Abstract: There is described a method of operating a fault management system for an access network which forms part of a public telecommunications network. In the access network, terminating lines in the form of pairs of copper wires extend from a local switch through a series of nodes to terminal equipment provided for a use of the network. The fault management system includes a test head and an access network management system. Each night, the test head performs a series of tests on each of the terminating lines. The results of the tests are transmitted to the access network management system. The test results are then converted into circuit scores, each of which are indicative of the operational quality of the tested circuit. For each node, the circuit scores of the tested circuits passing through the node are combined to produce a node score which is indicative of the operational quality of the node.

Abstract: A signaling network management system (SNMS) collects network topology, traffic, performance and fault information, correlates that information and displays the information to system operators. It includes a distributed client/server platform that receives and processes information relating to network events that is generated by various signaling network elements. Each network event is parsed and formatted to a standardized format to allow processing of events generated by any type of element. The formatted events are correlated and displayed to system operators. Correlation of the different types of events is performed using programmable analysis rules. The system also correlates signaling network events with transmission alarms and network maintenance schedule information. This allows the system operators to account for outages due to transmission events, such as fiber cuts, and to network maintenance. It also allows operator to worn maintenance personnel of maintenance impacting events.

Abstract: A method for enabling a plurality of Local Service Providers within a common Numbering Plan Area (NPA) to serve Subscribers of the plurality of Local Service Providers. The method includes the step of assigning to each Subscriber of a Local Service Provider within the common NPA a unique three digit code, hereinafter referred to as a SPA code. The service provider area (SPA) code is used by the telephone system in the same manner presently used for routing calls made when a calling Subscriber dials the NPA code of the called party. Here, however, the SPA code is not dialed by the calling Subscriber. The dialed directory number, NXX-XXXX, of a called Subscriber subscribed to a different Local Service Provider, is sent to a database. The database maintains a record of the relationships between the directory numbers of Subscribers and the SPA codes of the Subscribers. The database retrieves the SPA code associated with the dialed directory number presently serving the called Subscriber.

Abstract: A system is provided for monitoring the operation of switching nodes in a telephone network. A first monitor is provided which is operable to capture data on all of the connection links of a first switching node in the network. A second monitor is provided which is operable to capture data on all of the connection links of a second switching node. The first and second monitors capture selected telephone switching messages on the links of the nodes. Each monitor compiles either a primary or secondary record of switching messages pertaining to a particular call or transaction being routed by switching nodes. The primary record is maintained by the monitor which detects the first message which initiates a particular call or transaction. Subsequent messages pertaining to that call or transaction that are captured by the other monitor are compiled in a secondary record.

Abstract: In a method of administering a telephone local loop plant, a substantial portion--preferably at or above 80%--of the existing narrowband plant is caused to be "dedicated," so that constituent segments of an existing local loop therewithin are not allowed to be used to form other local loops when the existing loop is taken out of service. The remainder of the narrowband plant--the "non-dedicated" plant--is used to fill subscriber current orders for new service. Administration of the narrowband plant that has been dedicated is given over to an administrative system that is deployed to administer broadband facilities within the local loop plant. In preferred embodiment, the local loop plant is upgraded from narrowband to broadband in a way which gives priority to those geographical areas for which the costs of maintaining the narrowband plant are the greatest. The method, overall, provides a mechanism for reducing the costs associated with administering all of the narrowband plant using the legacy systems.

Abstract: A billing scheme for a telecommunications network is described in which a billing record for a call including at least a plurality of data bytes is generated in a switch (10), each billing record is duplicated, and check information is generated from each data byte of a billing record and associated with each said data byte to form a protected billing record. Each protected billing record of a duplicated pair is transmitted via two independent transmission lines to processing means (40, 50) in which the associated check information is generated byte-for byte from each received billing record and the generated check information is compared byte-for-byte with the transmitted check information in parity checking circuits (60, 61). If for any one byte of a billing record, the generated check information does not agree with the received check information, that billing record is discarded.

