TECHNICAL FIELD

Various example embodiments relate generally to communication systems and, more particularly but not exclusively, to network path reliability in communication systems.

BACKGROUND

While broadband access networks serving end users continually evolve to increase traffic speeds supported for end users, service providers also continue to search for other techniques to increase traffic speeds supported for the end users. For example, one technique to increase the traffic speed supported for an end user is to apply a combination of hybrid access and multipath technology (e.g., Multipath Transmission Control Protocol (MPTCP)) to aggregate multiple access network paths available to the end user into a single logical connection for the end user.

SUMMARY

In at least some example embodiments, an apparatus includes at least one processor and at least one memory including program code, wherein the at least one memory and the program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least determine, by a hybrid-access customer premises equipment (HCPE) supporting a set of wide area network (WAN) interfaces based on respective evaluations performed for the respective WAN interfaces, respective reliability statuses of the respective WAN interfaces and control, by the HCPE based on the respective reliability statuses of the respective WAN interfaces, a multipath interface group for a multipath connection of the HCPE. In at least some example embodiments, the reliability statuses for the respective WAN interfaces are assigned based on a set of reliability status values supported by the HCPE. In at least some example embodiments, the set of reliability status values supported by the HCPE includes a first value indicative that the WAN interface is up and operational, a second value indicative that the WAN interface is up, is operating correctly, has been tested, and is included in the multipath interface group, a third value indicative that the WAN interface is included in the multipath interface group, but is experiencing degraded service, a fourth value indicative that the WAN interface is up, but that, due to a failure, has been removed from the multipath interface group, and a fifth value indicative that the WAN interface is down, unavailable, or unreachable. In at least some example embodiments, the respective reliability statuses of the WAN interfaces are determined based on boot-up of the HCPE. In at least some example embodiments, based on a determination that a respective WAN interface of the set of WAN interfaces is a wired interface, the respective evaluation performed for the respective WAN interface includes a determination of a link status of a link associated with the respective WAN interface. In at least some example embodiments, based on a determination that the link status of the link associated with the respective WAN interface is indicative that the link is up, the reliability status is set to a value indicative that the WAN interface is up and operational. In at least some example embodiments, the at least one memory and the program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least initiate, by the HCPE, lower stack Internet Protocol (IP) configurations at the HCPE. In at least some example embodiments, based on a determination that the link status of the link associated with the respective WAN interface is indicative that the link is down, the reliability status is set to a value indicative that the respective WAN interface is down, unavailable, or unreachable. In at least some example embodiments, the at least one memory and the program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least prevent, by the HCPE, inclusion of the respective WAN interface in the multipath interface group for the multipath connection of the HCPE. In at least some example embodiments, the at least one memory and the program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least detect, by the HCPE, that the link associated with the respective WAN interface has switched from being down to being up and initiate, by the HCPE after a wait time, readiness testing for the respective WAN interface. In at least some example embodiments, based on a determination that a respective WAN interface of the set of WAN interfaces is a wireless interface, the respective evaluation performed for the respective WAN interface includes a set of verification checks. In at least some example embodiments, the set of verification checks includes at least one of a check for verifying subscriber identification module (SIM) card readiness, a check for verifying network status, or a check for verifying packet data network (PDN) connection status. In at least some example embodiments, based on a determination that each of the verification checks associated with the respective WAN interface is successful, the reliability status is set to a value indicative that the WAN interface is up and operational. In at least some example embodiments, the at least one memory and the program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least initiate, by the HCPE, lower stack Internet Protocol (IP) configurations at the HCPE. In at least some example embodiments, based on a determination that at least one of the verification checks associated with the respective WAN interface is unsuccessful, the reliability status is set to a value indicative that that the WAN interface is down, unavailable, or unreachable. In at least some example embodiments, the at least one memory and the program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least prevent, by the HCPE, inclusion of the respective WAN interface in the multipath interface group for the multipath connection of the HCPE. In at least some example embodiments, the at least one memory and the program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least periodically re-execute the set of verification checks for the respective WAN interface until each of the verification checks in the set of verification checks is successful. In at least some example embodiments, to control the multipath interface group for the multipath connection of the HCPE, the at least one memory and the program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least control, based on the respective reliability statuses of the respective WAN interfaces, a membership of the multipath interface group for the multipath connection. In at least some example embodiments, for a respective WAN interface of the set of WAN interfaces, the respective evaluation performed for the respective WAN interface includes a path validation test configured to validate a network path associated with the respective WAN interface. In at least some example embodiments, to perform the path validation test, the at least one memory and the program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least send, by the HCPE, a set of path validation messages via the respective WAN interface and determine, by the HCPE based on the set of path validation messages, the respective reliability status for the respective WAN interface. In at least some example embodiments, the path validation messages are sent to a server cluster downstream of a hybrid access gateway (HAG) serving the HCPE. In at least some example embodiments, the path validation messages comprise respective ping messages. In at least some example embodiments, to determine the respective reliability status for the respective WAN interface based on the set of path validation messages, the at least one memory and the