Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a method and apparatus is presented for alerting an operator of a network problem using a variety of contact devices. A server receives notification of a network problem. The server accesses presence information detailing the current location of an operator. The server then uses push technology to transmit alert information to the operator. As such, the alert information may be communicated directly to a client machine used by the operator. In the case where the operator is communicating through a contact device, which communicates with an interactive system, the alert information is forwarded to the interactive system, which communicates with the contact device.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a method is presented for viewing information acquired from an integrated network. A plurality of modules (client/server methods) is used by an end user to access information in the integrated network. The information is accessed from databases distributed across the network. A client/server method (i.e., module) utilizes a key to search for information across distributed databases. The information is then returned to the client for viewing in a window based on the mode selected for viewing. For example, the information may be viewed as text in information mode, as images in photo mode, as images in CAD mode, or as a video in video mode.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a method and apparatus is presented for accessing data using Web Services. A prototype object is defined which describes data. The prototype object is defined in a Web Services Description Language (WSDL) document using a class. In one embodiment of the present invention, the class is implemented with a struct data type. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the class is implemented with a class data type. The WSDL document is used to operate a Web Service, which accesses the data and generates objects compliant with the class.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for consolidating troubleshooting information generated by a variety of troubleshooting systems is presented. A fault occurs in a network. At least one troubleshooting system notifies a network incident analyzer of the fault. A graphical user interface (GUI) is presented to a network operator. The network operator inputs information into the GUI. The information is used in conjunction with the original troubleshooting information to generate a query to a plurality of troubleshooting systems. Updated troubleshooting information is received in the network incident analyzer in response to the queries. The network incident analyzer uses the updated troubleshooting information to update the GUI and ultimately isolate the fault.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for testing a fiber-optic cable. An Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) is presented. Test signals are generated from the OTDR and received by the OTDR for processing. The received test signals are sampled and analyzed. The received test signals include reflectance spikes and a slope. A first-order derivative is taken of the received signal. The first-order derivative is then filtered to remove the reflectance spikes and the slope. Discontinuities in the filtered first-order derivative denote a fault in the fiber-optic cable.