Abstract: A method of reporting an event to a monitoring station in a network of communication switching exchanges comprised of monitoring in each exchange for events to be reported, upon detection of the event, the exchange in which the event occurred automatically dialing a gateway network node to which a network monitoring station is connected, upon the network node responding to the automatic dialing, sending at least one DTMF signal containing a report of the nature of the event and an identification of the exchange in which the event occurred to the network node for provision to the network monitoring station.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for continuing the processing of a telecommunications call in the presence of a failure of a call processor. A backup processor is designated for each call, and a file of signaling messages for that call is maintained in that backup processor. When a failure of the call processor is detected, the file of accumulated messages for the call is processed by the backup processor in order to build up a call state for the call, but without sending call control messages for the call. Subsequent signaling messages are processed by the backup processor, including transmitting call control messages to other processors for establishing the call. In accordance with this invention, the storing of a file of backup messages is eliminated when the processors have inadequate spare processing capacity because of high traffic. Advantageously, this permits the backup procedure to be carried out under normal circumstances without reducing the processing capacity of the system.

Abstract: A system and method for projecting service availability in a telecommunication network. The present invention comprises an empirically-based availability estimate that accounts for the impact of maintenance actions by network personnel, as well as cable cuts and equipment failures. The system comprises a managed network comprising a plurality of interconnected switches to carry and route telecommunications traffic among customer endpoints, a network management system connected to the interconnected switches in the managed network via control links to monitor the switching activity of said managed network, a plurality of databases for storing maintenance actions and reliability factors, and a projected availability processor connected to the network management system to collect information from the network management system and the databases and determine service availability.

Abstract: An international telecommunications network includes a set of international exchanges located in a particular country which connect a national telecommunications network situated in that country with networks situated in other countries. The international network includes a traffic management system in the form of an expert system having a set of knowledge sources. An identifier identifies alarms relating to traffic and a priority arranges the alarms in order of priority. A diagnose diagnoses the cause or causes of the alarms by proposing suspected causes and investigating them in relation to traffic and network data. A resolver proposes remedies for the causes of the alarms by reasoning over each cause in relation to data on traffic associated with the cause, reasoning over each remedy in relation to data on traffic in the neighborhood of the remedy to determine a figure of merit for the remedy and then arranging the remedies in order of merit.

Abstract: A method for detecting improper delivery of parameters in an initial address message (IAM), such as a calling party number (CPN), for calls set up to a switch over SS7 trunk groups connected to other carriers is described. When a call originates from a switch other than the local switch serving a caller ID customer, the CPN should be passed, as a parameter in a call setup message called an Initial Address Message (IAM), from the originating switch to any intermediate switches, and from those intermediate switches to the customer's terminating switch. The method allows a switch to reliably and proactively identify when an IAM parameter, such as CPN, is not being received (and should be), from an interconnecting switch, for calls over specific TSGs connecting two switches.

Abstract: Group communication technology, such as the Horus process, is used to implement a fault-tolerant high performance, reactive, real-time distributed IN coprocessor. The architecture of the distributed IN coprocessor comprises workstation clusters, external adaptors and an update interface interconnected by high speed communication links. Each workstation of the IN architecture represents a query element, so all the databases used by the IN coprocessor in the course of servicing incoming requests are split between query elements, provided that each of the workstations has access to the information stored in a certain database or databases.

Abstract: A method for automatically updating a central local number portability (LNP) database shared among a plurality of central office switches is instigated when a message from a provisioning system to add a directory number is received by a central office switch. In response to the message, a first central office switch accesses the central LNP database by sending a query message which contains the directory number to be added and routing data specific to the central office switch. Responsive to the query message, the LNP database searches for the directory number received from the first central office switch. If the directory number is found, the database queries a second central office switch to determine if the directory number is in use. If the number is in use, the central LNP database returns a failure message to the first central office switch.

Abstract: A system for service control and operations for a telecommunications network. In particular, an architecture and method for a service control and operations element system. The system communicates with a plurality of interconnected telecommunications network elements via a switching and signaling subsystem. The system provides and controls the various functions of the telecommunications network, such as call processing and routing, automatic fault detection and correction, providing services to customers in an interactive manner, fraud detection and control, identification of patterns of abuse of the network, collecting data regarding call activity at each network element, and producing a record of each call placed within the network.

