Abstract: A system and method for a content provider to distribute content may include configuring a webserver to be in communication with the Internet and be accessible to subscribers of a communication service provider without accessing the Internet. The content provider may be enabled to store content in at least one data storage bin at the webserver, where the webserver may further be configured to provide digital rights management for the content provider and guaranteed QoS to the subscribers when downloading the content. The content may be communicated from the webserver with guaranteed QoS to the subscribers.

Abstract: A system and method for redundant synchronizing to a reference clock for data communications. A determination is made whether a first data stream and a second data stream are available. The first data stream and the second data stream are received through opposing directions of a communications ring. A first data packet and second data packet are received at a remote node in response to the first data stream and second data stream being available. A timing characteristic of the first data packet and the second data packet correspond to a tick of a reference clock. The tick of the reference clock is extracted utilizing a timing characteristic of the first data packet or second data packet in response to the first data stream or the second data stream being available. A secondary clock is disciplined with the reference clock by adjusting the secondary clock based on a difference between times measured by the reference clock and the secondary clock to generate a clock signal.

Abstract: A system and method for providing content providers with network distribution nodes for distributing content to subscribers of a communications service provider may include maintaining multiple network nodes by the communications service provider, where the network nodes may be in communication with the Internet and be configured to enable subscribers of the communications service provider to access and download content without the content having to be communicated over the Internet. Multiple respective content service providers may be enabled to store content at the network nodes for subscribers local to each respective network node to download the content. Multiple customer databases configured to store information associated with subscribers of the communications service provider may be operated. Limited access to the information stored in the customer databases may be provided to prevent the respective content providers from accessing personal information of the subscribers.

Abstract: A set-top box may include a storage unit, input/output (I/O) unit configured to communicate with a network node of a service provider over a communications network, memory unit, and a processing unit in communication with the storage unit, I/O unit, and memory unit. A user control panel module may be executed by the processing unit and configured to cause the processing unit to present a graphical user interface to a user to control access to one or more content stores of a content mall operating on the network node. A service provider control panel module may be executed by the processing unit and be configured to cause the processing unit to enable the communications service provider to control operation of the processing unit. A codec module may be executed by the processing unit and configured to enable the processing unit to display content downloaded from a content store of the content mall.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring bursting traffic of a user. CIR tokens are incremented at a first rate. EIR tokens are incremented at a second rate. At bit is received for communication through a user network interface. A determination is made whether there are EIR tokens in response to a determination that there are no CIR tokens. The EIR tokens are decremented in response to a determination that there are EIR tokens. The bit is communicated through a network in response to the determination that there are EIR tokens.

Abstract: A system and method for authorizing test traffic over a network. A request is received to perform a throughput test. A state of the network is determined. The throughput test is authorized in response to the determined state of the network being acceptable for performing the throughput test. The throughput test is terminated in response to the determined state of the network being unacceptable for performing the throughput test.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a system for preventing a packet of a test pattern from being communicated over a network. In one embodiment, a communications management system is disclosed that includes a network interface configured to enable the communications management system to communicate with a plurality of network nodes over a network. The communications management system further includes a processor configured to execute instructions to determine whether one or more portions of the network are congested, and generate and transmit a message to at least one of the network nodes to terminate communication of test packets in response to a determination that one or more portions of the network is congested.

Abstract: A system and method for preventing a packet of a test pattern from being communicated over a network. A congestion state of the network is determined. The packet is marked as being associated with a test pattern. The packet is determined to be associated with the test pattern in response to the marking. The communication of the packet is terminated in response to the determined congestion state.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring user traffic. An observance window is established for a time period associated with the CIR rate. Incoming bits are measured to determine if the CIR rate plus a CBS rate is exceeded. A determination is made whether there is a threshold crossing during the observance window. A flag state is set indicating a user traffic flow is out of conformance in response to determining there is a threshold crossing.

