Abstract: A pin-hole firewall network communications device that includes a first port configured to communicate data packets over a packet network and a first counter module in communication with the first port. A pin-hole firewall module may be in communication with the first counter module. A call control module may be in communication with the first counter module and the pin-hole firewall function. A second counter module may be in communication with the pin-hole firewall function and the call control module. A second port may in communication with the second counter module and the packet network and be configured to communicate data packets over a second node segment of the packet network.

Abstract: A system and method that establishes a phone call over a packet network. The process may include receiving a call request from an originating call device on a packet network to call a terminating call device. A first transmission path may be determined between the originating and terminating call devices. Status of a terminating segment at a first terminating trunk may be determined and, if the status of the terminating segment at the first terminating trunk is within a first range, a call between the originating and terminating call device may be established via the first terminating call trunk. Otherwise, if the status of the terminating segment at the first terminating trunk is within a second range, a second transmission path via a second terminating trunk between the originating and terminating call devices may be made.

Abstract: A system and method for collecting network performance information from network communications devices may include requesting, from a network communications device operating on a packet network, a counter value generated from counting a network performance information parameter. The request may cause the counter value to be reset prior to overflowing.

Abstract: A system and method routing content over a packet network. A call request is received at a call control manager to communicate data packets including real-time over a packet network. A determination is made of at least one network node through which a call path for a call is to be routed, the network performance information including real-time bandwidth usage and non-real time bandwidth usage. Network performance information associated with communications are accessed over the at least one network node. An automatic determination is made whether the at least one network node is impaired or congested. The real time bandwidth usage and the non-real time bandwidth usage is determined from the network performance information if the at least one network node is determined to be impaired or congested.

Abstract: A system and method for routing non-real-time content over a packet network. A call request to communicate data packets including non-real-time content over a packet network may be received. A determination of at least one network node over which a call path for a call to be established for the call request is to be routed may be made. Network performance information associated with communications over the network node(s) may be established. A determination as to whether the network node(s) are impaired or congested may be made and, if the network node(s) are determined to be impaired or congested, communications of the data packets including non-real-time content over the network node(s) may be altered. Otherwise, if the network node(s) are not determined to be impaired or congested, the call may be established on the network node(s). In one embodiment, a call control manager may manage the call.

Abstract: An adjustable footing assembly comprising a footing member including a base element and a vertical element. The vertical element is connected to the base portion and the vertical element defines a bore therein. An elongate coupling member has a lower portion positionally adjustably situated within the bore of the vertical portion of said footing member and an upper portion structured and arranged for connection to an end of a stair support member. Rotation of the elongate coupling member results in movement of the elongate coupling member vertically along a vertical axis of the bore.

Abstract: A system and method for prioritizing data packets being communicated over a packet network may include receiving a data packet at a network node. The data packet may include an origination network address, a destination network address, and a data field. A determination may be made as to whether at least one of the origination and destination network addresses is a priority network address. The data field of the data packet may be set to a priority value if at least one of the origination and destination network addresses is determined to be a priority network address. The data field of the data packet may be set to a non-priority value if both the origination and destination network addresses are determined not to be a priority network address.

Abstract: A system and method that establishes a phone call over a packet network. The process may include receiving a call request from an originating call device on a packet network to call a terminating call device. A first transmission path may be determined between the originating and terminating call devices. Status of a terminating segment at a first terminating trunk may be determined and, if the status of the terminating segment at the first terminating trunk is within a first range, a call between the originating and terminating call device may be established via the first terminating call trunk. Otherwise, if the status of the terminating segment at the first terminating trunk is within a second range, a second transmission path via a second terminating trunk between the originating and terminating call devices may be made.

Abstract: A method for establishing a communications session includes receiving a request to initiate a communications session. The request is associated with an end-user and the end-user is associated with at least two identifiers. The method also includes selecting one of the at least two identifiers in response to performance information associated with the selected one of the at least two identifiers. The method also includes establishing a communications session with the end-user in response to selecting the one of the at least two identifiers.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating network performance information of a node segment of a packet network may include generating network performance information indicative of transmission characteristics of a node segment on a packet network. The network performance information may be included in a data packet and communicated using in-band signaling to a network communications device.