Abstract: An electronic switching system (ESS) analyzes charge data automatically. The ESS comprises a generator for generating the charge data for a call; a recorder coupled with the generator for receiving the charge data from the generator and assembling a data block having a block header, a plurality of charge data and checksum value; a first memory for storing a multiplicity of the data blocks; an analyzer coupled with the first memory for checking the charge data of the data block to detect any erroneous charge data and search for a long call; a controller coupled with the analyzer for generating and transmitting a predetermined message for erroneous charge data to an operator and determining to verify the charge data for a subscriber of the long call; a verifier coupled with the generator for receiving from the generator and displaying the charge data; and a second memory coupled with the verifier for storing the verified charge data.

Abstract: A cost-efficient process and system for the centralized monitoring and/or control of a telephone network. The centralized computer system maintains simultaneous and continuous communications links with a plurality of reporting computer systems that are each used to monitor and/or control at least a portion of a telephone network. A user can monitor and/or control the entire telephone network or any portion thereof from a single location at the centralized computer system.

Abstract: The instant invention provides a number of approaches in which a virtual homing to overcome outages can be achieved whereby a single terminating destination or an egress node can be formed from multiple terminating switches that would allow the network to route calls based on the capacity, economics or survivability of those switches to accept the call. A first network processor (NP) approach includes a number of methods that relies on the processor of the dynamic control routing (DCR) network, and the switch based routing that directs a call to the appropriate terminating node. A second approach of the instant invention is based on the data access point (DAP) of the network. This DAP approach utilizes the intelligence of the network and requires that all call queries be directed to the DAP for locating the appropriate terminating switch for routing the call.

Abstract: A simulation system analyzes a call control signal received from an electronic automatic exchange. When it is determined that the received signal is for a trunk connected to another electronic automatic exchange, the simulation system determines an address on a LAN of another simulation system from internal data. Further, the simulation system uses a socket communication function of a UNIX and transmits a signal system, kind, format, etc. of the trunk as character string data. The simulation system which has received the character string data checks the contents of the received character string data. If its contents are found to be proper, then the simulation system generates a corresponding response signal and transmits it to the electronic automatic exchange.

Abstract: In an administration system for a public switched telephone network, a service analysis system is provided for proactively analyzing the working status of customer network facilities including a communication line in a communication cable associated with a customer. The service analysis system includes an automatic line insulation test (ALIT) system testing the communication line in the communication cable associated with the customer producing trouble indicators indicating a potentially defective communication line, and a mechanized loop testing (MLT) system testing groups prioritized for the communication line.

Abstract: Data incorporated in call detail records (CDR), obtained from network switches, are subjected to processing by a statistics engine which maintains separate counts for CDR events relating to certain calls, such as 800 number and 900 number calls. Such events, such as attempted calls, completed calls, and duration, form statistics for network users. Compilation of statistics may be done for different services, such as total summary counts and counts by originating area code. In case of 800 numbers, the statistical counts for the various services are compiled in accordance with the 800 number or 900 number called. When a network user decides to change the statistical services required, this is easily accomplished by changing the rules for interrogating the CDR data, as opposed to the prior art approach of changing programming coding.

Abstract: A digital key telephone system which is connected to a digital network via a digital channel, a transmission error which has occurred on the digital channel is detected, and upon detection of the transmission error, information representing the transmission error is stored in an error table. When a display request of a transmission error is input from a digital key telephone, error information stored in the error table is read out, the readout information is transferred to the digital key telephone, and the information is displayed on a display of the telephone.

