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 management system manages multiple multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) virtual private networks (VPNs), the VPNs having overlapping IP addresses. The system includes a storage storing a file that associates a host name with an IP address and a route distinguisher. The host name corresponds to a network element within one of the customer VPNs. The system also includes a label obtaining system that obtains at least one label for the host name based upon the associated IP address and route distinguisher. The system also has a packet construction system that creates packets destined for the network element using the obtained label(s).

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for overlaying a hierarchical network on a full mesh network. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network element of a full mesh network (402) having a controller programmed to overlay (200, 400, 400) in part a hierarchical network on the full mesh network with an isolation protocol.

Abstract: A method can be used to route a communication within a network. The method can include receiving a first communication at a first edge router, wherein the first communication is a Layer 2 communication. The method can also include determining that the first communication has a destination that includes a first multicast group and a second multicast group different from the first multicast group. The method can also include encapsulating the first communication within a second communication, wherein the second communication is a Layer 3 communication, and wherein the second communication is a single communication. The method can further include sending the second communication towards the first multicast group and the second multicast group. A system can be configured to carry out the method.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to advertise network routes to implement a hybrid network topology are disclosed. An example method involves receiving a route advertisement from a first node and identifying a first destination internet protocol address associated with the route advertisement. When the first destination internet protocol address matches a second destination internet protocol address, the route advertisement is associated with a first route target value equal to an import route target value of a second node. The first network node is a first spoke node in a hub-and-spoke network, and the second network node is a second spoke node in the hub-and-spoke network.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for overlaying a hierarchical network on a full mesh network. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network element of a full mesh network (402) having a controller programmed to overlay (200, 400, 400) in part a hierarchical network on the full mesh network with an isolation protocol.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for overlaying a hierarchical network on a full mesh network. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network element of a full mesh network (402) having a controller programmed to overlay (200, 400, 400) in part a hierarchical network on the full mesh network with an isolation protocol.

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 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: Example methods and apparatus to advertise network routes to implement a hybrid network topology are disclosed. A disclosed example method involves receiving a route advertisement from a first node and identifying a first destination internet protocol address associated with the route advertisement. When the first destination internet protocol address matches a second destination internet protocol address, the route advertisement is associated with a first route target value equal to an import route target value of a second node. The first network node is a first spoke node in a hub-and-spoke network, and the second network node is a second spoke node in the hub-and-spoke network.

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 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 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 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 method can be used to route a communication within a network. The method can include receiving a first communication at a first edge router, wherein the first communication is a Layer 2 communication. The method can also include determining that the first communication has a destination that includes a first multicast group and a second multicast group different from the first multicast group. The method can also include encapsulating the first communication within a second communication, wherein the second communication is a Layer 3 communication, and wherein the second communication is a single communication. The method can further include sending the second communication towards the first multicast group and the second multicast group. A system can be configured to carry out the method.

Abstract: A method of installing a plug on a cable having insulated wire pairs includes stripping insulation from a cable end to expose the wires and arranging the wires into a plug configuration. A wiring block having a back end leading to a cavity and a front end having pass through holes respectively leading to wire troughs extending between the cavity and front end is provided. The cable end is inserted through the back end such that the wires are inserted into the wire troughs corresponding with the plug configuration and such that the ends of the wires protrude out through the pass through holes. The protruding wire ends are cut off after being pulled until the cable insulation adjacent to the cable end seats itself inside the cavity. The cable is removed from the block such that the cable end can be inserted into a plug to be crimped thereto.

Abstract: A wiring block pre-forms a cable end having twisted wires for subsequent installation of a plug on the cable end. A back end of the block leading to a cavity within the block receives the cable end such that a cable portion adjacent to the cable end sits inside the cavity. A front end of the block has pass holes leading to troughs extending through the block between the cavity and the front end. The troughs receive the wires at the cable end with the wires protruding from the holes. When the cable end is inserted into the block the wires at the cable end have a length within the troughs corresponding to the plug trough lengths and a configuration within the troughs corresponding to the plug trough configuration with the cable portion adjacent to the cable end having a length within the cavity corresponding to the plug cavity length.