Abstract: Techniques are provided for detection of resource bottlenecks in computing devices. A particular resource bottleneck can be identified as a cause of a current device issue based on a dynamic evaluation, by an anomaly detection module, of performance metrics of a computing device. Once a particular resource bottleneck is identified as anomalous, one or more corresponding adjustments to configuration settings for the computing device can be identified to mitigate the current device issue using a causal graph that represents the dependencies among (i) various issue types for a computing device, (ii) performance metrics of the computing device to evaluate for each issue type, and (iii) one or more resources that may be a cause of a given issue type. The corresponding adjustments to the computing device can be automatically identified based on the resource determined to be the cause of the given device issue type.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a device receives a plurality of network alerts over a time frame. A sliding transaction window is used across the time frame to associate each network alert occurring within the transaction window with one or more transactions. A pruning test is applied to subsets of the plurality of network alerts, with the network alerts in a given subset being associated with the same transaction. The pruning test is based in part on the number of co-occurrences of network alerts in a given subset for different transaction windows. The subsets of network alerts are assigned to network alert clusters based on the applied pruning test. The network alerts are then joined within a network alert cluster to identify the largest grouping of network alerts that pass the pruning test. A notification that the identified grouping of network alerts is associated with the same transaction is also provided.

Abstract: Improved diagnostics of transmission line noise are enabled by adapting DSL equipment to make measurements of quiet line noise also in the transmit bands, so that noise can be measured at both ends for the same frequency or frequency bands. An estimate of the point where noise enters the line, as well as an estimate of the noise power at that point can be made from the relationship between the so measured noise levels at both ends of the line.

Abstract: In one of many possible embodiments, an exemplary system includes a test management subsystem configured to provide a user portal to a user of a circuit provided by a service provider, the user portal including a tool enabling the user to select a signal loop for testing at least a section of the circuit, the signal loop being selected from a plurality of signal loop options. The system also includes a network management subsystem communicatively coupled to the test management subsystem, the network management subsystem being configured to receive data representative of the selection from the test management subsystem and instruct, based on the selection, a network device along the circuit to execute a loop-back mode. In certain embodiments, the selected signal loop defines a test pattern signal flow for testing a subsection of the circuit.

Abstract: Data indicative of a level of stability of a DSL link is received. Based on the received data, it is determined whether the data indicates a level of stability of the DSL link that is above or below a minimum threshold. If the level of stability of the DSL link is below the minimum threshold, die noise associated with the DSL link before the time of failure is compared with the noise associated with the DSL link after the time of failure. If the difference between the noise before and after the time of failure exceeds a threshold, then the difference in noise is characterized as a stationary noise associated with the DSL link. However, if the difference between the noise before and after the time of failure is below the threshold, a determination is made whether the failure is associated with a loss of power to the DSL link or a severe impulse noise event—the difference in noise is characterized accordingly.

Abstract: A method for evaluating the integrity of a cable shield utilizing wideband noise-to-ground measurements is provided. Upon determining that trouble with the cable shield exists, a method s is provided to isolate the location of the trouble with the cable shield. The method utilizes access locations along the cable and therefore does not require opening of the cable shield to isolate the trouble in the shield.

Abstract: A method for identifying among a plurality of devices, through which a voice communication path is connected, a device transmitting an echo signal onto the voice communication path, includes transmitting a predetermined signal to each of the devices from a predetermined portion on the voice communication path, receiving a response signal for the predetermined signal from each of the devices, measuring a period of time for the predetermined signal to travel from the predetermined portion to each of the devices and for the response signal to travel back to the predetermined portion, monitoring a upstream signal and a downstream signal traveling on the voice communication path, extracting an echo component from the downstream signal to determine an echo delay time, and comparing the period of time and the echo delay time to determine a device which causes the echo signal.

Abstract: A data management tool is provided. The tool comprises a first processor, a server application that, when executed on the first processor, manages allocation of equipment serial numbers (ESNs) used in executing test cases related to mobile devices, aggregates test progress data in a defect board, maintains a test chat forum, and sends a notification of a defect when the defect is reported to the server application, a second processor, and a thick client that, when executed on the second processor, receives the notification of the defect, participates in the test chat forum and requests one of the equipment serial numbers from the server application.

Abstract: A system for correcting or updating a mobile identification number in a cellular telephone portion of a telematics unit installed in a vehicle allows service providers to resolve duplicate entries. A wireless service provider stores a triplicate entry in their HLR for cellular telephones associated with a number of telematics unit. The triplicate entry includes a MDN, a MIN, and an ESN. If a telematics unit's triplicate entry is an invalid combination, resulting, e.g., in call failure, the system provides an efficient mechanism whereby the service provider can update the MIN of each cellular telephone in one or more telematics units to eliminate duplicate entries.

