Patent ID: 8462648

Claim:
A method of operating an access network including a plurality of data connections between end user devices and an aggregation transceiver device where the connections are aggregated for onward connection through the access network, the method comprising: storing a plurality of different profiles each of which specifies a set of values for a plurality of parameters associated with each data connection; and in respect of each of the connections, at least: applying one of said stored profiles to the connection; monitoring the performance of the connection; periodically assessing the performance of the connection based on a plurality of performance metrics; determining which profile to apply to the connection based on the assessment; the method further comprising, in respect of each connection: further monitoring each connection by receiving, at a rapid unstable line detection function, notifications from the aggregation transceiver device which are generated by the aggregation transceiver device on the occurrence of one or more events or series of events indicative of the connection behaving very unstably and running the rapid unstable line detection function on receipt of each notification to determine if more than a predetermined number of events have occurred for a particular connection within a predetermined period, and if such a determination is made, applying a different one of said profiles to the connection, wherein the rapid unstable line detection function is operable to receive and process notifications and to apply a different profile to the connection in between consecutive periodic assessments such that the different profile can be applied after the occurrence of one or more events or series of events indicative of the connection behaving very unstably and before the occurrence of the next periodic assessment of the connection occurring after the occurrence of the one or more events or series of events indicative of the connection behaving very unstably without awaiting the next periodic assessment of the connection, wherein the one or more events or series of events indicative of the connection behaving very unstably comprises a predetermined number greater than one of resynchronizations of the connection within a predetermined period.