Abstract: A system and method for managing communications services of users of a packet network Parameters associated with service agreements of users of a packet network may be stored. Network performance information associated with the users may also be stored. The network performance information may be accessed to read a quality of service parameter of communications over the packet network for a user over a given time period. The parameters associated with a service agreement may also be accessed. A quality of service parameter for the user to receive during the time period as contracted by the user may be read. A determination as to whether the user has received a quality of service for communicating over the packet network below the contracted quality of service may be made and the user, in response to determining that the quality of service is below the contracted quality of service, may be compensated.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling communications networks. Network performance information is gathered from a first communications network using performance information packet data packets. A network operator of the first communications network is controlled from a secondary communications network using the performance information packet data packets. Changes to the network operator are implemented based on instructions included in the performance information packet data packets.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a call path to assign a call over a packet network. A call request may be received, and at least two potential call paths over a packet network over which a call associated with the call request may be placed may be determined. Network performance information associated with each node segment on the respective at least two potential call paths may be accessed. A value associated with each potential call path may be determined, where each value may be indicative of communications operations on each potential call path. A call path may be assigned to the call based on the determined values.

Abstract: A network communications device may include an input/output (I/O) unit configured to communicate first data packets with at least two network communications devices over respective node segments on a packet network A processing unit may be configured to receive second data packets from the network communications devices. The second data packets may include network performance information generated by the network communications devices in response to receiving the first data packets. A memory may be in communication with the processing unit and be configured to store a table containing network performance information associated with the node segments over which the second data packets are communicated. The processing unit may be further configured to process the second data packets to store the network performance information in the table. The network performance information may be utilized to alter communications of data packets over the node segments.

Abstract: A method for establishing a call over a packet network may include receiving a call request via an originating trunk on a packet network from an originating call device. Status of an originating trunk and terminating segment may be determined. If the status of the originating trunk and terminating segment are within a first range, the call between the originating and terminating call device over the determined transmission path at a first data rate may be established. Otherwise, if the status of the originating trunk or terminating segment is within a second range, a determination as to whether the originating trunk and terminating segment can operate at a second, lower data rate may be made, and, if so, the call may be established over the transmission path between the originating call device and terminating call device at the second, lower data rate.

Abstract: A system and method for routing non-real-time content over a packet network. A call request to communicate data packets including non-real-time content over a packet network may be received. A determination of at least one network node over which a call path for a call to be established for the call request is to be routed may be made. Network performance information associated with communications over the network node(s) may be established. A determination as to whether the network node(s) are impaired or congested may be made and, if the network node(s) are determined to be impaired or congested, communications of the data packets including non-real-time content over the network node(s) may be altered. Otherwise, if the network node(s) are not determined to be impaired or congested, the call may be established on the network node(s). In one embodiment, a call control manager may manage the call.

Abstract: A system and method for restricting access to network performance information associated with communications over a packet network. A request may be received from a user to access network performance information associated with communications of data packets over a packet network. A determination as to whether the user has permission to access the network performance information may be made. In response to determining that the user has permission to access the network performance information, the user may be enabled to access the network performance information; otherwise, the user may be prevented from accessing the network performance information. The network performance information may include information associated with communications of data packets including real-time content and non-real-time content.

Abstract: A system and method for diagnosing a problem on a packet network. Network performance information associated with data packet communications over a packet network may be collected. A network performance information parameter may be monitored and a determination that the network performance information parameter crosses a threshold value may be made. In response to determining that the network performance information parameter crossed the threshold value, diagnostics may be initiated to determine a cause of the network performance information parameter crossing the threshold value.

Abstract: A system for centrally controlling packet network communications may include an input/output (I/O) unit configured to communicate data packets over a packet network with multiple network communications devices, a processing unit in communication with the I/O unit and configured to communicate with the network communications devices via respective node segments, and a memory in communication with the processing unit and configured to store a table. The processing unit may be configured to receive and store network performance information of node segments generated by the network communications devices. The network performance information may be stored in the table in association with indicia representative of the node segments, respectively. The processing unit may further be configured to control network communications by the network communications devices over the node segments based on the network performance information stored in the table.

Abstract: A pin-hole firewall network communications device that includes a first port configured to communicate data packets over a packet network and a first counter module in communication with the first port. A pin-hole firewall module may be in communication with the first counter module. A call control module may be in communication with the first counter module and the pin-hole firewall function. A second counter module may be in communication with the pin-hole firewall function and the call control module. A second port may in communication with the second counter module and the packet network and be configured to communicate data packets over a second node segment of the packet network.