Abstract: The embodiments herein relate to a method and a system for switch data frames in a network comprising a plurality of switch devices. The method comprising: assigning to each switch device, a SW-ID, exchanging SW-IDs between switch devices; building a routing table, for each switch device; receiving a frame at a switch device. If the frame is a broadcast frame, generating separate copies of the frame; modifying a destination MAC address of each generated copy of the frame by including in the destination MAC address an indicator value; and further including the SW-ID of a corresponding switch device and based on the routing table and the cost indicating in the routing table, transmitting or forwarding each modified frame towards the switch device having the SW-ID indicated in the frame.

Abstract: A method of operating a network comprising an edge node and a server. The method comprises obtaining, by the edge node, a plurality of data samples, determining, by the edge node, a plurality of output labels by applying a first machine learning model using an input memory having a first input memory size to the plurality of data samples, calculating, by the edge node, an error term based on the confidence score of a first output label from the plurality of output labels, determining, by the edge node, based on the error term, whether to modify the first input memory size of the machine learning model and, if so, generating a second machine learning model based on the first machine learning model and a second input memory size.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems for hardware accelerated communications between devices for the protection of electric power delivery systems. For example, a merging unit may include input circuitry that receives a monitoring signal indicating an electrical characteristic of a power line. The merging unit may include pre-payload circuitry that generates at least portions of preset metadata of a communication frame. The merging unit may include payload generation circuitry that generates payload data of the communication frame based at least in part on the electrical characteristic. The merging unit may include a communication interface that sends the communication frame to a receiving device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for enhancing network performance by using modified traffic control (e.g., rate limiting and/or scheduling) techniques to control a rate of packet (e.g., data packet) traffic to a queue scheduled by a Quality of Service (QoS) engine for reading and transmission. In particular, the QoS engine schedules packets using estimated packet sizes before an actual packet size is known by a direct memory access (DMA) engine coupled to the QoS engine. The QoS engine subsequently compensates for discrepancies between the estimated packet sizes and actual packet sizes (e.g., when the DMA engine has received an actual packet size of the scheduled packet). Using these modified traffic control techniques that leverage estimating packet sizes may reduce and/or eliminate latency introduced due to determining actual packet sizes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing traffic engineering, e.g., allocating bandwidth, on a wireless access network are disclosed. For example, the method determines a number of subscriber stations (SSs) that a Base Station (BS) is capable of supporting in accordance with at least one performance objective for voice traffic, wherein the at least one performance objective for voice traffic comprises a type of codec. The method then allocates bandwidth by the base station in accordance with the number of subscriber stations that the base station is capable of supporting.

Abstract: A system and method are presented for monitoring handheld devices in a testing environment. At least one handheld device is provided, typically several, that is capable of performing a first plurality of functions in a non-test mode, and a more limited number of functions in a test mode. In a test environment the handheld device should be set to perform in the test mode. In the event of the handheld device mode being changed from the test mode to non-test mode, the handheld device generates a non-test mode signal. A monitoring software application records the non-test mode signal. In one aspect, the monitoring application is embedded in a remote proctor device. The remote proctor device monitoring application may send a mode interrogation message to the handheld device, and the handheld device generates the non-test mode signal in response to the mode interrogation message.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing efficient network address (NAT) translation are described herein. In some aspects, partial NAT entries are created for data packets before all the IP fragments of the data packets are received. Further, the IP fragments are transmitted before all the IP fragments of the data packets are received. In some aspects, unique IP-IDs are generated for IP fragments and/or data packets at a NAT device.

Abstract: Disclosed are new methods of fax-over-IP (FoIP), modem-over-IP (MoIP) or text-over-IP (ToIP) call establishment based on detecting a combination of contra-propagating signals from calling and answering terminals for autonomous connection of media gateways.

