Abstract: A data communications system may include a network having a plurality of network provider routers configured to support Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) circuits between customer edge routers outside the network, an automated diagnostic system coupled to the network provider routers. The automated diagnostic system may be configured to automatically initiate one or more inquiries of one or more of the network provider routers in response to a customer IP address identifying a customer edge router servicing a customer location from which a service failure has been reported and a circuit address identifying an Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) circuit related to the reported service failure.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to diagnosing problems in a dual stack network supporting Internet Protocol Version Six (IPV6). Inventoried information can be retrieved from an inventory system in response to a problem associated the dual stack network. It can be determined whether a mismatch exists between live customer address information associated with a customer edge router and the inventoried information. A notification can be generated in response to determining whether a mismatch exists. The notification includes information representing a cause of the problem and resolution of the problem.

Abstract: A method and system for adaptive processing of alert messages exchanged between applications is disclosed. The system may include a diagnostic engine coupled to a plurality of applications. A plurality of application alert messages may be monitored to determine if the alerts exceed a predetermined threshold. If a threshold number of alert messages is exceeded, an interface status based on a diagnostic code for the interface may be determined. A query value for the interface may be adjusted. Based on the amount of the increase in the alert messages, different actions may be indicated. An administrator for the application interface or for equipment associated with the interface may be notified for servicing the equipment.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a controller to automatically check lower level layer test results of an IPTV or iTV network, automatically retrieve inventory data from an inventory system, automatically retrieve a Layer 4 data from a live router by executing a show Class of Service (COS) interface command, automatically compare a COS value with a value from the inventory system to determine a mismatch, and automatically create an alert if the mismatch exists. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of preparation of 5,6-dimethylxanthone-4-acetic acid (DMXAA) and derivatives thereof. The derivatives are represented by formula (I), wherein R represents totally 1 to 2 substitutes at 1, 2, 3, 7, and 8 position selected from a lower alkyl, halogen, CF3, CN, NO2, NH2, CH2COOH, OR2, OH, NHSO2R2, SR2, CH2CONHR2 or NHR2, and R2 represents a lower alkyl, or a lower alkyl having OH, NH2, or OCH3. The invention further provides a pharmaceutical composition having such derivatives used as excellent antitumor and antibacterial agents.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to diagnose enhanced interior gateway routing protocol (EIGRP) problems in networks are disclosed. A disclosed example method to identify whether an EIGRP problem is present in a network comprises automatically performing one or more tests of one or more routers of the network in response to a submitted trouble ticket, processing results of the one or more tests to automatically identify whether the EIGRP problem is present in the network, and automatically assigning the trouble ticket to a work center when the EIGRP problem is present in the network.

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: Example methods and apparatus to diagnose outbound voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) services are disclosed. An example method comprises monitoring activity in a first VoIP network to determine a first value representative of a peak number of communication sessions concurrently active between a second VoIP network and a public switched telephone network via the first VoIP network, and comparing the first value to a threshold to determine whether to automatically close a trouble ticket submitted against the first VoIP network.

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 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 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 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: A method and apparatus for automating hub and spoke network trouble diagnostics in a communication network are disclosed. For example, the method retrieves provisioning and configuration data, access interface alarm information, and network facility status data related to the communication network by a diagnostic system, and identifies at least one of: a network configuration error, an access interface error, or a configuration error associated with at least one hub router or at least one spoke router, as the root cause of the problem of the communication network.

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 system and method directed to diagnosing a problem associated with a route group in a network are disclosed. A problem associated with a route group is diagnosed by comparing inventory information associated with a route group to current route information associated with a router, where the router is associated with the route group. The process followed for diagnosing a problem associated with a route group depends on whether there is a mismatch between the inventory route information and the current route information.

Abstract: A service provider unit automatically diagnoses problems in an Ethernet network that are associated with layers 1, 2, and/or 3 and determines whether there is a problem associated with an Ethernet gateway switch EGS. Further diagnostics can be performed to determine the layer, type, and/or location of the problem(s) based on whether there is a problem with the EGS. The diagnostic process followed depends on the types of problem(s) in the network. Once the problems have been diagnosed, an operator can be notified of the location and/or type of problem.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a method that can comprise automatically rendering information indicative of a cause of a failure in a Virtual Private Network (VPN) that comprises one or more routers that utilize Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF) tables to route traffic via the VPN. The cause of the failure can be automatically determined.

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.