program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least set, based on a determination that a threshold number of the path validation messages are successfully received, the reliability status of the respective WAN interface to a value indicative that the respective WAN interface is up, is operating correctly, has been tested, and is included in the multipath interface group. In at least some example embodiments, the at least one memory and the program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least send, by the HCPE, a path performance metrics message configured to support collection by the HCPE of path performance metrics for the respective network path associated with the respective WAN interface. In at least some example embodiments, to determine the respective reliability status for the respective WAN interface based on the set of path validation messages, the at least one memory and the program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least keep, by the HCPE based on a determination that a threshold number of the path validation messages are not successfully received, the reliability status of the respective WAN interface set to a value indicative that the respective WAN interface is up and operational. In at least some example embodiments, the at least one memory and the program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least initiate, by the HCPE based on a determination that the respective path validation tests performed for the respective WAN interfaces are successful, activation of the multipath interface group. In at least some example embodiments, the at least one memory and the program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least initiate, by the HCPE, activation of the multipath interface group based on a determination that, for each of the WAN interfaces, the respective reliability status of the respective WAN interface is set to a value indicative that the respective WAN interface is up, is operating correctly, has been tested, and is included in the multipath interface group. In at least some example embodiments, the at least one memory and the program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least initiate, by the HCPE, activation of the multipath interface group and initiate, by the HCPE based on a multipath protocol of the multipath connection, a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) speed test for the multipath connection. In at least some example embodiments, to control the multipath interface group for the multipath connection of the HCPE, the at least one memory and the program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least control, based on the respective reliability statuses of the respective WAN interfaces, establishment of the multipath interface group for the multipath connection. In at least some example embodiments, for a respective WAN interface of the set of WAN interfaces, the respective evaluation performed for the respective WAN interface includes a path monitoring test configured to monitor operation of a network path associated with the respective WAN interface. In at least some example embodiments, to perform the path monitoring test, the at least one memory and the program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least send, by the HCPE, a set of path validation messages via the respective WAN interface and determine, by the HCPE based on the set of path validation messages, the respective reliability status for the respective WAN interface. In at least some example embodiments, the path validation messages are sent to a server cluster downstream of a hybrid access gateway (HAG) serving the HCPE. In at least some example embodiments, the path validation messages comprise respective ping messages. In at least some example embodiments, to perform the path monitoring test, the at least one memory and the program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least send, by the HCPE via the respective WAN interface periodically according to an initial test schedule, path validation messages and monitor, by the HCPE, for respective path validation responses to the respective path validation messages. In at least some example embodiments, the at least one memory and the program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least activate, by the HCPE based on a determination that one of the path validation responses is not received, use of a second test schedule for the respective WAN interface, send, by the HCPE via the respective WAN interface periodically according to the second test schedule, a set of path validation messages, and monitor, by the HCPE, for a set of path validation responses for the set of path validation messages. In at least some example embodiments, the at least one memory and the program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least activate, by the HCPE based on a determination that a threshold number of the path validation responses are received, use of the initial test schedule for the respective WAN interface. In at least some example embodiments, the at least one memory and the program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least set, by the HCPE based on a determination that a threshold number of the path validation responses are not received, the reliability status of the respective WAN interface to a value indicative that the respective WAN interface is included in the multipath interface group, but is experiencing degraded service and initiate, by the HCPE, an alarm related to reliability of the respective WAN interface. In at least some example embodiments, the at least one memory and the program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least determine, by the HCPE based on a determination that a threshold number of the path validation responses are not received, whether the respective WAN interface is a default WAN interface for the multipath interface group and determine, by the HCPE based on whether the respective WAN interface is the default WAN interface for the multipath interface group, the respective reliability status for the respective WAN interface. In at least some example embodiments, the at least one memory and the program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least set, by the HCPE based on a determination that the respective WAN interface is not the default WAN interface for the multipath interface group, the reliability status of the respective WAN interface to a value indicative that the WAN interface is up, but that, due to a failure, has been removed from the multipath interface group and initiate, by the HCPE, an alarm related to reliability of the respective WAN interface. In at least some example embodiments, the at least one memory and the program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least set, by the HCPE based on a determination that the respective WAN interface is the default WAN interface for the multipath interface group, the reliability status of the respective WAN interface to a value indicative that the WAN interface is down, unavailable, or unreachable and initiate, by the HCPE, an alarm related to reliability of the respective WAN interface. In at least some example embodiments, to control the multipath interface group for the multipath connection of the HCPE, the at least one memory and the program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least control, based on the respective reliability statuses of the respective WAN interfaces, maintenance of the multipath interface group for the multipath connection.

