Abstract: One embodiment of the disclosures made herein is a method for facilitating prescribed application functionality via a network element adapted for providing Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexing (DSLAM) functionality. In accordance with such a method, a first functionality server implements server-specific functionality whereby information associated with the server-specific functionality is generated. In response to implementing the server-specific functionality, information in a universal interface format is transmitted for reception by a first access server from a first functionality server. The first access server is connected between the network element and the first functionality server. After receiving the information, the information is translated from the universal interface format to a system-compatible interface format. The translating is performed by the first access server and the system-specific interface format is different than the universal interface format.

Abstract: A method is provided for implementing multicast control in a point-to-multipoint tree. In accordance with such method, an operation is performed for receiving a request for translating a network element interface identifier associated with an access multiplexer from a positional port location interface identifier to a system readable interface identifier. The request is transmitted for reception by the access multiplexer from an Internet Protocol (IP) Gateway. An operation for translating from the positional port location interface identifier to the system readable interface identifier is performed after receiving the request, followed by an operation being performed for informing the IP Gateway of the translated interface identifier. Thereafter, an operation is performed for receiving a request for creating a designated root of a point-to-multipoint tree.

Abstract: In a method for exchanging packets of user data between a terminal (4a, 4b) of a first network (1) and a service provider (5a, 5b) of a second network (2), the first network (1) is connected to the second network (2) by a gateway (3) which has a unique connection (6a, 6b) to the service provider (5a, 5b), the terminal (4a, 4b) has a first address which is unique within the first network (1), and the terminal (4a, 4b) is configurable with a second address which uniquely identifies a particular service from the service provider (5a, 5b) and which is unique within the second network (2), the method comprising the steps of: allocating the first address being unique within the first network (1) to the terminal (4a, 4b), sending a first packet of user data containing the first and second address from the terminal (4a, 4b) to the service provider (5a, 5b) which identifies the first packet by the presence of the second address and extracts the first address from the first packet, and sending a second packet of user d

Abstract: One embodiment of the disclosures made herein is a method for facilitating prescribed application functionality via a network element adapted for providing Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexing (DSLAM) functionality. In accordance with such a method, a first functionality server implements server-specific functionality whereby information associated with the server-specific functionality is generated. In response to implementing the server-specific functionality, information in a universal interface format is transmitted for reception by a first access server from a first functionality server. The first access server is connected between the network element and the first functionality server. After receiving the information, the information is translated from the universal interface format to a system-compatible interface format. The translating is performed by the first access server and the system-specific interface format is different than the universal interface format.

Abstract: One embodiment of the disclosures made herein is a method for facilitating prescribed application functionality via a network element adapted for providing Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexing (DSLAM) functionality. In accordance with such a method, a first functionality server implements server-specific functionality whereby information associated with the server-specific functionality is generated. In response to implementing the server-specific functionality, information in a universal interface format is transmitted for reception by a first access server from a first functionality server. After receiving the information, the information is translated from the universal interface format to a system-compatible interface format.

Abstract: Processing Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) messages in which a response-mode determination process is facilitated after receiving an IGMP Membership Report designating a requested multipoint leaf connection, where in a proactive expedited leave process is performed in response to determining that implementation of the requested multipoint leaf connection is required and that required network resources are unavailable. A multicast leaf connection implementation process for implementing the requested multipoint leaf connection is performed in response to determining that required network resources are available.

Abstract: One embodiment of the disclosures made herein is an Internet Protocol (IP) multicast control system. In accordance with such IP multicast control system, the IP multicast control system includes a first module capable of facilitating IP multicast control connections between a first apparatus and a second apparatus and a second module capable of enabling termination of a control protocol of the first module. The second module is capable of being supported at an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) layer of the second apparatus.

Abstract: One embodiment of the disclosures made herein is an Internet Protocol (IP) multicast control system. In accordance with such IP multicast control system, the IP multicast control system includes a first module capable of facilitating IP multicast control connections between a first apparatus and a second apparatus and a second module capable of enabling termination of a control protocol of the first module. The second module is capable of being supported at an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) layer of the second apparatus.