Abstract: Disclosed are a unified method and apparatus to classify, route, and process injected data packets into a network so as to belong to a plurality of logical networks, each implementing a specific flow of data on top of a common physical network. The method allows to locally identify collectives of packets for local processing, such as the computation of the sum, difference, maximum, minimum, or other logical operations among the identified packet collective. Packets are injected together with a class-attribute and an opcode attribute. Network routers, employing the described method, use the packet attributes to look-up the class-specific route information from a local route table, which contains the local incoming and outgoing directions as part of the specifically implemented global data flow of the particular virtual network.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a data transport container for transferring a number n of different types of data in an Internet Protocol network. The number n is superior or equal to 2, and data is generated as Ethernet Jumbo packets, wherein the data transport container is an Internet Protocol packet. The invention also relates to a source device and to a destination device respectively for transferring and receiving such a data transport containers. At least, the invention relates to a method for transferring n different types of data being generated as Gigabit Ethernet RTP-UDP-IP jumbo packets. Both devices are to be used in a method as mentioned above.

Abstract: In one example embodiment, the method includes receiving an X.25 packet at a LAN interface of a network device. Further, the method includes determining whether a local CUG value is associated with the X.25 packet. The local CUG value may be replaced with a network CUG value associated with the X.25 packet. Thereafter, the X.25 packet, and the associated network CUG value, may be formatted to generate an IP packet. The formatting may include the use of at least one formatting regime including encapsulating the X.25 packet, that includes the associated network CUG value, in an XOT, or using protocol translation to translate the X.25 packet that includes the network CUG value into an equivalent IP packet. The method includes transmitting the IP packet using a WAN interface card, the WAN interface card including a primary interface, and at least one backup interface.

Abstract: The CRC for the CPS Header of an ATM AAL2 cell is generated by a CRC generator which uses the 8 bits of the CID field to generate partial 5 bits CRCs which are loaded in a first table. The 6 bits LI field and 5 bits UUI field are added to the partial 5 bits CRC to form 16 bits. The CRC generator uses the 2.sup.16 bits to generate a second CRC table. The CRC for a particular CPS header is generated by correlating bits in the CID field, LI field and UUI field with the two tables.

Abstract: Multiple service label types may be used in a given network element to optimize scalability of the data plane, minimize overhead associated with service label management, and allow new services to be offered. Service label management may be done in a dynamic manner so that service labels may be selected for routes in a dynamic fashion as the network changes. VPNs handled by the network element may have different types of service labels, and different routes within a particular VPN may be allocated different service label types. Service label requests may be stored on the data plane to allow a service label request database to be restored from the data plane upon a control plane failure, so that new service labels are not required to be allocated after a control plane failure.

Abstract: A portable data storage device compatible with both standard and high definition digital video cameras is provided. The device includes at least one SDI I/O, and preferably at least one audio I/O and preferably at least one medium speed I/O interface. A device controller takes the high speed serial data, packetizes it, and then sends it out to a plurality of memory modules. Preferably each memory module includes four NAND clusters, each NAND cluster consisting of a flash memory controller and two NAND flash memories. Interposed between the device controller and the memory modules are a plurality of memory controllers, each memory controller controlling a group of memory modules. A user interface is coupled to the device controller, the interface including a display capable of at least two user-selectable orientations, record/playback controls and a four-way directional control pad.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving digital broadcasting data. The method for receiving digital broadcasting data includes: extracting location information of second service data which already received first service data refers to, from the first service data; by analyzing the location information, determining whether the second service data is in-band service data transmitted through an in-band channel, or out-of-band service data transmitted through an out-of-band channel; and if the second service data is transmitted through an out-of-band channel, determining the location information as the program number of the second service data.

