Abstract: A system and method for accessing a number of communication lines by one or more testing devices are disclosed. Each of the communications lines is coupled through the system and includes a first termination at a first telecommunications termination site and a second termination at a second telecommunications termination site. The system includes a number of line access devices, each of which is coupled to at least one of the communication lines terminating at the first telecommunications termination site and at least one of the communication lines terminating at the second telecommunications termination site. One or more monitoring busses are defined by a number of relays, one or more of which is coupled to one of the line access devices. A test device interface, which is selectively coupled to the bus, provides bi-directional connectivity between the selected communication line and a selected testing device coupled thereto.

Abstract: A system and method for accessing a number of communication lines by one or more testing devices are disclosed. Each of the communications lines is coupled through the system and includes a first termination at a first telecommunications termination site and a second termination at a second telecommunications termination site. The system includes a number of line access devices, each of which is coupled to at least one of the communication lines terminating at the first telecommunications termination site and at least one of the communication lines terminating at the second telecommunications termination site. One or more monitoring busses are defined by a number of relays, one or more of which is coupled to one of the line access devices. A test device interface, which is selectively coupled to the bus, provides bi-directional connectivity between the selected communication line and a selected testing device coupled thereto.

Abstract: A system and method for accessing a number of communication lines by one or more testing devices is disclosed. Each of the communications lines is coupled through the system and includes a first termination at a first telecommunications termination site and a second termination at a second telecommunications termination site. The system includes a number of line access devices, each of which is coupled to at least one of the communication lines terminating at the first telecommunications termination site and at least one of the communication lines terminating at the second telecommunications termination site. The system further includes a test device interface, signal direction circuitry, a communications device that facilitates remote access to the test access system by a remote processing unit, and a control device.

Abstract: An enhanced MAU (EMAU) is provided which can be used in token ring networks in place of existing MAUs, yet permits each station on the network to be selectively connected to any one of a plurality of different token ring trunk cables. Each EMAU also includes an internal processor and internal coupling units (ICUs) which connect the processor to each of the trunk cables. Each ICU provides the processor a dedicated presence on each of the trunk cables in the same manner as a conventional station. In addition, the processor includes all of the hardware and software necessary to control the ICUs and to communicate over each cable in the same manner as a station. Accordingly, the processor may take full advantage of all fault protection, control and management procedures built into the token ring operating protocol.

Abstract: An enhanced MAU (EMAU) is provided which can be used in token ring networks in place of existing MAUs, yet permits each station on the network to be selectively connected to any one of a plurality of different token ring trunk cables. The EMAU uses the conventional trunk coupling units (TCU) of an MAU, which permit a station to be connected in the ring or to be bypassed, but adds to each TCU a multi-switch device which permits the TCU to be connected to one of a plurality of ring trunk cables while providing a bypass across the station in the remaining ring trunk cables. In addition, the EMAU provides sensing of the input and output signal for each station, which permits the EMAU to monitor the address produced by each station during the normal ring polling process which occurs during neighbor notification operation of the token ring network. Each address is then stored in a location associated with the physical location of a station.