Abstract: An approach for providing latency measurements for a communication path of a transmission network is described. Measurement of latency associated with one or more communication paths of a transmission network is initiated. An increase in the latency within the transmission network is detected based on the latency measurement. One or more secondary communication paths of the transmission network are determined to address the latency increase. One of the secondary communication paths is selected according to a latency threshold.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and computer-readable storage medium are provided for calculating an estimated throughput requirement of a network, such as to facilitate selecting the minimum bandwidth, maximum bandwidth or some other appropriate bandwidth for providing network services to a customer accessing that network. In this regard, a method of calculating a throughput requirement of a network includes receiving a bandwidth requirement. The method also includes calculating a data link-layer frame rate requirement based on the bandwidth requirement and a frame size, where the calculated frame rate requirement is limited by a line rate for transmission of data packets across a core network. In addition, the method includes calculating a data link-layer throughput requirement based on the calculated frame rate requirement and the frame size.

Abstract: System and method for providing a layer 2 switch in the access network that switches based upon one or more carrier tags identifying customer traffic. Customer traffic conforming to any variety of different layer 1 or layer 2 protocols may be encapsulated and identified according to carrier tag values. The layer 2 switch may determine how to handle the traffic by interpreting and manipulating the carrier tag values. The layer 2 switch may be capable of switching TDM input traffic to either TDM or packet output traffic, and switching packetized input traffic to either TDM or packet output traffic. Handling classification values may also be processed by the layer 2 switch to affect prioritization of handling of encapsulated traffic.

Abstract: An approach is provided for auto-bandwidth adjusting bandwidth allocations for traffic-engineered tunnels used to carry traffic along a network. Traffic over the tunnel is sampled at a first interval period and at a second interval period, where the second interval period is shorter than the first interval period. A determination is made as to whether the sampled traffic taken using the second interval period is greater than the bandwidth allocation, and the bandwidth allocation is adjusted upward based upon a determination that the sampled traffic taken using the second interval period is greater than the bandwidth allocation. Also, a determination can be made as to whether the sampled traffic taken using the first interval period is less than the bandwidth allocation, and the bandwidth allocation can be adjusted downward based upon a determination that the sampled traffic taken using the first interval period is less than the bandwidth allocation.

Abstract: An approach for resizing a network tunnel based on criteria associated with incoming traffic to the network is described. A tunnel management platform determines a frequency or a relevancy of network traffic matching predetermined class of service criteria. The tunnel management platform also calculates, based on the frequency or relevancy, a minimal amount of bandwidth to reserve for tunneling subsequent network traffic associated with the predetermined class of service criteria over a network of the service provider. A resizing of the network tunnel is then initiated based on the calculation in association with subsequent network traffic.

Abstract: An approach for providing latency measurements for a communication path of a transmission network is described. Measurement of latency associated with one or more communication paths of a transmission network is initiated. An increase in the latency within the transmission network is detected based on the latency measurement. One or more secondary communication paths of the transmission network are determined to address the latency increase. One of the secondary communication paths is selected according to a latency threshold.

Abstract: An approach for providing fault isolation for a service path in an Ethernet-based network is described. A service path within an Ethernet-based network and associated with a plurality of management levels is determined. A plurality of management points that are along the service path and that correspond to the management levels are monitored. An occurrence of a fault at one of the management points associated with the service path is identified based on the monitoring.

Abstract: System and method for providing a layer 2 switch in the access network that switches based upon one or more carrier tags identifying customer traffic. Customer traffic conforming to any variety of different layer 1 or layer 2 protocols may be encapsulated and identified according to carrier tag values. The layer 2 switch may determine how to handle the traffic by interpreting and manipulating the carrier tag values. The layer 2 switch may be capable of switching TDM input traffic to either TDM or packet output traffic, and switching packetized input traffic to either TDM or packet output traffic. Handling classification values may also be processed by the layer 2 switch to affect prioritization of handling of encapsulated traffic.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods and computer-readable storage mediums are provided for calculating estimated addressing and bandwidth requirements of a customer domain, such as to facilitate designing the respective domain. A method includes selecting customer premises equipment (CPE) of a domain including a plurality of CPEs, where each CPE includes one or more devices, and one of the one or more devices include an interface with which the domain communicates with the respective CPE. The method also includes determining if the interface of the selected CPE comprises a router, and calculating an addressing requirement of the selected CPE, where the addressing requirement includes a number of device addresses for the selected CPE. The method may additionally or alternatively include analyzing traffic patterns of the selected CPE with respect to one or more other CPEs, and based on the analysis, calculating a bandwidth requirement of the selected CPE.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods and computer-readable storage mediums are provided for calculating estimated addressing and bandwidth requirements of a customer domain, such as to facilitate designing the respective domain. A method includes selecting customer premises equipment (CPE) of a domain including a plurality of CPEs, where each CPE includes one or more devices, and one of the one or more devices include an interface with which the domain communicates with the respective CPE. The method also includes determining if the interface of the selected CPE comprises a router, and calculating an addressing requirement of the selected CPE, where the addressing requirement includes a number of device addresses for the selected CPE. The method may additionally or alternatively include analyzing traffic patterns of the selected CPE with respect to one or more other CPEs, and based on the analysis, calculating a bandwidth requirement of the selected CPE.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods and computer-readable storage mediums are provided for calculating estimated addressing and bandwidth requirements of a customer domain, such as to facilitate designing the respective domain. A method includes selecting customer premises equipment (CPE) of a domain including a plurality of CPEs, where each CPE includes one or more devices, and one of the one or more devices include an interface with which the domain communicates with the respective CPE. The method also includes determining if the interface of the selected CPE comprises a router, and calculating an addressing requirement of the selected CPE, where the addressing requirement includes a number of device addresses for the selected CPE. The method may additionally or alternatively include analyzing traffic patterns of the selected CPE with respect to one or more other CPEs, and based on the analysis, calculating a bandwidth requirement of the selected CPE.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and computer-readable storage medium are provided for calculating an estimated throughput requirement of a network, such as to facilitate selecting the minimum bandwidth, maximum bandwidth or some other appropriate bandwidth for providing network services to a customer accessing that network. In this regard, a method of calculating a throughput requirement of a network includes receiving a bandwidth requirement. The method also includes calculating a data link-layer frame rate requirement based on the bandwidth requirement and a frame size, where the calculated frame rate requirement is limited by a line rate for transmission of data packets across a core network. In addition, the method includes calculating a data link-layer throughput requirement based on the calculated frame rate requirement and the frame size.