Abstract: A radio base-station apparatus with improved frame transmission efficiency by avoiding interference of preambles and frame control information between sectors of a cell or between cells with a frequency reuse factor. In the apparatus OFDMA multiple-access processing is performed for each of a plurality of sectors of a cell, and frames made of logical subchannel numbers and OFDMA symbol numbers are configured in synchronization respectively for the plurality of sectors, and offsets are added to the beginnings of given frames such that the preambles and frame control information arranged sequentially from the beginnings of the frames do not overlap on the OFDMA symbol numbers.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for dynamically recognizing and processing service order types in a network management system. Service type data for a new service order type is registered in a database table while the network management system is operating. Then, a service order is received in the network management system and the service order is parsed to determine if the received service order corresponds with the new service order type based on the service type data registered in the database table. If the service order corresponds with the new service order type, then the service order is processed by the network management system. If the service order does not correspond with the new service order type, then updated service type data may be registered in the database table.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for implementing frame alteration commands in a communications network processor. A set of frame alteration instruction templates is defined. A frame alteration instruction template is identified based upon the packet type recognition result of a received packet. A frame alteration instruction stream is generated utilizing the frame alteration instruction template. Each of the frame alteration instruction templates includes different frame alteration commands to be performed on a packet. Pointers to indirect data bytes to be inserted in a packet are stored in the frame alteration instruction templates. The generated frame alteration instruction stream is used by hardware to provide frame alterations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and nodes for handling multicast messages over an access domain. The method starts with the receipt of a multicast message from a service provider domain. The method pursues with the identification of a service agent corresponding to the service provider domain from which the multicast message is received. Then, the content of a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) Tag field of the multicast message is modified so as to correspond to the identified service agent. The modified multicast message is forwarded on the access domain. Upon receipt of the modified multicast message at an access node, the access node identifies at least one service binding related to the service agent identified in the VLAN Tag field of the received multicast message.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for implementing conditional packet alterations based upon a transmit port. A selection mechanism is provided for implementing packet alterations. A sequence of frame alteration instructions and transmit port numbers associated with a packet being transmitted is applied to the selection mechanism. The selection mechanism performs alterations on the packet being transmitted responsive to the applied sequence of frame alteration instructions and port numbers associated with the packet. The selection mechanism includes a multiplexer that sequentially receives frame alteration instructions and port numbers associated with a packet being transmitted, and an indirect data array for providing packet alteration data from the indirect data array.

Abstract: A system and corresponding methods efficiently transport Program Clock Reference (PCR) for audio services delivered on an MPEG-2 Transport Stream (TS) to an audio subsystem. The system processes an original Transport Stream (TS) to remove video packets other than those carrying the Program Clock Reference (PCR) and delivers the packets carrying the Program Clock Reference (PCR) along with audio to a receiving device. The total bandwidth needed to deliver the audio plus the necessary system clock and presentation timing information is therefore reduced.

Abstract: A network system includes a first device and a second device separated by a network having asymmetric routes in which traffic forwarded in a first direction from the first device to the second device may travel a different route than traffic forwarded in a second direction from the second device to the first device. At least three intermediate processing devices are located between the first device and the second device, wherein at least two of the intermediate processing devices are located along different asymmetric routes. The intermediate processing devices intercept a communication flow between the first device and the second device, and encapsulate the communication flow within network tunnels so that communications associated with the communication flow in the first direction and the second direction are forwarded between a same set of at least two of the intermediate processing devices.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for dynamically recognizing and processing service order types in a network management system. Service type data for a new service order type is registered in a database table while the network management system is operating. Then, a service order is received in the network management system and the service order is parsed to determine if the received service order corresponds with the new service order type based on the service type data registered in the database table. If the service order corresponds with the new service order type, then the service order is processed by the network management system. If the service order does not correspond with the new service order type, then updated service type data may be registered in the database table.

Abstract: In one example embodiment, the method includes receiving an X.25 packet at a LAN interface of a network device. Further, the method includes determining whether a local CUG value is associated with the X.25 packet. The local CUG value may be replaced with a network CUG value associated with the X.25 packet. Thereafter, the X.25 packet, and the associated network CUG value, may be formatted to generate an IP packet. The formatting may include the use of at least one formatting regime including encapsulating the X.25 packet, that includes the associated network CUG value, in an XOT, or using protocol translation to translate the X.25 packet that includes the network CUG value into an equivalent IP packet. The method includes transmitting the IP packet using a WAN interface card, the WAN interface card including a primary interface, and at least one backup interface.

