Abstract: A machine readable information storage medium, a reproducing method and apparatus which reproduces data from the storage medium, and a recording method and apparatus for recording data on the storage medium. The information storage medium includes a control area which stores within a data structure information usable by the recording or reproducing apparatus to record or reproduce the data on or from the storage medium. The information stored within the data structure includes a version corresponding to a specification, a revision number of recording speed, and an extended part version field.

Abstract: Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate generating and/or analyzing downlink transmission units in OFDM TDD environments. Beacon signals may be selectively inserted within downlink transmission units; for example, the position of Beacon signals may vary from cell to cell. Further, the position may be a function of a characteristic of a cell (e.g., cell identifier) and/or an expected drift. Moreover, a Beacon signal may be interjected at a location in a downlink transmission unit so as to mitigate alignment with disparate Beacon signals in downlink transmission units associated with differing cells. Additionally, an identity of a cell providing downlink transmission units may be determined by analyzing a position of the Beacon signal within the downlink transmission units.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to techniques and apparatus for detecting Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) signals in the presence of frequency orthogonal OFDM interferers.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a method for transmitting data considering a non-contact state of a human body, while selecting a central frequency in various ranges in the human body communication system. To this end, a first embodiment of the present invention proposes a human body communication system in which a central frequency can be simply moved, and specifically, proposes a data transmission apparatus comprising a frequency shifter which shifts the output of a multiplexer into a specified frequency so as to enable the central frequency to be moved. In addition, a second embodiment of the present invention proposes a human body communication system which controls not only central frequency selection and transmission band minimization, but also a data rate, modulation, etc, and thus can perform stable communication in a non-contact state of a human body. Through this, it is possible to maximize the band efficiency, and to transmit data considering a non-contact state of a human body.

Abstract: A transmitter transmits a wireless signal produced by allocating data to component carriers for a plurality of communication bands, and a receiver receives the wireless signal and carries out a reception process for the received wireless signal with a predetermined reception sampling frequency are provided, and the component carriers are arranged at such positions that the data do not overlap with each other when the component carriers are superimposed on a frequency axis.

Abstract: Rapid failure detection and recovery in wireless communication networks is needed in order to meet, among other things, carrier class Ethernet transport channel standards. Thus, resilient wireless packet communications is provided using a hardware-assisted rapid transport channel failure detection algorithm and a Gigabit Ethernet data access card with an engine configured accordingly. In networks with various topologies, this is provided in combination with their existing protocols, such as rapid spanning tree and link aggregation protocols, respectively.

Abstract: A fail-to-wire (FTW) module that preserves a primary data path connection from an upstream computer to a downstream computer if there is any kind of failure in a breakout data path to a breakout system. The FTW module provides switches between the incoming data network data and the breakout system such that when the breakout system encounters a failure, the switches are de-activated to bypass the breakout system. The switches in the FTW module are activated by a system health signal from the breakout system. The breakout system can be serviced without interrupting the data network connections since the FTW module can be extracted from the failed breakout system with data network connections intact. The FTW module is preferably a compact modular element that fits within the breakout chassis and is easily inserted and removed from the breakout system during servicing operations.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing fault detection and management are disclosed. A system includes a web-based interface that allows a user to access all elements of a customer service network, which spans multiple networks, departments, and external partners. The system, and thereby the user, is able to manage almost all aspects of the network, thereby giving the user end-to-end customer experience issue management. Real time and archived events are utilized, in some embodiments, for root cause analysis and/or process and/or performance improvement. Events from differing transport, platform, technology and OSI model levels are correlated for optimal customer experience monitoring alarming and analysis.

Abstract: Rehoming a DLSAM between ports residing on a first switch includes establishing a physical loop-back circuit between a second port and a temporary input port of the first switch; establishing an ePVC between the input port and a first port, the first port coupled to a first connection; removing a PVC and establishing a new PVC; routing data between the second switch and the DSLAM via the new PVC, the circuit, the ePVC, and the first connection between the first switch and the DSLAM; removing the circuit from the second port; establishing a second connection between the second port and the DSLAM; routing data between the second switch and the DSLAM via the new PVC and the second connection; removing the ePVC between the first port and the temporary input port; and disconnecting the first connection between the first port of the first switch and the DSLAM.

