Abstract: An operation, administration, and maintenance data sink may receive an event data packet. The event data packet may be processed and transmitted based on instructions from a controller, wherein the controller may regulate the transmission of the processed event data packet based on network conditions.

Abstract: In accordance with the present disclosure, a method may include receiving a delay measurement message frame at a responder maintenance end point from a controller maintenance end point. The method may further include writing an ingress time value to the delay measurement message frame upon receipt of the delay measurement message at the responder maintenance end point. The method may also include generating a delay measurement response frame based on the delay measurement message frame, the delay measurement response frame comprising an egress timestamp field having a value equal to the difference between a time at which the delay measurement response frame is transmitted from the responder maintenance end point and a time represented by the ingress time value. The method may additionally include transmitting the delay measurement response from the responder maintenance end point to the controller maintenance end point.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and arrangements in an MPLS-TP network, comprising a plurality of interconnected routers configured for MPLS-TP, wherein at least a first router is defined as an originating Maintenance End Point, MEP, a second router is defined as a targeting MEP and the third router is defined as a Maintenance Intermediate Point, MIP. The basic idea of the present invention is to associate a table with each MIP and MEP, wherein the tables comprises information related to the MEPs of the MPLS-TP network and the information from the tables is inserted in the reply packets and forwarded packets. By using this information, the OAM packets can find the subsequent MIP or MEP and failure localization may be performed.

Abstract: A Maintenance Association and corresponding method for configuring maintenance entities for Ethernet Tree (E-Tree) type service instances. A root MEP communicates with each of a plurality of leaf MEPs. Remote MEP state machine instances are activated within the root MEP for each of the plurality of leaf MEPs. Within each leaf MEP, however, only the remote MEP state machine instance for the root MEP is activated while leaving the remote MEP state machine instances for all other leaf MEPs in an inactive state in which Connectivity Check Messages (CCMs) are not exchanged.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for determining the power cost of transmitting packets along a specified path. A particular type of OAM packet is transmitted along the path by a first node, and each node along the path adds its power cost of transmitting packets to the OAM packet. Upon reaching the end of the path, the OAM packet is returned to the first node where the power cost of the total path is determined and stored in association with the path.

Abstract: A Carrier Ethernet method includes receiving a request to initiate an Ethernet Operations, Administration, and Maintenance (OAM) session at a local device, setting up the OAM session at the local device responsive to the request, transmitting a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) from the local device to a remote device with information related to the OAM session and the request contained therein, and receiving the PDU at the remote device and setting up the OAM session at the remote device based on the information in the PDU.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing session related message size includes a processing element. The processing element may be configured to determine a domain-wide unique identifier and generate a message including a first field for identifying a message sequence associated with the message and a second field including a tag. The second field including the tag may be associated with an identifier of a source or recipient of the message. At least one of the first and second fields may be without data. The processing element may be further configured to include, in the message, a third field comprising at least the domain-wide unique identifier. The third field may be associated with data otherwise intended for the first and second fields.

Abstract: The number of data frames transmitted between two apparatuses is counted by a transmission counter, while the number of received frames is counted by a reception counter. When an OAM frame for frame loss measurement is transmitted, the value of the transmission counter is cached in a cache memory. At the time of generation of an OAM frame at an OAM frame generation unit, the value of the cache memory is used so as to generate an OAM frame carrying the value of the transmission counter at the time of transmission of the OAM frame transmitted previously. The frame loss is calculated from the difference of the value of the transmission counter carried in the OAM frame from the previous value and the difference of the value of the reception counter at the time of reception of the previous previous OAM frame from the previous value.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a method of route convergence is provided. In this method, a loss of connectivity is detected along a communication route by way of an Ethernet Operations, Administration, and Maintenance (OAM) protocol. Examples of Ethernet OAM protocols include Connectivity Fault Management protocol and Ethernet Local Management Interface protocol. Thereafter, a data link layer identifier associated with the communication route is identified and this data link layer identifier is mapped to a network layer address. Convergence on an alternate communication route can then be based on the mapped network layer address.

Abstract: An apparatus controls a transmission interval of maintenance packets in a communication network. The apparatus calculates, within a first bandwidth available for the transmission and reception of packets, a second bandwidth that is free in the apparatus and usable for transmitting and receiving the maintenance packets for maintenance of the communication network. The apparatus determines a transmission interval of maintenance packets in accordance with the calculated second bandwidth and transmits the maintenance packets to another apparatus in the communication network at the determined transmission interval.

