Abstract: Systems and methods for managing network traffic receives, at a grade of service device, network traffic information for a plurality of network traffic channels from a network device separate from the grade of service device. The network traffic information is compared to a threshold to determine a behavior value for each network traffic channel. Each network traffic channel is mapped to a grade of service according to the behavior value.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing network traffic receives, at a grade of service device, network traffic information for a plurality of network traffic channels from a network device separate from the grade of service device. The network traffic information is compared to a threshold to determine a behavior value for each network traffic channel. Each network traffic channel is mapped to a grade of service according to the behavior value.

Abstract: A network tap port aggregator for use in monitoring a network is provided. The network tap port aggregator includes a first device interface terminal for receiving a first network feed. The network tap port aggregator also includes a second device interface terminal for receiving a second network feed. The network tap port aggregator further includes a circuitry coupled with the first device interface terminal and with the second device interface terminal, the circuitry configured to monitor the first network feed and the second network feed and to aggregate the first network feed and the second network feed into an aggregated network feed. The network tap port aggregator yet also includes a first monitor interface terminal coupled to the circuitry for providing the aggregated network feed to a first network monitor that is external to the network tap port aggregator.

Abstract: A system and method for performing a first diagnostic test on a first class of service on a network link during a current measurement period, performing at least one further diagnostic test on a second class of service on the network link during the current measurement period, determining whether an alert was present during a previous measurement period and generating a current failure alert based on results of the first and the at least one further diagnostic tests if an alert was present during the previous measurement period.

Abstract: Intelligent network tap port aggregators for use in monitoring a network and methods for use therein are presented including: a number of device interface terminals for receiving network feeds; a tap structure coupled with device interface terminals, the tap structure configured to monitor the second network feeds and to aggregate the network feeds into an aggregated network feed; a monitor interface terminal coupled to the tap structure for providing the aggregated network feed to a network monitor; and a display coupled to the tap structure and configured to display selected network parameters corresponding to the network feeds. In some embodiments, the intelligent network tap port aggregator also includes: a network controller coupled with the tap structure for providing communication between the tap structure and a number of managing devices; and a managing device interface coupled with the network controller for providing Internet access to the network controller.

Abstract: A method and a system for impairment line testing are provided. The method includes electrically connecting a first terminal of a measurement device, which may be a time domain reflectometer, to both wires of a twisted wire pair of a telephone line, which interconnects a telephone line card with a subscriber. The second terminal of the measurement device is electrically connected to a common reference, which may be the ground reference. Then, the method includes performing an impairment testing on the telephone line from the measurement device toward the subscriber.

Abstract: A multiport test jack that supports the testing of a number of individual telephone lines in an interface device, such as a network interface device or an optical line terminal, has a physical structure that is smaller in size than the size of a corresponding number of individual test jacks.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system is provided for testing a communications line. The method comprises removing a repeater from an access case connected to a telecommunications line, connecting a test adapter to the access case and a test extension apparatus to the test adapter. The method further comprises connecting a plurality of diagnostic equipment devices to the test extension apparatus and testing the communications line with the diagnostics equipment via the test extension apparatus. The apparatus comprises a spool having a plurality of terminals, and a length of wire wound on the spool. The wire includes a plurality of subpairs of wires each of the subpairs of wires having a first end electrically connectable to the communications line, and a second end electrically connected to a corresponding terminal on the spool.

Abstract: A metal port block is used on an intermediate distributor or vertical terminal block in a connection architecture to obtain a metal contact of the combined voice and data signals, which can subsequently be monitored by a test rack, without needing to disconnect or reconnect any bridge or cable. The access to the intermediate distribution frame can be established by a connecting block with which a plurality of boards are associated. The boards are vertically arranged in an array and each incorporates its relays or associated electronics to extract and supply information to a test table. Each board has pins to couple with the cavities of the distribution frame.

