Abstract: An Ethernet switch (112) has a communications interface (122), and a controller (124). The controller is programmed to receive (202) an IP query packet generated by a receiver for collecting telemetry data between a source and the receiver in a multicast network, translate (206) the IP query packet to an Ethernet query packet, collect (208) in the Ethernet query packet telemetry data from the Ethernet switch, and submit (218) the Ethernet query packet to the next network element of the multicast network. Additional embodiment are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for communicating between a source and a destination includes encapsulating data received from the source in accordance with a service provider format into an upper layer packet. The method includes forwarding the upper layer packet across a service provider network. The upper layer packet is decapsulated into a lower level packet for the destination, based on at least one condition.

Abstract: Method and apparatus to establish a communication link over a high speed communications network. A unique predetermined address assigned to a switching and access node of each network node of the high speed communications network is examined. In addition, a service address associated with a request to establish a communication link is examined. The service address indicates at least one of a type of service being requested, a network service detail, and a name of a desired service provider. Thereafter, an end-to-end communication link is established between the calling party and a destination party by routing a connection request through plural switching nodes in accordance with the calling party address, an address associated with the destination party, and the service address.

Abstract: An internet protocol session is established over a switched network. A path message is forwarded to a destination bridging device that bridges the switched network and an internet protocol network. The destination bridging device has a switched network address and an internet protocol network address and directs the path message to an originating host device over the internet protocol network. A setup message is received from the destination bridging device. The setup message is received over the switched network by the destination bridging device from an originating bridging device that bridges the switched network and the internet protocol network, in response to the originating bridging device receiving the path message on behalf of the originating host device. The internet protocol session is established over the switched network between at least the destination bridging device and the originating bridging device based on forwarding the path message and receiving the setup message.

Abstract: A broadband communication channel access network comprises an Ethernet device disposed in a serving area interface. The Ethernet device serves as an Ethernet bridge for a neighborhood service area. The Ethernet device communicates with a plurality of customer premises modems in the neighborhood service area. An Ethernet switch disposed at a central office communicates with the Ethernet device via a fiber optic medium using an Internet Protocol over a second Ethernet standard. The Ethernet switch provides a packet data core network termination.

Abstract: Data packets of a subscriber are addressed for transmission from an originating device through an IP network to a destination network. A DHCP request, associated with a first subscriber IP address from the IP network, is received from the originating device and routed through the IP network to a destination device in the destination network using an IP network address of the destination device. The destination device forwards the DHCP request to a DHCP server. A DHCP response is received from the DHCP server, through the destination device, including a second subscriber IP address associated with the destination network. The DHCP response is sent through the IP network to the originating device using the first subscriber IP address. The originating device obtains the second subscriber IP address from the DHCP response and addresses data packets using the first and second subscriber IP addresses.

Abstract: An Ethernet switch (112) has a communications interface (122), and a controller (124). The controller is programmed to receive (202) an IP query packet generated by a receiver for collecting telemetry data between a source and the receiver in a multicast network, translate (206) the IP query packet to an Ethernet query packet, collect (208) in the Ethernet query packet telemetry data from the Ethernet switch, and submit (218) the Ethernet query packet to the next network element of the multicast network. Additional embodiment are disclosed.

Abstract: An Ethernet switch (112) has a communications interface (122), and a controller (124). The controller is programmed to receive (202) an IP query packet generated by a receiver for collecting telemetry data between a source and the receiver in a multicast network, translate (206) the IP query packet to an Ethernet query packet, collect (208) in the Ethernet query packet telemetry data from the Ethernet switch, and submit (218) the Ethernet query packet to the next network element of the multicast network. Additional embodiment are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for using broadband network resources includes providing simultaneous access to an asynchronous transfer mode switched virtual circuit for a plurality of sessions. The access for each session is provided based on an internet protocol session request being received at a service gateway for the sessions. The method also includes tearing down the asynchronous transfer mode switched virtual circuit when all of the sessions are terminated.

Abstract: A digital subscriber line access network comprises a remote Ethernet device disposed in a serving area interface. The remote Ethernet device serves as an Ethernet bridge for a neighborhood service area. The remote Ethernet device communicates with a plurality of customer premises modems in the neighborhood service area using an Internet Protocol over an Ethernet standard with a digital subscriber line physical layer. An Ethernet switch disposed at a central office communicates with the remote Ethernet device via a fiber optic medium using an Internet Protocol over a second Ethernet standard. The Ethernet switch provides a packet data core network termination.

Abstract: A method for providing a virtual private network includes assigning to each edge device of a service provider a unicast IPv6 address, from an IPv6 address block of the service provider for a local area network of a user. The method also includes assigning to each edge device of the service provider a virtual private network specific multicast IPv6 address. The method also includes encapsulating a local area network frame in an IPv6 packet when a mapping of a destination address to an egress edge device does not exist. The method also includes adding a virtual private network identification header to a header of the IPv6 packet and broadcasting IPv6 packets having multicast addresses over the service provider network to all of the edge devices serving the virtual private network. The method also includes transmitting, authenticating and decapsulating the IPv6 packet.