In at least some example embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readable medium includes instructions configured to cause an apparatus to at least determine, by a hybrid-access customer premises equipment (HCPE) supporting a set of wide area network (WAN) interfaces based on respective evaluations performed for the respective WAN interfaces, respective reliability statuses of the respective WAN interfaces and control, by the HCPE based on the respective reliability statuses of the respective WAN interfaces, a multipath interface group for a multipath connection of the HCPE. In at least some example embodiments, the reliability statuses for the respective WAN interfaces are assigned based on a set of reliability status values supported by the HCPE. In at least some example embodiments, the set of reliability status values supported by the HCPE includes a first value indicative that the WAN interface is up and operational, a second value indicative that the WAN interface is up, is operating correctly, has been tested, and is included in the multipath interface group, a third value indicative that the WAN interface is included in the multipath interface group, but is experiencing degraded service, a fourth value indicative that the WAN interface is up, but that, due to a failure, has been removed from the multipath interface group, and a fifth value indicative that the WAN interface is down, unavailable, or unreachable. In at least some example embodiments, the respective reliability statuses of the WAN interfaces are determined based on boot-up of the HCPE. In at least some example embodiments, based on a determination that a respective WAN interface of the set of WAN interfaces is a wired interface, the respective evaluation performed for the respective WAN interface includes a determination of a link status of a link associated with the respective WAN interface. In at least some example embodiments, based on a determination that the link status of the link associated with the respective WAN interface is indicative that the link is up, the reliability status is set to a value indicative that the WAN interface is up and operational. In at least some example embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable medium includes instructions configured to cause the apparatus to at least initiate, by the HCPE, lower stack Internet Protocol (IP) configurations at the HCPE. In at least some example embodiments, based on a determination that the link status of the link associated with the respective WAN interface is indicative that the link is down, the reliability status is set to a value indicative that the respective WAN interface is down, unavailable, or unreachable. In at least some example embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable medium includes instructions configured to cause the apparatus to at least prevent, by the HCPE, inclusion of the respective WAN interface in the multipath interface group for the multipath connection of the HCPE. In at least some example embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable medium includes instructions configured to cause the apparatus to at least detect, by the HCPE, that the link associated with the respective WAN interface has switched from being down to being up and initiate, by the HCPE after a wait time, readiness testing for the respective WAN interface. In at least some example embodiments, based on a determination that a respective WAN interface of the set of WAN interfaces is a wireless interface, the respective evaluation performed for the respective WAN interface includes a set of verification checks. In at least some example embodiments, the set of verification checks includes at least one of a check for verifying subscriber identification module (SIM) card readiness, a check for verifying network status, or a check for verifying packet data network (PDN) connection status. In at least some example embodiments, based on a determination that each of the verification checks associated with the respective WAN interface is successful, the reliability status is set to a value indicative that the WAN interface is up and operational. In at least some example embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable medium includes instructions configured to cause the apparatus to at least initiate, by the HCPE, lower stack Internet Protocol (IP) configurations at the HCPE. In at least some example embodiments, based on a determination that at least one of the verification checks associated with the respective WAN interface is unsuccessful, the reliability status is set to a value indicative that that the WAN interface is down, unavailable, or unreachable. In at least some example embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable medium includes instructions configured to cause the apparatus to at least prevent, by the HCPE, inclusion of the respective WAN interface in the multipath interface group for the multipath connection of the HCPE. In at least some example embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable medium includes instructions configured to cause the apparatus to at least periodically re-execute the set of verification checks for the respective WAN interface until each of the verification checks in the set of verification checks is successful. In at least some example embodiments, to control the multipath interface group for the multipath connection of the HCPE, the non-transitory computer-readable medium includes instructions configured to cause the apparatus to at least control, based on the respective reliability statuses of the respective WAN interfaces, a membership of the multipath interface group for the multipath connection. In at least some example embodiments, for a respective WAN interface of the set of WAN interfaces, the respective evaluation performed for the respective WAN interface includes a path validation test configured to validate a network path associated with the respective WAN interface. In at least some example embodiments, to perform the path validation test, the non-transitory computer-readable medium includes instructions configured to cause the apparatus to at least send, by the HCPE, a set of path validation messages via the respective WAN interface and determine, by the HCPE based on the set of path validation messages, the respective reliability status for the respective WAN interface. In at least some example embodiments, the path validation messages are sent to a server cluster downstream of a hybrid access gateway (HAG) serving the HCPE. In at least some example embodiments, the path validation messages comprise respective ping messages. In at least some example embodiments, to determine the respective reliability status for the respective WAN interface based on the set of path validation messages, the non-transitory computer-readable medium includes instructions configured to cause the apparatus to at least set, based on a determination that a threshold number of the path validation messages are successfully received, the reliability status of the respective WAN interface to a value indicative that the respective WAN interface is up, is operating correctly, has been tested, and is included in the multipath interface group. In at least some example embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable medium includes instructions