Abstract: A test unit for determining whether a local telephone company demarcation point device is providing telecommunication signals to one of a plurality of telephone lines of a telephone system includes: a demarcation point connector that is configured to interface with a connector of the demarcation point; a telephone system connector that is configured to interface with a connector of the telephone system; a plurality of switches, each of the switches being configured to selectively connect a connection site of the demarcation point device with a corresponding connection site of the telephone system, the selective connection providing a telephone line therebetween; and an indicator that signals whether a designated connection site of the demarcation point device is providing telecommunication signals to its respective telephone line.

Abstract: A dongle for interfacing between a DSL/analog combo modem with a single RJ-11 jack and each of a DSL and analog phone outlets. The dongle in combination with the combo modem can be used in both DSL spluttered environments and DSL splitterless environments. The dongle includes a DSL microfilter, and a switch to turn the filter on and off. When the filter is off, the dongle acts as a wire router and DSL splittered signals received from a DSL outlet are passed to the DSL outer twisted pair of the dongle's RJ-11 combo jack. Analog splattered signals received from the analog outlet are passed to the analog inner twisted pair of the dongle's RJ-11 combo jack. When the filter is on, the DSL and analog signals are received on the same DSL twisted pair and are filtered by the filter so as to split out each of the DSL and analog signals. The filtered signals are then passed to each of the DSL outer twisted pair and to the analog Ainner twisted pair, respectively, of the dongle's modem RJ-11 combo jack.

Abstract: A modular test instrument comprises a base unit and one of a selection of application modules, neither being capable of performing end-user functions without the other. When physically assembled to one another, the base unit and application module comprise a structurally unitary device specialized for performance of application-specific end-user functions. The base unit is generic to all types of test to be provided, and comprises a display, a power supply, a user interface, and generic software to operate the display and user interface. Each application module is connected to the base unit in the same manner, so that the same base unit can he employed with a wide variety of application modules. The application modules can be readily and conveniently removed from and assembled to the base unit.

Abstract: A data protector for telephony test equipment, comprising a relay for selectively connecting the telephony test equipment to a telecommunication line, and electronic circuitry. The electronic circuitry includes a detector portion adapted for detecting signals within a continuous band of frequencies present on the telecommunication line, and a microcontroller. The microcontroller has a frequency counter function for determining whether data is present on the telecommunication line, a relay connect control function for selectively controlling the relay to connect the telephony test equipment to the telecommunication line, and an alert operator function for producing a signal if the detected frequency is above a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A telephone network interface device (NID) includes a test circuit that is readily connected and disconnected. The NID has a portion of an electrical circuit that connects a pair of provider wires as well as a pair of test wires to a pair of subscriber terminals. The test wires lead to a test circuit on the provider side of the housing of the NID. The subscriber terminals are located on the subscriber side of the housing to interconnect the provider wires with a pair of subscriber wires. A jack in the NID has a normal mode of operation in which the provider wires are electrically connected to the subscriber wires and a test mode of operation in which the provider wires are disconnected from the subscriber wires. A pair of lead wires are electrically connected to the jack and have free ends that connect to the subscriber terminals. This connects the test circuit in parallel physically and electrically between the provider wires and the subscriber wires.

Abstract: A modular telecommunication test system is presented including a portable computer system and at least one portable telecommunication test module located external to the computer system. The portable computer system stores a telecommunication test application (e.g., in a memory system). Each test module includes a communication port having an electrical connector, and is thus adapted for coupling to the portable computer system. Each test module also includes electrical circuitry for performing a set of telecommunication tests, wherein each test involves making at least one electrical measurement upon a telecommunication service installation. In coupling a given test module to the portable computer system, a user configures the test system to perform the set of telecommunication tests associated with the given test module. The at least one test module is selected from a group of test modules, each configured to perform telecommunication tests upon a different type of telecommunication service installation.

Abstract: A modular test instrument comprises a base unit and one of a selection of application modules, neither being capable of performing end-user functions without the other. When physically assembled to one another, the base unit and application module comprise a structurally unitary device specialized for performance of application-specific end-user functions. The base unit is generic to all types of test to be provided, and comprises a display, a power supply, a user interface, and generic software to operate the display and user interface. Each application module is connected to the base unit in the same manner, so that the same base unit can be employed with a wide variety of application modules. The application modules can be readily and conveniently removed from and assembled to the base unit.