Abstract: An example network system includes a layer two (L2) device and a layer three (L3) device. The L2 device includes a control unit is configured to determine a preferred network path from a first L2 network in which the L2 device resides to an intermediate L3 network in which the L3 device resides that couples the first L2 network to a second L2 network having a second L2 device. The control unit includes a management endpoint (MEP) module. The MEP module executes an operations, administration, and management (OAM) protocol to monitor the first L2 network and output an L2 frame in accordance with the OAM protocol to the L3 device to notify the L3 device that it is within the preferred network path. A MEP module of the L3 device executes an OAM protocol that outputs L2 frames to the L2 device indicating the status of the L3 network.

Abstract: Some demonstrative embodiments include devices, systems and/or methods of Time-Division Duplexing (TDD) Uplink-Downlink (UL-DL) interference management. Some embodiments include transmitting a message including a channel quality parameter and a Time-Division-Duplex (TDD) configuration update to at least one other base station of a cellular cell, deciding if the cellular cell is to be operated in a cluster based on the channel quality parameter value, and coordinating an adjustment of uplink-downlink configuration according to a traffic condition.

Abstract: It is disclosed a method of monitoring, a Multi-Protocol Label Switching network, a tandem connection of a Label Switched Path. The tandem connection to be monitored has an input node and an output node. The method comprises the following steps: receiving a first Operation Administration Management packet at the input node; and generating a second OAM packet at the input node. According to the invention, the following steps are further performed: a tandem connection header is inserted into the first OAM packet; both the first OAM packet with the tandem connection header and the second OAM packet are sent towards the output node; and the second OAM packet is identified according to the presence or absence of said tandem connection header.

Abstract: A multi-modal multi-modulation base station such as a small cell is disclosed. The small cell can include multiple radio devices that can be configured to communicate with user devices using different protocols and different frequencies. The base station includes a backhaul interface to core networks that can also operate according to multiple protocols. A common radio element application manager (CREAM) control operations of the radio devices including core network connectivity, mode-to-mode communications, and synchronization of small cell features. CREAM operations include self-organizing network functions such as automatic neighbor relations, mobility optimization, load balancing, and inter-cell interference coordination.

Abstract: In general, techniques are described for preparing a computer network for planned events. A network device comprising a control unit and an interface implements these techniques. The control unit is configured to be a member a maintenance association that verifies connectivity a single service instance. The interface outputs a maintenance message to an additional network device to verify connectivity between the network device and the additional network device. The control unit receives an indication to initiate a planned event capable of disrupting the maintenance association. Prior to the control unit performing the planned event, the interface generates a modified maintenance message indicating that the planned event will be performed by the network device. The interface then transmits the modified outgoing maintenance message to the additional network device to direct the additional network device to avoid detecting the planned event as a connectivity fault.

Abstract: A method for relay node related measurements is provided. The method includes the following steps: obtaining air interface related measurements; and forming form the measurements at least one merely relay node related measurement result. The method can facilitate use of relay nodes and guarantee the advantages provided by the relay nodes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for scheduling multiple probes for monitoring of a network is disclosed. The method comprises identifying a group of multiple probes to be deployed over an IP network, each of the multiple probes measuring different performance metrics in the network. A schedule period is also identified, in which to schedule the deployment of the multiple probes in the group. An even or random mode of scheduling may be specified. In response the even mode of scheduling, the apparatus may schedule the deployment of the multiple probes in the defined group periodically in the schedule period and/or schedules the group of probes periodically. Alternatively, in response to the random mode of scheduling, the scheduling apparatus may schedule the deployment of each of the multiple probes in the defined group at random intervals and/or schedules the group of probes randomly.

Abstract: An ATM (asynchronous transfer mode) cell transfer apparatus includes an input interface, a switch block, and an OAM cell processing hardware block having a memory unit. The input interface receives an SDH/SONET signal on each of a plurality of first transfer paths to output an input OAM cell corresponding to the SDH/SONET signal to one of a plurality of input ports of the switch block corresponding to the first transfer path for the SDH/SONET signal to be transferred. The switch block receives the input OAM (operation and maintenance) cell from the corresponding input port as an OAM input port to output to the OAM cell processing hardware block together with a port number of the OAM input port, and receives at least one output OAM cell from the OAM cell processing hardware block to output to at least one of the plurality of output ports based on the received output OAM cell.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for translating operational data between different protocols used by base stations to allow the base stations to coordinate their operational data. One embodiment is a system including a database, an interface, and a control system. The database stores translations between protocols used by base stations. The interface receives operational data in a first protocol from a first base station. The control system identifies a second base station as a target for the operational data, identifies a second protocol for the operational data used by the second base station, and identifies a translation stored in the database from the first protocol to the second protocol. The control system converts the operational data from the first protocol to the second protocol using the translation. The interface transmits the operational data in the second protocol to the second base station.