Abstract: A method for processing a registration exception in a user registration procedure is provided to solve the problem that network devices are unable to determine subsequent handling procedures when a registration exception occurs in a registration, where it is impossible to distinguish the initial registration and the re-registration according to whether the registration request is a protected register. According to the solution disclosed by the embodiments of the present invention, after the I-CSCF forwards the registration request to the S-CSCF and determines that a registration exception occurs, the I-CSCF returns a registration failure message to the terminal initiating the registration request or reselects a new S-CSCF, according to instruction information, indicating whether the registration request is an initial registration or a re-registration, carried in the registration request or according to S-CSCF-associated information carried in a response from the HSS.

Abstract: A packet is transmitted from a transmitting device to an active communication device which transmits a reception history identifying the received packets to the transmitting device. The transmitting device transmits an active-mode request message to a standby communication device when having failed to receive the reception history from the active communication device within a predetermined time period. Then, the standby communication device becomes a new active communication device, and the active communication device becomes an old active communication device. The new active communication device transmits to the transmitting device a switching request message for switching a destination of the packet from the old active communication device to the new active communication device.

Abstract: A communication system comprises a plurality of subscriber lines that are bonded to provide a bonding group, referred to as the “primary bonding group.” A data stream comprising a plurality of data packets is transmitted to a port, referred to as the “primary port,” of a network termination unit (NTU) coupled to each subscriber line of the primary bonding group, and a bonding engine of the NTU fragments the data packets for transmission across the bonding group. Logic, referred to as “link state awareness (LSA) logic,” is configured to monitor at least one communication parameter indicative of the communication performance of the bonding group. If the measured communication performance is within a specified range, the LSA logic disables the primary port. Such action signals a switching element to switch communication to another NTU that is coupled to one or more other subscriber lines for backing up the primary bonding group.

Abstract: Methods, system and apparatus for determining shortest path bridging (SPB) of multicast frames within a communications network.

Abstract: Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate communicating between access points using the same air interface as for serving wireless devices. Access points can communicate with one another over the air interface to exchange interference management messages related to negotiating and/or allocating resources among the access points or other messages. In addition, access points can prepare served wireless devices for time periods where the access points communicate with disparate access points over the air interface to mitigate confusion or radio link failure detection by the served wireless devices.

Abstract: A system and method for providing backup communications using Power over Ethernet (PoE) are disclosed. A backup communication system (BCS) is provided as part of a networked (TCP/IP) hospital communication system. The BCS is coupled to a power line used to provide power to a PoE switch. When TCP/IP communications are interrupted, the BCS receives patient call signals from patient room terminals over a secondary communication mode of the power line, and transmits those call signals to a nurses' station. The call signals can be generated by coupling a pulse-coded AC signal onto the PoE wires, or by sending voltage coded data in one direction and current-coded data in the other direction. Different signals or signal levels can be used to distinguish normal patient calls, patient emergency calls, and code calls. Thus, basic communications can be achieved when TCP/IP are unavailable. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: Disclosed example operations involve provisioning a pool of communication capacity in a network link, the pool of communication capacity including spare capacity; allocating from the spare capacity a reserve service communication capacity requested in a connection setup message associated with a first user, the reserve service communication capacity being available to accommodate an increase of communications associated with a first service connection for the first user; and while the reserve service communication capacity is allocated for the first service connection for the first user, provisioning the reserve service communication capacity to be available for restoration capacity associated with a second service connection for at least a second user.

Abstract: A method and system to avoid multi-ring deadlock. The method includes removing a message on a multi-ring interconnect either with a ring connector associated with the target of the message or by the message's source station such that the message travels no more than one time around the slotted ring interconnect before its removal. The method may also be applied to single ring networks for congestion control.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product for indicating and responding to various congestion levels in a communication system, such as a wireless communication network. A congestion level in the network is determined, and a percentage of data packets to be transmitted to an endpoint, such as user equipment or another network endpoint serving the user, are marked to indicate the congestion level. The endpoint determines the congestion level at the network from the percentage of received data packets that are marked and may initiate an appropriate response behavior in response to the determined congestion level.

