Abstract: A method for providing high availability computing service. The method comprises monitoring a high availability computing service by monitoring applications, each monitoring application executing on a different computer system, one of the monitoring applications executing in a primary role, and the remaining monitoring applications executing in a secondary role. The method further comprises writing a last touched time value into a DNS resource record of a domain name system (DNS) server by the monitoring application executing in the primary role, reading the last touched time value in the DNS resource record of the DNS server by each of the monitoring applications executing in the secondary role. The method comprises determining by one of the monitoring applications executing in the secondary role to assume the primary role based on determining that the last touched time value in the DNS resource record of the DNS server exceeds a predetermined age threshold.

Abstract: A method of troubleshooting a communication service, a troubleshooting tool, and a system are disclosed. Each involves bi-lateral testing of a customer premise equipment in a customer network and a communication service provider router in a communication service provider network. Bi-directional information generated in the bi-lateral testing is stored in a datastore for later retrieval in troubleshooting the customer premise equipment and communication service provider router. User interaction is also stored in the datastore to track customer behavior which can be used alone or in combination with the bi-directional information to monitor performance and/or troubleshoot the customer premise equipment and communication service provider router.

Abstract: A method of managing data communication network inventory is provided. The method comprises analyzing a plurality of separate data stores, the data stores comprising information about trouble tickets, change requests, and scheduled maintenance, where the analysis is conducted with reference to network inventory items. An integrated data store structured according to network inventory items is built, comprising trouble ticket information, change request information, and scheduled maintenance associated with the network inventory items, where the network inventory items comprise one or more port interfaces. A selection of a network inventory item is received. Filtered information is retrieved from the integrated data store summarizing the trouble ticket information, the change request information, and the scheduled maintenance related to the selected network inventory item. The filtered information is transmitted.

Abstract: A method of troubleshooting a communication service is disclosed. The method comprises creating an association between a customer premise equipment (CPE) in a customer network and a communication service provider router providing the communication service. The method also comprises determining a CPE configuration of the CPE in the customer network and a router configuration of the communication service provider router providing communication services to the CPE based on the association. The method also comprises determining CPE measurements associated with the CPE and router measurements associated with the router based on the association, and determining whether the CPE measurements and the router measurements are normal based on an analysis of the CPE configuration and the router configuration. The method then identifies a cause of the abnormal measurements, determines a corrective action for the identified cause, and issue a trouble ticket indicating the cause and the corrective action.

Abstract: Network virtual link mapping methods and systems are disclosed. In some method embodiments, router configurations are parsed to determine virtual link information for a network. A map is derived for virtual link information associated with a customer. The map is displayed, and may be used for highlighting problem areas for a customer, recommending solutions, and reconfiguring the virtual links to address specific customer needs.

Abstract: A system having an integrated network and customer database is provided. The system retrieves router configurations to create the integrated database, which includes port data for each port on each router in each network. The system may determine the impact of proposed actions on routers. The system may process network events to display the status, port data, and customer data for each port. The system may respond to user input by polling a router and displaying the real time status, port data, and customer data for each port on the router.

Abstract: A method of maintaining a communication service is disclosed. The method comprises providing a communication path from a customer premises equipment (CPE) in a customer network to a port of a router located in a communication service provider network, wherein the port is allocated to the CPE, and wherein the customer network is different from the communication service provider network. The method also comprises determining a connectivity of the communication path from the CPE to the port of the router and determining an interface status of the port located on the router. The method also comprises determining a quality of service (QoS) of the communication path from the CPE to the port located on the router. Determining the connectivity and QoS of the communication path and determining the interface status of the port are initiated from the CPE.

Abstract: A system having a data retriever and a database manager is provided. The data retriever retrieves router configurations from data stores for routers. The database manager parses the router configurations to determine port data for each port on each router, and integrates the port data with customer data to create an integrated database. The database manager also determines a customer link diversity based on the integrated database and displays the customer link diversity. The database manager can recommend reassignment of a customer link when the customer link diversity is less than a corresponding target customer link diversity. The database manager can also determine the customer link diversity when adding a card and determine the customer link diversity when adding a customer link.