Abstract: A system and method for storing and retrieving performance and topology information of a telecommunications network. A network performance data parser receives network performance data messages in real time, parses the messages according to parsing rules, reformats the messages according to the parsing rules, and writes out the reformatted messages to a performance data file. A network performance data loader retrieves the reformatted messages from the performance data file and loads them into an open database management system. A topology data loader retrieves weekly network topology data from a topology data file and loads it into the open database management system. A SONET data loader retrieves daily network SONET data from a SONET data file and loads it into the open database management system. The open database is easily accessible via any SQL interface.

Abstract: A system and method for branching a telephone call. The system is a network having a first call branch connecting a pivot node and an origination node, a second call branch connecting the pivot node and a release node, and a third call branch connecting the release node and an alternate node. The method includes the steps of initializing the origination and release nodes to inform them of the pivot node's ability to branch the call; creating a fourth call branch between the pivot and destination nodes, and switching the call from the third call branch to the fourth call branch.

Abstract: A system and method for registering and tracking network equipment at the circuit card level. A computer network server is coupled with an equipment database that contains location and identification data for telecommunication network assets. A hand-held client, comprising a display, keyboard, bar code scanner and printer is coupled, via a radio link, to the computer network server. The hand-held client is used to register network assets and to query the equipment database for information relating to network assets. Users visit remote sites and register network assets in real-time, while walking through the equipment bays. In one embodiment, bar codes are used to display part numbers and serial numbers on circuit cards. In addition, bar codes are used to identify circuit card locations in terms of predefined identification numbers for the site, equipment bay, rack, shelf and slot. In other embodiments, some or all of the preceding information is entered into the keyboard of the hand-held client.

Abstract: A method and system for pre-patching spare capacity into a communications network. The pre-patching system analyzes an original network configuration along with restoration plans that define restoral routes to bypass a network failure. The pre-patching system identifies existing spare connections in the original network configuration that can advantageously be destroyed from the original configuration so that their destroying can be avoided when implementing the restoration plans. The pre-patching system also identifies connections that do not exist in the original configuration and that can advantageously be created in the original network configuration to avoid the overhead of their creation when implementing the restoration plans.

Abstract: A method and system for initiating distributed restoration of a communications network following the failure of one or more network components. Restoration is conducted in a distributed fashion by all the restoration nodes of the network. When a restoration node detects failure of a segment connected to it, the restoration node monitors its segments for a period of time and then sends a failure message to other restoration nodes of the network indicating the number of segments connected to it that have failed. When restoration nodes receive failure messages, they compare the count of failed segments contained in the messages to a range of counts of failures for the detecting node that are locally stored on each restoration node. By this comparison, the restoration nodes can determine whether the network has quiesced to a relatively stable state following a network outage. Once the network has reached a stable state, all the restoration nodes simultaneously initiate a local restoration process.

Abstract: An automated computer program application, called an Automated Build Control (ABC) application, provides an improved tool for managing the software build process. ABC uses the specification of a programmer's original program files as input, and automatically identifies all header, include, and other shared library files, which eliminates coding of dependencies. ABC identifies embedded header files, such as those which are referenced in other header files. ABC identifies duplicate headers so future builds can be expedited. ABC ensures all necessary source modules are located and available for compilation, prior to compilation. ABC performs comparisons of date/time stamps and identifies what source modules require recompilation. Essentially, ABC evaluates the compiling and linking processes prior to performing them, thus detecting any potential errors or conflicts before any time and effort is wasted.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus are described that allow for the updating and transmittal of a low data rate signal providing ancillary network data as a rider on a high data rate optical signal. This subcarrier modulated signal can be processed and updated by using a drop/insert facility without having to alter the high data rate signal component of the data signal. Since the subcarrier signal can be detected by inexpensive equipment without having to detect and demultiplex the high data rate signal, the approach described offers a cost effective solution to the problem of network monitoring. Ancillary network management information can be communicated regardless of the quality or loss of the high data rate signal. In addition, by updating the subcarrier signal rider in a cumulative manner, a complete history of the fiber link the modulated optical signal travels on is provided to network management.

Abstract: A computer testing system, method, and computer program product is provided for testing one or more digital cross connect devices (DXCs) with one or more test and monitoring units (TMUs). A DXC test tool is coupled to each DXC and to each TMU. The DXC test tool sends a logical command or query to a DXC. A TMU tests the physical presence of the logical command directed to the DXC. The TMU sends a response to the DXC test tool indicating the state of the physical component. In this way, the DXC test tool tests each DXC in physical and logical dimensions. The DXC test tool can communicate over a plurality of communication links including fast channel links, human readable links, and remote control links. Routers are used to expand capacity. A single message display option for selecting between sending ASCII messages and sending binary messages. By connecting the DXC test tool to multiple DXCs, end-to-end path testing in physical and logical dimensions is performed.

Abstract: An efficient and inexpensive system and method for reducing crosstalk between adjacent channels in a high density WDM transmission. The technique provided herein cancels out the effects of crosstalk by processing signals in the electrical domain after the optical WDM transmission has been demultiplexed. Specifically, a WDM transmission is received and demultiplexed into its constituent channels via a plurality of optical filters. Each channel is then transduced into an electrical signal using a photodetector or the like. Each electrical signal is then inverted, attenuated and added to one or two adjacent channels to cancel crosstalk therein.

