Abstract: A system and method for reducing and surviving failures in a voice trunking over ATM (VTOA) environment includes an ATM network having a plurality of interconnected ATM switches. The VTOA system also 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 at least one primary switch management system unit. Each switch management system unit provides application redundancy within itself.

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: 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: 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 communications network and method enable broadband service subscribers to dynamically select broadband service destinations they wish to access from subscriber customer premises equipment. The communications network is an ATM network including a plurality of ATM switches. The network also includes at least one directory server connected to the ATM network, at least one fiber terminating device connected to the at least one directory server, and at least one broadband destination connected to the ATM network. Furthermore, the subscribers' customer premise equipment is connected to the at least one fiber terminating device. The method includes receiving a session request, which identifies a destination, in the at least one service gateway, wherein the session request is transmitted over a broadband connection using an Internet protocol. Next, using the at least one service gateway, an ATM network address of the destination from the at least one directory server is retrieved.

Abstract: Internet protocol communications are established between an originating host and a destination host through at least one bridge that interfaces with a switched transport network and an internet protocol network. An initiating message is received from the originating host through the internet protocol network via one of the at least one bridges. The one of the at least one bridges corresponds to a switched transport network address and an internet protocol network address. A setup message is forwarded to the switched transport network address of the one of the at least one bridges to establish internet protocol communications through the switched transport network.

Abstract: A system and method establish an Internet protocol (IP) connection between an originating end-system and a limited access destination end-system through a switched transport network. An originating interworking function (IWF) device inserts its switched transport network address into a data field of an RSVP path message, which is forwarded through routers in an IP network by default routing, without modifying the data field. A destination IWF device retrieves the switched transport network address from the path message, which is forwarded to the destination end-system. The destination IWF device receives a new IP address assigned to the originating end-system by the destination end-system. The destination IWF device forwards a setup message to the originating IWF device, through switches in the switched transport network, based on the switched transport network address from the path message and the newly assigned IP address. The IP connection is established in response to the setup message.

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: Method and apparatus to establish a communication link over a high speed communications network. A unique E.164 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 E.164 address, an E.164 address associated with the destination party, and the service address.

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: 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: 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 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 system and method establish an Internet protocol (IP) connection between an originating end-system and a limited access destination end-system through a switched transport network. An originating interworking function (IWF) device inserts its switched transport network address into a data field of an RSVP path message, which is forwarded through routers in an IP network by default routing, without modifying the data field. A destination IWF device retrieves the switched transport network address from the path message, which is forwarded to the destination end-system. The destination IWF device receives a new IP address assigned to the originating end-system by the destination end-system. The destination IWF device forwards a setup message to the originating IWF device, through switches in the switched transport network, based on the switched transport network address from the path message and the newly assigned IP address. The IP connection is established in response to the setup message.

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: 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 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 subscriber dynamically selects an Internet protocol (IP) service provider. In response to the selection, a digital subscriber line (DSL) modem establishes a switched virtual circuit (SVC) connection from the subscriber to the selected service provider across an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network. After the SVC has been established, the modem formats IP data, received from the subscriber, into ATM cells. The ATM cells are forwarded from the DSL modem, via the SVC, to a router associated with the selected service provider. The router formats the ATM cells into IP packets and forwards the IP packets to the selected service provider. Thus, the subscriber has a dynamically established connection to the selected service provider that can be used for IP traffic.

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 system for establishing a public wireless local area network comprises a public switched telephone network, a digital subscriber line access multiplexer, and at least one public telephone. The digital subscriber line access multiplexer and the at least one public telephone communicate with the public switched telephone network. A wireless local area network hub communicates with the public telephone and with the digital subscriber line access multiplexer, and is adapted to extend a digital subscriber line connection to at least one wireless communication device.