Abstract: In an embodiment, a communication node coupled to a first data network and a second data network is disclosed. The first data network is a wide area data network. The communication node includes a first data interface to the first data network, a second data interface to the second data network, a data processor responsive to the first data interface and to the second data interface, and an encryption module coupled to the data processor. The first data interface is a telephony type interface and the second data interface is a packet data interface. The data processor receives input traffic data carried over the first data interface and generates management performance data based on measurements with respect to the input traffic data. The encryption module receives the management performance data to produce encrypted management performance data to be communicated to the second data network via the second data interface.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for testing the integrity of a communication cable. A method that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a smart network interface (SNI) (114) has a communications device (202) located at a building (112) and coupled to a portion (111) of a cable (109) of a communications network (100), and a controller (204). The controller is programmed to intercept (308) a request to test the cable, and perform (310, 312, 314) an integrity test on the cable according to said request.

Abstract: A system and method of recording video content is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the method includes receiving a call at a set-top box device, where the call is routed using an identifier associated with the set-top box device. The method also includes receiving a voice command at the set-top box device, where the voice command identifies selected video content to be recorded. Additionally, the method includes receiving the selected video content via an external access network coupled to the set-top box device and includes recording the selected video content at the set-top box device.

Abstract: A system, set-top box, and method of providing audio content are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the set-top box device includes an audio input device that is configured to receive a voice command. The set-top box device also includes a display disposed on a visible side of a set-top box housing. Additionally, the set-top box device includes a media control logic module to retrieve audio content identified by the voice command and data related to the audio content. The media control logic module transmits an audio signal corresponding to the audio content to an audio output device. The data related to the audio content is displayable on the display.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for monitoring communications of an individual in a packet network. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network monitor (100) having a communications interface (110) coupled to a packet network (101), and a controller (102). The controller can be programmed to receive (202) a request from a third party to monitor communications associated with an individual, convey (204) to the third party information monitored on a group of one or more permanent virtual circuits (PVCs) of the packet network associated with the individual, detect (205, 206) an update in the group of one or more PVCs, determine (212) a new set of one or more PVCs associated with the individual, and convey (216) to the third party information monitored from the new set of one or more PVCs.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method configured to and facilitate network security. When a lack of security in a communication network is detected by a security agent or when a remote device requests security, a security profile can be determined by a security manager based on the detection or the request and the available network equipment. The security profile may contain numerous executable security objects that are selected based on the security issue and parameters of the specific network device(s) that will be implementing the security feature. The system and method may include a plurality of executable security objects configured to provide security for operations associated with multiple network devices communication over the network.

Abstract: VoIP traffic bandwidth through a router port is controlled so that it does not exceed a predetermined bandwidth to ensure a desired quality of service for all VoIP calls routed through the port. Information of a packet received by the port is extracted from a packet header. The information includes source and destination addresses and port numbers as well as the bandwidth used by the packet. If the packet is from an existing call, the packet is routed and the time the packet was received is updated. If the packet is from a new call, it is determined whether the port has sufficient bandwidth to route the new call. If the port has sufficient bandwidth, the packet is routed, bandwidth is allotted for subsequent packets from the new call, and the port information is updated to accept the subsequent packets. If the port does not have sufficient bandwidth, the packet is dropped.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatic synchronization of monitoring points for a network management system (“NMS”) along a permanent virtual circuit (“PVC”) is disclosed. A NMS in an synchronous transfer mode (“ATM”) network coupled to a plurality of ATM switches is operative to monitor each of the plurality of ATM switches storied in a monitoring service object corresponding to a PVC. The NMS receives at least one notification from at least one ATM switch of the plurality of ATM switches indicating an ATM switch has been added or removed from the PVC. In response to the at least notification, the NMS adds at least one ATM switch to the monitoring service object or removes at least one ATM switch from the monitoring service object.

Abstract: A communications system is described for enforcing a service level agreement for a specified customer on a network. The communications system includes a router to receive at least one packet containing data. A management system is in communication with the router, where the management system provides access control commands to the router for the specified customer based upon an agreed upon codec and an agreed upon packet length. A detection system is in communication with the router. The detection system extracts a codec information and a packet length information from the packet. If the codec matches the agreed upon codec and the packet length matches the agreed upon packet length, then the packet is allowed to proceed. Otherwise the packet is dropped from the network.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for detecting paketization delay of packets in a network. The system includes a router to receive at least one packet containing data. A detection system, which is in communication with the router, extracts a codec information and a packet length information from the packet. A management system, which is in communication with the router, receives the codec information and the packet length information and determines packetization delay based on the codec information and the packet length information.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for transparent adjustment of a network node timing component. A system incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a housing component at least partially defining an external surface and an internal cavity. A broadband modem component may be at least partially located within the internal cavity along with a home networking mechanism, which may be communicatively coupled to the broadband modem. In operation, the home networking mechanism may facilitate providing a home network node with access to a backhaul enabled by the broadband modem. A processor may also be located within the internal cavity and may be communicatively coupled to the broadband modem and to a memory.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for indicating network connectivity and access to an information service offering. A method incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may include receiving at a router a request to establish a Point to Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE) session for a LAN-side device. The LAN-side device may be acting or capable of acting as a LAN node and may be “sharing” a broadband backhaul accessible via the router. In response to receiving the request to establish a PPPoE session, a PPPoE discovery stage packet may be output and may contain a tag identifying and/or assigned to the LAN side device. Similarly, if a different LAN-side device desires a PPPoE session, a request packet to establish a different PPPoE session may be received, and another PPPoE discovery stage packet including a different tag may be output.

Abstract: A system and method for providing managed point-to-point services are disclosed. In one embodiment of a system incorporating teachings of the present disclosure, a services management center may be capable of receiving a request for connection to a video content source. A requesting user may be part of one managed network and the content source may be part of another network. The content source may be able output an information stream. In operation, the center may determine an address for the video content source and initiate the formation of at least a portion of a point-to-point communication link between the requesting user and the video content source. In some embodiments, the center may be able to track a metric associated with communication of the information stream and may generate a billing record at least partially based upon the metric.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a communication node coupled to a first data network and a second data network is disclosed. The first data network is a wide area data network. The communication node includes a first data interface to the first data network, a second data interface to the second data network, a data processor responsive to the first data interface and to the second data interface, and an encryption module coupled to the data processor. The first data interface is a telephony type interface and the second data interface is a packet data interface. The data processor receives input traffic data carried over the first data interface and generates management performance data based on measurements with respect to the input traffic data. The encryption module receives the management performance data to produce encrypted management performance data to be communicated to the second data network via the second data interface.

Abstract: A system for user authentication includes a computing device, a customer premise equipment, and an authentication device. The authentication device is remotely located from the computing device and includes one or more processing resources. Embedded within the processing resource is Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (“PPPoE”). The authentication device is operable to utilize the PPPoE to authenticate one or more users of the computing device and the customer premise equipment. The authentication device further includes a housing to enclose the processing resource, one or more Ethernet input/output ports in order to communicate with the computing device and the customer premise equipment, and an indicator to indicate to the user an operating status for the authentication device. Once the authentication device authenticates the user, the authentication device becomes transparent to the computing device with no routing or bridging functionality.

Abstract: A method and system for implementing a virtual private network utilizes a single public IP address and avoids the use of a firewall. The method includes having a router in a private network perform one-to-one mapping of a public IP address to a private IP address such that a firewall, and the additional public IP address typically used to access the firewall, are not used. The system comprises a router having instructions for one-to-one mapping of a public IP address to a private IP address and does not include a firewall.