Abstract: An apparatus and method for managing and characterizing clock domains in multi-domain networks are disclosed. A process of clock domain management is capable of receiving a data packet or data stream traveling across CES circuit. Upon obtaining a clock domain hierarchy stored in a storage location, the process identifies a clock frequency in the clock domain hierarchy in accordance with the CES circuit. The clock domain hierarchy, in one embodiment, is a searchable database containing information relating to clock domains. The clock frequency is subsequently assigned to a packet processing unit for data processing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for managing clock domain(s) crossing several communication networks are disclosed. In one embodiment, a process capable of managing clock domains receives a data stream over a circuit emulation service (“CES”). Upon storing the data stream in a traffic buffer, the process selects a first clock domain for processing the data stream in the traffic buffer. For example, the process is capable of using the first clock domain to process and/or empty a jitter buffer, which stores CES data packets. The traffic buffer is monitored and the first clock domain can be replaced with a second clock domain if the storage capacity of the traffic buffer indicates that a different clock domain is needed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to restore default settings in an Optical Network Terminal (ONT) prevents the ONT from retaining previous ONT settings after the ONT is removed from a network. One example embodiment notifies a management system that an ONT is removed from the network and updates settings of the ONT with default settings via an Optical Line Terminal (OLT) in operative communication with the management system. The default settings disable at least one service, such as voice, data, or video service, between the OLT and ONT. Through use of the example embodiment, ONTs can be properly deleted from a network prior to or after removal from the network, which simplifies redeployment of ONTs and control over the ONTs.