Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing automated testing and trouble isolation of a communications link in an access network is described. Communications link testing may occur without taking the communications link out of service for the duration of the test.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for providing access communications between customer locations and a core network service edge. Access flows are handled as carrier-tagged flows through a packet switched network comprising network elements that interpret and manipulate carrier tag values associated with traffic-bearing data frames. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a discard eligibility indication may be provided with the data frames.

Abstract: An access device includes a first port configured to communicatively couple to a network node via a communications link, with the communications link having a plurality of information flows. At least one of the flows is configured as a maintenance and control flow and at least one of the flows is configured to carry customer data. The access device has a second port configured to communicatively couple to one or more demarcation devices via another communications link, and the demarcation device(s) is communicatively coupled to one or more customer premise equipment (CPE). A processing unit is configured to respond to commands received in the maintenance and control flow and to transmit access device information on the maintenance and control flow.

Abstract: System and method for detecting and reporting an error in communications with customer premise equipment. A preferred embodiment comprises monitoring the communications link between an access device and customer premise equipment located on customer premises. If a communications link fails, or some other condition occurs, an error signal is transmitted to the access network to notify downstream network elements of the error condition. In one embodiment, an access device is communicatively coupled to a demarcation device via an Ethernet link. If a loss of link occurs on the Ethernet link, an error signal, such as an alarm indicator signal, is transmitted through the network.

Abstract: System and method for providing applets to remote devices in a communications network. A preferred embodiment includes a host device, which is the device from which the applet will be transferred, and a target device, which is the device to which the applet will be transferred. In one embodiment, the host device autonomously determines that an applet is to be pushed to the target device. The host device then determines the address of the target device and transmits the applet to the target device. Instructions and commands may be sent to the target device form the host, and the target device may transmit results to the host device. In another embodiment, the target device is customer premise equipment and/or a user device that requests an applet from the host device. The target device requests applets, for example, to perform service parameter verification, performance monitoring, troubleshooting, or the like.

Abstract: System and method for providing a termination point for service emulation instances in an access network is provided. In an embodiment, the service emulation instances are implemented utilizing, for example, pseudowires. Communications to and from the access network are aggregated and transmitted via one or more pseudowires to a service emulation instance terminator. The service emulation instance terminator converts the traffic to its native form and, if necessary, converts the traffic to a different type of format or service. The service emulation instance terminator then frames the traffic for the appropriate type of service and transmits the traffic to the service edge. Traffic received from the service is removed prepended with a pseudowire label and aggregated with other traffic. The aggregated traffic is transmitted to the customer via the access network. If necessary, an interworking function may convert the traffic from one type of service to another type of service.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for providing access communications between customer locations and a core network service edge. Access flows are handled as carrier-tagged flows through a packet switched network comprising network elements that interpret and manipulate carrier tag values associated with traffic-bearing data frames. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a discard eligibility indication may be provided with the data frames.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing automated testing and trouble isolation of a communications link in an access network is described. Communications link testing may occur without taking the communications link out of service for the duration of the test.

Abstract: System and method for providing a layer 2 switch in the access network that switches based upon one or more carrier tags identifying customer traffic. Customer traffic conforming to any variety of different layer 1 or layer 2 protocols may be encapsulated and identified according to carrier tag values. The layer 2 switch may determine how to handle the traffic by interpreting and manipulating the carrier tag values. The layer 2 switch may be capable of switching TDM input traffic to either TDM or packet output traffic, and switching packetized input traffic to either TDM or packet output traffic.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for providing access communications between customer locations and a core network service edge. Access flows are handled as carrier-tagged flows through a packet switched network comprising network elements that interpret and manipulate carrier tag values associated with traffic-bearing data frames. Time-division multiplexed (TDM) signals are transported as carrier-tagged flows between customer premise equipment that communicates using TDM signals and a service edge that communicates using TDM signals.

Abstract: System and method for providing a layer 2 switch in the access network that switches based upon one or more carrier tags identifying customer traffic. Customer traffic conforming to any variety of different layer 1 or layer 2 protocols may be encapsulated and identified according to carrier tag values. The layer 2 switch may determine how to handle the traffic by interpreting and manipulating the carrier tag values. The layer 2 switch may be capable of switching TDM input traffic to either TDM or packet output traffic, and switching packetized input traffic to either TDM or packet output traffic. Handling classification values may also be processed by the layer 2 switch to affect prioritization of handling of encapsulated traffic.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for managing access communications between the service edge of a communications service provider and a customer. Access communications are carried in the form of carrier-tagged flows, the communications traffic being appended with carrier tags having significance to handling of the traffic through access network elements. A building aggregation system is provided which couples to customer premise equipment and interfaces customer flows to carrier-tagged flows used in the access network.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for providing access communications between customer locations and a core network service edge. Access flows are handled as carrier-tagged flows through a packet switched network comprising network elements that interpret and manipulate carrier tag values associated with traffic-bearing data frames.