Abstract: Even if a receiver has a normal gain and a lowered intermodulation distortion characteristics, a fault detection is possible. A test signal transmitter sends a test signal having at least two frequencies to a radio receiver through a coupler. A digital signal processing section receives a signal which includes an IM3 component generated by the radio receiver and measures the electric power of fundamental wave components and the IM3 component. Then, the digital signal processing section calculates the gain of the radio receiver and IIP3, which is an index for intermodulation distortion characteristics, of the radio receiver 207 from the calculated electric power. A base station control section determines whether the gain and IIP3 of the radio receiver fall in predetermined ranges to determine whether the radio receiver works normally or has a fault.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention include methods, apparatuses and systems that may be used for radio frequency and performance testing of communication equipment in a telecommunications network. According to one aspect of the invention, received data may be discarded during a test whenever a device being testing is unable to store the data, for example in a buffer. According to another aspect of the invention, the device being tested will provide data for transmission processing whenever there is an opportunity during the testing to transmit data, thus allowing the device to be aggressive in its data transmission.

Abstract: A technique is provided for dynamically discovering shared risk node group (SRNG) memberships of a plurality of interconnected edge devices in a computer network. According to the technique, each edge device “learns” the identities of its directly-attached peer devices situated in neighboring routing domains, e.g., by establishing an interior or exterior gateway routing protocol session with each peer. Thereafter, each edge device advertises the identities of its learned peers to the other interconnected edge devices. Preferably, the peer identities are distributed in novel “peer-router” extended community attributes transported in Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) messages. After an edge device has learned the identity of its own peers and received the identities of the other edge devices' peers, the device can automatically detect SRNG memberships in the computer network. Specifically, edge devices that advertise the same peer are determined to participate in the same SRNG.

Abstract: The invention is a method of measuring the RF losses among home wiring endpoints using battery-powered “remotes” placed at each accessible endpoint in the home. The remotes use a low power, ad hoc networking technology, e.g. Zigbee, Z-wave, to connect to one another over the home wiring, rather than over the air via antennas as in typical applications of these technologies.

Abstract: A network repeater having a plurality of repeater ports selectively establishes links with remote nodes at one of two data rates based on the capabilities of the remote network node and a determined link integrity. A network repeater establishes a link with a network node using auto-negotiation techniques to establish a 100 Mb/s link. The network repeater then monitors the link for symbol errors, and determines an integrity of the link based on a detected number of symbol errors relative to a prescribed threshold. If the detected number of symbol errors reaches the prescribed threshold, indicating poor link integrity due to poor cable connection or condition, faulty network device, etc., the network repeater performs a down shifting operation by breaking the established 100 Mb/s link, and restarting auto-negotiation to establish a 10 Mb/s link.

Abstract: A management tool facilitating benchmarking of optical network topologies. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving an identification of an optical network element, including network address information of the optical network element; receiving an identification of one or more optical network traffic generators, including access information of the optical network generators; and automatically accessing the identified optical network element, and one or more traffic generators in connection with execution of one or more tests on the optical network element.

Abstract: A power line communication (PLC) method includes determining whether a destination communication apparatus to receive a data packet can directly communicate without using a repeater, transmitting the data packet to the destination communication apparatus when the destination communication apparatus can directly communicate without using the repeater, and transmitting the data packet to the repeater when the destination communication apparatus cannot directly communicate without using the repeater, and a power line communication (PLC) apparatus to perform the method.

Abstract: The invention, in part, provides technology (e.g., a method, an apparatus, software, etc.) according to the Ethernet communication protocol, a method of parallel detection, the method comprising: providing a local link partner device having a local terminal advertisement register including a half duplex capability portion, determining whether auto-negotiation is supported; selecting, if auto-negotiation is not supported by at least one participating terminal, half duplex mode; and updating the value of the half duplex capability portion to indicate half duplex mode.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring a telephone line connected to a port of a voice gateway are described. In one embodiment, the method includes: obtaining a value representing an electrical characteristic of the port of the voice gateway; determining whether the value is within an acceptable range; determining whether a call originating from, or terminated at, a device connected to the telephone line completed successfully; and in response to determining that the call completed successfully, creating a new acceptable range based, at least in part, on the obtained value.