Abstract: A system and method for generating alarms based on traffic bursting. Marked packets are received. A determination is made whether the marked packet conforms with a bandwidth profile. The packet is remarked in response to determining the marked packet does not comply with a CIR threshold and an EIR threshold. An alarm is generated in response to remarking the packet.

Abstract: A method of determining the state of a path in a network. A rate of throughput is observed at a node of the network over an interval for at least a portion of the path. Derivations associated with a characteristic of the frames or traffic flows communicated over at least the portion of the path are determined at the node. A state of congestion of the path is determined in response to the observed rate of throughput as compared to a bandwidth profile of the path and the derivations.

Abstract: A method of determining the state of a path in a network includes measuring at a node of the network a rate of throughput over an interval for at least a portion of the path and determining at the node of the network a derivation associated with a characteristic of the frames communicated over at least the portion of the path. The method also includes determining a state of congestion of the path in response to the measured rate of throughput and the determined associated derivation.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring user traffic. An observance window is established for a time period associated with the CIR burst refresh rate. Incoming bits are measured to determine if the CIR plus CBS rate is exceeded. A determination is made whether there is a threshold crossing during the observance window. A flag state is set indicating a user device is out of conformance in response to determining there is a threshold crossing.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating failures in a metro Ethernet network (MEN). Packets are communicated through multiple maintenance entities. A determination is made that there is a failure between or at one of the multiple maintenance entities. An alarm is generated at a maintenance entity nearest the failure in response to determining there is a failure. The alarm indicates a location of the failure. The alarm is communicated back through one or more of the multiple maintenance entities to a maintenance end point. The alarm is routed at least two a communications service provider determined to be associated with the failure.

Abstract: A system and method for locating failures in a metro Ethernet network. Packets are communicated from a maintenance end point through a plurality of maintenance entities. An alarm is generated at a maintenance entity in response to determining the packets are not communicated through a next ME. The alarm indicates the location of the next ME. The alarm is sent back through the one or more of the plurality of maintenance entities to a sending MEP in response to detecting the alarm.

Abstract: A system and method for redundant synchronizing to a reference clock for data communications. A determination is made whether a first data stream and a second data stream are available. The first data stream and the second data stream are received through opposing directions of a communications ring. A first data packet and second data packet are received at a remote node in response to the first data stream and second data stream being available. A timing characteristic of the first data packet and the second data packet correspond to a tick of a reference clock. The tick of the reference clock is extracted utilizing a timing characteristic of the first data packet or second data packet in response to the first data stream or the second data stream being available. A secondary clock is disciplined with the reference clock by adjusting the secondary clock based on a difference between times measured by the reference clock and the secondary clock to generate a clock signal.

Abstract: A system and method for synchronizing a clock for data transmissions. A data packet is received at a remote node. A timing characteristic of the data packet corresponds to a tick of a clock form a reference clock. A tick of the clock is determined based on the timing characteristic of the data packet. A secondary clock is disciplined with the reference clock by adjusting the secondary clock based on a difference between times measured by the reference clock and the secondary clock to generate a clock signal. The clock signal is communicated to one or more interfaces.

Abstract: A system and method for indicating performance information. Performance information is measured for a connection to a communications device. One or more trends and one or more averages associated with the performance information is determined. The one or more trends and the one or more averages is displayed to a user in response to the determination. Suggestions for the user are generated to enhance the connection to the communications device.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a state of a communications system. A determination is made whether a communications path is fully functional, impaired, or non functional. A maximum capacity available to the communications path is determined in response to deterting the communications path is impaired. The communications path is limited to a maximum capacity available in response to determining the maximum capacity of the connection as impaired.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring bursting traffic of a user. CIR tokens are incremented at a first rate. EIR tokens are incremented at a second rate. At bit is received for communication through a user network interface. A determination is made whether there are EIR tokens in response to a determination that there are no CIR tokens. The EIR tokens are decremented in response to a determination that there are EIR tokens. The bit is communicated through a network in response to the determination that there are EIR tokens.