Abstract: Systems, apparatus, methods and computer program products are provided for downloading a whitelist onto a passive optical network including a passive optical network and a management interface communicatively coupled to the passive optical network and configured to provision the whitelist. An optical line terminal also on the passive optical network includes a passive optical network card operable to broadcast the whitelist to optical network terminals which are configured to receive and enforce the whitelist.

Abstract: The need for fiber optic connectors is increasing as the use of fiber optic transmission members is being incorporated in data and other transmission systems. Typically, strain relief provides extra support at the junction of a cable and connector interface. However, there is a need to provide strain relief for the connector portion itself. An example cover includes a housing member defining an aperture spanning transversely from a first end to a second end and engages a connector therewithin. The cover further includes at least two prongs protruding from the first end in a direction opposite to the second end in an axial direction relative to the aperture. The prongs may be inserted into a panel defining at least two openings to receive the prongs. The prongs in combination with the housing member provide strain relief to the connector in an angular direction relative to the at least two prongs.

Abstract: Providing a user service may be threatened due to an inability to communicate upstream in an event of a network or network node fault. Often the user service is simply terminated leaving a user with a poor perception of the provided user service. In contrast, providing a network service, such as an alternative to the terminated user service, may leave the user with a better perception of the provided user service. Accordingly, a method and corresponding apparatus are provided to support a network service by monitoring states of an access network interface and user network interface of an access network device, and providing a predetermined non-requested channel to the access network device based on a combination of the monitored states. As a result, a service provider can more reliably provide a user service to a user.

Abstract: Typical battery backup solutions for network devices provide power for a limited range of services over a limited duration, and lack user serviceability. A configurable, redundant battery solution according to an example embodiment of the invention employs two or more battery backup units (BBUs) available to a device. The device and BBUs are responsive to respective configuration data directing usage of the BBUs and/or operation of the device. In the event of a power failure, the BBUs provide power to the device based on their respective configuration data. Through use of the at least one embodiment, an Optical Network Terminal (ONT) in a Passive Optical Network (PON) can be configured by a service provider to provide eight hours of emergency dial-out call service and configured by a user to provide other services, such as Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) and data services, in a customized manner during a backup power condition.

Abstract: Flaws in information security infest modern software, and pervasive computing has made network systems vulnerable. Information security is constantly endangered by errors in protocol implementations. Testing a protocol implementation for errors directly from a network where a device implementing the protocol resides limits the coverage of protocols tested. In contrast, testing protocols from an access network that internetworks a customer premises with one or more service networks greatly expands the coverage of protocols tested. Accordingly, a method and corresponding apparatus are provided to test from the access network, testing both service network devices and customer premises devices, and the protocols implemented on those devices.

Abstract: An Optical Network Terminal (ONT) simulator is provided. The ONT simulator includes one or more partially functional ONTs coupled to an Optical Line Termination (OLT) and an ONT/Optical network termination Management and Control Interface (ONT/OMCI) simulation utility. The ONTs receive test network traffic from the OLT and forward any OMCI traffic contained in the network traffic to the ONT/OMCI simulation utility. The ONT/OMCI simulation utility in turn simulates the operation of field-deployable ONT using the OMCI traffic.

Abstract: Optical Network Terminals (ONTS) receive and transmit fiber optic data signals to a premises, such as a home or office, and generate heat, which must be dissipated. An outdoor installation may introduce additional heat loads over an indoor installation. An ONT designed for outdoor use may be overbuilt for indoor use and an ONT designed for indoor use may overheat in an outdoor location. Making separate ONTs for indoor and outdoor use is expensive. A heat sink according to an embodiment of the present invention is attachable to an exterior portion of an ONT and provides extra heat dissipation capability in hotter environments. Other embodiments place the heat sink in a fiber optic cable slack storage region. Other embodiments include interchangeable, different-capacity, heat sinks, and the ONT determines the capacity of the heat sink and operates at a power level appropriate for the heat sink capacity, i.e., thermal dissipation capability.