configured to cause the apparatus to at least send, by the HCPE, a path performance metrics message configured to support collection by the HCPE of path performance metrics for the respective network path associated with the respective WAN interface. In at least some example embodiments, to determine the respective reliability status for the respective WAN interface based on the set of path validation messages, the non-transitory computer-readable medium includes instructions configured to cause the apparatus to at least keep, by the HCPE based on a determination that a threshold number of the path validation messages are not successfully received, the reliability status of the respective WAN interface set to a value indicative that the respective WAN interface is up and operational. In at least some example embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable medium includes instructions configured to cause the apparatus to at least initiate, by the HCPE based on a determination that the respective path validation tests performed for the respective WAN interfaces are successful, activation of the multipath interface group. In at least some example embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable medium includes instructions configured to cause the apparatus to at least initiate, by the HCPE, activation of the multipath interface group based on a determination that, for each of the WAN interfaces, the respective reliability status of the respective WAN interface is set to a value indicative that the respective WAN interface is up, is operating correctly, has been tested, and is included in the multipath interface group. In at least some example embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable medium includes instructions configured to cause the apparatus to at least initiate, by the HCPE, activation of the multipath interface group and initiate, by the HCPE based on a multipath protocol of the multipath connection, a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) speed test for the multipath connection. In at least some example embodiments, to control the multipath interface group for the multipath connection of the HCPE, the non-transitory computer-readable medium includes instructions configured to cause the apparatus to at least control, based on the respective reliability statuses of the respective WAN interfaces, establishment of the multipath interface group for the multipath connection. In at least some example embodiments, for a respective WAN interface of the set of WAN interfaces, the respective evaluation performed for the respective WAN interface includes a path monitoring test configured to monitor operation of a network path associated with the respective WAN interface. In at least some example embodiments, to perform the path monitoring test, the non-transitory computer-readable medium includes instructions configured to cause the apparatus to at least send, by the HCPE, a set of path validation messages via the respective WAN interface and determine, by the HCPE based on the set of path validation messages, the respective reliability status for the respective WAN interface. In at least some example embodiments, the path validation messages are sent to a server cluster downstream of a hybrid access gateway (HAG) serving the HCPE. In at least some example embodiments, the path validation messages comprise respective ping messages. In at least some example embodiments, to perform the path monitoring test, the non-transitory computer-readable medium includes instructions configured to cause the apparatus to at least send, by the HCPE via the respective WAN interface periodically according to an initial test schedule, path validation messages and monitor, by the HCPE, for respective path validation responses to the respective path validation messages. In at least some example embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable medium includes instructions configured to cause the apparatus to at least activate, by the HCPE based on a determination that one of the path validation responses is not received, use of a second test schedule for the respective WAN interface, send, by the HCPE via the respective WAN interface periodically according to the second test schedule, a set of path validation messages, and monitor, by the HCPE, for a set of path validation responses for the set of path validation messages. In at least some example embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable medium includes instructions configured to cause the apparatus to at least activate, by the HCPE based on a determination that a threshold number of the path validation responses are received, use of the initial test schedule for the respective WAN interface. In at least some example embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable medium includes instructions configured to cause the apparatus to at least set, by the HCPE based on a determination that a threshold number of the path validation responses are not received, the reliability status of the respective WAN interface to a value indicative that the respective WAN interface is included in the multipath interface group, but is experiencing degraded service and initiate, by the HCPE, an alarm related to reliability of the respective WAN interface. In at least some example embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable medium includes instructions configured to cause the apparatus to at least determine, by the HCPE based on a determination that a threshold number of the path validation responses are not received, whether the respective WAN interface is a default WAN interface for the multipath interface group and determine, by the HCPE based on whether the respective WAN interface is the default WAN interface for the multipath interface group, the respective reliability status for the respective WAN interface. In at least some example embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable medium includes instructions configured to cause the apparatus to at least set, by the HCPE based on a determination that the respective WAN interface is not the default WAN interface for the multipath interface group, the reliability status of the respective WAN interface to a value indicative that the WAN interface is up, but that, due to a failure, has been removed from the multipath interface group and initiate, by the HCPE, an alarm related to reliability of the respective WAN interface. In at least some example embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable medium includes instructions configured to cause the apparatus to at least set, by the HCPE based on a determination that the respective WAN interface is the default WAN interface for the multipath interface group, the reliability status of the respective WAN interface to a value indicative that the WAN interface is down, unavailable, or unreachable and initiate, by the HCPE, an alarm related to reliability of the respective WAN interface. In at least some example embodiments, to control the multipath interface group for the multipath connection of the HCPE, the non-transitory computer-readable medium includes instructions configured to cause the apparatus to at least control, based on the respective reliability statuses of the respective WAN interfaces, maintenance of the multipath interface group for the multipath connection.