Abstract: In one of many possible embodiments, an exemplary system includes a test management subsystem configured to provide a user portal to a user of a circuit provided by a service provider, the user portal including a tool enabling the user to select a signal loop for testing at least a section of the circuit, the signal loop being selected from a plurality of signal loop options. The system also includes a network management subsystem communicatively coupled to the test management subsystem, the network management subsystem being configured to receive data representative of the selection from the test management subsystem and instruct, based on the selection, a network device along the circuit to execute a loop-back mode. In certain embodiments, the selected signal loop defines a test pattern signal flow for testing a subsection of the circuit.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for selectively providing access to a network node for testing and verification associated with a testing classification and requests are received from a network component to initiate a call via the net-work node. If it is determined that with the testing classification, service is provided via the network node.

Abstract: Predictive maintenance in a communications environment can be triggered when an anomaly in the call set-up process is detected. In one arrangement, in a VoIP context, the post dial delay (PDD) associated with call set up is monitored. If a link or node has an abnormally high contribution to the PDD it may be designated for predictive maintenance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automating test procedures to determine if non-emergency signaling message processing errors impact emergency calls, e.g., E911 calls, are disclosed. In one embodiment, the present method alerts network engineers so that crankback procedures to alternative routes can be instituted when these E911 call impacting error conditions are detected in a 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: The preferred embodiments described herein include a system and method for providing a backup-restore solution for active-standby service management systems. In one embodiment, a telecommunication system is disclosed having first and second service management systems (SMS), a storage device shared by the first and second SMSs and circuitry operative to provide backup/restore functionality. This provides system redundancy in that the second SMS can perform the same functions as the first SMS in the event that the first SMS is unavailable due to, for example, system failures, a scheduled maintenance, or an upgrade process. Other embodiments are provided, and each of the embodiments described herein can be used alone or in combination with one another.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable medium for emulating a converged network are provided. A media gateway receives a call at a first interface of a first network type. The call is processed for distribution on a second network type. The processed call is transmitted to a second interface of a second network type. A service module of the media gateway receives the processed call.

Abstract: A system for detecting rogue access points (APs) includes a detecting station (130) and a device for identifying rogue access points (110). The detecting station scans access points and stations associated with the access points, in order to compile an AP list and an association list within the scope of the detecting station, and transmits the AP list and the association list. The device for identifying rogue access points (110) includes a receiving module (112) and a determining module (114). The receiving module receives the AP list and the association list. The determining module determines whether each access point in the AP list is a rogue access point. A related method is also provided.

Abstract: A private wireless network access point is associated with a predetermined telephone number corresponding to a physical location. The associated predetermined telephone number is included with call setup information when a wireless terminal in a private wireless network communicates via the access point so that a location of the wireless terminal can be determined based on the predetermined telephone number.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a fault in a joint connecting sections of an electrical transmission line together are disclosed. Previously known methods for detecting joint faults require a visual inspection of the joint or testing the transmission line using sophisticated, expensive equipment. This manual testing is expensive and inefficient. In the proposed method, a fault in a joint (301) connecting sections of an electrical transmission line (107) together is detected by measuring the resistance to current flowing through the joint (301) in one and the other directions along said electrical transmission line (107) and detecting a fault in the joint (301) if the measured resistance differs substantially in said one and the other directions. The method has particular utility in relation to low power transmission lines such as telephone lines.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automating test procedures to determine if non-emergency signaling message processing errors impact emergency calls, e.g., E911 calls, are disclosed. In one embodiment, the present method alerts network engineers so that crankback procedures to alternative routes can be instituted when these E911 call impacting error conditions are detected in a network.

Abstract: The disclosed methods and systems prioritize network devices and components that more likely result in a network outage by evaluating their current and historical outage information relative to a dynamically-generated, statistical threshold based on such outage information. The prioritized list of network devices can be organized by, for example, quantity of outages, number of outage minutes, and/or number of customer-outage minutes so as to provide diagnosis sequences by type of network device, network location, type of component within the network device, and/or by operation during particular time periods/events.

Abstract: A fault location system for a telecommunications network including a local exchange or switch, a node such as a primary connection point and a plurality of line terminations to the customer includes probability calculation to establish the location of a fault measuring from the exchange. Historical non-faulty reference values of capacitance are compiled for each line passing through the node providing a measure of the distance of each line. A lowest valid capacitance value provides an estimate of the reference capacitance between the exchange and the node. Using various parameters, probability tables are compiled of historic fault values and a new fault is compared against these tables to establish the probability of it being a fault at the node or elsewhere. As a result the reference capacitance can be obtained without the need for an engineer at the node, and the likely location of a fault can be pinpointed with greater accuracy.

