Abstract: In some embodiments, a method includes receiving a first record set from a first compute device and a second record set from a second compute device. Each record from the first record set has a first attribute string; and each record from the second record set has a first attribute string. The method includes defining a third record set to include each record from the first record set that has a first attribute string equal to a first attribute string of a record from the second record set. The method also includes repeating the above steps for a fourth record set from the first compute device and a fifth record set from the second compute device to further define the third record set. Each record from the fourth record set has a second attribute string and each record from the fifth record set has a second attribute string.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a Power Over Ethernet (PoE) device (PD) having a controller to receive signals over a first cable having twisted pair wires from at least one of a network element and a gateway where the network element is associated with a service provider where the gateway is associated with a premises and where the service provider provides network communications to the premises, adjust the signals, transmit the adjusted signals over a second cable having twisted pair wires to at least one of the network element and the gateway, and receive power from at least one of the network element and the gateway, where the power is received over at least one of the first and second cables, where the power is received according to PoE protocol, and where the PD is positioned between the network element and the gateway. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a Power Over Ethernet (PoE) device (PD) having a controller to receive signals over a first cable having twisted pair wires from at least one of a network element and a gateway where the network element is associated with a service provider where the gateway is associated with a premises and where the service provider provides network communications to the premises, adjust the signals, transmit the adjusted signals over a second cable having twisted pair wires to at least one of the network element and the gateway, and receive power from at least one of the network element and the gateway, where the power is received over at least one of the first and second cables, where the power is received according to PoE protocol, and where the PD is positioned between the network element and the gateway. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a Power Over Ethernet (PoE) device (PD) having a controller to receive signals over a first cable having twisted pair wires from at least one of a network element and a gateway where the network element is associated with a service provider where the gateway is associated with a premises and where the service provider provides network communications to the premises, adjust the signals, transmit the adjusted signals over a second cable having twisted pair wires to at least one of the network element and the gateway, and receive power from at least one of the network element and the gateway, where the power is received over at least one of the first and second cables, where the power is received according to PoE protocol, and where the PD is positioned between the network element and the gateway. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) packet is processed by modifying the packet so as to push or pop a plurality of MPLS shim headers at a network node. An MPLS network is operated by pushing a plurality of MPLS shim headers onto a packet at network node. The packet is replicated to obtain a plurality of packets for transmission on a plurality of paths associated with a plurality of nodes, respectively. At least one MPLS shim header is popped from respective ones of the plurality of packets. The one or more MPLS shim headers that are popped correspond to at least one of the plurality of nodes that is not associated with one of the plurality of paths for which one of the plurality of packets comprising the one or more MPLS shim headers is destined for transmission. The plurality of packets is-then transmitted on the plurality of paths, respectively.

Abstract: A multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) packet stream is processed by establishing a packet communication context between a first node and a second node in an MPLS network. The context is an uncompressed version of an MPLS shim header. The MPLS shim header in each of the packets is compressed at the first node and the packets with the compressed MPLS shim headers are transmitted to the second node. The MPLS shim headers are decompressed at the second node using the context.

Abstract: A network is operated by receiving traffic associated with a first service on a first pseudo wire at a network node. The traffic is encapsulated with one or more layers associated with the first pseudo wire. One or more layers associated with the first pseudo wire are removed from the traffic. The traffic is encapsulated with one or more layers associated with a second pseudo wire so that the traffic is associated with a second service. The traffic, which is associated with the second service, is transmitted on the second pseudo wire.

Abstract: A multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) network, is operated by defining a first label switched path (LSP) between a first label switched router (LSR) and a second label switched router (LSR) in the MPLS network. A second LSP is defined between the first LSR and the second LSR in the MPLS network. Basic service packet traffic is routed from the first LSR to the second LSR using the first LSP and enhanced service packet traffic is routed from the first LSR to the second LSR using the second LSP.

Abstract: A multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) network is operated by establishing a label switched path (LSP) that connects a first provider edge (PE) label switched router (LSR) a second PE LSR, and a customer edge (CE) LSR. The packet traffic that is associated with a plurality of different layer two technologies is encapsulated with an MPLS label. The encapsulated traffic is securely routed from the first PE LSR through the second PE LSR to the CE LSR using the LSP.