Abstract: In accord with the objects of the invention, methods and apparatus for controlling communications network equipment are provided. The apparatus is used in a telecommunications network having a plurality of coupled nodes and a network controller coupled to at least one of those nodes, and generally comprises a node apparatus having a backplane and a plurality of functional cards coupled to the backplane. Each of the functional cards has a processor and memory for storing software which is used by the processor. One of the functional cards has memory for storing a current running version of software for each of the other of the plurality of functional cards, and a receiver and memory for storing in background incoming updated versions of software for the plurality of functional cards. The updated versions of software are provided in the overhead portion of the telecommunications signal frame, thereby being non-disruptive to the system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for handling asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) cells sent from first user equipment through a plurality of ATM nodes and destined for second equipment, when the second equipment does not support ATM operations and maintenance (OAM) functionality. In particular, an ATM node connected to the second equipment is configured as an OAM proxy connection end-point for the second equipment such that ATM data cells which are destined for the second equipment are sent in a usual fashion, but ATM OAM cells destined for the second equipment are terminated and acted upon by the ATM node and are not forwarded to the second equipment. The proxy connection end-point functionality is preferably obtained by providing a user-friendly management information database (MIB) which stores configuration information for the ATM node.

Abstract: In accord with the objects of the invention, methods and apparatus for controlling communications network equipment are provided. The apparatus is used in a telecommunications network having a plurality of coupled nodes and a network controller coupled to at least one of those nodes, and generally comprises a node apparatus having a backplane and a plurality of functional cards coupled to the backplane. Each of the functional cards has a processor and memory for storing software which is used by the processor. One of the functional cards has memory for storing a current running version of software for each of the other of the plurality of functional cards, and a receiver and memory for storing in background incoming updated versions of software for the plurality of functional cards. The updated versions of software are provided in the overhead portion of the telecommunications signal frame, thereby being non-disruptive to the system.

Abstract: A method for identifying and declaring a physical loopback condition upon running an OAM loopback test is provided. The method modifies ITU-T Recommendation I.610. According to the method, an OAM loopback test cell is generated with a correlation tag and a loopback indication value representing an outbound (forward) test cell, with the correlation tag being stored. Upon receiving back an OAM loopback test cell, the value of the loopback indication is determined, and the correlation tag of the incoming OAM loopback test cell is compared with the stored correlation tag. If the correlation tags match and the value of the loopback indication represents a forward test cell, a physical loopback condition is declared. On the other hand, if the correlation tags match and the value of the loopback indication represents a backward test cell, a successful OAM loopback condition is declared.