Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for providing network state information to customer equipment. In some embodiments, an operations, administration, and management (“OAM”) server might determine a status of a network connection between at least two network devices, might generate state information indicating the determined status of the network connection, and might send the state information to one or more customer equipment, using in-band signaling over a band between the at least two network devices. The state information might include one or more alarms that indicate one or more of a receive path error, a transmit path error, or a performance issue error (which might indicate at least one of jitter, delay, frame loss, peak actual throughput, or average actual throughput). The OAM server might be disposed or embodied within at least one of a customer equipment, a user network interface device, a network interface device, or a server over a network.

Abstract: A system, method and network communications device including a processing unit configured to communicate data packets with one or more network communications devices. The data packets include network performance information generated by the one or more network communications devices in response to receiving a portion of the data packets. The network communications device further includes a memory in communication with the processing unit. The memory is configured to store a table containing network performance information associated with the node segments through which the data packets are communicated with the one or more network communications devices. The processing unit is further configured to process the data packets to store the network performance information in the table. The network performance information is utilized to alter future communications of the data packets through the node segments.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for testing performance of network connections. In some cases, a method for testing performance of a network connection might comprise establishing a plurality of test points within one or more segments in the network connection. With a computer, performance of a selected segment of the network connection at one or more first test points may be tested. The selected segment might have a first endpoint and a second endpoint. The performance of one or more sub-segments of the selected segment at one or more second test points may also be tested with the computer. The computer may also determine an isolated performance of a particular one of the sub-segments based on the testing. In some instances, the method might further comprise determining, with the computer, that performance of the one or more sub-segments has affected performance of the network connection.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the connection of a first end-user device to a network includes determining the amount of bandwidth present, tracking the amount of bandwidth in use by different classes of traffic, and tracking performance of the connection to detect when a threshold crossing has been reached. The method also includes transmitting a query to the first end-user device in response to the determined reaching of the threshold, the query requesting from a user of the first end-user device a communication action to perform based on the threshold being reached. The method further includes changing the communications session between the first end-user device and the network in accordance with the received communication action.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for providing and operating a federated e-commerce network. In some embodiments, a standard database is provided for local providers, stores, or retailers to automatically reflect their supply levels and price in order to facilitate providing a national-level or international-level type e-commerce experience for the local providers, stores, or retailers. A website might be established or maintained that provides local retailers with control over sale of items, while allowing customers to search and purchase items listed in a consolidated inventory list compiling inventory information from databases associated with two or more local retailers in the federated e-commerce network. Customers may also be provided with options to create, modify, or delete wish lists, hate lists, and/or gift lists. Ads may automatically be generated based on one or more of viewing or buying patterns, the wish lists, the hate lists, or gift lists associated with each customer.

Abstract: A method of operating a service provider system comprising receiving first traffic, determining a first traffic type of the first traffic from a plurality of traffic types, selecting the first communication link from a plurality of communication links based on the first traffic type, and transmitting the first traffic on a first communication link to a communication system.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include system and method for routing communications over a communications network. In one embodiment, a determination is made as to whether to establish a communication along a communication path based on network performance information. The disclosed embodiments provide several alternatives for establishing the communication and improving communications along the communication path in response to a determination that at least one network node along the communication path is impaired or congested.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques to allow enhanced distribution of emergency messages and other public information. In one aspect, these tools can provide a secure channel for an emergency message source to prevent compromise of the distribution system, to ensure the integrity of alerts distributed by the system. In another aspect, these can employ a universal signaling point that can receive an emergency message intended for a particular consumer and ensure that the message is distributed appropriately among the consumer's devices. The customer signaling point might register customer devices and/or maintain a state machine that devices can access once registered with the customer signaling point.