Abstract: Multiple service label types may be used in a given network element to optimize scalability of the data plane, minimize overhead associated with service label management, and allow new services to be offered. Service label management may be done in a dynamic manner so that service labels may be selected for routes in a dynamic fashion as the network changes. VPNs handled by the network element may have different types of service labels, and different routes within a particular VPN may be allocated different service label types. Service label requests may be stored on the data plane to allow a service label request database to be restored from the data plane upon a control plane failure, so that new service labels are not required to be allocated after a control plane failure.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for implementing conditional packet alterations based upon a transmit port. A selection mechanism is provided for implementing packet alterations. A sequence of frame alteration instructions and transmit port numbers associated with a packet being transmitted is applied to the selection mechanism. The selection mechanism performs alterations on the packet being transmitted responsive to the applied sequence of frame alteration instructions and port numbers associated with the packet. The selection mechanism includes a multiplexer that sequentially receives frame alteration instructions and port numbers associated with a packet being transmitted, and an indirect data array for providing packet alteration data from the indirect data array.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for implementing conditional packet alterations based upon a transmit port. A selection mechanism is provided for implementing packet alterations. A sequence of frame alteration instructions and transmit port numbers associated with a packet being transmitted is applied to the selection mechanism. The selection mechanism performs alterations on the packet being transmitted responsive to the applied sequence of frame alteration instructions and port numbers associated with the packet. The selection mechanism includes a multiplexer that sequentially receives frame alteration instructions and port numbers associated with a packet being transmitted, and an indirect data array for providing packet alteration data from the indirect data array.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides an ingress apparatus comprising a signal processing apparatus for receiving an incoming data frame and locating the position of path overhead, and a monitoring apparatus arranged to extract information from the located path overhead. The ingress apparatus further includes an insertion apparatus for receiving, from the monitoring apparatus, information extracted from the path overhead of one or more signal path, and being further arranged to insert the extracted information into a respective data frame component which occupies a fixed position in a data frame. Thus, information which would normally occupy a non-fixed position in a data frame is moved to a fixed position. As a result, the information can subsequently be accessed without having to employ relatively complex apparatus for locating information which occupies a non-fixed position.

Abstract: In some embodiments of the present invention, applications presenting user information streams at a service access point (SAP) to AAL-2 above the Common Part Sublayer (CPS) may provide values for predefined parameters that may determine how frames of information in the user information streams are segmented in run-time into CPS packets and packed into CPS protocol data units (CPS-PDU), each of which forms the payload of an ATM cell. These parameter values may be defined per channel identifier (CID) or for a group of CIDs.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus and method and a computer readable storage medium storing data processing programs realizing the data processing method, capable of preventing transmission of unnecessary redundant data and efficiently utilizing a transmission path. In the data processing method, data is input, the data is compression-encoded, the encoded data is packetized into a first data train on a basis of a first data length, the generated first data train is packetized into a second data train on a basis of a second data length, and the first data length is controlled in accordance with the second data length.

Abstract: A data transmitting and receiving device, which transmits and receives ATM cells between the calculation processing modules is described. The ATM-based data transmitting and receiving device includes a transmitting means and a data receiving means. The data receiving means includes a memory controller for controlling storage of successively received ATM cells in corresponding cell buffers, and a memory controlled by it. The memory includes a linked cell buffer, a free cell buffer identifier queue, a receiving state table and a receiving completion state queue. Accordingly, a separate device (e.g., ASIC chip) can be used to transmit and receive ATM cells instead of the conventional calculation processing module so that the transmission efficiency of the ATM cell can be increased and the load of the calculation processing device can be reduced.

Abstract: The CRC for the CPS Header of an ATM AAL2 cell is generated by a CRC generator which uses the 8 bits of the CID field to generate partial 5 bits CRCs which are loaded in a first table. The 6 bits LI field and 5 bits UUI field are added to the partial 5 bits CRC to form 16 bits. The CRC generator uses the 216 bits to generate a second CRC table. The CRC for a particular CPS header is generated by correlating bits in the CID field, Li field and UUI field with the two tables.

Abstract: Interworking of first and second networks (12, 14) is accomplished by an interworking facility (30) that serves to map the destination address in first frames received from the first network into second destinations addresses compatible with the second network. To conserve such mapping the assignments, the first network encapsulates information frames (32) received from one or more sites associated with a first customer into jumbo frames (34) that have a generic address associated with that customer. At the interworking facility, the individual frames are stripped from the jumbo frame and routed to corresponding destinations in the second network.

Abstract: A communication control apparatus which effectively uses a memory and does not need complicated hardware is realized. Each area of a frame assembly memory 2 is set to the maximum frame length which is handled. When a cell of a new connection is inputted, a memory write control unit (1) allocates the connection to an empty area in the memory (2) and writes the cell therein. When the cell of the same connection as that already allocated to any area is inputted, it is written into the allocated area. If a plurality of cells of one frame have already been written in the area of the same connection, the connection is allocated to another new area and the cell is written therein. A memory read control unit (3) reads out the cells of one frame and outputs them as one completed-frame data.