Abstract: In a wireless network that includes a plurality of nodes, a method of communicating a message from an originating node, intended for receipt by a destination node, via one or more intermediate nodes, includes the steps of: (a) communicating with just a single node within the communications range of the originating node—including sending the message and the known network pathway—if a network pathway to the destination node is known by the originating node, the single node being the first intermediate node identified in the known network pathway; and (b) communicating with one or more first intermediate nodes within the communications range of the originating node—including sending the message—if a network pathway to the destination node is unknown by the originating node.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for discovering a configured tunnel between nodes on a path in a data communications network. In an embodiment, an apparatus is arranged to remotely access at least one node on the path, identify whether a tunnel is configured on the access node and, if so, identify whether the identified tunnel has a fault.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for selectively providing access to a network node for testing and verification associated with a testing classification and requests are received from a network component to initiate a call via the net-work node. If it is determined that with the testing classification, service is provided via the network node.

Abstract: Systems and methods of storing previously transmitted data and using it to reduce bandwidth usage and accelerate future communications are described. By using algorithms to identify long compression history matches, a network device may improve compression efficiently and speed. A network device may also use application specific parsing to improve the length and number of compression history matches. Further, by sharing compression histories and compression history indexes across multiple devices, devices can utilize data previously transmitted to other devices to compress network traffic. Any combination of the systems and methods may be used to efficiently find long matches to stored data, synchronize the storage of previously sent data, and share previously sent data among one or more other devices.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a controller to receive information from a set top box that is associated with an undesired condition being experienced by a user of the set top box where the information is inputted into the set top box by the user, determine a failure condition associated with the information, perform a first diagnostic process to isolate the failure condition between a network failure and a customer premises equipment (CPE) failure, and transmit correction instructions to the set top box for presentation to the user when the failure condition is isolated to the CPE failure. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for automatic discovery of logical links between network devices. In one embodiment, the present invention comprises part of a network management system (“NM”) that manages a discrete set of network devices. The NM sends SNMP queries to individual network devices managed by the NM to obtain interface configuration data for each of the network interfaces of the device. The information requested includes destination information (“next hop” or “neighbor” IP address) for data packets sent from the interface. The NM checks to see whether a logical link corresponding to the received configuration information already exists in a logical link database maintained by the NM. If such a link exists the NM checks to see if the existing information for the link is valid. If the existing link data is valid, no change is made.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a method of testing a broadband internet connection including the steps of transmitting test signals via a broadband internet connection to a cellular network core, the test signals representative of those sent by an access point base station, measuring and recording a property relating to the transmission of the test signals, comparing the property to a minimum acceptable level and thereby determining whether the broadband internet connection is suitable for providing an access point base station.

Abstract: Methods are described for identifying a dominant impairment on a communication channel impaired by an interference issue. The methods include systematic examination of total power loading, systematic examination of signal power reduction, statistical examination of communication channel noise power, and systematic examination of interleaver effectiveness. Each relates to automatically diagnosing and characterizing distortion-based interference issues by monitoring the performance of a communication channel during a testing procedure. These methods enable a technician or engineer to remotely diagnose distortion-based interference issues relatively quickly without having to use external test equipment and without having to deploy technicians to various locations within the cable plant. A system by which these methods can be implemented is also disclosed.

