Abstract: Described are novel quantification methods and systems that permit, within the context of multiplex PCR, the quantification of all targets within a single reaction tube. The methods employ quantitation algorithms applied to the amplification profiles of internal calibration controls or standards utilizing a plurality of nucleic acid templates that are amplified within the same reaction tube as the nucleic acid target(s) interrogated.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method includes configuring a plurality ports as member ports of a link aggregation group. The method also includes configuring the link aggregation group to communicate management traffic originating from a plurality of maintenance entities communicatively coupled to the link aggregation group communicate carrier traffic originating from other network elements communicatively coupled to the link aggregation group. The method further includes assigning individual maintenance entities of the plurality of maintenance entities to individual physical ports of the link aggregation group in order to balance maintenance traffic among the plurality of physical ports.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method may include detecting existence of an alarm-triggering event associated with a service at a maintenance level. The method may also include analyzing one or more parameters associated with carrier traffic for the service. The method may additionally include determining whether a data path for carrier traffic associated with the service is operational based on the analysis of the one or more parameters. The method may further include masking or downgrading an alarm triggered by the alarm-triggering event in response to a determination that the data path is operational.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method may include a given maintenance end point receiving connectivity fault management (CFM) messages (e.g., CCMs) at the provisioned maintenance level of the maintenance end point. Additionally the method may also include snooping CFM messages at maintenance levels higher the provisioned maintenance level of the given maintenance end point and storing the configuration information necessary for transmitting alarm indication suppression message from the lowest higher-level CFM message snooped across the maintenance end point. The method may further include a timeout of the stored information if transmission of the higher-level CFM messages cease. The method may include snooping these higher-level CFM messages in either direction and also include the ability to display the higher-level CFM information to an operator through a user-interface.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method may include detecting an occurrence of a fault for a component of a network element having a maintenance entity provisioned thereon. The method may further include transmitting alarm indication suppression messages to components for which the maintenance entity was configured to transmit alarm indication suppression messages in response to detecting the occurrence of the fault.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method may include communicating an alarm suppression indication trigger message from a maintenance end point to an alarm indication suppression generator. The method may further include communicating, by the alarm indication suppression generator in response to receiving the alarm indication trigger message, an alarm indication suppression message to at least one flow point that has alarm indication suppression enabled for the maintenance end point such that the alarm indication suppression message is received by at least one other maintenance end point upstream of the maintenance end point.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method includes configuring a plurality ports as member ports of a link aggregation group. The method also includes configuring the link aggregation group to communicate management traffic originating from a plurality of maintenance entities communicatively coupled to the link aggregation group communicate carrier traffic originating from other network elements communicatively coupled to the link aggregation group. The method further includes assigning individual maintenance entities of the plurality of maintenance entities to individual physical ports of the link aggregation group in order to balance maintenance traffic among the plurality of physical ports.

Abstract: In a secure network where the network characteristics are not known, a call admission control algorithm and a preemption control algorithm based on a destination node informing the source node of the observed carried traffic are used to regulate the amount of traffic that needs to be preempted by the source. The amount of traffic that needs to be preempted is based on the carried traffic measured at the destination node. The traffic to be preempted is based on the priority of the traffic, where the lowest priority traffic is the first to be preempted until the amount of traffic preempted is sufficient to allow the remaining traffic to pass through the network without congestion.

Abstract: A method and system for masking defects within a network are disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method for masking defects within a network comprises detecting by a service entity defects within a network. The method further comprises determining a number of detected defects associated with a network component included in the network. The method further comprises generating by the network component a summary alarm if the number of detected defects within the network is greater than a first threshold.

Abstract: A method and system for reporting defects within a network are disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method for reporting defects within a network comprises generating a summary alarm by a network element based on defects detected within a network. The method further comprises receiving at the network element a first request for the detected defects within the network from a network management system in response to generation of the summary alarm. The method further comprises reporting the detected defects by the network element in response to the first request from the network management system.

