backup queue is emptied by either sending those frames to their destination or storing the frames in the deferred queue. While examining the deferred queue, the congested states of the destinations are not allowed to change from congested to non-congested.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for temporarily deferring transmission of frames to a destination in a data switch. When a request for transmission of a frame to the destination port is received, the congestion status of that destination is determined. If the destination is congested, the frame is stored in a deferred queue. When the status of a destination changes from congested to non-congested, the deferred queue is examined to see if any deferred frames can now be forwarded to their destination. While examining the deferred queue, incoming frames are placed on a backup queue. When the deferred queue is fully analyzed, the backup queue is emptied by either sending those frames to their destination or storing the frames in the deferred queue. While examining the deferred queue, the congested states of the destinations are not allowed to change from congested to non-congested.

Abstract: An enhanced ISDN-DP transmission device of the present invention allows for testing of ISDN-protocol communication paths using an existing DDS-protocol test infrastructure. The ISDN-DP unit receives a DDS test command and determines whether the command was intended for the immediate receiving unit or a tandem unit. If the command is intended for the immediate ISDN-DP unit, the unit processes the command. If the command is intended for another ISDN device in the transmission path, the ISDN-DP converts the DDS-protocol command to an ISDN-protocol command and transmits the converted ISDN command to an adjacent tandem ISDN device in the communication path in an upstream or downstream direction. After the test path is enabled, loopback testing is available on all available ISDN bandwidth, including the B1, B2 and D+ channels, from a DDS-protocol test set.

Abstract: In a time division multiplex digital communication system, access devices are capable of generating and detecting data sequences that are normally suppressed by end user equipment for establishing in-band communications between the access device and selected intelligent channel units (ICU's ). An ICU initiates in-band communication with the access device by transmitting a service request sequence to the access device. The access device transmits a wake-up sequence to the ICU to establish in-band communication. Once established, in-band communications can then be used to accomplish automated provisioning, performance reporting, status reporting, alarm reporting as well as other important functions.

Abstract: A system for isolating the direction of communication errors in the local loop of a digital data network is described. A Network Interface Unit (NIU) located at the customer premises typically has a loopback feature, allowing for Bit Error Rate Tests (BERT) to be performed on the local loop from a remote test system located on the data network. The NIU loopback test isolates transmission problems at the customer premises from problems on the local loop. The present invention adds test pattern generation capability to the NIU, allowing the remote test system to determine whether the transmission problem on the local loop is in the network to customer premises direction or in the customer premises to network direction.

Abstract: In a time division multiplex digital communication system, access devices are capable of generating and detecting data sequences that are normally suppressed by end user equipment for establishing in-band communications between the access device and selected intelligent channel units (ICU's). In-band communication is initiated by transmitting a sequence comprising a plurality of first bytes for preventing inadvertent initiation of maintenance operations for digital devices in a particular time slot, followed by a plurality of second bytes in said time slot. In-band communications is established when the selected ICU receives a sequence comprising a plurality of said first bytes, a plurality of bytes which identify the select device and a plurality of said second bytes. Once established, in-band communications can then be used to accomplish automated provisioning, performance reporting, status reporting, alarm reporting as well as other important functions.