Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing automated processing of a switched voice alarm on a switched and/or Internet Protocol (IP) network are disclosed. For example, the method receives an alarm associated with a switched voice service, and retrieves a Local Routing Number (LRN) or Primary Inter-exchange Carrier (PIC) information from a switch serving a call associated with a caller's telephone number. The method determines if the alarm is due to one or more service degradations, and notifies a work center responsible for one or more of the service degradations if the alarm is due to the one or more service degradations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatic processing of toll free call service alarms are disclosed. For example, the method receives a trouble ticket by a service provider for a toll free call service alarm, and retrieves a calling to number and a calling from number from the trouble ticket. The method determines if the service provider is a responsible organization for the toll free call service for the calling to number, and determines if a customer network for the toll free call service is active if the service provider is the responsible organization for the toll free call service. The method notifies a work center if the customer network is not active.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing automated processing of a switched voice alarm on a switched and/or Internet Protocol (IP) network are disclosed. For example, the method receives an alarm associated with a switched voice service, and retrieves a Local Routing Number (LRN) or Primary Inter-exchange Carrier (PIC) information from a switch serving a call associated with a caller's telephone number. The method determines if the alarm is due to one or more service degradations, and notifies a work center responsible for one or more of the service degradations if the alarm is due to the one or more service degradations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatic processing of toll free call service alarms are disclosed. For example, the method receives a trouble ticket by a service provider for a toll free call service alarm, and retrieves a calling to number and a calling from number from the trouble ticket. The method determines if the service provider is a responsible organization for the toll free call service for the calling to number, and determines if a customer network for the toll free call service is active if the service provider is the responsible organization for the toll free call service. The method notifies a work center if the customer network is not active.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatic processing of toll free call service alarms are disclosed. For example, the method receives a trouble ticket by a service provider for a toll free call service alarm, and retrieves a calling to number and a calling from number from the trouble ticket. The method determines if the service provider is a responsible organization for the toll free call service for the calling to number, and determines if a customer network for the toll free call service is active if the service provider is the responsible organization for the toll free call service. The method notifies a work center if the customer network is not active.

Abstract: A method and system for providing automated diagnostics of networks using multiple physical channels are disclosed. For example, the method receives a ticket indicating a problem and attempts to identify at least one physical channel of the network that is a potential cause of the problem. The method runs at least one diagnostic test on the identified physical channel and reports a result of said diagnostic test.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for fault analysis in a data communication system. A fault analysis console in a provider network serving one or more customer networks responds to a reported loss of connectivity in the customer network by analyzing traffic statistics for a router serving the customer network. If traffic statistics indicate network functionality, border gateway protocol status is evaluated for logical channels being served by the router. Test communications are performed for customer edge router addresses for the logical channels and border gateway protocol status is evaluated for each customer edge router address. Test communications are then performed from a local provider edge router to each remote customer edge router being served.

Abstract: A method and system for providing automated diagnostics of networks using multiple virtual circuits are disclosed. For example, the method receives a ticket indicating a problem. The method then determines if the problem is associated with a configuration mismatch and determines if the problem is associated with at least one physical channel supporting a plurality of virtual circuits. The method then verifies status of each of the plurality of virtual circuits if the problem is not associated with the configuration mismatch or the at least one physical channel. The method then reports a result of verifying the status of each of the plurality of virtual circuits.

Abstract: A business process automation system architecture is used to isolate problems in a virtual private network access network. Codified rules and a rules based program are used to determine all equipment from a customer premises equipment to a VPN core access point equipment on a VPN access path and that is associated with a failure. The codified rules also govern the gathering of information on the equipment including determining whether the equipment supports automated diagnostics and the communication protocols used. Extended PING testing is done on the equipment and a status of the extended PING test, link status, line protocol status, and existing loop status is determined. Further testing is automatically run based on the codified rules and the status. The failure is then isolated to the CPE, a local exchange carrier, or a network provider.

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 and apparatus for providing automated processing of an alarm related to a frame relay encapsulation failure on a packet network, e.g., a Virtual Private Network (VPN), are disclosed. For example, the method receives an alarm or a ticket related to a network connection with a frame relay encapsulation, and correlates the ticket or said alarm with a circuit. The method determines a number of logical channels supported by the circuit between a customer edge (CE) router and a provider edge (PE) router. The method performs one or more tests from the PE router to one or more customer end device connected to the PE router through the CE router, and performs one or more tests from the PE router to one or more remote customer end devices, if all of the one or more tests from the PE router to the one or more customer end devices connected to the PE router through the CE router are successful.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatic processing of toll free call service alarms are disclosed. For example, the method receives a trouble ticket by a service provider for a toll free call service alarm, and retrieves a calling to number and a calling from number from the trouble ticket. The method determines if the service provider is a responsible organization for the toll free call service for the calling to number, and determines if a customer network for the toll free call service is active if the service provider is the responsible organization for the toll free call service. The method notifies a work center if the customer network is not active.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing automated processing of a switched voice alarm on a switched and/or Internet Protocol (IP) network are disclosed. For example, the method receives an alarm associated with a switched voice service, and retrieves a Local Routing Number (LRN) or Primary Inter-exchange Carrier (PIC) information from a switch serving a call associated with a caller's telephone number. The method determines if the alarm is due to one or more service degradations, and notifies a work center responsible for one or more of the service degradations if the alarm is due to the one or more service degradations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing automatic processing of a software defined network alarm or an integrated services digital network alarm are disclosed. For example, the method receives a trouble ticket for an SDN service or an ISDN service, and retrieves at least one of: a calling to number, a calling from number, one or more facility identifiers associated one or more facilities, or one or more channel identifiers related to the trouble ticket. The method then retrieves data for one or more network outages for the one or more facilities.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing automated processing of a virtual connection alarm on a packet network, e.g., a Virtual Private Network (VPN), are disclosed. For example, the method receives an alarm related to at least one virtual connection for a virtual private network (VPN) from a provider edge (PE) router, and determines whether the VPN has reached a first threshold for a maximum number of virtual connections or a second threshold for a pre-determined percentage of the maximum number of virtual connections. The method generates a new ticket or updating an existing ticket in response to the alarm if either the first threshold or the second threshold is reached.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for fault analysis in a data communication system. A fault analysis console in a provider network serving one or more customer networks responds to a reported loss of connectivity in the customer network by analyzing traffic statistics for a router serving the customer network. If traffic statistics indicate network functionality, border gateway protocol status is evaluated for logical channels being served by the router. Test communications are performed for customer edge router addresses for the logical channels and border gateway protocol status is evaluated for each customer edge router address. Test communications are then performed from a local provider edge router to each remote customer edge router being served.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for managing and acting on trouble reports. A system comprising a plurality of subsystems maintains a central exchange for mediating problem referrals and resolutions between subsystems. A subsystem receives a trouble report and creates a trouble ticket in its native format. To refer the trouble ticket or a problem, the referral information, is translated to a generic format of the exchange. Appropriate problems are referred to subsystems, translating problem information into the native format of a receiving subsystem. Information generated by a receiving subsystem in its native format, including cause and root cause information for the problem, is translated to the generic format of the central exchange, and used to update the trouble ticket. After the central exchange has finished with the trouble ticket, the ticket is translated to the native format of its originating subsystem and further steps are taken by the originating subsystem as appropriate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing automated processing of point-to-point protocol alarms over Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) networks are disclosed. For example, the method receives an alarm for a Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) service over a Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) network and determines whether said alarm is related to a problem associated with a Layer 2 network, a Layer 3 network, a connectivity between a provider edge router (PER) to a customer edge router (CER). The method then generates a ticket in response to said problem.