Abstract: The present invention describes an access node for communication in a telecommunication network comprising: an input/output unit adapted for receiving a first information message, wherein the first information message comprises a logical address associated with a virtual network node, a processing unit for extracting the logical address of the virtual network node and for determining a hardware address associated with the logical address of the virtual network node, where the processing unit is further adapted for a determining a logical address of an end-user host communicating with the virtual network node, wherein the access node is configured to transmit a second information message comprising the logical and hardware address of the virtual network node to the logical address of the end-user host. Also, a network infrastructure where the access node is operating is described.

Abstract: Methods in an access node for establishing digital media streams between a media server and terminals in a customer premises network are provided. The method includes receiving, from the terminal, a request for establishing a first digital media stream by joining an already established digital media stream; determining transmission resources allocated to the customer premises network; comparing a sum of transmission resources required for the first digital media stream and the already established digital media streams between the media server and the customer premises network with the transmission resources allocated to the customer premises network; and establishing a digital substitution media stream replacing the first digital media stream.

Abstract: A method and Access Network Node for handling dissimilar protocols when a Host accesses a Broadband Network. The Access Network Node includes a protocol converter for interworking between the Neighbor Discovery (ND) protocol and the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). When an ND Router Solicitation message is received from a Host that does not support DHCP, the converter converts the ND message to a DHCP Solicit message and forwards it to a Broadband Network Gateway (BNG) together with a port ID. When the Access Network Node receives a DHCP Reply message from the BNG destined for the same Host, the converter converts the DHCP Reply message to an ND Router Advertisement message before sending it to the Host.

Abstract: An access node, resource database, network gateway node, methods, and computer program product for use in a broadband access network is described. According to an embodiment of the invention, an access node is configured to determine at least one characteristic in the access node pertaining to the uplink capacity of a logical link between the access node and an aggregation network node in the broadband access network, determine the uplink capacity of the logical link based on the at least one determined characteristic in the access node, and provide a network gateway node in the broadband access network with access to the determined uplink capacity of the logical link.

Abstract: The present invention describes an access node for communication in a telecommunication network comprising: an input/output unit adapted for receiving a first information message, wherein the first information message comprises a logical address associated with a virtual network node, a processing unit for extracting the logical address of the virtual network node and for determining a hardware address associated with the logical address of the virtual network node, where the processing unit is further adapted for a determining a logical address of an end-user host communicating with the virtual network node, wherein the access node is configured to transmit a second information message comprising the logical and hardware address of the virtual network node to the logical address of the end-user host. Also, a network infrastructure where the access node is operating is described.

Abstract: A system and method for mapping original Media Access Control (MAC) addresses to unique locally administered virtual MAC addresses in an Ethernet network. A first field of the address may include a domain for the address, and a second field may indicate that the address is a locally administered MAC address. A third field of the address may include an index indicating a number of virtual MAC addresses for each user. Fourth and fifth fields of the address may include a Network Element ID (NE ID) for uniquely identifying a given access node in a given domain, and a Port ID for uniquely identifying an end-user port at the given access node. The system may be implemented in an access node or in a network emulator, which generates unique locally administered MAC addresses for all of the nodes in the Ethernet network for performing emulations of the network.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method and system for providing resource admission control (RAC) of digital media streams between a media server and terminals in a customer premises network. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the method includes receiving from a terminal, a resource request comprising a resource requirement pertaining to a unicast digital media stream request, determining if transmission resources are available for the requested unicast digital media stream based on the resource request, and if so, transmitting a resource availability message pertaining to the unicast digital media stream request to the media server in order for the media server to begin streaming the requested unicast media stream towards the terminal. Embodiments of the present invention further relate to an access node, a terminal and a media server.

