Abstract: A communication network includes a customer database storing information including a customer identifier and an associated plurality of telephone numbers. The customer database preferably is in communication with both a circuit switch component and a packet switch component using a first protocol. The switch components are further in communication with an error collection computer using a variety of unique protocols. Upon the occurrence of an error in the network, the switch component provides an error message to the error collection computer for analysis. An interconnecting datalink is also provided between the customer database and the error collection computer communicating using a second protocol. This interconnecting datalink allows additional information to be passed without changing the SS7 protocol or the variety of unique protocols from each of the network components.

Abstract: The invention is a test method for testing ISDN interfaces from a remote location. The test method of the invention applies predetermined energy signals to the tip and ring leads of the customer subscriber line in a prescribed sequence, delays 10 to 100 ms, and then makes measurements of the voltage across the tip and ring leads. The voltage measurements are compared to limit values identified from the NT1-U dc characteristic curve to determine pass/fail of the tested interface.