Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to form secure cross-VPN (virtual private network) communication sessions in multiprotocol label switching (MPLS)-based networks are disclosed.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to form secure cross-VPN (virtual private network) communication sessions in multiprotocol label switching (MPLS)-based networks are disclosed.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to form secure cross-VPN (virtual private network) communication sessions in multiprotocol label switching (MPLS)-based networks are disclosed. An example method comprises receiving a communication session initiation request from a first device associated with a first MPLS-based VPN, determining whether the communication session initiation request is directed to a second device associated with a second MPLS-based VPN, sending a cross-VPN link setup request to a route reflector to enable a cross-VPN communication path over which the first and second devices are permitted to communicate when the communication session initiation request is directed to the second device associated with the second VPN, and facilitating a communication session between the first and second devices via the communication path enabled by the route reflector.

Abstract: Systems and methods for advertising routing updates are disclosed. An example method includes forwarding a proposed routing update from a provider edge router to first and second customer edge routers when a route reflector determines that the proposed routing update having a first route target represents a desirable routing configuration for the provider edge router; and when the route reflector determines that the proposed routing update represents an undesirable routing configuration for the provider edge router: forwarding a first substitute routing update from the provider edge router to the first customer edge router different from the proposed routing update and including a second route target different from the first route target; and forwarding a second substitute routing update from the provider edge router to the second customer edge router different from the proposed routing update and including a third route target different from the first route target.

Abstract: A set-top box device comprising a recall channel stack module and an output module. The recall channel stack module is configured to store a plurality of last channels displayed. The output module is in communication with the recall channel stack module, and is configured to output a last channel menu listing the plurality of last channels displayed based on a last channel request.

Abstract: A cell-based router comprising a controller to receive provisioning information including a transport rate of at least one frame-based router among a group of frame-based routers in a communication network, adjust cell transmission rate to avoid packet losses at the frame-based routers, where cell-based traffic is routed to a bidirectional cell and frame based switch according to updated bandwidth comprising the adjusted cell transmission rate, where the bidirectional cell and frame based switch is coupled to the cell-based router and the frame-based routers.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to form secure cross-VPN (virtual private network) communication sessions in multiprotocol label switching (MPLS)-based networks are disclosed. An example method comprises receiving a communication session initiation request from a first device associated with a first MPLS-based VPN, determining whether the communication session initiation request is directed to a second device associated with a second MPLS-based VPN, sending a cross-VPN link setup request to a route reflector to enable a cross-VPN communication path over which the first and second devices are permitted to communicate when the communication session initiation request is directed to the second device associated with the second VPN, and facilitating a communication session between the first and second devices via the communication path enabled by the route reflector.

Abstract: Systems and methods for advertising routing updates are disclosed. An example method includes forwarding a proposed routing update from a provider edge router to first and second customer edge routers when a route reflector determines that the proposed routing update having a first route target represents a desirable routing configuration for the provider edge router; and when the route reflector determines that the proposed routing update represents an undesirable routing configuration for the provider edge router: forwarding a first substitute routing update from the provider edge router to the first customer edge router different from the proposed routing update and including a second route target different from the first route target; and forwarding a second substitute routing update from the provider edge router to the second customer edge router different from the proposed routing update and including a third route target different from the first route target.

Abstract: A system for advertising routing updates is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a route reflector having a controller element that generates from a routing update a plurality of dissimilar routing advertisements transmitted in whole or in part to one or more provider edge routers operating in a packet-switched communication system. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A teleconference system for coordinating a prearranged teleconference includes a memory that stores established parameters for contacting teleconference participants. The teleconference system also includes a caller that systematically hunts and automatically calls out to designated teleconference participants over a communications network based upon the established parameters, without the need for the designated participants to call in to the teleconference.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for routing packet traffic. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a Provider Edge (PE) router having a routing element that routes packet traffic between a plurality of autonomous systems according to one or more Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF) tables each having a plurality of Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP) Autonomous System (AS) numbers. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A cell-based router comprising a controller to receive provisioning information including a transport rate of at least one frame-based router among a group of frame-based routers in a communication network, adjust cell transmission rate to avoid packet losses at the frame-based routers, where cell-based traffic is routed to a bidirectional cell and frame based switch according to updated bandwidth comprising the adjusted cell transmission rate, where the bidirectional cell and frame based switch is coupled to the cell-based router and the frame-based routers.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to form secure cross-VPN (virtual private network) communication sessions in multiprotocol label switching (MPLS)-based networks are disclosed. An example method comprises receiving a communication session initiation request from a first device associated with a first MPLS-based VPN, determining whether the communication session initiation request is directed to a second device associated with a second MPLS-based VPN, sending a cross-VPN link setup request to a route reflector to enable a cross-VPN communication path over which the first and second devices are permitted to communicate when the communication session initiation request is directed to the second device associated with the second VPN, and facilitating a communication session between the first and second devices via the communication path enabled by the route reflector.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for routing packet traffic. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a Provider Edge (PE) router having a routing element that routes packet traffic between a plurality of autonomous systems according to one or more Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF) tables each having a plurality of Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP) Autonomous System (AS) numbers. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A remote control device comprising a touch screen, a mode module, and a programming module. The touch screen is configured to display a plurality of buttons for interaction with a television. The mode module is configured to receive a mode request and to populate the touch screen with one of a plurality of button layouts based on the mode request. The programming module is in communication with the touch screen and with the mode module, and is adapted to receive a user defined button layout and to store the user defined button layout in the mode module.

Abstract: A set-top box device comprising a recall channel stack module and an output module. The recall channel stack module is configured to store a plurality of last channels displayed. The output module is in communication with the recall channel stack module, and is configured to output a last channel menu listing the plurality of last channels displayed based on a last channel request.

Abstract: A communication network (100) has a plurality of cell-based routers (104), a plurality of frame-based routers (108), and a bidirectional cell and frame based switch (110) coupled to the cell-based routers, and frame-based routers. Each of the cell-based routers is programmed to reshape (204) traffic bandwidth to avoid packet losses at the frame-based routers, and route (206) cell-based traffic to the bidirectional cell and frame based switch according to the updated bandwidth.

Abstract: A system and method for using short message service text messaging to schedule a recording of a television program. A first short message service text message associated with a request for a list of television programs scheduled to be provided is received. A second short message service text message associated with the list of television programs scheduled to be provided is sent. A third short message service text message associated with a record request for a selected television program in the list of television programs is received. The record request for the selected television program is sent to a digital video recorder device.

Abstract: A first interface is connected to a first network element having a first Internet Protocol (IP) address. A second interface is connected to a second network element having a second IP address. Traffic is passed between the first interface and the second interface, and performance data is measured based on the traffic. A packet, that is addressed to the second IP address and includes a predetermined port identifier, is received by the first interface. In response to determining that the packet is addressed to the second IP address and includes the predetermined port identifier, the packet is inhibited from being passed to the second interface, and a response that includes the performance data is outputted via the first interface.