The present invention is a system and method for rapid network failure detection, identification and notification to internet users. It is particular applicable to VoIP applications where such real-time problem identification is particular valuable. It reduces failure detection time by coordinating the sending frequency of RTP and RTCP packets. These incoming packets are monitored and the failure to receive a predetermined number in a specified time window indicates that a network problem has occurred. This problem is then promptly communicated to users of the system.

An internet telephone communication system including a voice transmitting and receiving parts and a method of operating the system are disclosed. The voice transmitting part retransmits voice data packets at least once through an internet network according to a retransmission frequency information packet received from the voice receiving part. The voice receiving part transmits the retransmission frequency information packet to the voice transmitting part in order to request to retransmit the voice data packets R times, where R is determined based a data loss rate calculated. By retransmitting the voice data packets, the transmitting rate of the data and the corresponding VOIP conversation quality are greatly improved.

Information is sent by a DSL system component using a non-disruptive operational data parameter. One or more bits of the non-disruptive operational data parameter are used to send other information. In some instances the selected parameter will be an unused parameter, such as an unused fast operational mode or interleaved operational mode parameter used to report operational data in a DSL system. In one embodiment of the invention, a remote modem provides a unique equipment identifier that can be paired with the telephone number on which the modem is operating. Verification of and/or searching for the correct pairing of telephone number and unique equipment identifier can be performed as well.

The invention relates to a method and device for the time-synchronised relaying of signals, whereby various signals from at least one signal source are relayed over various signal paths to at least one signal receiver, with time markers overlaid on the various signals. The delays occurring in the various signal paths are determined, a minimum total delay is calculated from the determined delays and information as to the minimal total delay is inserted in the various signals in the form of time-markers. A time-synchronous relaying of the signals is guaranteed in each signal path by means of an individual signal delay, the delay value of which corresponds to the difference between the minimal total delay and the delay caused by signal processing imposed on the signal in each signal path.

A telecommunication carrier processor subsystem (CPS) adapted to receive cells (1, 2), preferably ATM cells, and to derive from the H-bit header field thereof a smaller set of R bits. The set of R bits is not only used to route the cell to a predetermined output of the subsystem but is also combined with a second set of D bits for replacing the VPI/VCI bits in the H-bit header field of the cell. The second set of D bits may be used for transmitting information data such as user data, control or command transmission. It may also be used for hand-over process or cell duplication and is then particularly suited for broadband local access applications relating to low earth orbit satellite constellations. Preserving the global ATM cell header size while using the freed D bits after changing the connection identifier range is called in-band control. It allows using off the shelf components for the cell transmission between sub-systems, boards or components. It also leads to the reduction of Connection Data Tables in coherence with the dimensioning required for a processing unit.