Abstract: This method applies to the transmission of information during a communication session, on a network having at least one switch, over at least one path between a so-called “source” node and a so-called “destination” node. The network is adapted to transmit data according to at least one connected mode and at least one non-connected mode. The session includes the transmission of at least one packet including on the one hand “user” data and on the other hand additional data defining notably the path on the said network which the said user data will follow. Each time a packet is received, the destination node performs: an operation of reading the said additional data (601), and an operation of determining the transmission mode (602), connected or non-connected, taking into account at least some of the said additional data.

Abstract: An exchange capable of easily switching communication modes for gradually shifting all exchanges to ATM exchanges without requiring manual intervention in a network with frame relay exchanges and ATM exchanges mixed therein. This exchange is provided with an ATM side bus and a frame side bus provided in parallel, a frame/cell compatibility function unit inserted in the ATM side bus, and a frame/cell switch unit for alternatively switching between the ATM side bus and the frame side bus. This frame/cell compatibility function unit is comprised of an ATM switch and a frame/cell format converting unit connected with this ATM switch.

Abstract: The present invention provides a unitary mechanism for high speed end-to-end telecommunication traffic using an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) architecture for convergence of video, data and voice in an SOHO application using a DSL router. An ATM module (101) for convergence of the telecommunications traffic includes an ATM processor (120) configured to perform QoS, OAM processing and switching in an ATM system. Function modules (102,104,105) and data ports (106,108) are configurable to transceive data, voice and video traffic in which the traffic is packetized in ATM data cells.

Abstract: A broadcasting method which can be used in an X.25 network. To transmit a block of information from a terminal to a broadcast module in the switch to which that terminal is connected, it consists of sending a call request packet from the terminal to the broadcast module of the switch to request the setting up of an X.25 virtual circuit between said first terminal and the broadcast module of the first switch, placing a broadcast request in one field of said call request packet, and placing the block of information to be broadcast in the data packets of the X.25 virtual circuit set up between said terminal and the broadcast module in response to said call request packet.

Abstract: Packet switching node in a communication system includes apparatus for receiving incoming information packets or frames which contain header portions with formatting control blocks. Information in the frame's header contains frame alteration commands for modifying the information in the frame. The modifications include adding new information, deleting information, and overlaying information. Decoders and control devices in an alteration engine interpret the commands and apply the modifications to the frame data. Common and standard data patterns are stored for insertion or overlaying to conserve data packet space.

Abstract: A plurality of bridges accommodating LANs are connected through an ATM network in a network system of the present invention. When a specified bridge is newly connected to this ATM network, the specified bridge transmits a request for setting point-to-multipoint transmission SVCs towards other bridges. These other bridges, when receiving the setting request from the specified bridge, execute a process of setting the point-to-multipoint transmission SVCs with respect to the specified bridge.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of managing data packets originating from data frames, the packets being presented to buffer (40) prior to processing. When a packet corresponding to the start of a frame is presented to the buffer stage, it is determined whether the filling level of the buffer (40) exceeds a first predetermined filling threshold (42) corresponding to a state of congestion and, if such is the case, this packet and all packets belonging to that same frame are systematically discarded before the buffer. The frames can e.g. originate from AAL2 connections, and each constitute a respective ATMS adaptation layer service data unit (AAL2 SDU), in which case the packets are common part sublayer (CPS) packets, and the buffer (40) stores the CPS packets before the latter are multiplexed into asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) cells. The invention also relates to an apparatus for implementing the above method.

Abstract: Method and device provide for the encapsulation of control information in a real-time data stream. In one embodiment a method of encapsulating data in an information frame is provided. This information frame has a payload portion and a trailer portion wherein the trailer portion is designated for control data and the payload portion is designated for real-time data. In use control data is inserted into the payload portion of the information frame and an extension bit is used to signify the presence of control data in the payload portion of the information frame. The information frame is then transmited over a virtual circuit.

Abstract: In frame transfer in a network for transferring an Ethernet frame sent from a source on the network to a predetermined destination, to an applied Ethernet frame, an expansion tag containing information about forwarding to an egress edge node to a host as a destination is added to make an expansion frame, and each node on the network relays the data frame based on the forwarding information of the added expansion tag to transfer the frame to the egress edge node.