Abstract: In a method for exchanging packets of user data between a terminal (4a, 4b) of a first network (1) and a service provider (5a, 5b) of a second network (2), the first network (1) is connected to the second network (2) by a gateway (3) which has a unique connection (6a, 6b) to the service provider (5a, 5b), the terminal (4a, 4b) has a first address which is unique within the first network (1), and the terminal (4a, 4b) is configurable with a second address which uniquely identifies a particular service from the service provider (5a, 5b) and which is unique within the second network (2), the method comprising the steps of: allocating the first address being unique within the first network (1) to the terminal (4a, 4b), sending a first packet of user data containing the first and second address from the terminal (4a, 4b) to the service provider (5a, 5b) which identifies the first packet by the presence of the second address and extracts the first address from the first packet, and sending a second packet of user d

Abstract: One embodiment of the disclosures made herein is a method for implementing multicast control in a point-to-multipoint tree. In accordance with such method, an operation for translating a network element interface identifier associated with a first network element from a first type of network element interface identifier to a second type of network element interface identifier. The operation for translating the network element interface identifier generates a translated network element interface identifier corresponding to the second type of network element interface identifier and transmits the translated network element interface identifier from the first network element for reception by a second network element in response to successful translating the network element interface identifier. After initiating the operation for translating the network element interface identification, an operation is performed for creating a designated root of a point-to-multipoint tree.

Abstract: A method for facilitating inverse multiplexing over asynchronous transfer mode is disclosed herein. The method includes receiving a stream of sequentially aligned ATM cells via an originating end point logical communication link. A sequence identifier is associated with each one of the ATM cells for creating sequence-identified ATM cells. The sequence-identified ATM cells are forwarded to a destination endpoint logical communication link in a distributed manner over a plurality of IM communication links. A first one of said IM communication links has disparate data transmission rates in at least one data transmission direction with respect to a second one of the IM communication links.

Abstract: One embodiment of the disclosures made herein is a method for implementing multicast control in a point-to-multipoint tree. In accordance with such method, an operation for translating a network element interface identifier associated with a first network element from a first type of network element interface identifier to a second type of network element interface identifier. The operation for translating the network element interface identifier generates a translated network element interface identifier corresponding to the second type of network element interface identifier and transmits the translated network element interface identifier from the first network element for reception by a second network element in response to successful translating the network element interface identifier. After initiating the operation for translating the network element interface identification, an operation is performed for creating a designated root of a point-to-multipoint tree.

Abstract: One embodiment of the disclosures made herein is a method for facilitating prescribed application functionality via a network element adapted for providing Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexing (DSLAM) functionality. In accordance with such a method, a first functionality server implements server-specific functionality whereby information associated with the server-specific functionality is generated. In response to implementing the server-specific functionality, information in a universal interface format is transmitted for reception by a first access server from a first functionality server. The first access server is connected between the network element and the first functionality server. After receiving the information, the information is translated from the universal interface format to a system-compatible interface format. The translating is performed by the first access server and the system-specific interface format is different than the universal interface format.

Abstract: One embodiment of the disclosures made herein is a method for facilitating a multicast group switch via a single Internet Group Management Protocol message. In accordance with such method, an operation for receiving an Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) Membership Report message designating a request for altering a present membership status with respect to designated multicast information. The IGMP message is transmitted from a requesting system. An operation is performed for determining a membership action associated with the IGMP Membership Report message. In response to determining the membership action, an operation is performed for preparing a membership acknowledge message. The membership acknowledgment message designates a resulting membership status associated with the request for altering the present membership status. An operation is then performed for transmitting the membership acknowledge message for reception by the requesting system.

Abstract: A method for facilitating multicasting of a file to a plurality of end users is disclosed herein. The method includes an operation for multicasting control service information for reception by a plurality of end user download devices and an operation for receiving a plurality of requests for reception of offered content designated in the control service information. The requests are received from a group of the end user download devices. In response to receiving in the requests, an operation is performed for multicasting the offered content for reception by each one of said end user download devices in the group. A multicast-capable distribution network facilitates multicasting of the control service information, facilitates receiving the requests for reception and facilitates multicasting the offered content.

Abstract: A method for facilitating inverse multiplexing over asynchronous transfer mode is disclosed herein. The method includes receiving a stream of sequentially aligned ATM cells via an originating end point logical communication link. A sequence identifier is associated with each one of the ATM cells for creating sequence-identified ATM cells. The sequence-identified ATM cells are forwarded to a destination endpoint logical communication link in a distributed manner over a plurality of IM communication links. A first one of said IM communication links has disparate data transmission rates in at least one data transmission direction with respect to a second one of the IM communication links.

Abstract: A microprocessor fault logging arrangement includes a detector for detecting hardware and software faults 3, 4, 8, which produce an interrupt signal which is applied to the non-maskable interrupt input NMI of microprocessor 1 and, which is also applied via delay circuit 5, to the RESET input of microprocessor 1. The NMI input causes microprocessor 1 to store the state of selected system parameters in a log of fault records stored in a non-volatile memory 2, the selected parameters being stored for fault analysis each time an NMI input signal is generated interrupt signal is applied to the NMI input. The delay circuit 5 allows sufficient time for the selected parameters to be stored in the non-volatile memory 2 before the microprocessor is reset.