In at least some example embodiments, a method includes determining, by a hybrid-access customer premises equipment (HCPE) supporting a set of wide area network (WAN) interfaces based on respective evaluations performed for the respective WAN interfaces, respective reliability statuses of the respective WAN interfaces and controlling, by the HCPE based on the respective reliability statuses of the respective WAN interfaces, a multipath interface group for a multipath connection of the HCPE. In at least some example embodiments, the reliability statuses for the respective WAN interfaces are assigned based on a set of reliability status values supported by the HCPE. In at least some example embodiments, the set of reliability status values supported by the HCPE includes a first value indicative that the WAN interface is up and operational, a second value indicative that the WAN interface is up, is operating correctly, has been tested, and is included in the multipath interface group, a third value indicative that the WAN interface is included in the multipath interface group, but is experiencing degraded service, a fourth value indicative that the WAN interface is up, but that, due to a failure, has been removed from the multipath interface group, and a fifth value indicative that the WAN interface is down, unavailable, or unreachable. In at least some example embodiments, the respective reliability statuses of the WAN interfaces are determined based on boot-up of the HCPE. In at least some example embodiments, based on a determination that a respective WAN interface of the set of WAN interfaces is a wired interface, the respective evaluation performed for the respective WAN interface includes a determination of a link status of a link associated with the respective WAN interface. In at least some example embodiments, based on a determination that the link status of the link associated with the respective WAN interface is indicative that the link is up, the reliability status is set to a value indicative that the WAN interface is up and operational. In at least some example embodiments, the method includes initiating, by the HCPE, lower stack Internet Protocol (IP) configurations at the HCPE. In at least some example embodiments, based on a determination that the link status of the link associated with the respective WAN interface is indicative that the link is down, the reliability status is set to a value indicative that the respective WAN interface is down, unavailable, or unreachable. In at least some example embodiments, the method includes preventing, by the HCPE, inclusion of the respective WAN interface in the multipath interface group for the multipath connection of the HCPE. In at least some example embodiments, the method includes detecting, by the HCPE, that the link associated with the respective WAN interface has switched from being down to being up and initiating, by the HCPE after a wait time, readiness testing for the respective WAN interface. In at least some example embodiments, based on a determination that a respective WAN interface of the set of WAN interfaces is a wireless interface, the respective evaluation performed for the respective WAN interface includes a set of verification checks. In at least some example embodiments, the set of verification checks includes at least one of a check for verifying subscriber identification module (SIM) card readiness, a check for verifying network status, or a check for verifying packet data network (PDN) connection status. In at least some example embodiments, based on a determination that each of the verification checks associated with the respective WAN interface is successful, the reliability status is set to a value indicative that the WAN interface is up and operational. In at least some example embodiments, the method includes initiating, by the HCPE, lower stack Internet Protocol (IP) configurations at the HCPE. In at least some example embodiments, based on a determination that at least one of the verification checks associated with the respective WAN interface is unsuccessful, the reliability status is set to a value indicative that that the WAN interface is down, unavailable, or unreachable. In at least some example embodiments, the method includes preventing, by the HCPE, inclusion of the respective WAN interface in the multipath interface group for the multipath connection of the HCPE. In at least some example embodiments, the method includes periodically re-executing the set of verification checks for the respective WAN interface until each of the verification checks in the set of verification checks is successful. In at least some example embodiments, controlling the multipath interface group for the multipath connection of the HCPE includes controlling, based on the respective reliability statuses of the respective WAN interfaces, a membership of the multipath interface group for the multipath connection. In at least some example embodiments, for a respective WAN interface of the set of WAN interfaces, the respective evaluation performed for the respective WAN interface includes a path validation test configured to validate a network path associated with the respective WAN interface. In at least some example embodiments, performing the path validation test includes sending, by the HCPE, a set of path validation messages via the respective WAN interface and determining, by the HCPE based on the set of path validation messages, the respective reliability status for the respective WAN interface. In at least some example embodiments, the path validation messages are sent to a server cluster downstream of a hybrid access gateway (HAG) serving the HCPE. In at least some example embodiments, the path validation messages comprise respective ping messages. In at least some example embodiments, determining the respective reliability status for the respective WAN interface based on the set of path validation messages includes setting, based on a determination that a threshold number of the path validation messages are successfully received, the reliability status of the respective WAN interface to a value indicative that the