Abstract: An Ethernet Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (DSLAM) and method of dynamically creating a service binding in the Ethernet DSLAM based on a service selection made by an end-user. The end-user may use the PPPoE or IEEE802.1X access protocols to provide login credentials indicating the desired service. The login credentials are validated towards a RADIUS server, which configures the Ethernet DSLAM with the attributes of the service binding, including an identified Permanent Virtual Circuit (PVC) to carry the desired service. The Ethernet DSLAM may map service-VLANs to user MAC addresses or to user-VLANs to establish the service binding. The Ethernet DSLAM uses the identified PVC for downstream traffic for the corresponding service binding and thereby “trains” a learning bridge network terminal to use the correct PVC for upstream traffic.

Abstract: A broadband access node and method for controlling access by end users to services over communication channels. A resource admission control mechanism includes a first memory for storing information about a currently available transmission capacity on an uplink channel, a second memory for storing information about a currently available transmission capacity on a downlink subscriber line; and a third memory for storing information about a currently available maximum performance of the access node. A fourth memory stores service-related information regarding the capacity and performance service requirements of respective services. A processor calculates whether the service requirements of a requested service fulfill given conditions in relation to currently available uplink/downlink capacity and currently available performance capability of the access node. Requests that fulfill the given conditions are granted while requests that do not fulfill the conditions are rejected.

Abstract: Methods in an access node for establishing digital media streams between a media server and terminals in a customer premises network are provided. The method includes receiving, from the terminal, a request for establishing a first digital media stream by joining an already established digital media stream; determining transmission resources allocated to the customer premises network; comparing a sum of transmission resources required for the first digital media stream and the already established digital media streams between the media server and the customer premises network with the transmission resources allocated to the customer premises network; and establishing a digital substitution media stream replacing the first digital media stream.

Abstract: A method and Access Network Node for handling dissimilar protocols when a Host accesses a Broadband Network. The Access Network Node includes a protocol converter for interworking between the Neighbor Discovery (ND) protocol and the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). When an ND Router Solicitation message is received from a Host that does not support DHCP, the converter converts the ND message to a DHCP Solicit message and forwards it to a Broadband Network Gateway (BNG) together with a port ID. When the Access Network Node receives a DHCP Reply message from the BNG destined for the same Host, the converter converts the DHCP Reply message to an ND Router Advertisement message before sending it to the Host.

Abstract: The present invention describes an access node for communication in a telecommunication network comprising: an input/output unit adapted for receiving a first information message, wherein the first information message comprises a logical address associated with a virtual network node, a processing unit for extracting the logical address of the virtual network node and for determining a hardware address associated with the logical address of the virtual network node, where the processing unit is further adapted for a determining a logical address of an end-user host communicating with the virtual network node, wherein the access node is configured to transmit a second information message comprising the logical and hardware address of the virtual network node to the logical address of the end-user host. Also, a network infrastructure where the access node is operating, is described.

Abstract: An access node connected to end-users, routers, and a DHCP-server. The end-user defines desired services provided via the routers. A purpose is to automatically provide simultaneous access to services via two or more of the routers, although the end-user simultaneously handles only one router. The connections are secure. The end-user requests one of the services. The access node identifies the end-user and sends a corresponding request to the DHCP-server, which dynamically allocates addresses to the end-user and to all the routers for the desired services. The access node snoops the addresses in a DHCP option message from the DHCP-server, resolves the router addresses, stores IP router addresses and IP MAC addresses in a memory and sets MAC addresses in MAC filters. An option reply with one router is sent to the end-user, which after request for one service, reaches all the services stored in the memory.

Abstract: A broadband access node and method for controlling access by end users to services over communication channels. A resource admission control mechanism includes a first memory for storing information about a currently available transmission capacity on an uplink channel, a second memory for storing information about a currently available transmission capacity on a downlink subscriber line; and a third memory for storing information about a currently available maximum performance of the access node. A fourth memory stores service-related information regarding the capacity and performance service requirements of respective services. A processor calculates whether the service requirements of a requested service fulfill given conditions in relation to currently available uplink/downlink capacity and currently available performance capability of the access node. Requests that fulfill the given conditions are granted while requests that do not fulfill the conditions are rejected.

