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: A system and method for selecting communications routing. Network performance information is gathered from a communications network using performance information packet data packets. A network connection offering the best quality of service is selected between the communications network and an outside network based on the network performance information. The network connection is established between the communications network and the outside network for routing communications.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed invention include an apparatus, method, and computer program product for providing advanced IP Service Peering is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes identifying a source and a content type associated with a data packet communicated from a first network to a peer network; determining whether the source is a registered peer service; identifying a quality of service level associated with the source in response to a determination that the source is a registered peer service; dynamically marking the data packet associated with the source with the quality of service level; and transmitting the data packet to the peer network, wherein the peer network communicates the data packet based on the quality of service level associated with the data packet.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating data packets over packet network owned by different communications carriers. Rate information may be stored in a first packet network for communicating data packets over at least two other packet networks. A determination over which of the at least two other packet networks to communicate data packets based on a lowest billing rate for communicating the data packets may be made. The data packets may be communicated over a packet network determined to have the lowest billing rate for communicating the data packets.

Abstract: An application-specific integrated circuit for use in optimizing a packet network including a processing unit that processes defined sequences of assembler language and executes defined sequences of assembler instructions; program and data memory that stores the defined sequences of assembler instructions; an internal data bus; and an input/output (I/O) interface arranged between the internal data bus and at least one external network device for communicating data packets containing network performance information between the internal data bus and the at least one external network device.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating network performance information of a node segment of a packet network may include generating network performance information indicative of transmission characteristics of a node segment on a packet network. The network performance information may be included in a data packet and communicated using in-band signaling to a network communications device.

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 threshold associated with a decline in quality of a connection between the first end-user device and the network. The method further includes generating data in response to the determined reaching of the threshold and communicating the data to a session controller or a second end-user device that is in a communications session with the first end-user device. The method further includes changing the communications session in response to additional data received from the second end-user device.

Abstract: A network communications device may include an input/output (I/O) unit configured to communicate first data packets with at least two network communications devices over respective node segments on a packet network. A processing unit may be configured to receive second data packets from the network communications devices. The second data packets may include network performance information generated by the network communications devices in response to receiving the first data packets. A memory may be in communication with the processing unit and be configured to store a table containing network performance information associated with the node segments over which the second data packets are communicated. The processing unit may be further configured to process the second data packets to store the network performance information in the table. The network performance information may be utilized to alter communications of data packets over the node segments.

Abstract: A system and method for interconnecting networks. In one embodiment, a message is received from a first network to be communicated to a target device of a second network. Data within the message is identified. A determination is made whether the data is allowable based on a policy. The message is communicated to the target device of the second network in response to determining the data is allowed.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for Internet service providers to enable enhanced user control over content delivery. In an aspect of certain embodiments, these tools can allow the customer to select, on a variety of different bases, whether content should be obtained from the Internet or from a lower-cost source, such as a metropolitan content delivery network (“CDN”) operated by the ISP or a private peering connection with a content source. Both of these options can, for example, avoid accessing content over the Internet and thus can reduce ISP delivery costs. In some embodiments, these cost reductions can be passed to the consumer in the way the ISP accounts for the content delivery.

Abstract: A system for centrally controlling packet network communications may include an input/output (I/O) unit configured to communicate data packets over a packet network with multiple network communications devices, a processing unit in communication with the I/O unit and configured to communicate with the network communications devices via respective node segments, and a memory in communication with the processing unit and configured to store a table. The processing unit may be configured to receive and store network performance information of node segments generated by the network communications devices. The network performance information may be stored in the table in association with indicia representative of the node segments, respectively. The processing unit may further be configured to control network communications by the network communications devices over the node segments based on the network performance information stored in the table.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques to give a customer greater visibility into network performance and/or utilization, particularly with respect to the customer's broadband connection to a provider's access network (and/or the Internet more generally). Some tools can track the amount of bandwidth assigned to each class of service on a customer's broadband connection, and/or the bandwidth provided to each of the devices on the customer's premises network. These values can be used as inputs to a state machine that governs the use of the broadband connection.

Abstract: A system and method for determining inter-carrier network usage may be used. The method may include determining network usage of a first packet network managed by a first communications carrier by subscribers of a second communications carrier that manages a second packet network. The network usage may distinguish communications of data packets including real-time content and non-real-time content. Network usage of the second packet network by subscribers of the first communications subscriber may be determined. A network usage differential between the determined usages of the first and second packet networks may be determined, where the network usage information may distinguish communications of data packets including real-time and non-real-time content.

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 system and method for selecting communications routing. Network performance information is gathered from a communications network using performance information packet data packets. A network connection offering the best quality of service is selected between the communications network and an outside network based on the network performance information. The network connection is established between the communications network and the outside network for routing communications.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating through a host repeater. Data is received from a remote repeater communicating with a wireless device. The host repeater registers as the wireless device on a wireless network. The data is reformatted for transmission between the wireless devices and the wireless network.

Abstract: A system and method for determining inter-carrier network usage may be used. The method may include determining network usage of a first packet network managed by a first communications carrier by subscribers of a second communications carrier that manages a second packet network. The network usage may distinguish communications of data packets including real-time content and non-real-time content. Network usage of the second packet network by subscribers of the first communications subscriber may be determined. A network usage differential between the determined usages of the first and second packet networks may be determined, where the network usage information may distinguish communications of data packets including real-time and non-real-time content.

Abstract: A system and method for prioritizing data packets being communicated over a packet network may include receiving a data packet at a network node. The data packet may include an origination network address, a destination network address, and a data field. A determination may be made as to whether at least one of the origination and destination network addresses is a priority network address. The data field of the data packet may be set to a priority value if at least one of the origination and destination network addresses is determined to be a priority network address. The data field of the data packet may be set to a non-priority value if both the origination and destination network addresses are determined not to be a priority network address.

Abstract: A system for centrally controlling packet network communications may include an input/output (I/O) unit configured to communicate data packets over a packet network with multiple network communications devices, a processing unit in communication with the I/O unit and configured to communicate with the network communications devices via respective node segments, and a memory in communication with the processing unit and configured to store a table. The processing unit may be configured to receive and store network performance information of node segments generated by the network communications devices. The network performance information may be stored in the table in association with indicia representative of the node segments, respectively. The processing unit may further be configured to control network communications by the network communications devices over the node segments based on the network performance information stored in the table.

Abstract: A system for adjusting the window size of a TCP packet on a packet network including a receiving transport layer device configured to determine network performance information of the packet network; concatenate the network performance information into the data packets; adjust the window size of the TCP packet based on the network performance information; a non-transport layer device in communication with the receiving transport layer device for receiving the data packets; and a transport layer device in communication with the non-transport layer device, wherein the non-transport layer device forwards the data packets on to the transport layer device. A method for adjusting the window size of a TCP packet on a packet network is also included.