Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring and reporting the performance of communications traffic in a Passive Optical Network (PON) are disclosed. According to the disclosed embodiments, the PON network may include an Optical Line Terminal (OLT) and multiple Optical Network Terminals (ONTs) downstream of the OLT. By aggregating multicast communications traffic received by the ONTs at a point downstream of the ONTs, selectively accessing the aggregated communications traffic, collecting information representative of performance of each selected communications traffic, and reporting the collected information upstream to a network management node, communications traffic in the PON network may be tested in both downstream and upstream directions.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and procedure connects customer premises equipment with a service provider network and includes a first local area network, a second local area network, and a management interface device. The first local area network connects the customer premises equipment to the service provider network and is configured to transmit primary service signals to and receive primary service signals from the customer premises equipment. The second local area network connects the customer premises equipment to the service provider network via the management interface device and is configured to transmit diagnostic and/or management signals from the service provider network to the customer premises equipment through the management interface device and/or to receive diagnostic and/or management signals from the customer premises equipment and transmit those signals to the service provider network through the management interface device.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and computer program for providing selective advertising. The method includes providing an advertisement request specifying that advertising content be provided and automatically providing the advertising content on at least one network service in response to the advertisement request. The advertising content provided is based upon advertising content preferences pre-specified by a subscriber. Also provided is a method for exchanging payments, which includes determining a payment payable to a network service provider from a subscriber and providing the payment to the network service provider from the subscriber. The payment is determined as a cost for access to a selective advertisement service and/or a provisioning of selective advertising.

Abstract: A network device mounting bracket and system for mounting multiple network devices. A network device mounting bracket includes a device interface for receiving a network device and a connection interface for connecting to other network device mounting brackets. Alternatively, the network device mounting bracket includes multiple device interfaces. The brackets can have various wire management capabilities.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, computer program, and method for providing a Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) (or other multimedia-over-coaxial cable technology) network in conjunction with an optical network. In example embodiments, MoCA data is communicated between network nodes in an optical signal. In other example embodiments, MoCA data, or other data, is transmitted in optical frequencies above 860 MHz.

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: An optical network terminal (ONT) includes an input device coupled to at least one sensing device mounted in a structure, and an output coupled to a passive optical network (PON). The ONT also includes a processor programmed to receive security information from the input device, determine if an alarm condition exists using the security information, and transmit an alarm to the output based on the determination. The processor is programmed to detect an open circuit between the sensing device and the ONT, and to generate an alarm if an open circuit is detected. The processor is also programmed to receive information from a keypad located remotely from the ONT. The keypad is utilized to program the ONT from the remote location.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for supporting a virtual forwarding database in response to telecommunications network service demands and standard Media Access Control learning processes to support an overall forwarding database greater than the size supported in hardware. An example embodiment of the present invention provides a possible solution or workaround for certain hardware platforms that limit the total number of forwarding entries that are currently available. This is done by creating a virtual forwarding database that may be maintained in local random access memory and not in the switch(es)/network processors' forwarding database. As such, a traffic module (e.g., application code/processor or central processing unit) may continuously update a virtual forwarding database along with a dedicated forwarding database based on the reception of external data, which includes, but is not limited to, any combination of the following: IPTV joins/leaves, new/unknown packets, and known packets.

Abstract: A method, and an apparatus, system, and sequences of instructions that operate in accordance with the method, for identifying errors in communications in a system that provides services. In the method, control messages are generated and sent to a network device. Error information generated in response to an unsupported control message being received by the network device, from at least one controlling device, is stored in the network device. The error information stored in the network device is retrieved, and errors in communications between the network device and the controlling device are identified, based on the error information retrieved.

Abstract: A network element, a system to deliver voice communications, and methods for delivering voice services from an optical network to a telephone at a location within a premises. The system may include a network element and a telephone system having a connector. The telephone system may be positioned proximate to the network element so that the connector contacts an analog interface of the network element.

Abstract: A method to initiate a remote diagnostic mode in a network terminal includes determining whether a received signal corresponds to a command to initiate a remote diagnostic mode, and setting the network terminal in a remote diagnostic mode in accordance with the result of the determining. An authentication procedure may be performed prior to setting the network terminal in the remote diagnostic mode, for increased security.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and computer-readable program, for for capturing communicated information across a network that includes a plurality of nodes. The method includes providing criteria for capturing, in at least a first one of the nodes, information included in at least one communication passing through the at least one first node, capturing, from the at least one communication passing through the at least one first node, information meeting the criteria, and providing the information captured in the capturing to at least a second one of the nodes of the network. According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one first node includes an Optical Network Terminal (ONT), the at least one second node includes an Element Management System (EMS), and the information includes Ethernet frames. The method further comprises presenting the information to an operator at the EMS, in a decomposed, interpretable format.