Abstract: Disclosed is a path-continuity check method for checking continuity of a path. The method includes transmitting a check frame by a node device on an upstream side and receiving the check frame by a node device on a downstream side; registering, by the node device on the upstream side, path information of the check frame and a transmission port in a transmission learning table together with a downstream learning number as a table number of a reception learning table of the node device on the downstream side in which the path information is registered; and setting, by the node device on the upstream side, plural of the downstream learning numbers registered in the transmission learning table in one aggregation check frame as table number ON information items and transmitting, by the node device on the upstream side, the one aggregation check frame to the node device on the downstream side.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for sending an Ethernet physical-layer OAM overhead, and a method and an apparatus for receiving an Ethernet physical-layer OAM overhead are disclosed herein. A method for sending an Ethernet physical-layer OAM overhead includes: adjusting the order of sending a payload block and part of Inter-Packet Gaps (IPGs) in a data stream to be transmitted; and when receiving a request for sending an OAM overhead, substituting the OAM overhead for the part of IPGs, and sending the OAM overhead before sending the payload block. Through the present invention, the order of sending IPGs and payload blocks in an MAC data stream can be adjusted, and the OAM overhead can be sent in time.

Abstract: MPLS networks offering PW or VPLS services may be interconnected with Ethernet networks implemented according to 802.1ah or 802.1Qay. The MPLS network may be a core and offer services to the Ethernet access networks, or vise-versa. Additionally, a mixture of different types of access networks may be interconnected by an MPLS core or an Ethernet core. Both network interworking and service interworking are provided. OAM fault detection may be implemented via maintenance entities extending across the network or end to end depending on the combination of networks and services offered by the networks.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for minimization of drive tests, a method for collecting terminal information, a terminal, and a network element, which belongs to the field of communication technologies. The method includes: in a process of activating a minimization of drive tests MDT task, checking, by a network element, a consent type of a user corresponding to a selected terminal; sending a MDT task activation command to the selected terminal according to a check result of the consent type; after receiving measured data reported by the selected terminal, performing an operation according to a check result of the consent type. In embodiments of the present invention, check on user consent is implemented in a network detection process, thereby avoiding a case that a user equipment is forced to report personal information without permission of the user and improving the user experience.

Abstract: Network entities in a communications system include one hierarchical level of a management network of the communications system, where fault and/or performance management related data is sent. A first network entity sends such data to at least one second network entity after the at least one second network entity is determined based on a configuration management relationship with the first network entity.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for detecting connectivity failures within an OTV network using CFM. In an embodiment, a method and apparatus for using E-OAM to accurately test connectivity in an OTV network is provided. In an embodiment, one method comprises: in a first edge router that is in a local area network (LAN) and that is coupled to a core network: maintaining, for each node of the LAN, a mapping of a source address to one or more delivery multicast groups, each delivery multicast group comprising a set of other edge routers, each of the other edge routers having a connection to a distinct LAN; receiving a frame from a particular source node of a particular source address; sending the frame to a plurality of the delivery multicast groups that are mapped, in the mapping, to the particular source address.

Abstract: A method and a device for conveying at least one OAM message in a network formed of several segments that are operated by at least two carriers. The at least one OAM message includes a digital signature of a maintenance end point. The at least one OAM message is sent from the maintenance end point towards at least one maintenance point. Furthermore, a communication system is described with the device.