Abstract: A network device can encounter operating conditions that have potential to affect upstream communications adversely for another network device, as well as for the upstream communications or hardware of the network device itself. A network device according to an example embodiment of the present invention is configured to determine when such conditions occur, and, in response, modify the behavior of the device so as to maintain the integrity of upstream communications and the network device. Network robustness is improved through the example embodiment, and fewer service calls are experienced by service providers.

Abstract: Installing and maintaining equipment, such as optical network terminals (ONTs), at customer sites is time consuming. At present, there is no way to manage field service to improve installation and maintenance procedures. A method or corresponding system in an example embodiment of the present invention provides aids to manage field service to make installation and maintenance procedures more efficient. In one embodiment, field technicians use a data collection device to track installation tasks and corresponding Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) coordinates. The collected data and coordinates are analyzed, possibly for a fee, and used to make changes in installation and maintenance procedures. As a result, service provider can save significant cost on future installations and service calls.

Abstract: Example embodiments of the present invention help extend service provider visibility to all premises equipment (CPE) devices that are ranged with an Optical Line Terminal (OLT) by associating an Optical Network Terminal (ONT) within each device (CPE-ONT), such as a personal computer (PC), set-top box (STB), broadband home router (BHR), or analog telephone adapter (ATA). Therefore, each CPE device is managed independently via the CPE-ONT integrated with it. This allows each CPE device to terminate only optical signals supporting communications supported by the CPE device. Further, each CPE device has access to the entire GPON bandwidth, thereby increasing performance and eliminating bottlenecks caused by electrical communications over 10/100/1000 BaseT interfaces.

Abstract: Heavy users of a Multi-Dwelling Unit Optical Network Terminal (MDU ONT) continuing to use services, such as telephone, data and video, when the MDU ONT is operating from backup power unfairly use the power available from the battery backup power supply. In other words, a heavy user uses more than his share of the power available at the battery backup power supply. Example embodiments of the present invention eliminate such unfairness by associating with each user a separate battery backup power supply dedicated to support that user's services. Therefore, the heavy user will drain his battery more quickly than a light or moderate user. In situations when power from a user's battery backup power supply is not available and an emergency or priority service is requested, the MDU ONT may allocate power from other user batteries, or its own central battery, to support the service.

Abstract: In traditional networks, a user provides an authorization to establish a connection for services with an Optical Network Terminal (ONT) and an Optical Line Terminal (OLT). The ONT becomes vulnerable to unauthorized users because the ONT restricts access at an Internet Protocol level. An embodiment of the present invention includes a system that restricts user access to services by causing a ranging fault to disable an ONT from communicating upstream with the OLT in an event the user fails to provide a valid ONT level user authorization. In an event the ONT is in a ranged state and the user fails to provide a valid service level authorization, the system causes a service level fault to restrict the ONT from granting user access to the user to services. Thus, unauthorized users are prevented access to the ONT and increased security is achieved.

Abstract: Because networks, such as Optical Distributed Networks (ODNs), dynamically change over time as more users and services are added, service providers are challenged to test operational robustness following installation of equipment or provisioning of services or upgrades. Example embodiments of the present invention allow testing of various services along a communications path, including software upgrades, throughput tests and simulations, and combinations of simulated scenarios with live customer traffic. The example embodiments allow generation of reports based on the testing of various services so that a technician may correct errors and ensure proper provisioning during equipment installation. Such testing may be useful to detect installation or activation problems encountered when a subscriber activates a service at a later date or adds additional devices. The example embodiments simplify installation and provisioning, saving service providers cost on a per installation or provisioning basis.

Abstract: Networks continually change in terms of physical, logical, and traffic loading. Determining efficient traffic flow from a content server to a subscriber is a difficult task, and slow network delivery can cause a subscriber to be dissatisfied with a service provider. A method or corresponding apparatus according to an example embodiment of the present invention selects the best physical or logical path via which devices should forward media content to end-user devices through multicast selection techniques, optionally in request or delivery directions, or both. The multicast selection allows devices to send streams over the most efficient channel detected in the network based on a criterion, such as latency. Upstream request multicast selection provides an ability to send requests faster, by sending them over multiple channels, and downstream multicast selection allows streams to be delivered faster in the downstream direction.

