Abstract: In one embodiment, a provider edge (PE) device in a computer network determines an IPv4 address and link-layer address for each adjacent customer premise equipment (CPE) device, and assigns each CPE device a unique IPv6 address. The PE device stores a key-pair mapping between the unique IPv6 address and combined IPv4 and link-layer address for each adjacent CPE, the mapping bound by a CPE session context, and uses the CPE session context to convert between IPv4 and IPv6 for all network traffic to and from a particular CPE device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is provided for using a server computer, creating and storing a first module name, a first indication of a first version, and a first signature for a first data model that is digitally stored in a digital electronic data storage unit; receiving a second data model from the data storage unit and identifying a second module name in the second data model; comparing the second module name of the second data model to the first module name of the first data model; determining that the first module name and the second module name comprise a same name, and in response thereto, identifying a second indication of a second version from a revision field of the second data model; using the server computer, comparing the second indication of the second version from the second data model to the first indication of the first version of the first data model; determining the first indication and the second indication indicate the same version, determining a second signature for the second data model

Abstract: A method is provided in one example and includes receiving signaling data associated with a request for a multicast channel, the request includes an Internet protocol version 6 (IPv6) source and an IPv6 group address. The method may also include identifying an Internet protocol version 4 (IPv4) source and an IPv4 group address to be mapped to the IPv6 source and the IPv6 group address. The signaling data can be converted from a first protocol to a second protocol. The converted signaling data can be communicated to a network element. In more particular embodiments, the network element is an IP edge router configured to join the multicast channel and stream data in response to receiving the converted signaling data. The IP edge router can be configured to perform an encapsulation operation to transport IPv6 multicast packets within an IPv4 multicast channel.

Abstract: An example method for automating monitoring using configuration event triggers in a network environment is provided and includes receiving a change request for a configuration change, creating a change impact monitor according to a profile associated with the configuration change, taking a first snapshot of performance indicators when the configuration change is applied, taking a second snapshot of the performance indicators a predetermined duration after applying the configuration change, and generating a change impact notification describing the first snapshot and the second snapshot. The profile can specify the performance indicators for the configuration change. A change agent that creates the change impact monitor may also be invoked. In some embodiments, the method can further include receiving a soak command, and taking a third snapshot of the performance indicators before applying the configuration change.

Abstract: In one embodiment, for each port of an access node in an access-based computer network, one access server of a plurality of access servers is configured as a preferred access server for that port. Upon receiving a session initiation message at a particular port, the access node forwards the session initiation message to one or more of the access servers based on the configured preferred access server for the particular port.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an edge router of a local computer network snoops client-server protocol configuration information of a customer-premises equipment (CPE) device. From the snooping, the edge router may identify an Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) transition option in place at the CPE device along with associated configuration parameters for the IPv6 transition option. As such, the edge router may then advertise the IPv6 transition option along with associated configuration parameters to one or more border/relay routers of the local computer network to cause the one or more border/relay routers to provision themselves with the IPv6 transition option and associated configuration parameters.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a provider edge (PE) device in a computer network determines an IPv4 address and link-layer address for each adjacent customer premise equipment (CPE) device, and assigns each CPE device a unique IPv6 address. The PE device stores a key-pair mapping between the unique IPv6 address and combined IPv4 and link-layer address for each adjacent CPE, the mapping bound by a CPE session context, and uses the CPE session context to convert between IPv4 and IPv6 for all network traffic to and from a particular CPE device.

Abstract: An example method for automating monitoring using configuration event triggers in a network environment is provided and includes receiving a change request for a configuration change, creating a change impact monitor according to a profile associated with the configuration change, taking a first snapshot of performance indicators when the configuration change is applied, taking a second snapshot of the performance indicators a predetermined duration after applying the configuration change, and generating a change impact notification describing the first snapshot and the second snapshot. The profile can specify the performance indicators for the configuration change. A change agent that creates the change impact monitor may also be invoked. In some embodiments, the method can further include receiving a soak command, and taking a third snapshot of the performance indicators before applying the configuration change.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes determining a location of a location detection device using a wireless link; determining an identity of a fixed port to which the location detection device is connected, where the location of the location detection device is proximate to the fixed port; and communicating a location of the fixed port to a location anchor. In more specific examples, the location of the fixed port is linked to a point of attachment in order to configure the fixed port. Additionally, the location of the fixed port can be presented to a server for application to a point of attachment via an application program interface (API).

