Abstract: Assembling a generic system for testing a network-based telephony system. The process begins by abstracting required performance characteristics of a network-based telephony system. For each functional element of abstracted characteristics, the system separates generic characteristics from implementation-specific performance characteristics of the network; the system proceeds by constructing test components addressing each functional element;, and then it assembles the test components into a unified set, including enabling configuration of each template to accommodate specific network implementations.

Abstract: A process of implementing a test plan for an IP-based telephony network. The process consists initially of installing a system test module as an integral component of the network-based system, whereby test procedures originate within the network-based system, employing system resources rather than outside components to accomplish testing. Further steps are assembling a set of generic functional tests, each test including the components of test elements, each element addressing a single system action, together with verification for completion of such action; test legs, each leg encompassing the actions of a single actor in the test and including interactions between such actors; and a test activity, setting out a single function to be accomplished by the test and combining the functions of one or more test legs, including the interactions among the same.

Abstract: A system (and methods) for monitoring telecommunications services end-to-end through a distributed network environment. The system includes a distributed telecommunication network, which is capable of providing communications to a plurality of users during an active state. The system also has a plurality of point of presence servers distributed throughout the cities served by the distributed telecommunication network. Each of the point of presence servers is adapted to provide a test pattern from a plurality of test patterns where each of the test patterns correspond respectively to one of a plurality of services. The test pattern is transferred from one of the point of presence servers to another point of presence server to identify a quality level of the distributed telecommunication network between the one point of presence server and the other point of presence server. Other features are also included.