Abstract: Customer premises equipment (CPE), such as optical network terminals (ONT), are often located on the outside of a premises, and are susceptible to theft and to weather elements. A cap for portions of customer premises equipment (CPE) used in telecommunications networks protects the CPE from theft and from the weather elements. The cap typically covers a portion of the CPE that carries communications and power connectors, providing protection from the weather elements. Additionally, the cap may be lockable, preventing unauthorized removal of the CPE or portions of the CPE. The cap may also provide strain relief for cables coupled to the CPE. The cap may also prevent unauthorized removal of covers on a CPE housing that protects valuable components, such as battery back-ups.

Abstract: A method and system for collecting and analyzing diagnostic data relating to an Optical Network Terminal (ONT) anomaly or failure is disclosed. Example embodiments of the method and system employ a SIP configuration server to collect and analyze diagnostic data efficiently to determine a cause of the anomaly or failure in both live and post-mortem scenarios. The collected data may be communicated to a central location, where analysis of the data may be conveniently performed by a technical support entity. The method and system are scalable and may be applied to an entire installed base of ONTs across many individual Passive Optical Networks (PONs).

Abstract: A problem of collecting data unnecessarily in an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) network is, in part, caused by a centralized approach to data collection, whereby data is collected for logical channels, even if not currently streaming to an end node. A method or corresponding apparatus of fault detection according to an example embodiment of the present invention provides for detecting and reporting faults specific to a logical IPTV channel in an IPTV network for logical channels actively streaming to an end user device, such as in response to a “join” request. One or more nodes supporting a logical IPTV channel provide fault indicators, which may be reported to another node or end user. Node(s) in the IPTV network may aggregate and process multiple fault indicators from across a network, thereby enabling diagnosis of specific errors in the IPTV network. Through the use of the method or apparatus, network resources are conserved.

Abstract: Cell phones or other wireless devices are becoming increasingly more accessible to customers, but cell phone features are primarily focused on communications services. A system employing an example embodiment activates services for an Optical Network Terminal (ONT) in the presence of wireless devices. In particular, the ONT responds to a ranging request from an Optical Line Terminal (OLT) with an ONT Identifier (ID) and an ID of a wireless device. If the ID of the wireless device is known, the ONT may enable activate a service, such as a security service for a homeowner. If the ID of the wireless device is unknown, the system may employ security measures, such as notifying the homeowner that a person with a wireless device having an unknown ID is on the premises. Thus, the example embodiment enables or disables premises security or other security based on the ID of the wireless device.

Abstract: An Optical Network Terminal (ONT) has a fixed number of voice ports. A system employing an example embodiment of the invention increases the number of voice ports without changing hardware in the ONT by employing an Analog Terminal Adaptor (ATA) expander and configuring the ATA expander through use of a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) and other network resources already available in a network with which the ONT is associated. The ATA expander is configured to be compatible with the ONT and, thus the ONT can increase voice services without hardware changes to support growing demands by customers for access to voice services via increasing number of Customer Premises Equipment (CPE).

Abstract: An apparatus or corresponding method of managing Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) lines in a Passive Optical Network (PON) to prevent an alarm system from generating an alarm during a software upgrade or maintenance of an Optical Network Terminal (ONT), Optical Line Terminal (OLT), or PON while maintaining the effectiveness of the alarm system. The ONT may store data related to a POTS line in nonvolatile memory. The ONT may activate the POTS line based on the data from the nonvolatile memory in an event of interruption in communications with an OLT prior to reestablishing communications with the OLT. The interruption in communications may be caused by an ONT reboot to complete an installation of a software upgrade. The ONT may energize the POTS line with a voltage in response to activating the POTS line to prevent the alarm system from generating the alarm.