Abstract: An access node (e.g., DSLAM) and method for optimizing the distribution of a multicast stream within a hybrid PPPoE/IPoE broadband assess network are described herein. In the preferred embodiment, the DSLAM snoops upstream IGMP messages encapsulated within PPPoE frames, and forwards them transparently towards a BRAS (located in an Ethernet aggregation network). In addition, the DSLAM duplicates the IGMP message and sends the duplicated IGMP message encapsulated within IPoE frames towards the standard Ethernet switches (located in the Ethernet aggregation network). The IPoE encapsulated IGMP message can be snooped by the standard Ethernet switches. This functionality of the DSLAM ensures the optimal multicast distribution by the Ethernet aggregation network.

Abstract: A system and method for mapping original Media Access Control (MAC) addresses to unique locally administered virtual MAC addresses in an Ethernet network. A first field of the address may include a domain for the address, and a second field may indicate that the address is a locally administered MAC address. A third field of the address may include an index indicating a number of virtual MAC addresses for each user. Fourth and fifth fields of the address may include a Network Element ID (NE ID) for uniquely identifying a given access node in a given domain, and a Port ID for uniquely identifying an end-user port at the given access node. The system may be implemented in an access node or in a network emulator, which generates unique locally administered MAC addresses for all of the nodes in the Ethernet network for performing emulations of the network.

Abstract: An access node connected to end-users, routers, and a DHCP-server. The end-user defines desired services provided via the routers. A purpose is to automatically provide simultaneous access to services via two or more of the routers, although the end-user simultaneously handles only one router. The connections are secure. The end-user requests one of the services. The access node identifies the end-user and sends a corresponding request to the DHCP-server, which dynamically allocates addresses to the end-user and to all the routers for the desired services. The access node snoops the addresses in a DHCP option message from the DHCP-server, resolves the router addresses, stores IP router addresses and IP MAC addresses in a memory and sets MAC addresses in MAC filters. An option reply with one router is sent to the end-user, which after request for one service, reaches all the services stored in the memory.

Abstract: A method and system for mapping original Media Access Control (MAC) addresses to unique locally administered virtual MAC addresses in an Ethernet network. An access node uses an address mapping function to map each original MAC address to one of a plurality of locally administered virtual MAC addresses, and vice versa. The six most significant bits of the first octet of the address are used to define a domain for the address, and the second-least significant bit of the first octet indicates that the address is a locally administered MAC address. The second and third octets of the address are used to indicate a unit-specific use. The last three octets of the address indicate an organizationally assigned unit-unique MAC address. Additional address mapping functions may map original addresses from different sources onto the same Ethernet network while maintaining the uniqueness of each virtual MAC address.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system performing load distribution among a plurality of access concentrators, the method includes: receiving information regarding the load status of each access concentrator, building a database of the load status of each access concentrator based on the received information, receiving a session initiation message from a host, selecting an access concentrator based on the load status indicated in the database, modifying the session initiation message so that it is addressed to the selected access concentrator, and forwarding the modified message to the selected access concentrator.

Abstract: An access node (e.g., DSLAM) and method for optimizing the distribution of a multicast stream within a hybrid PPPoE/IPoE broadband assess network are described herein. In the preferred embodiment, the DSLAM snoops upstream IGMP messages encapsulated within PPPoE frames, and forwards them transparently towards a BRAS (located in an Ethernet aggregation network). In addition, the DSLAM duplicates the IGMP message and sends the duplicated IGMP message encapsulated within IPoE frames towards the standard Ethernet switches (located in the Ethernet aggregation network). The IPoE encapsulated IGMP message can be snooped by the standard Ethernet switches. This functionality of the DSLAM ensures the optimal multicast distribution by the Ethernet aggregation network.