Abstract: Problems are proactively analyzed and responded to as they are detected in a virtual private network (VPN) access path rather than waiting for a user to manually report the problem. When a problem is automatically detected, such as a failure causing degraded performance, an alarm may be generated. The alarm proactively triggers rules-based analysis procedures and isolation testing to diagnose problem in a VPN access path. Based on the testing and analysis, a comprehensive trouble ticket may be generated that is customized with specific alarm information allowing for increased efficiency in problem isolation and saving significant time and resources in resolving the problem.

Abstract: A method includes retrieving a first data set from a switch within a network, the first data set including a set of switch records. Among the switch records included in the first data set is a first switch record associated with and including a field identifying a first trunk group from a set of trunk groups included within the switch. A second data set is retrieved from a configuration management system configured to facilitate an operation associated with the network. The second data set includes a plurality of configuration records, which includes a first configuration record associated with and including a field identifying the first trunk group. When the field included in the first configuration record differs from the field included in the first switch record a report is produced.

Abstract: A method includes receiving multiple alarm messages, each being associated with a failure associated with a service feature available within a telecommunication network. A failure rate for a type of failure having a common set of service feature failure characteristics is determined from the alarm messages received. When the failure rate exceeds a threshold, a maintenance ticket is generated automatically.

Abstract: A method and apparatus includes automatically correlating indicators already generated by network components to detect and isolate failures that are caused by or related to network components operating on different layers of the open system interconnect (OSI) model. Failure indicators that persist for longer than a specified time window are automatically detected and correlated with one another based on a topology table. The method uses indicators already generated by the network components, obviating the need for software that typically resides on and consumes valuable processing time of network components.

Abstract: A method includes generating a model of an existing workcenter process and a modified version of the existing workcenter process based on one or more decision-making parameters. The workcenter process is a workcenter process for a telecommunications network. The model for the existing workcenter process and the model for the modified version of the existing workcenter process are simulated to determine whether to modify any of the process steps in the existing workcenter process. The decision is based on the effect on the decision-making parameter(s) of modifying the workcenter process from the existing workcenter process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus includes automatically correlating indicators already generated by network components to detect and isolate failures that are caused by or related to network components operating on different layers of the open system interconnect (OSI) model. Failure indicators that persist for longer than a specified time window are automatically detected and correlated with one another based on a topology table. The method uses indicators already generated by the network components, obviating the need for software that typically resides on and consumes valuable processing time of network components.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing a multi-tiered computer infrastructure. The infrastructure includes a plurality of functional layers, wherein one of the layers is a resource allocation layer. Each functional layer includes a set of resources that are substantially interchangeable with other resources in the same layer and adapted to be able to operate with any resource in an adjacent layer. The resource allocation layer receives and manages information regarding the status of the resources and allocates the resources to a task in accordance with utilization levels and operability of any particular resource.

Abstract: An arrangement analyzes a plurality of call detail records from multiple sources and find those records related to multiple attempts to set up a particular user's call(s). The call detail records are filtered to establish an understanding of fault location likely to be responsible for what is deemed to be a defective call.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting power outages in communication networks are described. In one implementation, an alarm associated with a network error is detected. Attempts are made to contact the network equipment originating the alarm. The alarm is linked to an error that is identified as either a power outage or another type of error depending on the results of the attempts to contact the network equipment originating the alarm.

Abstract: Computer systems and techniques for predicting a cable failure in a network system begin by receiving a remote alarm indicator followed by a remote alarm indicator clear as a transmission alarm indicator of an intermittent short duration failure on the transmission path of a circuit. If the transmission alarm indicator is of a duration less than or equal to a preset threshold D it is considered an acceptable short hit transmission alarm. When at least N acceptable transmission alarms have been received and the time stamps of the last N acceptable transmission alarms have been recorded, then a determination is made as to whether N acceptable transmission alarms have been received within a preset time period. A moving window time period is calculated as the difference between the time stamp of the present acceptable transmission alarm K and the time stamp of the [(K?N)+1] acceptable transmission alarm. If the difference is less than or equal to T, a cable error signature is indicated.