Abstract: A system and method for managing communications is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller element to transmit a packet along a logical tunnel established through an internet service provider, wherein the route of the packet is managed according to a MPLS label of the packet and a VRF routing table. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Broadband access is provided to a virtual private network (VPN), including multiple local area networks (LANs) configured to interface with an IPv6 service provider network. Data to be routed from an originating device in an originating LAN to a destination device in a destination LAN is received by an ingress line interface and encapsulated in an IPv6 packet. A unique identification number assigned to the VPN is added to the IPv6 packet. When the destination device's address is not mapped to a corresponding egress line interface, the IPv6 packet is broadcast to a multicast address associated with the VPN. When the destination device's address is mapped to the egress line interface, the IPv6 packet is unicast to the egress line interface. The data is ultimately received and decapsulated by the egress line interface. After the VPN identification number is verified, the data is transmitted to the destination device.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering data via an internet protocol television (IPTV) network are disclosed. In a method disclosed, a first data packet of a first data stream is received. The method determines whether a corresponding second data packet of a second data stream has been forwarded. The corresponding second data packet includes a second payload substantially the same as a first payload of the first data packet. When the corresponding second data packet has not been forwarded, the method forwards the first data packet.

Abstract: An internet protocol session is established over a switched network. A path message is forwarded to a destination bridging device that bridges the switched network and an internet protocol network. The destination bridging device has a switched network address and an internet protocol network address and directs the path message to an originating host device over the internet protocol network. A setup message is received from the destination bridging device. The setup message is received over the switched network by the destination bridging device from an originating bridging device that bridges the switched network and the internet protocol network, in response to the originating bridging device receiving the path message on behalf of the originating host device. The internet protocol session is established over the switched network between at least the destination bridging device and the originating bridging device based on forwarding the path message and receiving the setup message.

Abstract: A System and method for reducing and surviving failures in a voice trunking over ATM (VTOA) environment includes a CS-IWF complex having a plurality of interconnected CS-IWF units, each unit having a plurality of processors. An end office building may also be provided for interaction with the VTOA system. The end office building includes multiple T-IWFs, and a switch that distributes calls among the T-IWFs in a load sharing manner. Each T-IWF has a plurality of processors and is part of the VTOA system. A switch management system is also provided in the VTOA system. In order to reduce and survive failures, the switch management system includes a plurality of switch management system units. At least one of the switch management system units is a backup unit for a primary switch management system unit. Each switch management system unit provides application redundancy within itself.

Abstract: A method and system for establishing a guaranteed quality of service (QoS) Internet protocol (IP) connection between an first bridging device and a second bridging device through a switched transport network. The second bridging device receives a first signaling message from the first bridging device through an IP network, the first signaling message containing at least one parameter defining a predefined quality of service. In response, the second bridging device associates the first bridging device's switched transport network address and IP address, without communicating with an address server. The second bridging device directs a second signaling message to the switched transport network of address of the first bridging device, which establishes the IP connection between the first bridging device and the second bridging device through the switched transport network. The IP connection is in accordance with the at least one quality of service parameter contained in the second signaling message.

Abstract: A method and system provide an Internet protocol (IP) session between an originating end-system and a destination end-system through a switched virtual circuit (SVC) short-cut across an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network. A first interworking function (IWF) device inserts its ATM address into a transport network hop (THOP) extension object of a resource reservation protocol (RSVP) path message, which may also contain quality of service (QoS) and reverse charging extension objects. IP routers forward the path message through an IP network, without modifying the objects, to a second IWF device, which retrieves the ATM address of the first IWF device. The second IWF device initiates an ATM setup message, including a responsive RSVP reservation request message. The setup message is sent through the ATM network to the first IWF device, which establishes the SVC with the second IWF device, according to the QoS parameter.

Abstract: A system and method establish an Internet protocol (IP) connection between an originating end-system and a destination end-system, incapable of resource reservation protocol (RSVP) signaling, through a switched transport network. A first interworking function (IWF) device inserts its switched transport network address into a first data field of an RSVP path message, received from an RSVP capable proxy signaling device that interfaces with the destination end-system. The first IWF device forwards the path message, through routers in an IP network, which is passed without modification to the first data field. A second IWF device receives the path message and forwards a setup message to the first IWF device through switching devices in the switched transport network, based on the first IWF device's address retrieved from the first data field of the path message. The IP connection is established through the proxy signaling device in response to the setup message.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system that can receive a group of channels (at least one of which includes an I-frame) from a DSL network, a memory that can store the I-frames, and a channel change detector that can detect a user's selection of a particular channel. If the memory contains the I-frame corresponding to the particular channel and if an I-frame has not been received from the DSL network, then the system provides the stored I-frame from the memory to the user.