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 having a communications interface coupled to a packet network, and a controller. The controller can be programmed to receive a request from a third party to monitor communications associated with an individual, convey 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 an update in the group of one or more PVCs, determine new set of one or more PVCs associated with the individual, and convey to the third party information monitored from the new set of one or more PVCs.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for receiving a jitter profile and a step response of a channel coupled between a transmitter and a receiver and a bit pattern to be transmitted, transmitting the bit pattern along the channel from the transmitter to the receiver with the jitter profile and the step response, receiving the bit pattern at the receiver and converting the bit pattern to a data stream by interpolating the step response according to a jitter of a current bit to obtain a jittery step response, superposing the jittery step response onto the data stream, calculating the jitter at each transition bit of the bit pattern by determining a time difference between actual and ideal crossing points, incrementing a jitter distribution function with the jitter, and generating a timing curve for the channel using the jitter distribution function. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A resilient interface architecture may include at least two interface switches and at least two interface routers. The at least two interface switches may provide connectivity between a subnetwork and a main network. If one of the switches fails, the connectivity otherwise provided by the failed interface switch may be provided by another one of the interface switches. Each interface router may be individually coupled to at least one interface switch. The interface routers may select a transmission path between the subnetwork and the main network through the interface switches. If one of the interface routers fails, the selection of transmission paths otherwise provided by the failed interface router may be provided by another one of the interface routers.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the rate regulation of radio link probing in a communication network comprising at least a receiver terminal and at least one transmitter terminal, characterized by the steps, at the level of the receiver terminal, of: determining the amount of data sent by each transmitter terminal to the receiver terminal through respective radio links, when a probing of a link is to be made, probing the link corresponding to the transmitter terminal having sent the greatest amount of data.

Abstract: Systems and methods of storing previously transmitted data and using it to reduce bandwidth usage and accelerate future communications are described. By using algorithms to identify long compression history matches, a network device may improve compression efficiently and speed. A network device may also use application specific parsing to improve the length and number of compression history matches. Further, by sharing compression histories, compression history indexes and caches across multiple devices, devices can utilize data previously transmitted to other devices to compress network traffic. Any combination of the systems and methods may be used to efficiently find long matches to stored data, synchronize the storage of previously sent data, and share previously sent data among one or more other devices.

Abstract: A network device may include logic configured to receive a problem report from a second network device, where the problem report includes event data, determine at least one of an action to perform or whether reconfiguration information is associated with the event data in the received problem report and add information to the received problem report to provide a reformatted problem report and transmit the reformatted problem report to a third network device when it is determined that reconfiguration information is not associated with the event data in the problem report.

Abstract: A repeater, useable for connecting switches in a data communication network, is provided in a distributed and/or modular fashion. The repeater includes a plurality of separate and distinct components or modules connected to or at least partially housed in, the various switches which the repeater modules couple. Preferably, the repeater autodetects and/or autoconfigures some or all aspects of repeater operations, such as detecting and/or configuring appropriate full/half-duplex mode operation or detecting and/or configuring in response to appropriate or approved cable-type connections. The distributed and/or modular repeater facilitates accommodating various switching or repeater needs as a network grows or contracts.

Abstract: Systems and methods of storing previously transmitted data and using it to reduce bandwidth usage and accelerate future communications are described. By using algorithms to identify long compression history matches, a network device may improve compression efficiently and speed. A network device may also use application specific parsing to improve the length and number of compression history matches. Further, by sharing compression histories, compression history indexes and caches across multiple devices, devices can utilize data previously transmitted to other devices to compress network traffic. Any combination of the systems and methods may be used to efficiently find long matches to stored data, synchronize the storage of previously sent data, and share previously sent data among one or more other devices.

Abstract: A passive optical network (PON) access network connected to an external data network can be tested using a remote test host operating on the external data network by looping test data from the test host through the PON to an Optical Network Terminator (ONT), through a data path between an ONT test port and an ONT user port, and back through the PON to the test host. Data tunneling is used to route the data through the external data network between the test host and the PON Optical Line Terminal (OLT). The invention can be used to emulate downstream as well as upstream PON traffic for remote diagnostic testing or other purposes.

Abstract: Improved network topology discovery techniques. For example, an automated method for discovering a topology of a network, having a plurality of nodes, includes the following steps. A first traceroute process is performed for a given source node and one or more destination nodes listed in a target list so as to discover one or more paths through one or more intermediate nodes between the given source node and the one or more destination nodes. The one or more intermediate nodes discovered during the first traceroute process are added to the target list. A second traceroute process is performed for the given source node and the one or more intermediate nodes discovered during the first traceroute process so as to discover one or more paths through one or more additional intermediate nodes between the given source node and the one or more intermediate nodes discovered during the first traceroute process.

