Abstract: The present invention system automates the process of testing the integrity of the components residing at each node of a data network. After automatically dial connecting to a site of the network by selecting a telephone number from a retrieved list of telephone numbers each representing a site of the network, the instant invention sends a query directed to a particular component at the site. And depending on the response/non-response received, the instant invention can readily determine whether there is a problem with the being queried component. If there is a fault detected, this fault is reported either as a HTML file or a text file to either a web site or a data store, so that a technician can readily retrieve that information when needed. After all components at a site are tested, a report of the operational effectiveness of each of the components could be generated and provided either to the web site or dumped into the data store.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for providing prepaid telephony service via an Internet protocol (IP) network system. A first method provides controlling at least one media agent or call routing station/switch of an IP network system for allowing and/or blocking call media streams from traversing through the media agent. A second method provides directing all signaling messages transmitted by a signaling agent or station and all media packets transmitting voice and data communications through at least one common device within the IP network system. The methods further provide for continuously monitoring a subscriber's account balance and terminating the prepaid telephony service if the account balance is less than a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A method is taught for monitoring information traffic through a traffic link transmitting first and second differing information signals each having a plurality of information layers and first and second pluralities of information packets in a monitoring system having monitoring circuitry and including processor circuitry and a server operating cooperatively with the monitor circuitry. The method includes segmenting the information packets of the first and second pluralities of information packets into information cells to provide corresponding first and second pluralities of information cells and interspersing the information cells of the first and second pluralities of information cells with each other to provide interspersed first and second information cells.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed in the context of a communications system whereby parties accessible through the system may be referenced by multiple alternative symbolic names. User profile information for a given party may be maintained in the system to control features and routing behavior in response to session request involing the party. By virtue of a mapping capability, one or more symbolic names may be associated with the same user profile information. A session request involving any of the alternative names for a party will evoke the same user profile.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for achieving local number portability (LNP) costing and network management support is disclosed. The disclosure includes a LNP graphical user interface (GUI) implemented as, for example, a WEB or Internet based tool to audit related charges, and to enable users to determine ported number status on a real-time basis.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for implementing rules. More specifically, a method, system and computer program product for implementing rules is developed by separating business rules from application logic. This architecture effects the implementation of software business rules in a single location, for sharing across software applications as needed. Software business rules are created and maintained by business experts directly, rather than requiring programmers to translate the rules to software code. Thus, programmers are free to concentrate on programming issues and software business rules (new logic, not just new values/ranges) may be added or changes may be made to existing rules without modifying the software applications which use the business rules.

Abstract: A Web-based fault and alarm management tool that enables customers to monitor and analyze the performance of their voice and data network via a graphical user interface is provided. The tool provides customers an Internet/Intranet access to near real-time alarms, events, and performance statistics and configuration reports corresponding to their switched network, including voice network, broadband, dedicated point-to-point circuits, and signaling services, for enabling customers to make informed network management decisions. A Web-based fault and alarm management infrastructure which enables the secure initiation, acquisition, and presentation of customer reports relating to network management via a Web browser on any computer is also provided.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for achieving local number protability (LNP) costing and network management support is disclosed. The disclosure includes a LNP graphical user interface (GUI) implemented as, for example, a WEB or Internet based tool to audit related charges, and to enable users to determine ported number status on a real-time basis.

Abstract: An optical communications link including a low-level subcarrier to identify the optical carriers that are contributing to an unwanted mixing product. The subcarrier is added to each of the optical carriers, and then the presence or absence of the subcarrier is detected in the mixing product to identify which optical carriers are contributing towards the generation of the mixing product. The subcarrier will appear in the mixing product if its associated optical carrier is participating in the mixing product. The identified optical carriers that contribute to the mixing product can then diminished in amplitude or shifted in wavelength to reduce the impact of the undesirable signals. Several embodiments are described.

Abstract: A Web/Internet based monitoring system provides a common GUI enabling the requesting and real-time viewing of telecommunication network traffic and statistical data pertaining to a customer's telecommunication network. Such a monitoring system includes: a client browser application located at a client workstation for enabling interactive Web based communications between a customer and the monitoring system; at least one secure server for managing client sessions over the Internet via one or more secure connections; a device for generating statistical data based on real-time call data obtained from a telecommunications network, the statistical data being generated according to a pre-defined user profile; a mechanism for periodically retrieving the statistical data according to the user profile and for integrating the retrieved statistical data within a Web page for presentation to the user over a secure socket connection at pre-defined intervals.