Abstract: A telecommunication exchange is described for switching through telecommunication links, which is controlled by a processor system. The processor system comprises a plurality of parallel-arranged modules which have each a processor. In an operating mode of the processor system the processors operate mutually synchronously. The processor system utilizes a fault-tolerant code. As a result, the entire processor system continues to operate even if faults occur in certain modules. The processor system is further arranged for operating in a software load mode. In this mode the processor system is subdivided into two groups of modules. The processors of the modules of each group operate mutually synchronously. The modules of each group use the code section generated by the modules of that particular group to operate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described which automatically allocate available physical resources of a telecommunications network to efficiently resolve network problems and improve the serviceability, availability and reliability of such networks. Large volumes of sensor data representing faults in the operational condition of elements of the telecommunications network are collected in a buffer. A network performance index is calculated for the entire network or for any portion of the network, thereby assembling the data into easily understood, accurate measurement of transmission performance. The network performance index is then compared with predetermined target values to determine what resources to allocate.

Abstract: The integrity of AMA records generated by a switch in the telephone network is achieved by generating test calls and then monitoring and then processing the AMA records generated by those switches in the network which handled the test call. Such monitoring includes tracking for the AMA records that have been generated for the test calls and then processing those records such that the contents of the fields forming the records are analyzed to determine that the data contained therein is correct.

Abstract: A monitor probe for a communications signalling network, such as an SS7 network, is arranged to determine its own location on the signalling network by watching for a particular type of message which carries the required information in its routing label. The routing label of a message is the part of the message indicating the source and destination points for the message as well as providing link-related information for cases where more than one link connects two signalling points. Whilst the routing label of most messages on an SS7 network does not give a reliable indication of the absolute identity of the link on which the message was monitored, in the case of signalling link test messages, the routing label contains the identity of the two points at the end of the link on which the message was monitored as well as the identity of the link as between that link and any other parallel link; these items of information form an absolute identifier for the link which the message was monitored.

Abstract: The integrity of AMA records generated by a switch in the telephone network is achieved by generating test calls and then monitoring and then processing the AMA records generated by those switches in the network which handled the test call. Such monitoring includes tracking for the AMA records that have been generated for the test calls and then processing those records such that the contents of the fields forming the records are analyzed to determine that the data contained therein is correct.

Abstract: In the present invention, an expert system is coupled to the fault management function of a switching system for diagnosing various faults which occur in an electronic switching system and an interface module is coupled to the expert system, so that a user can diagnose a fault of the switching system and monitor a result of the fault. The expert system of the present invention has a knowledge base including information relating to faults of the switching system and when a fault occurs in the switching system, the expert system outputs information of the fault occurrence to a multimedia screen so that a user can recognize a fault immediately and diagnose the fault of the switching system.

Abstract: A line test system for diagnosing and segmenting faults in a switched telephone network. The system includes a remote measurement unit installed at a switch and a test system controller. The test system controller stores data about operating parameters of each of the subscriber lines when they are believed to be free of faults. When a fault is reported, the parameters are measured again. By comparison of the measured parameters with the stored parameters, the fault can be segmented between the premise and the network. Segmentation is performed using knowledge based analysis techniques. The actual source of the fault once it is repaired is also stored by the test system controller. This historical information is used to improve the accuracy of the knowledge based analysis techniques used for segmentation.

Abstract: Telecommunications electronic interface exchanges trouble administration information between a long distance carrier and a Telco site. The interface provides fast and cost-effective electronic transmission of problem information with little or no changes to the current operating procedures, eliminating the need for manually calling each other's personnel to enter the information needed to open a ticket on their respective trouble management systems. This electronic exchange of information will insure the timely and accurate distribution of problem information to all concerned parties. This interchange of information occurs via an industry standardized transportation and data format. Standards compliance allows easy implementation of the electronic interface with all companies which are likewise compliant.

Abstract: In an administration system for a public switched telephone network, a reactive maintenance system analyzes the working status of customer network facilities in response to a customer request reporting a customer trouble. The reactive system includes a reactive maintenance attendant station receiving the customer request, retrieving related customer profile information, obtaining a description of the customer trouble. The reactive system also includes a test system testing the communication line associated with the trouble report and generating test results. The test system also determines whether additional information is needed, or whether the trouble report can be closed out, or whether the trouble report should be dispatched to a customer work group including existing related proactive trouble reports. The reactive system also includes a work request processing and dispatch system that groups related open work requests (e.g.