Abstract: Computer systems and techniques for predicting a cable failure in a network system begin by receiving a remote alarm indicator followed by a remote alarm indicator clear as a transmission alarm indicator of an intermittent short duration failure on the transmission path of a circuit. If the transmission alarm indicator is of a duration less than or equal to a preset threshold D it is considered an acceptable short hit transmission alarm. When at least N acceptable transmission alarms have been received and the time stamps of the last N acceptable transmission alarms have been recorded, then a determination is made as to whether N acceptable transmission alarms have been received within a preset time period. A moving window time period is calculated as the difference between the time stamp of the present acceptable transmission alarm K and the time stamp of the [(K?N)+1] acceptable transmission alarm. If the difference is less than or equal to T, a cable error signature is indicated.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a problem ticket, which contains a priority level indicator and a customer identifier, that describes a telecommunications network event such as a problem. The problem ticket is associated with and transmitted to a workcenter and a portion within the workcenter based on at least anyone of the priority level indicator and the customer identifier. Other personnel are notified about the problem ticket based on the priority level indicator and the customer identifier.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a problem ticket, which contains a priority level indicator and a customer identifier, that describes a telecommunications network event such as a problem. The problem ticket is associated with and transmitted to a workcenter and a portion within the workcenter based on at least any one of the priority level indicator and the customer identifier. Other personnel are notified about the problem ticket based on the priority level indicator and the customer identifier.

Abstract: A method of balancing workload using critical dates and including the following steps: (a) assigning a promised delivery date to orders received from customers; (b) identifying one or more tasks associated with each of the orders; (c) assigning an expedited date or a customer requested date to each of the tasks of some of the orders; (d) determining a work start date for each of the one or more tasks in each of the orders; (e) assigning a first priority to tasks having a work start date D; (f) assigning a second priority to tasks scheduled to begin on day D+n and having the expedited date; (g) assigning a third priority to tasks scheduled to begin on day D+n and having the customer requested date; (h) setting n equal to a value of 1; (i) working on tasks during a work shift based on order of priority, wherein work on a lower priority task is not commenced until work on all tasks with higher priorities has been completed; (j) increasing n by an increment of 1; and (k) repeating steps (g), (h), (i), (j) and (k)

Abstract: A method for maintaining high availability for an on-line database which includes: creating a first user account having a plurality of first tables and first schema objects; creating a second user account having a plurality of second tables and second schema objects; creating a third user account having a first set of synonyms for the first tables and first schema objects; creating a fourth user account having a second set of synonyms for the second tables; accessing the first user account using the first set of synonyms; modifying data using the second set of synonyms into the second user account to provide a plurality of revised second tables and revised second schema objects; dropping the first set of synonyms; creating a third set of synonyms in the third user account for the plurality of revised second tables and revised second schema objects; and accessing the second user account using the third set of synonyms.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting errors in communication networks are described. When an interface component is potentially defective, a rules engine performs diagnostic testing to determine if the interface component is defective. During diagnostics, the rules engine tests a protection interface card to determine if it is defective before determining if the interface component is defective.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and a method for delivering an event from an event publisher to an event subscriber via an event broker. The event broker is a web server infrastructure which performs several functions such as receiving the published event on a server, authenticating the publisher with the published event, validating the event with XML schema definition, processing the event based on a set of predefined rules and further delivering the processed event to an authorized event subscriber.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling the rules of engagement between a telecommunication carrier and a customer whose network is managed by the telecommunication carrier are provided. A computer system interviews a customer by determining a set of specific questions tailored to the customer's needs, the set of specific questions based on previously stored customer information. Answers to the asked questions are stored as an entry in a master user profile. The master user profile defines the rules of engagement of how the telecommunication carrier shall operate on behalf of the customer on each subsequent transaction without the need of the customer's direct involvement on each element of the transaction. The entry has an associated event and a corresponding action to perform in response to the occurrence of the associated event. Upon receipt of an event occurrence, the corresponding action which includes interoperating with existing telecommunication carrier systems is performed.