Abstract: Methods and apparatus to deploy fiber optic based access networks are disclosed. An example access network comprises a first fiber optic cable segment to couple an optical access head-end to a first pedestal and to transport user data, a second fiber optic cable segment to couple the first pedestal to a second pedestal and to transport a first portion of the user data to the second pedestal, a drop cable segment to couple the first pedestal to a customer premises and to transport a second portion of the user data to the customer premises, and a switch at the first pedestal to route the first portion of the user data between the first and second fiber optic cable segments and to route the second portion of the user data between the first fiber optic cable segment and the drop cable segment.

Abstract: Automatic rating optimization is described. In an embodiment, ratings of a program can be received from one or more rating sources. Based on these ratings, a representation of a content selection mechanism can be sent to potential consumers of the content. Access events for the content can be counted over a duration of time so a determination can be made regarding how the ratings provided by each of the rating sources affect popularity of the content. A weight accorded to ratings received from each of the rating sources can be adjusted based on the determination. Profiles can be established for consumers and/or rating sources.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to deploy fiber optic based access networks are disclosed. An example access network comprises a first fiber optic cable segment to couple an optical access head-end to a first pedestal and to transport user data, a second fiber optic cable segment to couple the first pedestal to a second pedestal and to transport a first portion of the user data to the second pedestal, a drop cable segment to couple the first pedestal to a customer premises and to transport a second portion of the user data to the customer premises, and a switch at the first pedestal to route the first portion of the user data between the first and second fiber optic cable segments and to route the second portion of the user data between the first fiber optic cable segment and the drop cable segment.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for delivering content to customers of a service provider are provided. Upon receiving a request for content from a customer of a service provider, a position of the requested content on a content demand curve is determined. A business model to be associated with the requested content is selected, wherein the business model defines how the requested content is to be delivered to the customer and how the customer is to be billed for the requested content. The requested content is delivered to the customer according to the selected business model and the customer is billed according to the selected business model.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a personal value for a user are disclosed. For example, the method collects data associated with the user, wherein the data that is collected comprises social connection data, enhances the data that is collected, receives a request, and generates a response to the request by using a personal value for the user, where the personal value is generated from the data that is enhanced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing network virtualization on a packet network are disclosed. For example, the method receives a request from a user, wherein the request comprises at least one of: a feature of a network component or a network component for a virtual network. The method determines if the request can be instantiated over one or more real network resources, and then instantiates the request via the one or more real network resources, if it is determined that the request can be instantiated.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and equipment for use in the management of network topology and bandwidth for computing networks are provided. In an illustrative implementation of a device acting as a patch panel is provided. The patch panel works on both the physical wire and on the frequencies of the wire to route data to appropriate destination points. For example, both ADSL and telephony could be bridged among copper wires, using several independent busses. Home Phone Network Alliance Association (HPNA) standardized data could either be bridged among wires, or connected to an internal switching device, that would store and forward the native Ethernet packets used by HomePNA in a way similar to that done by Ethernet switches today. Additionally, an Ethernet uplink could attach the HPNA ports to a larger network or to a DSL Modem, and HPNA/ADSL could be removed from wires that might have privacy concerns or otherwise need filters to perform properly.

Abstract: A digital subscriber line (DSL) network provides enhanced dynamic spectrum management (DSM) based on estimated foreign interference obtained from monitoring unmanaged wire pairs in a cable. A DSL access multiplexer (DSLAM) or other line terminal provides vectored DSL signaling to a plurality of subscribers via a first set of wire pairs of the cable. The DSLAM monitors a second set of one or more wire pairs of the cable that are not connected to the vectored group associated with the first set of wire pairs to estimate foreign interference introduced to the first set of wire pairs. The DSLAM then modifies the vectored DSL transmitted signaling responsive to the estimated foreign interference so as to pre-cancel or otherwise compensate for the foreign interference introduced into the managed wire pairs.

Abstract: A computer implemented method includes determining crosstalk characteristics of a plurality of digital subscriber lines. The computer implemented method includes identifying pairs of digital subscriber lines, each of the pairs including a first digital subscriber line and a second digital subscriber line, where the first digital subscriber line has a crosstalk characteristic that is correlated to the second digital subscriber line. The computer implemented method also includes rearranging terminations at an access node to assign at least one of the identified pairs of digital subscriber lines to a common vectoring group.

Abstract: Example distributed DSLAMs to increase bandwidth in access networks are disclosed. An example DSLAM comprises a first distribution cable segment to couple an SAI to a first pedestal and to transport user data, a second distribution cable segment to couple the first pedestal to a second pedestal and to transport a first portion of the user data from the first pedestal to the second pedestal, the second cable segment comprising a pair of DSL-based signals bonded together, a drop cable to couple the first pedestal to a customer premises and to transport a second portion of the user data to the customer premises, and a switch at the first pedestal to route the first portion of the user data between the first and second cable segments and to route the second portion of the user data between the first cable segment and the drop cable.

