Abstract: A method of verifying end-to-end service configuration with application awareness, including one or more of the following: building an application specific service ping packet having an application identification field that identifies an application to which the application specific service ping packet corresponds; forwarding the application specific service ping packet towards a destination in a network; determining static configuration information regarding the application to which the application specific service ping packet corresponds at a network interface of a network element; inserting the static configuration information into the application specific service ping packet; determining at least one policy that applies to a flow including the application specific service ping packet; inserting the at least one policy into the application specific service ping packet; and extracting the service ping packet from the network.

Abstract: An emergency alerting system for permitting a user to secretly send a request for help to multiple parties is described. The system uses a small panic button which may be concealed on the user and which can be activated without an attacker knowing that a call for help has been initiated. The panic button communicates the call for help to a cell phone or Blackberry which in turn sends the call to predetermined recipients using wireless technology. The call or alert message may also include location coordinates using GPS and the time of day.

Abstract: Targeted electronic content delivery control systems and methods are disclosed. All communication traffic exchanged with a communication network subscriber over an access communication link that enables the subscriber to access electronic content is monitored, and behavioral information indicative of behavior of the subscriber in using the access communication link is collected from the monitored communication traffic. A behavioral profile of the subscriber is maintained based on the behavioral information. Delivery of targeted electronic content to the subscriber for presentation with electronic content accessed by the subscriber is controlled based on the behavioral profile.