respective WAN interface is up, is operating correctly, has been tested, and is included in the multipath interface group. In at least some example embodiments, the method includes sending, by the HCPE, a path performance metrics message configured to support collection by the HCPE of path performance metrics for the respective network path associated with the respective WAN interface. In at least some example embodiments, determining the respective reliability status for the respective WAN interface based on the set of path validation messages includes keeping, by the HCPE based on a determination that a threshold number of the path validation messages are not successfully received, the reliability status of the respective WAN interface set to a value indicative that the respective WAN interface is up and operational. In at least some example embodiments, the method includes initiating, by the HCPE based on a determination that the respective path validation tests performed for the respective WAN interfaces are successful, activation of the multipath interface group. In at least some example embodiments, the method includes initiating, by the HCPE, activation of the multipath interface group based on a determination that, for each of the WAN interfaces, the respective reliability status of the respective WAN interface is set to a value indicative that the respective WAN interface is up, is operating correctly, has been tested, and is included in the multipath interface group. In at least some example embodiments, the method includes initiating, by the HCPE, activation of the multipath interface group and initiating, by the HCPE based on a multipath protocol of the multipath connection, a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) speed test for the multipath connection. In at least some example embodiments, controlling the multipath interface group for the multipath connection of the HCPE includes controlling, based on the respective reliability statuses of the respective WAN interfaces, establishment of the multipath interface group for the multipath connection. In at least some example embodiments, for a respective WAN interface of the set of WAN interfaces, the respective evaluation performed for the respective WAN interface includes a path monitoring test configured to monitor operation of a network path associated with the respective WAN interface. In at least some example embodiments, performing the path monitoring test includes sending, by the HCPE, a set of path validation messages via the respective WAN interface and determining, by the HCPE based on the set of path validation messages, the respective reliability status for the respective WAN interface. In at least some example embodiments, the path validation messages are sent to a server cluster downstream of a hybrid access gateway (HAG) serving the HCPE. In at least some example embodiments, the path validation messages comprise respective ping messages. In at least some example embodiments, performing the path monitoring test includes sending, by the HCPE via the respective WAN interface periodically according to an initial test schedule, path validation messages and monitoring, by the HCPE, for respective path validation responses to the respective path validation messages. In at least some example embodiments, the method includes activating, by the HCPE based on a determination that one of the path validation responses is not received, use of a second test schedule for the respective WAN interface, sending, by the HCPE via the respective WAN interface periodically according to the second test schedule, a set of path validation messages, and monitoring, by the HCPE, for a set of path validation responses for the set of path validation messages. In at least some example embodiments, the method includes activating, by the HCPE based on a determination that a threshold number of the path validation responses are received, use of the initial test schedule for the respective WAN interface. In at least some example embodiments, the method includes setting, by the HCPE based on a determination that a threshold number of the path validation responses are not received, the reliability status of the respective WAN interface to a value indicative that the respective WAN interface is included in the multipath interface group, but is experiencing degraded service and initiating, by the HCPE, an alarm related to reliability of the respective WAN interface. In at least some example embodiments, the method includes determining, by the HCPE based on a determination that a threshold number of the path validation responses are not received, whether the respective WAN interface is a default WAN interface for the multipath interface group and determining, by the HCPE based on whether the respective WAN interface is the default WAN interface for the multipath interface group, the respective reliability status for the respective WAN interface. In at least some example embodiments, the method includes setting, by the HCPE based on a determination that the respective WAN interface is not the default WAN interface for the multipath interface group, the reliability status of the respective WAN interface to a value indicative that the WAN interface is up, but that, due to a failure, has been removed from the multipath interface group and initiating, by the HCPE, an alarm related to reliability of the respective WAN interface. In at least some example embodiments, the method includes setting, by the HCPE based on a determination that the respective WAN interface is the default WAN interface for the multipath interface group, the reliability status of the respective WAN interface to a value indicative that the WAN interface is down, unavailable, or unreachable and initiating, by the HCPE, an alarm related to reliability of the respective WAN interface. In at least some example embodiments, controlling the multipath interface group for the multipath connection of the HCPE includes controlling, based on the respective reliability statuses of the respective WAN interfaces, maintenance of the multipath interface group for the multipath connection.