Abstract: Separating Passive Optical Network (PON) functions in different mechanical devices, such as optical to electrical conversion of the PON protocol, allows installation of an optical termination device at an exterior of an installation premises and installation of a user interface device performing PON functions inside the installation premises. Various embodiments allow service providers first to install an optical device outside the premises and, later, to install an electrical device, optionally by a customer. This eliminates a service provider from entering the installation premises and enables the customer to complete installation in the interior of the installation premises. Further, more robust, hardened components may be used in the more-permanently installed exterior device, while less-expensive, lower-quality components may be used in the easily-replaceable indoor device, thus reducing cost.

Abstract: Various service providers have different architectures to deliver Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) to their subscribers. Some service providers equipment is based on layer 2 IPTV protocol, and other equipment is based on layer 3 IPTV protocol. Within a Passive Optical Network (PON) environment, there may be multiple service providers that employ different delivery techniques to Optical Network Terminals (ONTs). Example embodiments of the invention accommodate these different delivery mechanisms by supporting layer 2 and layer 3 delivery by dynamically configuring traffic filters as a function of a layer and content of an upstream traffic request.

Abstract: A multi-access network terminal includes first and second communication interfaces. The first interface is configured to communicate with a first service provider providing services to a user through the first interface with a first type of signal and/or a first type of communications protocol. The second interface is configured to communicate with the first service provider providing services to the user through the second communication interface using a second type of signal and/or a second type of communications protocol. Alternatively, the second interface is configured to communicate with a second service provider providing services to the user through the second communication interface using the first or second type of signal and/or the first or second different type of communications protocol.

Abstract: An integrated overlay card, an optical line terminal with an integrated overlay card, and a method for operating an optical network. The integrated overlay card may fit at least partially within the optical line terminal. The integrated overlay card includes a wavelength dimension multiplexer/demultiplexer that overlays first signals at a first wavelength onto second signals at a second wavelength, so as to combine signals. The combined signals may be routed to an optical network. In example embodiments, the invention may be used to provide an IP television service.

Abstract: An apparatus and corresponding method for a bonded Optical Network Terminals (ONT) enhances throughput, redundancy and user-port flexibility by Passive Optical Network (PON) services, such as Gigabit-capable (GPON), Broadband PON (BPON), Ethernet PON (EPON) and future PON services, by mechanically or logically externally managing a plurality of individual ONTs as a single bonded ONT while maintaining individual internal management. Further, multiple OLTs may communicate with the same ONT, thereby increasing throughput and providing redundancy. For manufacturers, user-port flexibility reduces time-to-market for unique products to meet specific user needs. That is, different applications may require multiple ONTs to be managed as a single device, yet provide the port counts from various ONTs. For service providers, mechanical or logical combination(s) of ONTs allows management from a user perspective, providing an opportunity for servicing a single device, improving accounting, billing, inventory, etc.

Abstract: Common techniques for processing cellular service uses a signal cellular tower, but these techniques are limited to the capacity of the single cellular tower. In contrast, a system employing an example embodiment of the invention increases ability to process cellular service by using an access point access network using resident wireless devices, referred to as a femtocell. A system supports communications of a resident and roaming device while employing the access point access network, based on database information, to support soft handoff between adjacent femtocells or from femtocell to cell tower and vice-versa. As a result, the system enables the resident and roaming devices to have seamless transitions between the cellular access network and the access point access network. Thus, the access point access network supplements cellular access networks and can provide cellular service regardless of the capacity of the cellular tower.

Abstract: Common techniques for processing cellular service uses a signal cellular tower, but these techniques are limited to the capacity of the single cellular tower. In contrast, a system employing an example embodiment of the invention increases ability to process cellular service by using an access point access network using resident wireless devices, referred to as a femtocell. A system supports communications of a resident and roaming device while employing the access point access network, based on database information, to support soft handoff between adjacent femtocells or from femtocell to cell tower and vice-versa. As a result, the system enables the resident and roaming devices to have seamless transitions between the cellular access network and the access point access network. Thus, the access point access network supplements cellular access networks and can provide cellular service regardless of the capacity of the cellular tower.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and computer-readable program, for operating a communication network that supports a plurality of types of communication services, such as video, voice, and data services. According to an example embodiment of the invention, the method includes detecting an operating condition affecting any of the communication services within the network, and providing a notification of the operating condition, by way of at least one of the communication services not affected by the operating condition. This notification can be provided in response to a request from a network component or a user, or in response to the detection. The method enables end-users and technicians to troubleshoot service problems based on the notification, which can be forwarded via a service not affected by the condition.