Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are for receiving a tracking failure notification including a device identifier of a tracked device that is unavailable because of a failure condition, determining the failure condition as being one of a network failure and a tracked device failure, retrieving known location data of the tracked device including a last known location of the tracked device, determining a potential location of the tracked device, and notifying an entity of the failure condition, the device identifier, and the potential location.

Abstract: A method and system for managing performance over a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN), such as a digital subscriber line network, involves accessing a record of historical values of a network service parameter for a plurality of MCDN clients. The historical values may be analyzed to detect network impairment associated with an MCDN node. Network diagnostics may be initiated for MCDN clients associated with the MCDN node. The result of the network diagnostics may result in localizing a source of the network impairment.

Abstract: A method and system for managing performance of over a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN), such as a digital subscriber line network, involves receiving an indication of an impairment in network performance from an MCDN client. The MCDN node associated with the client may be identified and a community of MCDN clients coupled to the MCDN node may be further identified. Impairment information, representative of MCDN equipment, may be collected for each of the MCDN clients. Detailed network diagnostics and field service may be performed for MCDN clients based on a characterization of the impairment parameters. After remediation of the MCDN node, collection of the impairment information may be terminated.

Abstract: A method and system for managing performance of a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN), such as a digital subscriber line network, involves monitoring maximum data transfer rates and current data transfer rates for one or more MCDN clients. A ratio of the current data transfer rate to the maximum data transfer rate may be evaluated with respect to a threshold. When the ratio is less than the threshold, an associated MCDN node may be designated as a degraded node and subject to enhanced surveillance by an MCDN operator.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) includes receiving an indication that a network impairment has been detected at an MCDN node. MCDN clients associated with the MCDN node may be analyzed to detect an impairment signature, representing correlated impairments among the MCDN clients. Subsequent incoming service requests for the MCDN node may be bundled into a master service ticket. Users of the MCDN clients may be notified of the detected network impairment and of a status of ongoing remediation efforts.

Abstract: Systems, methods and machine-readable mediums for interfacing a plurality of service providers to address at least one service issue, are provided. The systems may include a storage device and a processor. The storage device may store service provider data and service request data for a plurality of service providers. The service request data identifying the at least one service issue with one or more of the plurality of service providers. In one embodiment, the processor may programmed to receive the service provider data from a plurality of service provider terminals, receive the service request data from at least one remote terminal, store the service provider data and the service request data in the storage device, and facilitate communication between the first service provider terminal and the customer terminal to address the at least one service issue. The computer readable mediums provide instructions to cause the processor to perform the operations above.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to detect an error condition in a communication network are disclosed herein. An example method of detecting an error condition in a communication network includes collecting first metric data from a first endpoint device, the first metric data being related to a first connection between the first endpoint device and a communication network; collecting second metric data from a second endpoint device, the second metric data being related to a second connection between the second endpoint device and the communication network; determining if at least one of the first and second metric data are indicative of the error condition; when the at least one of the first and second metric data are indicative of the error condition, identifying a point of correlation between the first and second connections; identifying a network element based on the point of correlation; and performing an evaluation of the network element.

Abstract: In accordance with a method of managing network capacity, simulation data is received from a simulation system based on at least one metric associated with a plurality of communication links interconnecting at least two endpoints. The simulation data indicates impact of a communication link to be taken offline a plurality of alternate communication links. It is determined whether the simulation data associated with at least one communication link satisfies at least one predetermined criterion. Further, at least one metric of the simulation system is periodically updated based on real-time data associated with the plurality of communication links. The simulation data from the simulation system based on the updated at least one metric is received. Thereafter, load from the communication link to be taken offline is selectively moved to an alternate communication link based on whether the simulation data associated with the alternate communication link satisfies the at least one predetermined criterion.

Abstract: Systems and methods to facilitate installation of a digital subscriber line are provided. A particular computer-implemented method includes receiving an installation request for a digital subscriber line. The method includes determining performance data associated with one or more active digital subscriber lines that are located near an installation location of the digital subscriber line. The method includes comparing the performance data to installation criteria. The method also includes sending an installation notice to an installer. The installation notice includes a special installation instruction when the performance data satisfies at least one installation criterion of the installation criteria.