Abstract: Described is a process and system for providing an extensible forwarding plane data communications channel adapted to selectively support operations, administration and maintenance (OAM) activity within one or more different domains of an Ethernet transport network. The data communication channel is established using Ethernet protocol data units forwarded within the forwarding plane, between network elements. The Ethernet protocol data units can be Ethernet OAM frames modified to include an OpCode indicative of a maintenance communication channel. The OAM frames are generated at a selected one of the network elements (source), forwarded along the same network path as the Ethernet frames, and terminate at another network element (destination) associated with a maintenance level identified within the OAM frame. The source and destination network elements can reside on a domain boundary using the Ethernet OAM frames flowing therebetween to relay maintenance communications channel messages.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus are directed towards a system, method, and apparatus for managing a communication session by dynamically selecting a CODEC. A client device requests a communication session with a receiver device. If available, historical information may be used to establish an initial CODEC and its associated sampling frequency for the communication session. Signals, such as a white noise signal, and/or a ring tone may be sent between the client device and the receiver to determine a metric for the communication session. The metric may be used to adjust the CODEC and/or its sampling frequency for the communication session. In one embodiment, if it is determined that the sampling frequency is less than a minimum determined value, a message may be sent to the client device advising that the current communication session be terminated.

Abstract: A method of testing a digital mobile phone network such as a GPRS or 3G network comprises either using real traffic or creating test traffic using test mobile phone coupled to a computer, and using the computer to measure a parameter associated with the network's response to the traffic. The measurements made by the computer are themselves sent as traffic to create one or more data streams within the mobile phone network comprising the traffic, measurements relating to the traffic, and signalling relating to the traffic, whereby this data stream or these streams can be captured at interface points within the network and analysed to investigate the functioning of the network dynamically as the network is exercised with the traffic. Software and test equipment for performing the method are also described.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for self-testing a portion of a line card having a digital signal processor for manipulating data received by the line card, and a transmit channel and a receive channel coupled to a combined transmit and receive channel includes transmitting a test signal through at least a portion of the transmit channel toward the combined channel and detecting, by the digital signal processor any resulting signal in the receive channel to determine whether any components in the transmit channel, receive channel or combined channel are malfunctioning.

Abstract: A quality of service policy for one or more documents for transmission from the local storage to one or more end points for said documents through a communication system is retrieved from a remote registry associated with an offering, and said documents are enqueued according to said quality of service policy. In some cases, the registry may be co-hosted with at least one of the document end points. The quality of service policy may be derived from a transport policy for said one or more documents, and may even be such as to not specify a quality of service for delivery of some or all of the documents. In some cases, XML documents may be used to set forth the quality of service policies.

Abstract: An access network includes a test system controller that provides a test request in Signaling Network Management Protocol (SNMP) messages to an element management system. A network gateway, in conjunction with the element management system, provides test commands to a customer gateway over a Local loop Emulation Service Embedded Operations Channel (LES-EOC). The customer gateway performs a subscriber loop test on derived subscriber lines connected therewith. Results of the subscriber loop test are provided over the LES-EOC to the gateway. The network gateway sends the results to the test system controller through the element management system in SNMP messages.

Abstract: A repeating apparatus to which a supervisory/control apparatus is connected inserts a supervisory/control signal for use by the supervisory/control apparatus to supervise or control the repeating apparatus to which the supervisory/control apparatus is not connected into an unused area within a transmission frame, and a supervisory/control unit of the repeating apparatus to which the supervisory/control apparatus is not connected extracts the supervisory/control signal from the transmission frame and outputs the extracted signal to the supervisory/control apparatus.

Abstract: A method of transmitting subpackets in a mobile communication system using at least one frequency carrier is disclosed. More specifically, the method comprises receiving a first broadcast subpacket from a base station (BS) at a first time slot on a first frequency carrier, and receiving at least one subsequent broadcast subpacket from the BS via at least one relay station (RS) at a second time slot on a second frequency carrier, wherein information of the first broadcast subpacket and the subsequent broadcast subpacket are the same.