Abstract: A virtual circuit (PVC) to switched virtual circuit (SVC) conversion system and method are used for communication across SVC in parallel with VCs or in place of VCs set up to other sites on a network when communication problems exist such as congestion, node-to-node failures or any other instances in which increased bandwidth is needed or service pricing justifies it. The VC to SVC conversion system is used in a communications access device to allow Carriers providing SVC service to avoid having to upgrade or replace the customer's existing premises equipment to support SVCs. The system comprises logic which maps a VC to an SVC configured by the user during configuration, based on the VC address contained in the data link control identification in the frame layout of the data.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for determining an efficient and accurate committed information rate (CIR) for a frame relay data communications device to facilitate the conversion of frame relay data packets into asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) data cells. In one embodiment, the present system includes a processor coupled to a local interface, a memory coupled to the local interface, an adaptive CIR logic stored in the memory, the adaptive CIR logic being executed by the processor, the adaptive CIR logic including: sample identification logic to identify at least one sample group of a number of data packets transmitted across a data communications link, the data packets having a variable length and the data cells having a fixed length, modeling logic to adapt a modeled packet size of the frame relay data packets transmitted across the data communications link based upon the data packets in the sample group, and, logic to calculate an efficient committed information rate based upon the modeled packet size.

Abstract: A high density frame relay circuit within a digital cross-connect matrix converts TDM based DCS matrix data containing frame relay data to/from a DS3 ATM physical interface and provides adaption processing between the frame relay and ATM domains. The circuit is controlled by a DCS administrative subsystem and a simple network management protocol based network element manager.

Abstract: There is disclosed, for use in an ATM network, a system for servicing an SVC connection between a first node and a second node operable to transmit and receive frame relay data frames, wherein the first node is coupled to an ATM access device incapable of providing to the first node support for switched virtual circuit (SVC) connections. The system comprises: 1) a connection controller capable of establishing a fixed connection between the ATM access device and a selected intermediate node in the ATM network; and 2) a frame relay proxy controller disposed at the selected intermediate node and adapted for communicating via the fixed connection established by the connection controller, wherein the frame relay proxy controller receives SVC signaling information from the first node via the fixed connection and establishes an SVC connection with the second node.

Abstract: An asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) system having an interleaver of 8 bit parallel cell units includes n ATM cell header buffer for storing an ATM cell header into a cell header buffer or outputting data by 1 bit at a buffer according to a control signal output from a write controller or a read controller, a write controller to separate and store a cell header and a payload, read controller to sequentially the mixed output data from the interleaver memory, an interleaver memory for using payload data of ATM cells . . . , and a multiplexor for multiplexing 12 byte data output from the interleaver memory, wherein a 8 bit interleaver is directly added to the conventional ATM processing method since all ATM cells are to be processed by 8 bit parallel unit, and all interleaving process may be performed in parallel without any serial/parallel converting circuit, thereby achieving a device which is proper for low speed wireless environment.

Abstract: The present invention intends to realize highly reliable communications between a frame relay network and an ATM network by corresponding service classes decided in both networks to each other. In order to achieve the above object, the frame relay data communication apparatus of the present invention used to allow communications between the frame relay network and the ATM network is provided with a frame receiver unit for receiving frame data from the frame relay network; a cell assembly unit for assembling received frame data into ATM cells and transmitting assembled cells to the ATM network; and a controller for controlling both frame receiver unit and cell assembly unit so as to extract priority order information from received frame data and receive priority order information of data used in ATM networks from an ATM network and decide a service class of the received data to assemble the received frame data into cells according to the decided service class.

Abstract: A metro switch and method for transporting data configured according to multiple different formats. In one aspect, a network system and method that provides for point-to-point communication of data of various different formats such as ATM, frame relay, PPP, Ethernet, etc. Accordingly, the invention may interface disparate network devices, such as private networks and other entities that operate according to various different protocols and that use various different media. At ingress points to the system, the data is received from data sources and configured according to a universal format. This allows data from origins that use different data formats and/or transmission media to be mixed and transported onto the same media. The data is then transported to one or more destinations using this format. At egress points of the system, the data is reconverted to its original format for use at its destination.