Abstract: A method line powering a remote access device or telephone from a centralized location that includes abstraction of the ancillary signaling functions to that central location. A method of receiving a request for a telephone call includes receiving a digital telephony packet and determining a ring signal in response to the received digital telephony packet. The method also includes generating a voltage signal in response to the determined ring signal and communicating the voltage signal over a twisted pair connection to a digital telephone. The communicated voltage signal is operable to power the digital telephone and generate a ring signal at the digital telephone. The digital telephone is operable to generate digital telephony packets representative of voice data.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking a line rate utilization. An effective throughput is measured for a data stream during a time period. A number of frames in the data stream is counted during the time period. A line rate utilization is determined for the data stream utilizing the number of frames and a size of the frames in response to the time period ending. The line rate utilization is save for communication to one or more users. The line rate utilization is communicated to one or more users.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing a virtualization congestion control framework. In one aspect, a method might include a hypervisor assigning application resources of a virtual machine (“VM”), which operates on a host computing system, with maximum allowable settings to each software application to be executed on the VM. The hypervisor or an orchestrator might determine a running mode of the host computing system, and might execute the software application(s) using running mode attributes of the determined running mode. The hypervisor or the orchestrator might monitor application resource utilization, and, based on a determination that application resource utilization has changed, might modify allocation of application resources to each of the software application(s).

Abstract: A system and method for performing session initiation protocol testing. A trigger is received to initiate a test between an initiating measurement agent and a target measurement agent. A determination is made whether the initiating measurement agent is configured to perform the test. A determination is made whether the target measurement agent is configured to perform the test. The testing is performed between the initiating measurement agent and the target measurement agent in response to determining the initiating measurement agent and the target measurement agent are configured to perform the test.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for implementing a virtualization congestion control framework. In one aspect, an orchestrator might be provided within a virtual machine environment context in order to provide two-way communications between the virtual machine (“VM”) and one or more applications running on one or more virtual machines in the VM environment in order to control congestion in hardware resource usage, perhaps using a congestion API. In some embodiments, the two-way communications might include communications from the VM to the applications including maximum hardware resources and current resources, and might further include communications from the applications to the VM including pre-congestion notifications and low-utilization notifications.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a state of a network service. Frames per second at an interface are measured to determine congestion. An effective throughput at the interface is measured to determine the congestion. An average packet size for a number of frames communicated through the interface is determined. The state for the network service is determined in response to the congestion and the average packet size. The state indicates whether the SLA is violated. A throughput rate communicated through the interface is adjusted in response to the state.

Abstract: A system and method for separating clock recovery for a pseudowire communication. An incoming signal is received for a pseudowire communication. The incoming signal is separated into a first signal and a second signal. Packets within the first signal are ordered in a first register. A clock signal is extracted from the second signal in a second register to generate a modified clock signal. A delay is incurred during generating of the modified clock signal. The first signal is communicated utilizing the modified clock signal.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include system and method for routing communications over a communications network. In one embodiment, a determination is made as to whether to establish a communication along a communication path based on network performance information. The disclosed embodiments provide several alternatives for establishing the communication and improving communications along the communication path in response to a determination that at least one network node along the communication path is impaired or congested.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking a line rate utilization. An effective throughput is measured for a data stream during a time period. A number of frames in the data stream is counted during the time period. A line rate utilization is determined for the data stream utilizing the number of frames and a size of the frames in response to the time period ending. The line rate utilization is save for communication to one or more users. The line rate utilization is communicated to one or more users.

Abstract: A system, method, and server for distributing content. The system includes a number of servers in communication with the Internet and configured to provide subscribers of the communications service provider with access to content stored on the number of servers without having to access external networks including the Internet. The system further includes a remote content management application operating on at least one of the number of servers and configured to provide content providers with: (1) digital rights management (DRM) and (2) guaranteed quality of service (QoS) to the subscribers of the communications service providers, wherein the content providers establish the DRM and the QoS.

Abstract: A system and method for separating clock recovery for a pseudowire communication. An incoming signal is received for a pseudowire communication. The incoming signal is separated into a first signal and a second signal. Packets within the first signal are ordered in a first register. A clock signal is extracted from the second signal in a second register to generate a modified clock signal. A delay is incurred during generating of the modified clock signal. The first signal is communicated utilizing the modified clock signal.

Abstract: A system and method for differentiating billing in response to content. A determination is made of types of traffic in one or more communications being communicated through a network. A determination is made of rates associated with each of the types of traffic. Billing is implemented utilizing the rates for the types of traffic.