Abstract: In a secure network where the network characteristics are not known, a call admission control algorithm and a preemption control algorithm based on a destination node informing the source node of the observed carried traffic are used to regulate the amount of traffic that needs to be preempted by the source. The amount of traffic that needs to be preempted is based on the carried traffic measured at the destination node. The traffic to be preempted is based on the priority of the traffic, where the lowest priority traffic is the first to be preempted until the amount of traffic preempted is sufficient to allow the remaining traffic to pass through the network without congestion.

Abstract: Applications and users dynamically make QoS provisioning requests for individual traffic flows traversing client and server hosts. A traffic flow provisioning request is conveyed to a services manager, which determines a set of traffic attributes for the flow and determines the networks the flow traverses between the client and server hosts. The services manger then oversees the admission of the flow to appropriate traffic classes in each determined network and the obtaining of a DSCP value for each network. Lastly, the services manger conveys the DSCP value of the first network traversed back to the client or server host, depending on the direction of the flow, which host is then configured to appropriately mark the DSCP field of the traffic flow packets. In a further embodiment, the services manager also instructs the client or server host to perform packet policing and shaping for the flow.

Abstract: Applications and users dynamically make QoS provisioning requests for individual traffic flows traversing client and server hosts. A traffic flow provisioning request is conveyed to a services manager, which determines a set of traffic attributes for the flow and determines the networks the flow traverses between the client and server hosts. The services manger then oversees the admission of the flow to appropriate traffic classes in each determined network and the obtaining of a DSCP value for each network. Lastly, the services manger conveys the DSCP value of the first network traversed back to the client or server host, depending on the direction of the flow, which host is then configured to appropriately mark the DSCP field of the traffic flow packets. In a further embodiment, the services manager also instructs the client or server host to perform packet policing and shaping for the flow.

Abstract: A method for providing support for multiple control channels includes establishing an indirect data connection with a first network entity in an optical network. The method also includes establishing a first control channel with the first network entity. The first control channel has at least one unique source IP address. The method additionally includes transmitting a first control message to the first network entity via the first control channel. The first control message comprises a first unique source IP address.

Abstract: In a secure network where the network characteristics are not known, a call admission control algorithm and a preemption control algorithm based on a destination node informing the source node of the observed carried traffic are used to regulate the amount of traffic that needs to be preempted by the source. The amount of traffic that needs to be preempted is based on the carried traffic measured at the destination node. The traffic to be preempted is based on the priority of the traffic, where the lowest priority traffic is the first to be preempted until the amount of traffic preempted is sufficient to allow the remaining traffic to pass through the network without congestion.

Abstract: Described are novel quantification methods and systems that permit, within the context of multiplex PCR, the quantification of all targets within a single reaction tube. The methods employ quantitation algorithms applied to the amplification profiles of internal calibration controls or standards utilizing a plurality of nucleic acid templates that are amplified within the same reaction tube as the nucleic acid target(s) interrogated.

Abstract: A method for providing support for multiple control channels includes establishing an indirect data connection with a first network entity in an optical network. The method also includes establishing a first control channel with the first network entity. The first control channel has at least one unique source IP address. The method additionally includes transmitting a first control message to the first network entity via the first control channel. The first control message comprises a first unique source IP address.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system is configured to generate a time reference where the system includes a bi-directional loop configured to have a first propagation speed in a first direction and a second propagation speed in a second direction, wherein the first propagation speed is substantially equal to the second propagation speed. In one embodiment, the system further includes a plurality of system elements coupled to the bi-directional loop, wherein each respective system element of the plurality of system elements is configured to determine a time reference common to each as an average arrival time at the respective system element of a first signal transmitted in the first direction over the bi-directional loop and a second signal transmitted in the second direction over the bi-directional loop.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for supporting and orienting a workpiece and a workpiece for use therewith. In one form, the apparatus for supporting and orienting the workpiece includes a body having first and second mating structures for connecting the apparatus to a data recorder and connecting the workpiece to the apparatus, respectively, and an indexing mechanism for orienting the workpiece so that it may be connected to the apparatus in no more than one orientation per side. The workpiece for use therewith further includes first and second openings which correspond to the second mating structure and indexing mechanism so that the workpiece may be connected to the apparatus in no more than one orientation per side. The apparatus and workpiece further provide methods for supporting and orienting the workpiece so that the workpiece may be connected to the apparatus in no more than one orientation per side.