Abstract: Automating event detection in a communications network includes correlating reports, issued by users experiencing an outage or a performance degradation for a service provided by a service provider, to identify a network element associated with the outage or the performance degradation. It is determined whether a predetermined threshold is crossed based on the reports. A customer-facing portion of the network element associated with the reports is adaptively reset, based on determining whether the predetermined threshold is crossed.

Abstract: The described subject matter relates to an architecture that can dynamically update or set facility variables for adapting cell site (e.g., base station) characteristics in a wireless communication network. In particular, based upon a current configuration or state of facility equipment as well as various operation data, the architecture can determine or infer a reconfiguration of a facility variable that can adjust the configuration or state of the facility equipment. The reconfiguration can be directed to improving efficiency, mitigating errors, and/or more effectively providing services and allocating resources.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for predicting failures in power supplies. A count of exception messages is set to zero. When a exception message is received, the count of exception messages is incremented and compared to a threshold value. When the count of exception messages equals the threshold value, a cooling fan is determined to be failed, and a prediction is made that a power supply is proceeding towards failure.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for preparing for a service disruption are provided. Information relating to an activity at a target location is received. Upon receiving information relating to at least the activity at the target location, stored data related to the activity and the target location are gathered. A probability of a service disruption at the target location based on at least the stored data related to the activity and the target location is assessed and the target location is monitored. Upon detecting a change in services associated to the target location, an alert is generated.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to manage port resources are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes receiving a static threshold associated with a network parameter and receiving a current value associated with the network parameter. The example method also includes invoking a first response when the current value exceeds the static threshold, when the current value does not exceed the static threshold, receiving a second threshold associated with a rate of change value of the network parameter, and invoking a second response when the rate of change value exceeds the second threshold.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to pre-qualify user communities for communication services are disclosed. An example method comprises configuring a first remote network demarcation associated with a first loop to a loop-back state, interrogating the first loop to determine a first parameter representative of the first loop, configuring a second remote network demarcation associated with a second loop to the loop-back state, interrogating the second loop to determine a second parameter representative of the second loop, and compiling a report based on the first and second parameters, the report containing a value that represents a degree to which a communication service can be provided to a user community associated with the first and second loops.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to detect an error condition in a communication network are disclosed herein. An example method of detecting an error condition in a communication network includes collecting first metric data from a first endpoint device, the first metric data being related to a first connection between the first endpoint device and a communication network; collecting second metric data from a second endpoint device, the second metric data being related to a second connection between the second endpoint device and the communication network; determining if at least one of the first and second metric data are indicative of the error condition; when the at least one of the first and second metric data are indicative of the error condition, identifying a point of correlation between the first and second connections; identifying a network element based on the point of correlation; and performing an evaluation of the network element.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to trigger maintenance and upgrades of access networks are disclosed. An example method comprises obtaining a first value representing a number of unassigned ports associated with a first digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM), obtaining a second value representing a projected number of ports associated with the first DSLAM needed to satisfy at least one of anticipated, projected or pending service requests, and determining whether to automatically submit a preventative maintenance trouble ticket for the first DSLAM based on the first and second values.

Abstract: A system for providing user support includes a setter configured to set up at least one communication service for a user including providing a unique communication identifier of character strings to access the communication services, and an accessor configured to access customer support including providing a unique customer support identifier character string to the user, the customer support identifier character string comprising at least a portion of the unique communication identifier character string.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a controller to receive first operational data from a portable testing device that is temporarily connected to a network interface device of a network where the network interface device is customer premises equipment and where the first operational data is associated with an undesired condition being experienced by the customer premises equipment, determine a service action to be performed by a technician associated with the portable testing device based at least in part on the first operational data, and transmit service information that is representative of the service action to the testing device for servicing the customer premises equipment where the service information is adapted for presentation by the testing device. Other embodiments are disclosed.