Abstract: A profile editor is provided for creating and editing customer profiles. The customer profiles hold information regarding customers of a call center. Each customer profile encapsulates information regarding call flow of a call serviced by the call center on behalf of the customer. For example, a customer profile may hold product information, pricing information, shipping information, call flow information, scripts, and other information for a customer that may be used by an operator to service a call on behalf of the customer. The profile editor may also include a test operator console program to test how an operator console program that is used to assist an operator in servicing calls on behalf of a customer in the call center will use a customer profile.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to affinity termination of telephone calls. The preferred embodiment of the present invention is a telephone switch which can be configured to terminate unanswered calls by paging the called party. Specifically, the telephone switch can be programmed by a user to communicate with specific pagers when unanswered telephone calls from specific calling telephone numbers to specific called telephone numbers are detected.

Abstract: A CCS network architecture is provided that segregates traffic. The CCS network includes a first network dedicated to a first type of traffic and a second network dedicated to a second type of traffic. Internal switches, foreign mated STP pairs, and foreign switches are provided with dual-homing features.

Abstract: A computer system performance monitoring and graphing tool system for collecting performance data from computer system with various operating systems, converting the performance data to graphical representations, storing the graphical representations in a database, and providing on-demand displaying of the graphical representations of the performance data. A computer program product that operates on each production computer collects that computer's performance data from the operating system, using native commands and facilities of the operating system. Another computer that serves as a central collection system receives performance data from each production computer, parses the data, builds daily graphical representations of the data, and stores these graphical representations as Graphical Image Files (GIF). Access to and viewing of GIF files may be provided by several methods, including an Internet (or IP) network for access and a web browser for viewing.

Abstract: A secured network permits a single sign-on ("SSO") of users to a plurality of network elements. Data structures, procedures and system components that support the SSO functionality in a distributed networked environment are included in the secured network. The SSO functionality can be implemented and integrated into an existing network platform or used as the backbone protocol to new network installations. DCE-based features as well as ERA and EAC can be utilized as the foundation for the implementation. The SSO functionality may be implemented and integrated without requiring significant low level development or major modifications in a network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting traffic-affecting failures in a telecommunications network; by inferring the most probable location of each such failure, given multiple alarm indicators along a network circuit; correlating circuit alarms to trunk failures, or inferring trunk failures from circuit alarms; inferring the location of major network outages by topologically correlating multiple trunk failures; and filtering alarm reporting to the Fault Management System users such that only the most significant derived or inferred conditions are automatically displayed.

Abstract: A method of routing lower multiplex level demands in a telecommunications network including a plurality of interconnected nodes to form higher multiplex level demand-routes. The method defines an initial lower multiplex level demand-route for each pair of nodes of the network. The initial lower multiplex level demand-route carries all lower multiplex level demands originating or terminating at a node of the pair. The method then splits the demand of each initial lower multiplex level demand-route between an express demand and an overflow demand and routes express demands in higher multiplex level express routes. The method patches the overflow demands into higher multiplex level routes according to a predetermined patching policy.

Abstract: A stable switched multifrequency source is described. The stable switched multifrequency source includes a narrowband reflective optical filter bank. This bank includes a plurality of narrowband reflective optical filter devices. In one embodiment, the stability and precision of the reflectivity of the narrowband reflective optical filter devices is further enhanced through regulation via temperature and/or bias current based on a comparison of the output wavelength and a precise stable wavelength reference. The stable switched multifrequency source also includes an optical switch that is coupled to each of the narrowband reflective optical filter devices.

Abstract: A copy utility for non-stop database applications allows users to continuously access a database which is undergoing back-up operations. The system includes a lock manager which controls the access of requesters to the files of the database. The back-up storage device is treated in the same manner as other requesters.

Abstract: A distributed method and system for excluding segments from use in bypassing a failed component. Prior to failure of a segment, the restoration system at a central location identifies each path in the communications network. A path is a unique sequence of installations that a segment traverses. The restoration system then creates a mapping of the ports of the restoration nodes to the paths of the segments connected to each port. The restoration system then identifies for each path the set of paths that are interdependent. A pair of paths are interdependent when both paths traverse a common pair of installations. The restoration system then downloads to each restoration node the mappings for its ports along with an indication of the paths that are interdependent with the path of each segment connected to the restoration node.

Abstract: A system for establishing a restoral route to bypass multiple failed components in a communications network. The network has components that include nodes and links. Each link connected to a node is either an input or an output link for that node. When a component failure is detected on a output link of a node, the system selects a source node and a target node for the restoral route and effects the sending of messages through an output links of the source node to establish a restoral route to the target node. When a message to establish a restoral route to the target node is received at a node, the node forwards the message through its output links. When a message that a restoral route has been established to the target node is received through an output link of a node, the node connects the input link through which the message to establish a restoral route was received to the output link and forwards the message that a restoral route has been established through the input link.