Abstract: Methods and systems for aggregating Ethernet communications are disclosed. A disclosed apparatus includes a first Ethernet port to communicate with a second Ethernet port of a first device, a third Ethernet port to communicate with a fourth Ethernet port of a second device, a fifth Ethernet port to receive Ethernet frames, and a switching portion to direct nth ones of the frames to a first queue associated with the second port, direct n?1 frames preceding each of the nth ones of the frames to a second queue associated with the fourth port, and select a value of n based on a ratio of a first non-zero data rate of the first device for a first communication link in a first direction and a second non-zero data rate of the second device for a second communication link in the first direction, and based on a remaining capacity of the first queue.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a Power Over Ethernet (PoE) device (PD) having a controller to receive signals over a first cable having twisted pair wires from at least one of a network element and a gateway where the network element is associated with a service provider where the gateway is associated with a premises and where the service provider provides network communications to the premises, adjust the signals, transmit the adjusted signals over a second cable having twisted pair wires to at least one of the network element and the gateway, and receive power from at least one of the network element and the gateway, where the power is received over at least one of the first and second cables, where the power is received according to PoE protocol, and where the PD is positioned between the network element and the gateway. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and equipment for use in the management of network topology and bandwidth for computing networks are provided. In an illustrative implementation of a device acting as a patch panel is provided. The patch panel works on both the physical wire and on the frequencies of the wire to route data to appropriate destination points. For example, both ADSL and telephony could be bridged among copper wires, using several independent busses. Home Phone Network Alliance Association (HPNA) standardized data could either be bridged among wires, or connected to an internal switching device, that would store and forward the native Ethernet packets used by HomePNA in a way similar to that done by Ethernet switches today. Additionally, an Ethernet uplink could attach the HPNA ports to a larger network or to a DSL Modem, and HPNA/ADSL could be removed from wires that might have privacy concerns or otherwise need filters to perform properly.

Abstract: A Passive Optical Network (PON) component, such as a Gigabit Interface Converter (GBIC) or similar pluggable transceiver, provides the combined functionality of the GBIC (or similar device) and an Optical Network Unit (ONU). The result is a device with a reduced form factor by eliminating redundant components and simplified fault management of the end-system.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing asymmetric Ethernet service are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems provide an asymmetric Ethernet service. An Ethernet network transports Ethernet frames over an asymmetric connection to a point of service for a subscriber located remotely from the Ethernet network, and the Ethernet connection is asymmetric in that the effective data transfer rates for uploading and downloading of data over the Ethernet connection are different. The subscriber may then have Ethernet capable network devices such as routers and computers linked to the point of service so that data transfer between the network devices of the subscriber and the Ethernet network occurs over the asymmetric Ethernet connection. The Ethernet network allows for communication between the network devices of the subscriber and any desired Ethernet network resources, such as network resources located on the Ethernet network or resources of downstream networks such as the global Internet that are available through the Ethernet network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing network virtualization on a packet network are disclosed. For example, the method receives a request from a user, wherein the request comprises at least one of: a feature of a network component or a network component for a virtual network. The method determines if the request can be instantiated over one or more real network resources, and then instantiates the request via the one or more real network resources, if it is determined that the request can be instantiated.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to deploy fiber optic based access networks are disclosed. An example access network comprises a first fiber optic cable segment to couple an optical access head-end to a first pedestal and to transport user data, a second fiber optic cable segment to couple the first pedestal to a second pedestal and to transport a first portion of the user data to the second pedestal, a drop cable segment to couple the first pedestal to a customer premises and to transport a second portion of the user data to the customer premises, and a switch at the first pedestal to route the first portion of the user data between the first and second fiber optic cable segments and to route the second portion of the user data between the first fiber optic cable segment and the drop cable segment.

Abstract: Example distributed DSLAMs to increase bandwidth in access networks are disclosed. An example DSLAM comprises a first distribution cable segment to couple an SAI to a first pedestal and to transport user data, a second distribution cable segment to couple the first pedestal to a second pedestal and to transport a first portion of the user data from the first pedestal to the second pedestal, the second cable segment comprising a pair of DSL-based signals bonded together, a drop cable to couple the first pedestal to a customer premises and to transport a second portion of the user data to the customer premises, and a switch at the first pedestal to route the first portion of the user data between the first and second cable segments and to route the second portion of the user data between the first cable segment and the drop cable.

Abstract: Methods and systems for aggregating Ethernet communications are disclosed. A disclosed apparatus includes a first Ethernet port to communicate with a second Ethernet port of a first device, a third Ethernet port to communicate with a fourth Ethernet port of a second device, a fifth Ethernet port to receive Ethernet frames, and a switching portion to direct nth ones of the frames to a first queue associated with the second port, direct n?1 frames preceding each of the nth ones of the frames to a second queue associated with the fourth port, and select a value of n based on a ratio of a first non-zero data rate of the first device for a first communication link in a first direction and a second non-zero data rate of the second device for a second communication link in the first direction, and based on a remaining capacity of the first queue.