Abstract: Data incorporated in call detail records (CDR), obtained from network switches, are subjected to processing by a statistics engine which maintains separate counts for CDR events relating to certain calls, such as 800 number and 900 number calls. Such events, such as attempted calls, completed calls, and duration, form statistics for network users. Compilation of statistics may be done for different services, such as total summary counts and counts by originating area code. In case of 800 numbers, the statistical counts for the various services are compiled in accordance with the 800 number or 900 number called. When a network user decides to change the statistical services required, this is easily accomplished by changing the rules for interrogating the CDR data, as opposed to the prior art approach of changing programming coding.

Abstract: An unbundling apparatus to permit competitive access providers access to telephone lines connected to a remote terminal, and the ability to control and test such lines. Such unbundling apparatus includes a switch fabric, a command module, and a testing module. The switch fabric provides all voice channel connections between all switches and the remote terminal and grooms the control channels. Control messages are switched into the command module, which performs any protocol translations necessary. All commands from switches are then multiplexed and sent back to the switch fabric, which routes them to the original command channel to the remote terminal. Control messages from the remote terminal are demultiplexed, translated (if necessary) and sent to the switch fabric for delivery to the appropriate switch. Testing of lines is also provided to all competitive service providers.

Abstract: The system and method for tracing a path of a call through a telecommunications network includes at least two switches, a database, a user interface device and a control processor. Each switch has an associated adjunct processor that has a memory that stores call record data. The database stores call routing data for calls traversing each switch. The user interface device accepts selected call parameter data related to a call having a path through the telecommunications network that is to be traced. The control processor accesses the call routing data and the call record data for searching for a call having call parameter data corresponding to the selected call parameter data. The control processor provides report data that is related to the path through the telecommunications network of a call having call parameter data corresponding to the selected call parameter data.

Abstract: A hybrid network includes a public switched network and a private switched network. Each has a respective network management system. Between these systems are two interfaces, a service management interface and a network management interface. Information can be shared between the two systems in order to provide common management of the public and private networks and the services provided. A hybrid network management system within the private network management system can thus form a single view of, for example, the network faults and performance analysis of the public and private networks, which together form the overall network of a corporate customer.

Abstract: A plurality of release action tables are maintained in the switching nodes of a telecommunication network, e.g SS7, ISDN, one table for each trunk group. The table indicates desired actions or treatments to be taken for failed calls, each identified by a cause condition. Upon receiving a cause condition expressed as a code at a switching node, a release action table index is accessed to identify the release action table for the trunk group experiencing the cause condition. The cause code is compared against entries in the release action table by a control program included in the switching node. Based upon such comparison, the table indicates to the network the corrective action to be taken to remedy the failed call condition. Changes to the network for failed call conditions are accomplished by altering the data in the release action table rather than changing network.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and data structure for controlling switching centers (1, 14, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27) connected to each other by a telecommunications network. The switching centers are provided with semipermanent databases containing alterable network control information related to, inter alia, call charging and routing. The information stays constant unless separately altered by an external control. Terminals (3) such as PABX connections, conventional subscriber lines, telefax equipment etc., are connected by a telecommunications network to the switching centers, and at least one service database (5) is common to the network and contains at least a portion of the network control information. According to the invention, the switching centers are controlled to update the control information stored in the semipermanent databases with information retrieved from the service database (5).

Abstract: A telephone network has elements that generate application data field (ADF) requests to data access points, requesting routing information for telephone calls. The data access points respond with application data field (ADF) records. A request and responding record constitute an ADF message pair. Call detail records are also generated by network elements during a call. A centralizing storage and verification system (SAVE) replaces prior art adjunct processors. It includes a network data buffer followed by a formatter for the network data that formats the data blocks and identifies them by corresponding sequence numbers. A buffer is provided for the blocked data and corresponding sequence numbers. An archiving hard disk is present for storing the network data blocks and corresponding sequence numbers. An interface expedites bi-directional data communication between the SAVE and an external information concentrator.

