Abstract: A method for selection of a digital subscriber line (DSL) technology for use by a first DSL transceiver in transferring data over a communications line between the first DSL transceiver and a second DSL transceiver. For the selection, an indication of attenuation in the communications line between the DSL transceivers is obtained and a DSL technology for use by the first DSL transceiver is selected from a plurality of DSL technologies supported by the first DSL transceiver. Selection of the DSL technology is determined on the basis of the indication of attenuation. Optionally, selection of the DSL technology may, in addition, be based on other parameters comprising an indication of the power spectral density mask limiting the power output onto the line by the DSL transceiver; an indication of the noise environment of the communications line; an indication of the highest discrete multitone modulation tone transmitted by the first DSL transceiver over the communications line.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for allocating resources in a Digital Subscriber Line network, the network comprising at least one lower-tier digital subscriber line carrying signals according to a first protocol between a transceiver device at a lower-tier network node and a subscriber transceiver device and further comprising at least one higher-tier digital subscriber line carrying signals according to a second protocol between a transceiver device at a higher-tier network node and a subscriber transceiver device, the first protocol permitting signals to be carried at frequencies in a range having a higher upper limit than the second protocol.

Abstract: A method and Dynamic Line Management, DLM, system for controlling Digital Line Subscriber, DSL, connections, comprising applying a first line profile to a DSL connection, the first line profile specifying a first virtual noise template for the DSL connection, wherein the first virtual noise template specifies a first set of frequency dependent virtual noise levels for the DSL connection; configuring a connection parameter (such as the data rate) of the DSL connection based on the first set of frequency dependent virtual noise levels; applying a second line profile to the DSL transceiver unit, the second line profile specifying a second virtual noise template for the DSL connection, wherein the second virtual noise template specifies a second set of frequency dependent virtual noise levels for the DSL connection; and reconfiguring the connection parameter for the DSL connection based on the second set of frequency dependent virtual noise levels.

Abstract: A method of controlling a digital subscriber line (DSL) transceiver for use in transferring data over a DSL connection, the method comprising: monitoring operation of the DSL connection; detecting that the DSL connection is operating in a low power mode in which the signal power applied to the DSL connection by the DSL transceiver is at a first level below a power threshold value; increasing the signal power applied to the DSL connection to a second level above the power threshold value; recording data indicative of performance of the DSL connection with signal power applied to the DSL connection at the second level; and modifying DSL transceiver attributes based on the recorded data indicative of performance, to change operation of the DSL transceiver in transferring data over the DSL connection.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for allocating resources in a Digital Subscriber Line network, the network comprising at least one lower-tier digital subscriber line carrying signals according to a first protocol between a transceiver device at a lower-tier network node and a subscriber transceiver device and further comprising at least one higher-tier digital subscriber line carrying signals according to a second protocol between a transceiver device at a higher-tier network node and a subscriber transceiver device, the first protocol permitting signals to be carried at frequencies in a range having a higher upper limit than the second protocol.

Abstract: A method and Dynamic Line Management, DLM, system for controlling Digital Line Subscriber, DSL, connections, comprising applying a first line profile to a DSL connection, the first line profile specifying a first virtual noise template for the DSL connection, wherein the first virtual noise template specifies a first set of frequency dependent virtual noise levels for the DSL connection; configuring a connection parameter (such as the data rate) of the DSL connection based on the first set of frequency dependent virtual noise levels; applying a second line profile to the DSL transceiver unit, the second line profile specifying a second virtual noise template for the DSL connection, wherein the second virtual noise template specifies a second set of frequency dependent virtual noise levels for the DSL connection; and reconfiguring the connection parameter for the DSL connection based on the second set of frequency dependent virtual noise levels.

Abstract: A method for selection of a digital subscriber line (DSL) technology for use by a first DSL transceiver in transferring data over a communications line between the first DSL transceiver and a second DSL transceiver. For the selection, an indication of attenuation in the communications line between the DSL transceivers is obtained and a DSL technology for use by the first DSL transceiver is selected from a plurality of DSL technologies supported by the first DSL transceiver. Selection of the DSL technology is determined on the basis of the indication of attenuation. Optionally, selection of the DSL technology may, in addition, be based on other parameters comprising an indication of the power spectral density mask limiting the power output onto the line by the DSL transceiver; an indication of the noise environment of the communications line; an indication of the highest discrete multitone modulation tone transmitted by the first DSL transceiver over the communications line.

Abstract: A method of controlling a digital subscriber line (DSL) transceiver for use in transferring data over a DSL connection, the method comprising: monitoring operation of the DSL connection; detecting that the DSL connection is operating in a low power mode in which the signal power applied to the DSL connection by the DSL transceiver is at a first level below a power threshold value; increasing the signal power applied to the DSL connection to a second level above the power threshold value; recording data indicative of performance of the DSL connection with signal power applied to the DSL connection at the second level; and modifying DSL transceiver attributes based on the recorded data indicative of performance, to change operation of the DSL transceiver in transferring data over the DSL connection.