Abstract: A network element that allows in-band control of the network element includes a plurality of interfaces for connecting to other network elements. The network element includes a high data rate transceiver logic configured for transmitting and receiving communications having a first data rate over a first communication channel. The network element also includes a low data rate transceiver logic configured for transmitting and receiving communications having a second data rate that is substantially lower than the first data rate over a second communication channel. The network element further includes a shared photodiode for receiving optical signals over the first and second communication channels. The shared photodiode also converts received optical signals into electrical signals for processing by one of the high data rate transceiver logic and the low data rate transceiver logic.

Abstract: A network element that allows in-band control of the network element includes a plurality of interfaces for connecting to other network elements. The network element includes a high data rate transceiver logic configured for transmitting and receiving communications having a first data rate over a first communication channel. The network element also includes a low data rate transceiver logic configured for transmitting and receiving communications having a second data rate that is substantially lower than the first data rate over a second communication channel. The network element further includes a shared photodiode for receiving optical signals over the first and second communication channels. The shared photodiode also converts received optical signals into electrical signals for processing by one of the high data rate transceiver logic and the low data rate transceiver logic.

Abstract: A wireless access point may include a processor to communicate with a management device over a network; a wired Ethernet interface to the network; and a wireless interface to connect, using a local wireless protocol, to one or more client computing devices, where the wireless access point provides an access point for the one or more client computing devices to connect to the network. The wireless access point may further include an interface to provide a local connection to a modular device, where the processor is to transmit, over the network, data received from the modular device to the management device or data received from the management device to the modular device; and a housing to contain the processor, the wired Ethernet interface, the wireless interface, and the interface to provide the local connection.

Abstract: Providing a plurality of fans within an enclosure. A system implementing this technique can include an enclosure, a heat sink in thermal communication with the enclosure, electronic components at least partially sealed within the enclosure, an eXclusive OR (XOR) fan array, a monitoring engine, and a control engine. A method implementing this technique can include using a heat sink to dissipate heat generated by electronic components within an enclosure; determining that each of the fans of a XOR fan array are stopped, selecting one and only one of the fans of the XOR fan array for operation, and operating the fan to increase air flow within the enclosure, thereby increasing the efficiency of the heat sink.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for facilitating communications between a network node and a Head End of an access network. The access network includes a plurality of nodes which communicate with the Head End via at least one upstream channel and at least one downstream channel. The Head End is configured to monitor channel conditions on selected channels of the access network. The Head End is also configured to modify or change the modulation profile used on a selected channel in response to detecting a change in conditions on that particular channel. If the Head End detects that the channel conditions have deteriorated, the Head End may change the modulation profile on the selected channel to one which is better suited for transmitting data on the channel given the current channel conditions. If the Head End detects that the channel conditions have improved, the Head End may change the modulation profile on the selected channel to one which provides for faster data transmission on the selected channel.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for determining a carrier-to-noise ratio (CNR) value for a selected channel of an access network. A background noise level on the selected channel is measured during a first time interval during which none of the network nodes are transmitting signals on the selected channel. A first signal strength on the selected channel is also measured during a second time interval during which a first network node is transmitting at least one signal on the selected channel. A CNR value for the selected channel may then be calculated using the measured background noise level information and the measured first signal strength information. According to a specific implementation, the calculation of the CNR value for the selected channel is not based upon an Error Vector Magnitude value associated with the signal transmitted from the first network node.