Abstract: Data incorporated in call detail records (CDR), obtained from network switches, are subjected to processing by a statistics engine which maintains separate counts for CDR events relating to certain calls, such as 800 number and 900 number calls. Such events, such as attempted calls, completed calls, and duration, form statistics for network users. Compilation of statistics may be done for different services, such as total summary counts and counts by originating area code. In the case of 800 numbers, the statistical counts for the various services are compiled in accordance with the 800 number or 900 number called. When a network user decides to change the statistical services required, it is easily accomplished by changing the rules for interrogating the CDR data, as opposed to the prior art approach of changing programming coding. A network information concentrator collects, at a single point, call records from various network elements.

Abstract: The disclosed facility type determination technique ascertains whether or not a facility connection is solely digital. In the disclosed embodiments, this information is used to establish the rate at which data is coupled through the facility connection. More specifically, a predetermined test signal including a pseudorandom sequence of digital signals is transmitted through the facility or combination of facilities connecting a data source to a data destination after the connection between the source and destination is established. The received test signal is examined at the destination and the examination results are used to determine the rate at which data is subsequently transmitted between the data source and data destination. Advantageously, this technique does not restrict network facility management and can be employed in a variety of data communication applications.

Abstract: Connection is made directly or via a switched telephone network between a tester and a telecommunication system to be tested. User data, such as voice signals, and signalling data, such as DTMF signals are generated by the tester to cause the telecommunication system to respond. The user and signalling data may be generated interactively to test the telecommunication system in real time, or by executing prerecorded scripts. When the tester is used interactively, the representations of the signals transmitted to and from the tester are recorded in at least one script file. Voice recognition is preferably used to determine whether the response received from the telecommunication system is the expected response, particularly when a script is executed. The vocabulary used for voice recognition may be created by repeatedly executing a script file (recorded during interactive operation of the tester or created manually) which causes the telecommunication system to generate the desired prompt(s) and message(s).

Abstract: A method of resource allocation for a service control point (SCP) in an advanced intelligent network. The method dynamically assigns resource time to various entities using the SCP, based upon the resource time needs of each entity as compared to the resource time needs of each other entity and the total processing capacity of the SCP. Initially, a SCP resource time is assigned to each entity to be monitored. The resource time of the monitored entities is monitored over a chosen observation interval. After the completion of the observation interval, any unutilized resource time from any of the monitored entities is assigned to other monitored entities which have used more than their assigned resource time during the previous observation interval. It is also determined whether a SCP is operating at full capacity during a given observation interval.

Abstract: A communications system includes a host-exchange system having a host exchange, a mate-exchange system having a mate exchange accommodating a mate-exchange subscriber terminal, and a communications medium connecting the host-exchange system and the mate-exchange system together. The mate-exchange system includes a first unit for collecting maintenance information as to whether or not the mate-exchange subscriber terminal is operable, and a second unit for sending the maintenance information to the host-exchange system via a transmission range allotted to the mate-exchange subscriber terminal on the communications medium. The host-exchange system includes a third unit for monitoring a state of the mate-exchange subscriber terminal on the basis of the maintenance information from the second unit and for controlling a call addressed to the mate-exchange subscriber terminal.

Abstract: A DS3 level access, monitor and test system for a telephone network. The system provides selective, and hitless, bit overwrite in any of the embedded DS1, DS0 and subrate channels in a DS3 signal. Multiple DS0 and subrate channels can be tested via the asynchronous time slot interchange in conjunction with the recombiner of the present invention. A second embodiment of the invention partitions the system into a base subsystem, a communications link and a remote subsystem, collectively referred to as a distributed architecture system. The distributed architecture system provides all of the performance monitoring and testing capabilities of the existing access system. The distributed architecture system provides a mechanism to transport a plurality of asynchronous and rate independent signals across the link to permit remote testing of digital and voice DS0 frequency circuits. In the preferred embodiment, the link that connects the base to the remote system is a standard DS1 channel.

