Method and apparatus for automatic detection and provisioning of DS3 frame formats

摘要

Methods and apparatus for automatically detecting the frame format of a data signal and automatically provisioning a port based on the detected frame format are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a framing format detection mechanism that is suitable for use in a network within which a data signal is arranged to be transmitted includes a first device and a second device. The first device is arranged to be a part of a line card and in communication with a signal receiving port on the line card. The first device is also arranged to automatically determine a frame format associated with the data signal. The second device is arranged to display the frame format associated with the data signal substantially in real-time. In one embodiment, the first device is further arranged to automatically provision the port.