Abstract: In one embodiment, an aggregation device is configured to aggregate traffic of a plurality of customer edge (CE) devices into a single bridge-domain. The aggregation device receives connectivity fault management (CFM) packets of a CFM protocol from the plurality of CE devices. Each received CFM packet includes a media access control (MAC) address of an access port of the CE device from which the CFM packet was transmitted. The aggregation device detects conflicting MAC addresses between access ports of CE devices by comparing MAC addresses of the received CFM packets. The aggregation device notifies one or more of the plurality of CE devices of the conflict.

Abstract: A method for translating network addresses includes receiving a first network packet, the first network packet comprising an internal source address. The method also includes generating, by performing a mapping operation, a mapping value. The generating of the mapping value uses, at least in part, at least a portion of the internal source address, and at least a portion of an external source address. The external source address is associated with the internal source address. The method also includes forwarding, using a second network packet, at least a portion of the first network packet. The second network packet comprises the external source address and at least a portion of the mapping value.

Abstract: A system includes a multi-stack subscriber, a gateway, and a web portal. The web portal determines whether the subscriber is authenticated to access the Internet using a first Internet Protocol by receiving logon information from the subscriber. The subscriber requests to access the Internet using a second Internet Protocol. The gateway and/or the web portal determine whether the subscriber is authenticated to access the Internet using the second Internet Protocol without sending a second logon to the subscriber.

Abstract: One embodiment includes, inter alia, methods, apparatus, computer-storage media, mechanisms, and/or means associated with automated transitioning between different communication protocols in a network. In one embodiment, automatic transition routers are automatically discovered along with the knowledge of what non-native protocols need to be transported across a network. Communication pathways are automatically established as needed to transport these non-native protocols. One embodiment is particularly useful in transitioning a network from one protocol to another, such as from Internet Protocol version 4 to version 6.

Abstract: A system includes an access node having an associated identifier. The access node is configured to insert the identifier into a network connection request. The system includes an IP edge service node connected to the access node and configured to receive the network connection request. The IP edge service node is further configured to store the inserted identifier and to insert the identifier into an Internet protocol version 6 (IPv6) address request transmitted according to dynamic host configuration protocol version 6 (DHCPv6) through an established network connection based on the network connection request. The system further includes a server configured to receive the IPv6 address request and assign an IPv6 address based on the IPv6 address request.

Abstract: A customer edge device is automatically configured. A request for customer edge device configuration data may be transmitted to a provider edge device via an Ethernet-layer operations, administration, maintenance, and provisioning (OAM&P) protocol. The request for configuration data may be relayed from the Ethernet-layer OAM&P protocol to a configuration protocol. The request for configuration data may be transmitted from the provider edge device to a configuration repository server via the configuration protocol. The configuration repository server may transmit the requested configuration data to the provider edge device via the configuration protocol. The provider edge device may relay the configuration data from the configuration protocol to the Ethernet-layer OAM&P protocol and transmit the configuration data to a customer edge device via the Ethernet-layer OAM&P protocol. The customer edge device may automatically configure itself using the configuration data.

Abstract: In one embodiment, for each port of an access node in an access-based computer network, one access server of a plurality of access servers is configured as a preferred access server for that port. Upon receiving a session initiation message at a particular port, the access node forwards the session initiation message to one or more of the access servers based on the configured preferred access server for the particular port.

Abstract: One embodiment includes, inter alia, methods, apparatus, computer-storage media, mechanisms, and/or means associated with automated transitioning between different communication protocols in a network. In one embodiment, automatic transition routers are automatically discovered along with the knowledge of what non-native protocols need to be transported across a network. Communication pathways are automatically established as needed to transport these non-native protocols. One embodiment is particularly useful in transitioning a network from one protocol to another, such as from Internet Protocol version 4 to version 6.

Abstract: In one embodiment, for each port of an access node in an access-based computer network, one access server of a plurality of access servers is configured as a preferred access server for that port. Upon receiving a session initiation message at a particular port, the access node forwards the session initiation message to one or more of the access servers based on the configured preferred access server for the particular port.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes determining a location of a location detection device using a wireless link; determining an identity of a fixed port to which the location detection device is connected, where the location of the location detection device is proximate to the fixed port; and communicating a location of the fixed port to a location anchor. In more specific examples, the location of the fixed port is linked to a point of attachment in order to configure the fixed port. Additionally, the location of the fixed port can be presented to a server for application to a point of attachment via an application program interface (API).

Abstract: In one embodiment, an edge router of a local computer network snoops client-server protocol configuration information of a customer-premises equipment (CPE) device. From the snooping, the edge router may identify an Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) transition option in place at the CPE device along with associated configuration parameters for the IPv6 transition option. As such, the edge router may then advertise the IPv6 transition option along with associated configuration parameters to one or more border/relay routers of the local computer network to cause the one or more border/relay routers to provision themselves with the IPv6 transition option and associated configuration parameters.