Abstract: DNS in its native form cannot identify a good or best server. Traditional Service Providers deploy a centralised approach to global traffic management based on enhancements to DNS, but do have the capability to augment this with edge-based server selection because they do not own/operate an edge network. Their resolution of DNS requests is typically restricted to identifying candidate servers within an edge domain rather than selecting the “best” server. The invention proposes a method of handling Internet resource requests whereby a local lookup server receiving a request searches for a best server able to satisfy the resource request. The local lookup server finds the best server by searching a database for a resource record associated with the best server, and then uses the resource record to retrieve an identifier of a series of executable instructions that are executed to locate the best server.

Abstract: A method of providing secure multicast over a local access network by means of a network access unit having a channel request vetting function and a permitted channel list. Channel requests from a subscriber are vetted with respect to the permitted channel list and forwarded only if permitted. The permitted list may be dynamically updated under headend control to allow users to subscribe to, and unsubscribe from, services upon request.

Abstract: To ensure an effective mechanism for disaster recovery, system migration and network enlargement, a communication system (FIG. 6) comprises a narrowband-to-broadband interface (300) having a plurality of network adaptors (302-306) interconnected to a switch (314-316) that provides access to a plurality of virtual channels (318-321) supported by a broadband network. The plurality of network adaptors (302-306) are also coupled to a plurality of trunks (308-312) that each support at least one of a plurality of different communication functions. At least two call servers (324-326) are independently coupled to the narrowband-to-broadband interface (300) and are arranged to control interconnection of trunks to virtual channels, while each of the at least two call servers is responsible for controlling interconnections of group of trunks that share a common communication function within each group. Communication system functionality is therefore separated between the at least two call servers.

Abstract: There is presently no single accepted scheme to support Quality of Service guarantees for IP based applications, although RSVP is the prevailing standard for network resource reservation. Thus, providing end-to-end Quality of Service guarantees for content delivery across the Internet presents a challenge for Service Providers. Typically load balancing algorithms are used for picking the best server, with respect to server capacity for satisfying a request, but they can not guarantee Quality of Service for the whole duration of the network transaction. The invention proposes a method of distributing server load in an IP network, comprising building an association between a subscriber edge device and a server controller using a packet switched network Quality of Service mechanism.

Abstract: A method of providing secure multicast over a local access network by means of a network access unit having a channel request vetting function and a permitted channel list. Channel requests from a subscriber are vetted with respect to the permitted channel list and forwarded only if permitted. The permitted list may be dynamically updated under headend control to allow users to subscribe to, and unsubscribe from, services upon request.

Abstract: In a satellite communications system comprising a plurality of access units X communicating with a satellite S on an up-link U and a broadcast downlink B and a plurality of gateways E to and from a network N, wherein each gateway E receives from the satellite S transmissions communicated thereto by the access units X and intended for destinations in the network N, a method of routing transmissions including a gateway E concluding that a transmission received should follow an alternative route via one of the other gateways E, sending an alternative route message to the satellite S which forwards the message using the broadcast downlink B to a plurality of the source gateways E in the system.

Abstract: A communication system having a multiple access segment (2,48), which comprises a plurality of end systems (6,44) and a switching node (4,46) configured such that each end system can transmit packets to the switching node and such that the switching node can transmit packets which are received by all the end systems. The switching node comprises a switch (5,47) for switching packets from the end systems to intermediate destinations within the system, and the MA segment operates in accordance with a protocol which provides a quality of service requested by the end systems for the packets transmitted over the segment.

Abstract: A satellite communication system having a spatial segment comprising at least one satellite, preferably in a geostationary orbit, carrying a multi-beam telecommunication payload and a terrestrial segment comprising access gateways to terrestrial networks each arranged to communicate with the satellite via a forward link uplink beam and a return link downlink beam and user terminals each arranged to communicate with a satellite via a forward link downlink beam and a return link uplink beam, wherein the forward link carries signals multiplexed in time and the return link carries signals multiplexed in frequency and time, the payload comprising; a forward link router for routing signals multiplexed in time from a forward link uplink beam on a frame basis to a forward downlink beam, a return link router for routing signals multiplexed in frequency and time from a return uplink beam on a frequency bank basis to a return link downlink beam, and a mesh communication router for receiving signals multiplexed in freque

Abstract: A multiple access asynchronous network segment for providing network access to a plurality of end systems over a shared medium uplink to a satellite headend supported by a network controller, wherein the network controller allocates part of the uplink resource and the satellite headend allocates part of the uplink resource on a temporary basis in response to end systems making a new request for uplink resource. Also provided is a signalling system for use in a multiple access asynchronous network segment for providing network access to a plurality of end systems over a shared medium uplink to an intermediate. Also provided is an Integrated Addressing and packet Segmentation And Reassembly (IASAR) system for use in a multiple access asynchronous network segment for providing network access for a plurality of end systems to an intermediate system over a shared medium.

Abstract: DNS in its native form cannot identify a good or best server. Traditional Service Providers deploy a centralised approach to global traffic management based on enhancements to DNS, but do have the capability to augment this with edge-based server selection because they do not own/operate an edge network. Their resolution of DNS requests is typically restricted to identifying candidate servers within an edge domain rather than selecting the “best” server. The invention proposes a method of handling Internet resource requests whereby a local lookup server receiving a request searches for a best server able to satisfy the resource request. The local lookup server finds the best server by searching a database for a resource record associated with the best server, and then uses the resource record to retrieve an identifier of a series of executable instructions that are executed to locate the best server.

Abstract: There is presently no single accepted scheme to support Quality of Service guarantees for IP based applications, although RSVP is the prevailing standard for network resource reservation. Thus, providing end-to-end Quality of Service guarantees for content delivery across the Internet presents a challenge for Service Providers. Typically load balancing algorithms are used for picking the best server, with respect to server capacity for satisfying a request, but they can not guarantee Quality of Service for the whole duration of the network transaction. The invention proposes a method Of distributing server load in an IP network, comprising building an association between a subscriber edge device and a server controller using a packet switched network Quality of Service mechanism.