Abstract: A method is provided for maintaining a communication network including a plurality of call processors, a plurality of packet gateways, and a plurality of trunk groups connected to each packet gateway. Queries are transferred to at least one call processor of the plurality of call processors, and responses are received from the one call processor. The responses are processed to associate the one call processor with a packet gateway and to associate the packet gateway with trunk groups connected to the packet gateway. The association of the packet gateway with the trunk groups is displayed, and a user selects one of the trunk groups. Then an instruction is transferred to the one call processor to seize and release the user-selected one of the trunk groups.

Abstract: A method for trending the functionality of the circuits of a switch, router or other piece of equipment. The method accesses error logs for the equipment. These error logs are normally maintained in a data base associated with the piece of equipment. Next, a historical report is generated. This historical report comprises historical information regarding the operability of at least one circuit. Finally, the historical information in the report is used to predict the future operability of the circuit, or circuits.