In at least some example embodiments, an apparatus includes means for determining, by a hybrid-access customer premises equipment (HCPE) supporting a set of wide area network (WAN) interfaces based on respective evaluations performed for the respective WAN interfaces, respective reliability statuses of the respective WAN interfaces and means for controlling, by the HCPE based on the respective reliability statuses of the respective WAN interfaces, a multipath interface group for a multipath connection of the HCPE. In at least some example embodiments, the reliability statuses for the respective WAN interfaces are assigned based on a set of reliability status values supported by the HCPE. In at least some example embodiments, the set of reliability status values supported by the HCPE includes a first value indicative that the WAN interface is up and operational, a second value indicative that the WAN interface is up, is operating correctly, has been tested, and is included in the multipath interface group, a third value indicative that the WAN interface is included in the multipath interface group, but is experiencing degraded service, a fourth value indicative that the WAN interface is up, but that, due to a failure, has been removed from the multipath interface group, and a fifth value indicative that the WAN interface is down, unavailable, or unreachable. In at least some example embodiments, the respective reliability statuses of the WAN interfaces are determined based on boot-up of the HCPE. In at least some example embodiments, based on a determination that a respective WAN interface of the set of WAN interfaces is a wired interface, the respective evaluation performed for the respective WAN interface includes a determination of a link status of a link associated with the respective WAN interface. In at least some example embodiments, based on a determination that the link status of the link associated with the respective WAN interface is indicative that the link is up, the reliability status is set to a value indicative that the WAN interface is up and operational. In at least some example embodiments, the apparatus includes means for initiating, by the HCPE, lower stack Internet Protocol (IP) configurations at the HCPE. In at least some example embodiments, based on a determination that the link status of the link associated with the respective WAN interface is indicative that the link is down, the reliability status is set to a value indicative that the respective WAN interface is down, unavailable, or unreachable. In at least some example embodiments, the apparatus includes means for preventing, by the HCPE, inclusion of the respective WAN interface in the multipath interface group for the multipath connection of the HCPE. In at least some example embodiments, the apparatus includes means for detecting, by the HCPE, that the link associated with the respective WAN interface has switched from being down to being up and means for initiating, by the HCPE after a wait time, readiness testing for the respective WAN interface. In at least some example embodiments, based on a determination that a respective WAN interface of the set of WAN interfaces is a wireless interface, the respective evaluation performed for the respective WAN interface includes a set of verification checks. In at least some example embodiments, the set of verification checks includes at least one of a check for verifying subscriber identification module (SIM) card readiness, a check for verifying network status, or a check for verifying packet data network (PDN) connection status. In at least some example embodiments, based on a determination that each of the verification checks associated with the respective WAN interface is successful, the reliability status is set to a value indicative that the WAN interface is up and operational. In at least some example embodiments, the apparatus includes means for initiating, by the HCPE, lower stack Internet Protocol (IP) configurations at the HCPE. In at least some example embodiments, based on a determination that at least one of the verification checks associated with the respective WAN interface is unsuccessful, the reliability status is set to a value indicative that that the WAN interface is down, unavailable, or unreachable. In at least some example embodiments, the apparatus includes means for preventing, by the HCPE, inclusion of the respective WAN interface in the multipath interface group for the multipath connection of the HCPE. In at least some example embodiments, the apparatus includes means for periodically re-executing the set of verification checks for the respective WAN interface until each of the verification checks in the set of verification checks is successful. In at least some example embodiments, the means for controlling the multipath interface group for the multipath connection of the HCPE includes means for controlling, based on the respective reliability statuses of the respective WAN interfaces, a membership of the multipath interface group for the multipath connection. In at least some example embodiments, for a respective WAN interface of the set of WAN interfaces, the respective evaluation performed for the respective WAN interface includes a path validation test configured to validate a network path associated with the respective WAN interface. In at least some example embodiments, the means for performing the path validation test includes means for sending, by the HCPE, a set of path validation messages via the respective WAN interface and means for determining, by the HCPE based on the set of path validation messages, the respective reliability status for the respective WAN interface. In at least some example embodiments, the path validation messages are sent to a server cluster downstream of a hybrid access gateway (HAG) serving the HCPE. In at least some example embodiments, the path validation messages comprise respective ping messages. In at least some example embodiments, the means for determining the respective reliability status for the respective WAN interface based on the set of path validation messages includes means for setting, based on a determination that a threshold number of the path validation messages are successfully received, the reliability status of the respective WAN interface to a value indicative that the respective WAN interface is up, is operating correctly, has