Abstract: The invention relates to a technique for mobile assisted handover in mobile communications networks, e.g. Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks, in a situation of an ongoing data reception or data transmission of a mobile terminal which hinders reception of system information from a candidate cell for handover. A method embodiment of such technique is performed in a mobile terminal and comprises the steps of accepting information related to an ongoing data reception/transmission from at least one data reception/transmission component of the mobile terminal; establishing if the ongoing data reception/transmission enables a reception of a unique cell identifier indicating a candidate cell for handover; selectively halting the ongoing data reception/transmission, receiving the unique cell identifier of the candidate cell, and resuming afterwards the data reception/transmission.

Abstract: Disclosed is a routing method named lock routing for a wireless multi-hop network, which can be based on next-hop routing and source routing and named next-hop lock routing and source lock routing respectively. The routing method utilizes traffic packets to monitor the link quality and utilizes local broadcast to help a source node keep track of the varying network topology in order to update a route path to a destination node. In local broadcast, routing control messages can be forwarded by path nodes and neighbors of an old route path, which reduces the routing control overhead and enhances the network scalability. A route update process can be triggered by the link quality and the path node state and is used to maintain ongoing traffic flows and extend the network lifetime.

Abstract: System and method for managing communications in an access network is provided. The system and method utilizes carrier-tagged paths established between communicatively coupled terminating elements, such as a service or customer edge and network elements, such as a building aggregator, layer 2 switch, or the like. The carrier-tagged paths may be nested within one another, and carrier-tagged paths may be aggregated together to simplify switching. Carrier-tagged flows carried over the carrier-tagged paths include one or more carrier tags prepended to terminating element traffic. For example, in an embodiment, inbound carrier-tagged flows from multiple sources destined for a common service edge may be merged by prepending a common carrier tag. In another embodiment, outbound carrier-tagged flows are nested within other carrier-tagged flows.

Abstract: A radio communication system includes a gateway apparatus and a plurality of radio stations performing radio communication. The gateway apparatus includes, a generation unit that generates allocation information on one or more individual channels each allocated individually to one of a plurality of radio stations; and a transmission unit that transmits the generated allocation information, and the plurality of radio stations each of which comprising, a receiving unit that receives the allocation information; and a data transmission unit that performs data transmission through the one or more individual channels when information indicating an own station is included in the received allocation information, and performs data transmission by random access through a channel other than the one or more individual channels in a radio frame when information indicating the own station is not included in the received allocation information.

Abstract: Utilizing multiple distortion measures. A first distortion measure for at least one packet is received. A second distortion measure for the at least one packet is received, wherein the second distortion measure is different than the first distortion measure. A processing operation is performed based at least in part on the first distortion measure and the second distortion measure.

Abstract: Techniques for privileged network routing are provided. As traffic is received at a gateway of a network backbone provider environment it is interrogated for predefined criteria. If the traffic satisfies the predefined criteria, then the information is routed within the network backbone provider environment to use a set of reserved and restricted resources to provide premium service for the traffic being routed through the network backbone provider environment.

Abstract: A computer based system and method for distributing a global shaper rate implemented across multiple traffic processing devices. A controller distributes credits according to the demand (amount of traffic, or offered load) of each device, in such a way to achieve global targets, including the shaper rate, strict prioritization of traffic, WFQ weights and fairness between cloned channels, iteratively updated as changes occur in the quantity and makeup of the traffic across the devices.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method, base station (RBS) and computer program for quickly recovering from a detected congestion over the air interface. First the current bitrate at the which the air interface congestion has been detected is stored as a new reference bitrate. Thereafter, the base station (RBS) requests a reduction of the bitrate associated with the air interface. When the congestion condition has subsided the base station (RBS) requests a boost of the bitrate associated with the air interface up to the stored new reference bitrate. When finally the new reference bitrate has been reached, the base station (RBS) requests a linear increase of the bitrate associated with the air interface.

Abstract: A multipoint delivery entity for receiving multipoint transmissions from an upstream entity and delivering said multipoint transmissions downstream to multipoint receivers, said entity comprising: —a conflict detector for detecting presence of a delivery conflict among said multipoint transmissions downstream of said multipoint delivery entity, and —a conflict resolver for performing a conflict resolution procedure in the event of a delivery conflict being detected.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for rate adaptation in wireless communication systems are described. A described technique includes generating a transmission packet parameter associated with packets transmitted by a device at a first data rate; generating a reception packet parameter associated with packets received by the device; determining a second data rate based on the transmission packet parameter and the reception packet parameter; and transmitting future packets at the second data rate.