Abstract: A method for providing switch translations upon a failure in the conventional recent change message handling system. The failure results in triggering a common channel signaling inquiry, to a signaling control point which responds with instructions for setting up a common channel signaling link between the Recent Change Memory Administration Center (RCMAC) to an alternate Remote Memory Administration System (RMAS). The RCMAC then delivers the recent change message to the alternate RMAS and the RMAS delivers the recent change signal to the addressed switch. In an alternate embodiment the Signal Control Point is provided with RMAS capability. This RMAS capability is then used in place of the alternate RMAS and the SCP sets up a path from the SCP associated RMAS to the RCMAC and to the addressed switch. The communication from the RCMAC which initiated the inquiry to the SCP and RMAS associated therewith is in common channel signaling protocol.

Abstract: A channel monitoring system for monitoring a multiplicity of transmission lines including a plurality of channel monitors, a line assignment controller operative to determine a subset of the plurality of channel monitors to be assigned to monitoring an individual transmission line, an access switch operative, in response to an input from the controller, to connect the individual transmission line to the preferred number of monitors from among the plurality of channel monitors.

Abstract: A monitor probe for a communications signalling network, such as an SS7 network, is arranged to determine its own location on the signalling network by watching for a particular type of message which carries the required information in its routing label. The routing label of a message is the part of the message indicating the source and destination points for the message as well as providing link-related information for cases where more than one link connects two signalling points. Whilst the routing label of most messages on an SS7 network does not give a reliable indication of the absolute identity of the link on which the message was monitored, in the case of signalling link test messages, the routing label contains the identity of the two points at the end of the link on which the message was monitored as well as the identity of the link as between that link and any other parallel link; these items of information form an absolute identifier for the link which the message was monitored.

Abstract: A network management facility is adapted so that it obtains information including connectivity data as well as the identities of discrete network elements from an associated network and then uses the information to determine the configuration of the network. The management facility then generates, for storage in a network management database, data records characterizing the configuration of the network, as defined by the components, circuits, etc., forming the network. Once the database has been created in this manner, the network management system may then use the contents of the database to provision requests entered by network users, for example, a request for additional transmission bandwidth. The database may also be used to evaluate a network condition, such as a condition characterized by a trouble alarm.

Abstract: A DS3 level access, monitor and test system for a telephone network. The system provides selective, and hitless, bit overwrite in any of the embedded DS1, DS0 and subrate channels in a DS3 signal. Multiple DS0 and subrate channels can be tested via the asynchronous time slot interchange in conjunction with the recombiner of the present invention. The present invention further includes a lookahead reframer for framing to the DS3 signal. The present invention also includes a facilities data link (FDL) handler for capturing the FDL channel data in every DS1 channel in a DS3 signal. A high speed bit-for-bit compare is interfaced to a protect path to provide 1:1 fault protection in the system of the present invention. Full time performance monitoring on DS1 and DS3 signals is performed by a shared resource. The system of the present invention provides an integrated approach to synchronization measurement and relative synchronization, and also provides alarm correlation and hierarchical event filtering.

Abstract: An international telecommunications network includes a set of international exchanges located in a particular country which connect a national telecommunications network situated in that country with networks situated in other countries. The international network includes a traffic management system having an expert system with a set of knowledge sources. An identifier identifies alarms relating to traffic and a prioritizer arranges the alarms in order of priority. A diagnoser diagnoses the cause or causes of the alarms by proposing suspected causes and investigating them in relation to traffic and network data. A resolver proposes remedies for the causes of the alarms by reasoning over each cause in relation to data on traffic associated with the cause, reasoning over each remedy in relation to data on traffic in the neighborhood of the remedy to determine a figure of merit for the remedy, and then arranging the remedies in order of merit.

Abstract: A terminating, or an incoming, call control method, in which a subscriber group constituted by a plurality of subscriber telephone sets respectively accommodated in, or connected to, a plurality of lower switching units and sharing a terminating call is set. A host switching unit parallelly accommodating the lower switching units is caused to monitor that a fault has occurred in at least one of the lower switching units. When a terminating call is made for one of the subscriber telephone sets accommodated in one lower switching unit, of the lower switching units, in which the fault has occurred, the host switching unit is caused to assign the terminating call to one fault-free lower switching unit which accommodates a given subscriber telephone set belonging to the same subscriber group as that of a call incoming destination subscriber telephone set in the subscriber telephone sets.