Abstract: Exemplary carrier Ethernet service bandwidth allocation systems and methods are disclosed herein. An exemplary method includes a carrier Ethernet service system 1) receiving an Ethernet layer operation, administration, and management (“OAM”) protocol based message provided by a customer premises device to a network interface device over a user network interface (“UNI”), the Ethernet layer OAM protocol based message including a request to adjust an amount of bandwidth allocated to a carrier Ethernet service provided by the Ethernet service system to the customer premises device, and 2) adjusting, in response to the request, the amount of bandwidth allocated to the carrier Ethernet service. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A spatio-temporal random voting scheme is provided that incorporates location distribution, spatial randomness, and temporal randomness in the collection of information from a plurality of sensing devices within the cognitive network. The region is divided into a plurality of sectors, where each sector is a portion of the region. A subset of sectors is selected from the plurality of sectors in the region to provide spatial randomness. A device is randomly selected from each sector in the subset of sectors to provide additional spatial randomness to the information collection process. Temporal randomness may be introduced by randomly selecting a timeslot within a sensing window period in which devices are to scan a frequency spectrum band to determine if a signal energy above a threshold is detected. Sensing reports are then collected from the selected sensing devices and used to determine whether the frequency spectrum band is available or in use.

Abstract: A system includes: first and second radio stations (eNB1,2) of a similar type and/or a third radio station (HeNB) of a different type, a radio terminal (UE) served by the eNB1; and an operation administration and maintenance server (OAM/SON server), wherein the eNB1 instructs the UE to measure interference from at least one of the second or third radio stations, the eNB1 and/or OAM/SON server receives a report of a measurement result by the UE, determines whether or not a change is to be made to the radio network configuration of the relevant radio station that is at least one of the first to third radio stations, and/or executes a change of the radio network configuration.

Abstract: A method of managing traffic of packet transport system according to some embodiments of the inventive concept may include calculating an average queue size of input traffic with reference to a link capacity; and differently applying allowable length and probability of disuse with respect to the calculated average queue size according to marking information with respect to packets of the input traffic. The input traffic includes a CCM packet for OAM.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method for controlling a Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS), which includes: a network side processes uplink feedback information from User Equipment (UE) and makes an Activation/Deactivation determination on an MBMS service according to the processing result; and the network side activates/deactivates the MBMS service according to the determination result. The disclosure also provides a system for controlling an MBMS service correspondingly. The disclosure can control the activation/deactivation of an MBMS service according to uplink feedback information from UE, thereby improving system efficiency.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a maintenance intermediate point (MIP) receives a packet traveling along a multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) label switched path (LSP) that extends from a first maintenance end point (MEP) to a second MEP. The receiving MIP decrements a time-to-live (TTL) value in a header of the packet. In response the TTL value in the header of the packet equaling a particular value, the receiving MIP examines an associated channel header (ACH) field in an operations, administration, and maintenance (OAM) message stored in a payload of the packet, and determines a particular OAM function to perform based on a code in the ACH field. The receiving MIP performs the particular OAM function.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems directed to a network traffic synchronization mechanism facilitating the deployment of network devices in redundant network topologies. In certain embodiments, when a first network device directly receives network traffic, it copies the network traffic and transmits it to at least one partner network device. The partner network device processes the copied network traffic, just as if it had received it directly, but, in one embodiment, discards the traffic before forwarding it on to its destination. In one embodiment, the partner network devices are operative to exchange directly received network traffic. As a result, the present invention provides enhanced reliability and seamless failover. Each unit, for example, is ready at any time to take over for the other unit should a failure occur.

Abstract: It is disclosed a method of monitoring, a Multi-Protocol Label Switching network, a tandem connection of a Label Switched Path. The tandem connection to be monitored has an input node and an output node. The method comprises the following steps: receiving a first Operation Administration Management packet at the input node; and generating a second OAM packet at the input node. According to the invention, the following steps are further performed: a tandem connection header is inserted into the first OAM packet; both the first OAM packet with the tandem connection header and the second OAM packet are sent towards the output node; and the second OAM packet is identified according to the presence or absence of said tandem connection header.

Abstract: A method may include receiving a message from a first Ethernet interface in a second Ethernet interface, wherein the message includes a first attribute indicative of an Ethernet service at the first interface according to a first operation, administration, or management (OAM) protocol. The method may further include mapping the first attribute to a second attribute, wherein the second attribute is in accordance with a second OAM protocol different than the first OAM protocol. The method may further include performing an operation at the second interface based on the second attribute.

Abstract: A method may include receiving, by a first Ethernet interface, a message from a remote second Ethernet interface via an Ethernet operation, administration, or management (OAM) channel. The first Ethernet interface may determine whether the message includes a request for status information regarding an identified higher layer service. The first Ethernet interface may determine, in response to the message, a current status of the identified higher layer service. A response message may be generated to include the current status. The response message is transmitted from the first Ethernet interface to the remote second Ethernet interface via the Ethernet OAM channel.