Abstract: A packet network node and method of operating a packet network node are disclosed. Conventional packet network nodes react to congestion in the packet network by dropping packets in a manner which is perceived by users to be indiscriminate. In embodiments of the present invention, indiscriminate packet discards are prevented by causing packets to be discarded on lower priority flows and flow aggregates. A further action is taken to reduce the likelihood of packet discards. When an aggregate set of flows raises a congestion alarm action is taken to try to increase the capacity of the aggregate through taking capacity from pre-assigned donor aggregates. A donor aggregate may be carrying flows, for example flows classified as best effort. Another type of donor capacity is donor re-assignable unused capacity.

Abstract: A method, a network node, and a system for suppressing lost packet retransmission are provided. The method includes: generating retransmission suppression information, in which the retransmission suppression information includes identification information of data packets requiring retransmission suppression; and transmitting the retransmission suppression information to a receiving node, in which the retransmission suppression information is used to enable the receiving node not to request retransmission when data packets corresponding to the identification information in the retransmission suppression information are lost after the receiving node receives the retransmission suppression information. The network node includes a generating module and a transmitting module. The system includes an intermediate node and a receiving node.

Abstract: In one example embodiment, a method is provided and includes identifying a first data type of a first payload of a first data packet to be transmitted as part of a flow, where the first data type is identified by evaluating a quality of service (QoS) field, and setting an acknowledgement flag based on the first data type; the acknowledgement flag to indicate that an acknowledgement is not required from a receiving device such that a network device avoids retransmitting a first outgoing frame when the acknowledgement is not received for the first outgoing frame. In more particular instances, the method can include where the acknowledgement flag is in the first outgoing frame.

Abstract: Control packets received at a network element are pre-classified to enable out of profile traffic to be traced to an offending port. Pre-classified control packets are metered at a desired granularity using dynamically configured meters which adjust as ports are put into service or removed from service, and as services are applied to ports. CPU metering is implemented on a per-CPU core basis, but the per-CPU meters are used to perform flow control rather than as thresholds for ejecting errant control traffic. The combination of these three aspects provides robust CPU overload protection while allowing appropriate levels of control traffic to be provided to the control plane for processing, even in the event of a control traffic burst on one or more ports of the network element.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for making communications decisions are described. In some embodiments, a method includes recovering a first quality of service level from a first transmission request signal directed to a second communications device, and making a decision whether or not to transmit traffic data to a third communications device based on the recovered first quality of service level. In other embodiments a method includes recovering a first quality of service level from a first transmission request signal, and making a decision whether or not to transmit a first transmission request response signal in response to a second transmission request signal based on the recovered first quality of service level. In some embodiments, the phase of the transmission request signal is used to communicate the quality of service level. The device transmitting the transmission request signal may also transmit pilots which can be used as phase reference signals.

Abstract: A reordering method in a communication system where a base station sends to a mobile station, packets to which numbers indicating a sequence are attached, the mobile station rearranges the packets in order of the sequence numbers, and a hard handover is performed. The method includes deciding whether a handover source base station forwards packets which have not yet been sent to the mobile station, out of packets received from a host station, to a handover target base station; controlling forwarding of the packets at the handover based on the decision, and sending forwarding execution information from the handover source base station to the mobile station to notify whether the forwarding of the packets has been executed; and at the mobile station, receiving the forwarding execution information, and executing reordering of the packets received from the handover target base station based on the forwarding execution information at the handover.

Abstract: An exemplary object of the present invention lies in a point of providing a technology capable of measuring a transmission quality of an Ethernet network in order to utilize Ethernet as carrier-grade communication. The present invention includes an error bit number measurer for measuring the number of error bits that have occurred for a frame of Ethernet, being a target of monitoring, within a monitoring period, a transmitted bit number measurer for measuring the number of total transmitted bits of Ethernet frames that a device facing it has transmitted within the foregoing monitoring period, and a bit error rate operator for obtaining a bit error rate of a transmission path by employing a measurement result by the foregoing error bit number measurer and the foregoing transmitted bit number measurer.