Abstract: A test packet generator of an entry device generates a delay test packet including priority information. A test packet transmitter of the entry device transmits the delay test packet to an exit device through a route corresponding to the priority information. A test packet receiver of the exit device receives the delay test packet. A reply packet transmitter of the exit device returns a reply-delay test packet toward the entry device through the same route in the counter direction. A reply packet receiver of the entry device receives the reply-delay test packet. A delay calculator of the entry device calculates a delay time on the basis of the time of transmitting the delay test packet and the time of receiving the reply-delay test packet. A route changer of the entry device changes routing appropriately on the basis of the delay time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a circuit arrangement with which a communication that is subdivided into functional layers is processable by a first layer for a higher layer and/or by a higher layer for the first layer, the first layer being formed by a physical layer and the circuit arrangement featuring at least one port which allows a communication directly with a layer that is higher than the first layer without the communication previously having to pass through the first layer.

Abstract: A method is provided for confirming whether a data unit transmitted from a base station (BS) was successfully relayed to a subscriber station via one of a plurality of relay stations in a multihop cooperative relay network. Selected ones of the relay stations are designated as: a front-linked relay station designed to only transmit a negative acknowledgement message to the BS upon receiving a data unit from the BS that is unable to be decoded and not to transmit an acknowledgement message upon receiving a data unit from the BS that is able to be decoded, and a back-linked relay station designed to only transmit a acknowledgement message to the BS upon receiving the data unit from the BS that is able to be decoded and not to transmit a negative acknowledgement message to the BS upon receiving a data unit from the BS that is unable to be decoded.

Abstract: A bit stream multiplexer includes an input ordering block, a plurality of multiplexers, an output ordering block, and a Pseudo Random Bit Stream (PRBS) function. The input ordering block is operates to receive a first plurality of transmit bit streams at a first bit rate, order the first plurality of transmit bit streams based upon a first order select signal, and produce a first plurality of ordered transmit bit streams at the first bit rate. The input ordering block may also deskew the first plurality of transmit bit streams. The plurality of multiplexers operate to receive the first plurality of ordered transmit bit streams at the first bit rate and produce an interface plurality of transmit bit streams at an interface bit rate. The output ordering block operates to order the interface plurality of transmit bit streams based upon an interface order select signal. The PRBS function produces a PRBS that is coupled to at least one of the interface plurality of transmit bit streams.

Abstract: A system, method and storage medium for providing redundant I/O access between a plurality of interconnected processor nodes and I/O resources. The method includes determining whether a primary path between the interconnected processor nodes and the I/O resources is operational, where the primary path includes a first processor node and a primary multiplexer. If the primary path is operational, the transactions are routed via the primary path. If the primary path is not operational, the transactions are routed between the interconnected processor nodes and the I/O resources via an alternate path that includes a second processor node and an alternate multiplexer.

Abstract: A protocol test device has at least two channels which each have a transmit and a receive side, the protocol test device being designed to switch a signal transmitted from a first channel to the receive side of a second channel. A method for determining, by approximation, a transmit time of a data package in the protocol test device includes the following steps: a) transmitting a signal via the transmit side of the first channel, b) forwarding the signal to the receive side of the second channel, and, c) in the receive side of the second channel allocating a time stamp to the signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods of storing previously transmitted data and using it to reduce bandwidth usage and accelerate future communications are described. By using algorithms to identify long compression history matches, a network device may improve compression efficiently and speed. A network device may also use application specific parsing to improve the length and number of compression history matches. Further, by sharing compression histories, compression history indexes and caches across multiple devices, devices can utilize data previously transmitted to other devices to compress network traffic. Any combination of the systems and methods may be used to efficiently find long matches to stored data, synchronize the storage of previously sent data, and share previously sent data among one or more other devices.

