Abstract: The methods and systems described herein provide a mechanism to externalize network functions through a direct link between a network switch and an external packet processor. The network switch is configured to receive a packet directed to a destination node via a first network interface. The network switch is also configured to forward the received packet to a packet processor, via a second network interface, over a direct physical link between the network switch and the packet processor. The packet is forwarded with an identifier for a virtualized network function executing on the packet processor and a destination MAC address of the packet is different from a MAC address of the packet processor.

Abstract: One embodiment of the disclosures made herein is a method for facilitating prescribed application functionality via a network element adapted for providing Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexing (DSLAM) functionality. In accordance with such a method, a first functionality server implements server-specific functionality whereby information associated with the server-specific functionality is generated. In response to implementing the server-specific functionality, information in a universal interface format is transmitted for reception by a first access server from a first functionality server. The first access server is connected between the network element and the first functionality server. After receiving the information, the information is translated from the universal interface format to a system-compatible interface format. The translating is performed by the first access server and the system-specific interface format is different than the universal interface format.

Abstract: One embodiment of the disclosures made herein is a method for facilitating prescribed application functionality via a network element adapted for providing Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexing (DSLAM) functionality. In accordance with such a method, a first functionality server implements server-specific functionality whereby information associated with the server-specific functionality is generated. In response to implementing the server-specific functionality, information in a universal interface format is transmitted for reception by a first access server from a first functionality server. The first access server is connected between the network element and the first functionality server. After receiving the information, the information is translated from the universal interface format to a system-compatible interface format. The translating is performed by the first access server and the system-specific interface format is different than the universal interface format.

Abstract: One embodiment of the disclosures made herein is a method for facilitating prescribed application functionality via a network element adapted for providing Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexing (DSLAM) functionality. In accordance with such a method, a first functionality server implements server-specific functionality whereby information associated with the server-specific functionality is generated. In response to implementing the server-specific functionality, information in a universal interface format is transmitted for reception by a first access server from a first functionality server. After receiving the information, the information is translated from the universal interface format to a system-compatible interface format.

Abstract: One embodiment of the disclosures made herein is a Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (DSLAM) adapted for facilitating DSLAM-hosted information storage functionality. In accordance with such embodiment, the DSLAM includes a storage apparatus and a storage management apparatus. The storage management apparatus is adapted for enabling data storage functionality to be facilitated between a subscriber data processing system and the storage apparatus.

Abstract: One embodiment of the disclosures made herein is a Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (DSLAM) adapted for facilitating DSLAM-hosted information storage functionality. In accordance with such embodiment, the DSLAM includes a storage apparatus and a storage management apparatus. The storage management apparatus is adapted for enabling data storage functionality to be facilitated between a subscriber data processing system and the storage apparatus.

Abstract: One embodiment of the disclosures made herein is a method for facilitating prescribed application functionality via a network element adapted for providing Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexing (DSLAM) functionality. In accordance with such a method, a first functionality server implements server-specific functionality whereby information associated with the server-specific functionality is generated. In response to implementing the server-specific functionality, information in a universal interface format is transmitted for reception by a first access server from a first functionality server. The first access server is connected between the network element and the first functionality server. After receiving the information, the information is translated from the universal interface format to a system-compatible interface format. The translating is performed by the first access server and the system-specific interface format is different than the universal interface format.

Abstract: Various aspects of apparatuses and methods for enabling a network interface device (NID) at a customer premises to be remotely provisioned are disclosed herein. In accordance with one embodiment of the disclosures herein, method for enabling a NID at a subscriber premise to be remotely provisioned includes an operation for transmitting a control command to a command processor of the remotely provisionable NID from a central office communication apparatus. After performing the operation for transmitting the control command to a command processor of the remotely provisionable NID, the command processor performs an operation for receiving the control command. An operation is performed for determining a requested control state associated with the control command. The operation for determining the control function is at least partially facilitated by the command processor.