Abstract: A system includes an ingress node, an egress node, and one or more intermediate nodes. A path is formed from the ingress node to the egress node via the one or more intermediate nodes, where the path carries label distribution protocol (LDP) packets of an LDP traffic flow. One of the intermediate nodes detects traffic congestion, modifies one of the LDP packets to include an indicator of the traffic congestion, and sends the modified LDP packet towards the egress node. The egress node receives the modified LDP packet and notifies the ingress node of the traffic congestion in response to identifying the indicator of the traffic congestion within the modified LDP packet.

Abstract: A cost of a path may not be the only factor in searching for a path solution in a network. For example, some applications are delay sensitive and require finding a path that does not exceed a latency constraint for the entire path. Accordingly, a method and corresponding apparatus for searching for a path solution in a network is provided that identifies combinations of partial paths that satisfy an end-to-end path constraint, compares attributes of the combinations of partial paths, prunes the combinations of partial paths based on results of the comparing to identify candidate combinations of partial paths, and selects a candidate combination of partial paths as the path solution. By pruning combinations of partial paths, considerable is saved compared to exhaustive comparing of every possible combination of partial paths and scalability is achieved.

Abstract: A stacked switch includes two or more individual network switches connected to each other in a ring or daisy chain topology over stacking links, and at least one port on two or more of the individual switches comprising the stacked switch is a member of a LAG configured on the stacked switch. Each of the individual switches comprising the stacked switch include control plane and data plane functionality that operates to maintain switching tables and to process network data ingressing to the switch to determine how to forward the network data through the switch to an egress point. The control functionality included in each of the switches comprising the stacked switch also includes an enhanced ECMP functionality that operates to optimize the use of stacking link bandwidth on the stacking links connecting the two or more individual switches to each other.

Abstract: A communication system includes a master host unit that communicates wireless spectrum with a service provider interface using analog spectrum. Master host unit communicates digitized spectrum in N-bit words over a digital communication link. Master host unit converts between analog spectrum and N-bit words of digitized spectrum. Communication system includes hybrid expansion unit coupled to master host unit by digital communication link. Hybrid expansion unit communicates N-bit words of digitized spectrum with master host unit across digital communication link. Hybrid expansion unit converts between N-bit words of digitized spectrum and analog spectrum. Hybrid expansion unit communicates analog spectrum across analog communication link to analog remote antenna unit. Analog remote antenna unit communicates wireless signals using first antenna. Communication system further includes a switch in a data path between service provider interface and antenna.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the application, a relay apparatus includes a destination storage unit configured to store the information about a destination of a multicast packet in association with a multicast address; a determination unit configured to determine whether the destination of the multicast packet is a first physical machine on the basis of the destination information stored in the destination storage unit in a migration process in which a virtual machine operating on the first physical machine is migrated to a second physical machine; and an addition unit configured to add information about the second physical machine to the destination information in the destination storage unit, the destination information corresponding to the multicast address that indicates the destination of the first physical machine, if the determination unit determines that the destination of the multicast packet is the first physical machine.

Abstract: Network policies that control the flow of traffic through a network may be implemented using a controller server that controls a network of switches. Based on network packet attributes, the controller server may identify network policies that are associated with the network traffic. The controller server may identify dependencies between the network policies based on priorities that are associated with the network policies and overlap between the network policies. The controller server may provide the switches with packet forwarding rules based on the identified dependencies between the network policies, network switch attributes, and network switch capabilities. The packet forwarding rules may implement network policies for current network traffic and future network traffic.

Abstract: System and method for topology management of dynamic ad hoc wireless communication networks. The network nodes are organized in a multi-level hierarchical architecture whereby the nodes at each level are managed by nodes at the next higher level. In a three-layer network, leaf nodes populate the lowest level, cluster head nodes the intermediate level, and regional head nodes the highest level. Priority-based backbone tree paths are constructed by selecting and connecting high capability nodes, such that the unselected nodes are one-hop away from a connected node. In a two backbone tree path construction, a primary backbone tree path carries the high priority traffic and a secondary backbone tree path carries the lower priority traffic. The connectivities of the backbone tree paths are maintained dynamically. So also are high priority traffic flows using the Dynamic Priority Threshold mechanism with High Fidelity Monitoring and traffic siphoning via unutilized network resources.