Abstract: A novel and useful one-to-many OAM/protection inter-work function (IWF). The mechanism stitches a single OAM session (e.g., a CCM session) on a multi-traffic class (TC) M-domain to multiple OAM-sessions (which monitor different transport entities or connections) on a single-TC S-domain using duplication and filtering of OAM messages at the ENNI. Using the OAM sessions, protection decision manipulation is performed to coordinate the protection decisions of the different connections serving the different TCs of the same S-domain endpoint. The manipulation includes manipulating fields in one OAM-session as a function of information gained from an OAM-session monitoring a different transport entity such that the first connection is forced to follow protection decisions based on the second OAM-session. Bundled single-TC connections are forced to take protection decisions that steer user traffic through transport entities provisioned in advance to share the same fate in the event of link or equipment failures.

Abstract: A communication device includes a receiving unit configured to receive a frame via a connected packet network, a transmitting unit configured to transmit the received frame and a self-originating frame to the packet network, a monitoring unit configured to monitor a flow rate of the transmitted frames, a transmission cycle setting unit configured to cause a transmission cycle of the self-originating OAM frame to be a predetermined transmission cycle set for a normal condition when the flow rate of the frames is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold, and a transmission cycle calculating unit configured to calculate a transmission cycle of the OAM frame that can compensate for a shortfall in the number of the transmitted frames, the transmission cycle calculating unit being configured to cause the calculated transmission cycle to be a transmission cycle of the self-originating OAM frame when the flow rate of the frames is less than the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured to generate a reference model of a bridged network representing a plurality of nodes in the bridged network, wherein each of the plurality of nodes implements a loop-free topology algorithm; determine an expected data path based on the reference model of the bridged network; receive information pertaining to an actual data path in the bridged network; and compare the expected data path based on the reference model and the actual data path in the bridged network to identify a divergence point.

Abstract: A base station has a wireless interface, a processor, and a management interface. The processor determines a delay before an attach request was successful, the processor also being arranged to determine a cumulative distribution of the delay values of different attach requests, and a compressed representation of the cumulative distribution. The management interface is used to send the compressed representation to a management system. The cumulative distribution is simpler, having no change in a sign of its gradient, and so can be approximated and represented in compressed form with much less risk of loss of relevant information.

Abstract: Serial networking dedicated fiber optic inflight entertainment (IFE) systems, methods therefor and components thereof, that exhibit improved configuration and failover attributes through implementation of novel network configuration protocols. In some aspects of the invention, such an IFE system comprises a plurality of head end line replaceable units (HE-LRUs) and a plurality of serial networking line replaceable units (SN-LRUs), wherein each of the SN-LRUs individually detects that a closed system network has been formed between the plurality of HE-LRUs and the plurality of SN-LRUs based on a plurality of packets sourced by at least one of the HE-LRUs and received on a plurality of ports of each of the SN-LRUs, and wherein in response to detecting that the closed system network has been formed one of the SN-LRUs blocks one of its ports based on further detecting that the SN-LRU is a middle SN-LRU.

Abstract: A route monitor control system includes a plurality of OAM cell handlers (OCHs); a plurality of virtual path handlers (VPHs); a plurality of virtual channel handlers (VCHs); trunks; and a control unit. The control unit issues an OAM (operation and maintenance) cell send instruction to a specific one of the plurality of OAM cell handlers, and carries out a loop back control to at least one of the virtual path handler, the virtual channel handler, and the trunk, which are associated with the specific OAM cell handler, as an object unit in response to the OAM cell send instruction. Also, when the specific OAM cell handler sends out an OAM cell from the specific OAM cell handler to the object unit in response to the OAM cell send instruction, the control unit determines a fault position based on returning or non-returning of the OAM cell from the object unit to the specific OAM cell handler.

Abstract: On a first network element in a radio access network (RAN), supporting operations, management and administration (OAM) between network elements that support Ethernet in the first mile (EFM) and network elements that support connectivity fault management (CFM) in the radio access network by receiving an EFM message from a second network element that supports EFM, wherein the second network element is in the RAN and wherein the EFM message includes OAM data; converting the OAM data from the EFM message into a sub-type-length-value (sub-TLV) of a CFM message; and transmitting the CFM message including the OAM data in the sub-TLV to a third network element that supports CFM, wherein the third network element is in the RAN, whereby an end-to-end OAM sublayer is provided in the RAN by conversion of OAM data from EFM to CFM.