Abstract: A system and method for enhanced data connections via an asymmetric data network receives incoming modem calls and discriminates those intended for enhanced service Web or other service, for instance by domain name. Those calls destined for that type of enhanced treatment may be received via modem banks or other RAS resources communicating with the PSTN or otherwise, and directed to an enhancement cluster or other nodes or locations for compression, caching, optimization or other processing designed to give the user's Web browsing or other service an improved or more responsive feel. According to embodiments of the invention in one regard, the user IP sessions may be tunneled to the enhancement cluster using a tunneling protocol, such as Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP) or others.

Abstract: A controllable and/or configurable device that communicates wirelessly with a station may be used to test the station. For example, the device may be configured to communicate in multiple different wireless communication modes. As another example, the device may be controlled to engage in wireless communications that do not comply with the communication standard, e.g., IEEE standard 802.11. As a further example, the device may be controlled to reduce the strength of the wireless signal that is transmitted. The station's response to the wireless communication may be evaluated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a network architecture that interworks OA&M (Operations, Administration and Maintenance) failure notification data from the ATM Domain to the Ethernet Domain and vice versa. Failure indications or notifications are typically routed from one domain to another within 1-2 seconds; providing service providers and customers the ability to react quickly to network faults. This enhances the overall quality of the Ethernet-to-ATM Interworking service and provides a similar level of reliability across the Ethernet/ATM/FR domains.

Abstract: A remote test unit and method of operation are provided for utilizes the ability of an access matrix ability to route signals. The Remote Test Unit can emulate a central Digital Subscriber Line Modem (DSLM-C) for testing customer premises equipment containing a remote Digital Subscriber Line Modem (remote Digital Subscriber Line Modem). The Remote Test Unit can also emulate a remote Digital Subscriber Line Modem for testing central offices equipment including a digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM) containing a central Digital Subscriber Line Modem. The Remote Test Unit can also emulate a concentrator connected to the DSLAM, a router connected to the concentrator, an Internet service provider (ISP) connected to the router, and a web site connected to the Internet service provider over the Internet.

Abstract: In a mobile communication system in which a compressed mode can be activated at the time of hand over, or when a base station which the mobile station is in communication with is switched to another base station, the distance between the mobile station and at least one of the plurality of base stations which is currently in communication with the mobile station is measured; and the activation of the compressed mode is controlled according to the measured distance. The activation of a compressed mode is controlled according to the distance between the base station and the mobile station.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device and method for optical supervisory channel framing in an optical transport network system including at least one of an optical transmission section, an optical multiplex section, and an optical channel section. A maintenance signal is generated according to a first LOS (Loss OF Signal) signal generated from at least one of the optical transmission section, the optical multiplex section, and the optical channel section. The maintenance signal and a frame-related channel such as a message communication channel are multiplexed to generate an optical supervisory channel frame. The optical supervisory channel frame is output to another device including a repeater and a terminal system through a single supervisory channel.

Abstract: Faults or degradation of performance of a voice/data communication network (2) are identified without the need to dispatch service personnel by selectively testing isolated sections of the communication network. For some of these tests, the communication network address of a customer's modem under test (106, 114, 60, 66) is retrieved from a database (88) for use in directing these tests to the customer's modem (106, 114, 60, 66) and for emulating the customer's modem (106, 114, 60, 66) during one or more of the tests.

Abstract: The control of the transmission of useful optical signals on different line paths of an optical transmission device is accomplished via at least one of the following features: using signal sources and signal sinks, the useful optical signals are coupled into the line paths, or are coupled out of them; at least one portion of the optical line paths is configured as normal line paths having coupling nodes via which a switchover to an alternative line path can be undertaken if a normal line path is disturbed; in addition to the useful optical signals, test signals, whose evaluation is used for the switchover between the line paths, are transmitted bidirectionally section-by-section; at least two types of test signals can be transmitted, of which a first type is used as an indicator for an intact line path and a second type as an indicator for a disturbed line path; and any switchover to an alternative line path is only undertaken if, before the detection of the disturbance, a test signal of the first type has be