Abstract: An on-vehicle gateway device connected to an information system network and a control system network of a vehicle executes monitoring the status of an information system via an information system access circuit taking charge of message transmission and reception to and from the information system network, and an information system management step to manage information acquired by the information system monitoring, monitoring the status of a control system via a control system access circuit taking charge of message transmission and reception to and from the control system network, and a control system management step to manage information acquired by the control system monitoring, managing policies for access control by the access control circuit controlling data flows between the information system access circuit and the control system access circuit, and determining whether or not to update the policies managed by policy management and to update the policies.

Abstract: The present invention describes a system and method for communicating voice and data over a packet-switched network that is adapted to coexist and communicate with a legacy PSTN. The system permits packet switching of voice calls and data calls through a data network from and to any of a LEC, a customer facility or a direct IP connection on the data network. The system includes soft switch sites, gateway sites, a data network, a provisioning component, a network event component and a network management component. The system interfaces with customer facilities (e.g., a PBX), carrier facilities (e.g., a LEC) and legacy signaling networks (e.g., SS7) to handle calls between any combination of on-network and off-network callers.

Abstract: Various embodiments illustrated and described herein include systems, methods and software for content type classification. Some such embodiments include determining a potential state of classification for packets associated with a session based at least in part on a packet associated with the session that is a packet other than the first packet of the session.

Abstract: A method for establishing a monitoring connection associated to a traffic connection established in a network e.g. of MPLS type, the method comprising the steps of: sending a connection establishment message from a first node (B) to a second node (D) of the communication network to establish a monitoring connection (6) between the first and second nodes, wherein the first and second nodes are disposed in a path of the traffic connection and the connection establishment message is sent along the traffic connection path, sending a make-before-break request from the first node (B) to an ingress node (A) of the traffic connection to cause the ingress node to re-establish the traffic connection along the traffic connection path using a make-before-break signaling procedure, at the first node, processing a re-establishment signaling message sent by the ingress node so as to encapsulate the re-established traffic connection (5) into the monitoring connection (6).

Abstract: BGP Route Recorder (BRR) captures and dumps Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) messages received from BGP peers. Passive links are established between the BRR and BGP peers. All incoming and outgoing BGP messages are recorded and timestamped. Rather than tear down BGP peering sessions when errors are encountered, error conditions are recorded, and the BRR may be configured to maintain links across selected BGP errors.

Abstract: A method and system for testing packet error rate in electronic devices by transmitting a series of data packets from a testing device to a device under test (DUT) and setting a predefined number of received error-free data packets; evaluating whether a number of data packets from the series of data packets received error-free by the DUT equals the predefined number of received error-free data packets and transmitting additional data packets from the testing device to the DUT, at a power level known to produce zero received-packet errors in a correctly operating DUT, if the number of data packets from the series of data packets received error-free by the DUT does not equal the predefined number of received error-free data packets.

Abstract: In one or more aspects, the method and apparatus presented herein consider corresponding uplink resource allocations when allocating ARQ signal powers. In particular, in at least one embodiment, more power is allocated to the acknowledgment (“ack”) signal(s) corresponding to user equipment (UE) transmissions that involve larger allocations of uplink resources. For the example context of an LTE network, an eNodeB “boosts” its ack signaling power for acknowledging UE transmissions associated with larger uplink bandwidth allocations. Additionally, or alternatively, the UE is configured to bias its ARQ signal evaluations, to bias its ack/nack decision determinations to favor the ack decision, at least for those acks associated with transmissions that used greater resource allocations.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and computer readable media for optimizing serial communication networks provide an intelligent network gateway through which network data flows. Systems and devices monitor network requests for data packets supplied by slave computing devices, examine the supplied data packets, and copy the supplied data packets to a memory device. The supplied data packets are delivered to a first requesting network device and when an additional network request for the data packets is made by a second requesting network device the data packets are delivered from the memory device to the second requester in response to the additional network request without interrupting the slave computing device to redundantly supply the data packet. Polling by multiple requester devices for redundant data from slave computing devices is avoided. Communication response times are improved, data caching is provided for devices that have no logging memory, and optimum communication settings can be automatically determined.