Abstract: A method for transmitting a Connectivity Fault Management (CFM) message of Ethernet includes: receiving a CFM message transmitted from a source node, the CFM message including identifier of a path and a connection maintenance target address; determining whether the connection maintenance target address matches address of a receiving node, and if yes, terminating the CFM message; otherwise forwarding the CFM message to a next hop based upon the path identifier of the path. Another method and a system for transmitting a CFM message of Ethernet, a node for transmitting a CFM message of Ethernet, and a node for receiving a CFM message of Ethernet are also disclosed. With the invention, a CFM message may be forwarded according to information of a Medium Access Control (MAC) address and a Virtual Local Area Network Identifier (VLAN ID) of a path identifier where a monitored service is located, and thus may be forwarded correctly in a Provider Backbone Bridge Traffic Engineering (PBB-TE) network.

Abstract: The present solution relates to enabling improved performance for a user equipment UE (205) in a communication network (200). A network node (210) detects (301, 401) that wireless performance between the UE (205) and a base station (201) is poor. Then, it identifies (302,402) a location of the UE (205) where the poor performance is detected, obtains (303,403) an identity associated with the UE (205), obtains (304,404) an address associated with the UE (205) and identifies (305,405) that the location of the UE (205) is residential and that the address corresponds to the location. The node (210) searches (306,406) for a wireline connection (219) located within a distance from the UE (205). The node (210) establishes (307,407) whether the performance for the UE (205) would be improved by providing services from a core network (209) to the UE (205) via the wireline connection (219) using the home base station (215).

Abstract: A shared (proxy) OAM session is performed in a packet-based network on behalf of a plurality of connections. First and second connections are each routed between respective nodes of the network for carrying data traffic. The second connection shares a portion of the routing of the first connection. The shared OAM session is performed along a path which is co-routed with at least part of the shared portion of the routing of the first connection and the second connection. Failure notification signalling is propagated to an endpoint node of each of the first and second connections when the shared OAM session indicates a failure has occurred. The use of a shared OAM session reduces processing at nodes and reduces OAM traffic. Each connection can be a trunk, such as a PBT/PBB-TE trunk, or a service carried within a trunk.

Abstract: Techniques that assist in processing of failure detection protocol (FDP) packets. Techniques are provided that assist a CPU of a network device in processing incoming FDP packets. In one embodiment, only a subset of FDP packets received by the network device is forwarded to the CPU for processing, the other FDP packets are dropped and not forwarded to the CPU. In this manner, the amount of processing that a CPU of the network device has to perform for incoming FDP packets is reduced. This enables the network device to support newer FDPs with shorter periodic interval requirements.

Abstract: An ATM (asynchronous transfer mode) cell transfer apparatus includes an input interface, a switch block, and an OAM cell processing hardware block having a memory unit. The input interface receives an SDH/SONET signal on each of a plurality of first transfer paths to output an input OAM cell corresponding to the SDH/SONET signal to one of a plurality of input ports of the switch block corresponding to the first transfer path for the SDH/SONET signal to be transferred. The switch block receives the input OAM (operation and maintenance) cell from the corresponding input port as an OAM input port to output to the OAM cell processing hardware block together with a port number of the OAM input port, and receives at least one output OAM cell from the OAM cell processing hardware block to output to at least one of the plurality of output ports based on the received output OAM cell.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method may include instantiating a first maintenance end point on a first port of a first network element. The first maintenance end point may determine whether a heartbeat message has been received from a second maintenance end point instantiated on a second port of a second network element. In response to determining that the heartbeat message has been received, the maintenance end point may analyze the heartbeat message to determine an identifier for the second network element and an identifier for the second port. Based on the determination of the identifier of the second network element and the identifier of the second port, the network element may store information to an adjacency list, the information indicating at least one of an adjacency of the first port to the second port and an adjacency of the first network element to the second network element.

Abstract: A SON algorithm is described in which performance targets are defined and evaluated. The evaluation of a performance target includes using or setting an evaluation period defining a time period over which the performance target is evaluated and using or setting an evaluation frequency defining how often the performance target is evaluated. The performance targets are used for optimising a configuration of a mobile telecommunication system.