been tested, and is included in the multipath interface group. In at least some example embodiments, the apparatus includes means for sending, by the HCPE, a path performance metrics message configured to support collection by the HCPE of path performance metrics for the respective network path associated with the respective WAN interface. In at least some example embodiments, the means for determining the respective reliability status for the respective WAN interface based on the set of path validation messages includes means for keeping, by the HCPE based on a determination that a threshold number of the path validation messages are not successfully received, the reliability status of the respective WAN interface set to a value indicative that the respective WAN interface is up and operational. In at least some example embodiments, the apparatus includes means for initiating, by the HCPE based on a determination that the respective path validation tests performed for the respective WAN interfaces are successful, activation of the multipath interface group. In at least some example embodiments, the apparatus includes means for initiating, by the HCPE, activation of the multipath interface group based on a determination that, for each of the WAN interfaces, the respective reliability status of the respective WAN interface is set to a value indicative that the respective WAN interface is up, is operating correctly, has been tested, and is included in the multipath interface group. In at least some example embodiments, the apparatus includes means for initiating, by the HCPE, activation of the multipath interface group and means for initiating, by the HCPE based on a multipath protocol of the multipath connection, a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) speed test for the multipath connection. In at least some example embodiments, the means for controlling the multipath interface group for the multipath connection of the HCPE includes means for controlling, based on the respective reliability statuses of the respective WAN interfaces, establishment of the multipath interface group for the multipath connection. In at least some example embodiments, for a respective WAN interface of the set of WAN interfaces, the respective evaluation performed for the respective WAN interface includes a path monitoring test configured to monitor operation of a network path associated with the respective WAN interface. In at least some example embodiments, the means for performing the path monitoring test includes means for sending, by the HCPE, a set of path validation messages via the respective WAN interface and means for determining, by the HCPE based on the set of path validation messages, the respective reliability status for the respective WAN interface. In at least some example embodiments, the path validation messages are sent to a server cluster downstream of a hybrid access gateway (HAG) serving the HCPE. In at least some example embodiments, the path validation messages comprise respective ping messages. In at least some example embodiments, performing the path monitoring test includes sending, by the HCPE via the respective WAN interface periodically according to an initial test schedule, path validation messages and monitoring, by the HCPE, for respective path validation responses to the respective path validation messages. In at least some example embodiments, the apparatus includes means for activating, by the HCPE based on a determination that one of the path validation responses is not received, use of a second test schedule for the respective WAN interface, means for sending, by the HCPE via the respective WAN interface periodically according to the second test schedule, a set of path validation messages, and means for monitoring, by the HCPE, for a set of path validation responses for the set of path validation messages. In at least some example embodiments, the apparatus includes means for activating, by the HCPE based on a determination that a threshold number of the path validation responses are received, use of the initial test schedule for the respective WAN interface. In at least some example embodiments, the apparatus includes means for setting, by the HCPE based on a determination that a threshold number of the path validation responses are not received, the reliability status of the respective WAN interface to a value indicative that the respective WAN interface is included in the multipath interface group, but is experiencing degraded service and means for initiating, by the HCPE, an alarm related to reliability of the respective WAN interface. In at least some example embodiments, the apparatus includes means for determining, by the HCPE based on a determination that a threshold number of the path validation responses are not received, whether the respective WAN interface is a default WAN interface for the multipath interface group and means for determining, by the HCPE based on whether the respective WAN interface is the default WAN interface for the multipath interface group, the respective reliability status for the respective WAN interface. In at least some example embodiments, the apparatus includes means for setting, by the HCPE based on a determination that the respective WAN interface is not the default WAN interface for the multipath interface group, the reliability status of the respective WAN interface to a value indicative that the WAN interface is up, but that, due to a failure, has been removed from the multipath interface group and means for initiating, by the HCPE, an alarm related to reliability of the respective WAN interface. In at least some example embodiments, the apparatus includes means for setting, by the HCPE based on a determination that the respective WAN interface is the default WAN interface for the multipath interface group, the reliability status of the respective WAN interface to a value indicative that the WAN interface is down, unavailable, or unreachable and means for initiating, by the HCPE, an alarm related to reliability of the respective WAN interface. In at least some example embodiments, the means for controlling the multipath interface group for the multipath connection of the HCPE includes means for controlling, based on the respective reliability statuses of the respective WAN interfaces, maintenance of the multipath interface group for the multipath connection.