Abstract: In a SIP network, SIP servers are provisioned with information used to authenticate subscribers and entities that will be placing calls. This information can be used during call establishment to allow or deny calls, as well as to determine the appropriate party to bill if the call involves a charge, such as a long distance charge. In addition to allowing calls between authenticated and trusted entities, there is a need for the SIP server to allow certain kinds of calls that involve non-trusted users or entities. If non-trusted entities where not recognized, trusted users and entities within the SIP network would not be able to receive calls from users or entities not know to the SIP server that is providing them services.

Abstract: A test system is provided for use with a communications network having a plurality of switches and trunks. The test system includes test circuitry, a test interface, and a test set. The test circuitry is operative to test the transmission of digital data over a selected network trunk. The test interface communicates with the test circuitry and is operative to connect the test circuitry with the selected network trunk. The test set communicates with the test circuitry and the test interface. The test set is operative to selectively connect to the network switches via the test interface. The test set includes processing circuitry, memory and a switching application program. The processor executes the application program to route a digital data call via a switch from the selected network trunk to another network trunk, and to specify a terminating circuit used to terminate the digital data call via the switch where the call is thereafter delivered. The test circuitry implements testing of the selected trunk.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for placing a call between a client in one network and a client in another network. The IP network includes a SIP server and a network gateway configured to provide access to a public switched network. The method includes receiving a SIP call request message from the first client. The SIP call request message is authenticated to thereby identify an authentic originating client. Subsequently, a database is searched to find client billing tag corresponding to the authentic originating client. The call is completed if the client billing tag is obtained, and not completed if the client billing tag cannot be obtained. Thus, the present invention provides an efficient method for billing phone calls that are placed from SIP enabled devices to a telephone connected to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). The method of the present invention also substantially eliminates certain types of fraud.

Abstract: An intelligent telephone set is disclosed that includes a caller-ID circuit that extracts a call identifier from an incoming call. A call processing circuit in communication with the caller-ID circuit assigns the incoming call to a caller category associated with the call identifier. Subsequently, it selects a call processing action corresponding to the caller category and processes the incoming call using the selected call processing action. The intelligent telephone set allows users to set criteria for receiving and processing calls based on CID data. One such call processing action is to use CID data to forward an incoming call to a predetermined location.

Abstract: An approach for providing telephony and other services over a data network is disclosed. A communications system includes a location server that generates a first subset from the set of all addresses relating to a called party. A proxy server obtains a first subset of addresses from the location server and attempts to establish a session with the called party based on the subset of addresses. In response to whether the first subset of addresses results in session establishment, the proxy server may then request a second subset from the location server. Context information provided by the location server with the first subset may be returned to the location server as part of the request for the second subset.

Abstract: An approach for providing telephony and other services over a data network is disclosed. A user profile information is maintained for a party to control the screening of inbound communications requests intended for the party. Means are disclosed for redirecting an inbound call to a designated alternative location if it is determined that the inbound call meets at least one screening criterion. The user profile information controls screening criteria and disposition of calls that are intercepted by the screening process.

Abstract: In a telecommunications network provisioned with different types of restoration processes, to ensure that the operation of one restoration process does not infringe upon other nodes that are actively executing a different restoration process, a request is sent by one of the restoration processes, under the guise of the operation system that oversees that process, to the operation system that oversees the other restoration process. The controller of the nodes that are performing the other restoration process, in receipt of the request, sends a disable restoration process message to those nodes under its control. Each of those nodes, upon receipt of the disable restoration process message, would disable the restoration process it is provisioned with so long as it is not actively engaging in that restoration process. If it is, it will continue to execute that restoration process until a safe stop point is reached, at which time it ceases that restoration process.

Abstract: A system and corresponding method for storing and delivering customer information. The system and method include and involve a data storage system for storing customer information including contact information, network addressing information, and engineering and customer service information related to at least one network service customer to whom network services are provided by a network service provider. The system and method also include and involve a network access system that is coupled to the data storage system via at least one data communications link and which is configured to provide access to at least one user to permit such user(s) to retrieve the customer information from the data storage system.

Abstract: A virtual private network includes an internet protocol (IP) network and a public switched telephone network (PSTN). An enterprise gateway is operably connected to the IP network. The enterprise gateway is operably connected to a switch of the PSTN through a direct access line (DAL). The set-up signaling for virtual private network calls and the calls themselves are transported across the internet protocol network and the public switched telephone network through the direct access line.

Abstract: A client/server interface enables a user to provide information to a server relating to a change in the status of a network resource. The user also identifies an intended recipient of a notification message regarding the status of the network resource. The server then automatically handles the transmission of a notification message to the designated recipient or group of recipients.