Abstract: A telecommunications network includes a management system for analyzing call detail records (CDR's) from terminating switches. The management system recovers CDR's by polling through switch managers which poll dependent exchanges. CDR's indicating a call clear occurring within a short predetermined time after a call answer are stored and used to indicate potentially faulty access network lines.

Abstract: A root cause analysis system operative in conjunction with fault management apparatus, the system includes a topology-based reasoning system (TRS) operative to topologically analyze alarms in order to identify at least one root cause thereof.

Abstract: A digital subscriber loop line card-installed mechanism conducts parametric measurements on the wireline to which the line card is connected, and adjusts taps of an echo cancellation operator in accordance with the response of the wireline to an electrical stimulus imparted to the wireline. The echo canceler tap coefficients are then processed to determine the location of a fault, such as a short circuit, open-circuit and the like, on the wireline. Fault information measurement data is then reported to a supervisory control location, which dispatches the appropriate technician to resolve the cause of the problem.

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: A fault is located along a telecommunications line between the network terminating equipment and the local exchange by measuring a change in the capacitance of the line when compared with the capacitance under normal operating conditions. A geographical information system is used to plot all possible routes for the line between the terminating equipment and the exchange, and the most probable route is selected based on the known positions of nodes along the line, such as pole mounted distribution points and streetside cabinets. The distance of the fault along the line is then plotted along the most probable route to determine an accurate fault location, which is given to a field technician as the location of the nearest premises or a grid reference.

Abstract: An order wire monitoring method monitors form a monitoring control terminal a quality of an order wire line which couples transmission apparatuses via multiplexed lines which multiplex and transmit main and order wire signals. A transmission apparatus which is to transmit test data and a transmission apparatus which is to receive test data are specified from the monitoring control terminal, and the test data are transmitted from a specified transmitting apparatus to the order wire line in response to a start of test instructed from the monitoring control terminal. The monitoring control terminal monitors the quality of the order wire line based on information received from the specified receiving apparatus via the specified transmitting apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to non-interactively test telephone networks and more specifically to localize faults such as resistive faults in the subscriber loop of the telephone network is presented. The method and apparatus determine whether the fault is in the tip line or ring line of a phone line. The existence of a fault voltage, if any, is also determined. The resistance of the tip line to ground and the resistance of the ring line to ground is measured. A fault resistance is calculated from this information, from which the location of the fault is determined.

Abstract: A fault is located along a telecommunications line between the network terminating equipment and the local exchange by measuring a change in the capacitance of the line when compared with the capacitance under normal operating conditions. A geographical information system is used to plot all possible routes for the line between the terminating equipment and the exchange, and the most probable route is selected based on the known positions of nodes along the line, such as pole mounted distribution points and streetside cabinets. The distance of the fault along the line is then plotted along the most probable route to determine an accurate fault location, which is given to a field technician as the location of the nearest premises or a grid reference.

Abstract: An environment monitoring telephone network system comprises: a plurality M of environment parameters detecting and transmitting units (16), which transmit data toward the remote acquisition exchange (7), said units being provided with N analog input sensors; at least a telephone network private line, in order to transmit detected data to the remote acquisition exchange, where a Data Logger (5) is located, and to supply remotely the detecting and transmitting unit; a plurality M of receiving units (18), each interconnected with a specific detecting and transmitting unit, said receiving units being located at the remote acquisition exchange and being linked with the input channels of a Data Logger, which in turn is linked, by means of a modem, to a storing and processing center, through a switched telephone network (6).

Abstract: A wide band noise extrapolation test system, which may reside within a processor-controlled test head installed in a central office, or as part of test signal generation and processing circuitry of a craftsperson's test set, processes data derived from applying single ended stimuli to a plurality of wirelines. The processing mechanism accurately and reliably identifies the locations and amplitudes of remote noise sources for each of the wirelines, by determining attenuation along and the lengths of the wirelines, and then modifying values of noise measurements in accordance with the determined attenuation and length values, so as to extrapolate the amplitudes of the noise at their identified source locations.

Abstract: In a method for the central processing of malfunction reports in a telecommunications (TK) network with a plurality of sub-networks (1, 2) of different network operators (A, B), at least one IN (Intelligent Network) service (8) is established which can be activated by dialing a malfunction dial number from any network connection (3, 4), which upon receipt of a malfunction report, independent of the connection (4) that dispatches the malfunction report, determines to which connection dial number this malfunction report relates, which from the connection dial number thus established determines the network operator (A) to whose sub-network (1) the corresponding malfunctioning connection (3) belongs, and which delivers the malfunction call to the responsible network operator (A).

Abstract: A system and method for determining the location of faults in a telephonic distribution system where each endpoint in the system has an associated verification code. The endpoints are polled and the response is compared to a corresponding verification code in memory. When the response does not match the verification code in memory the result is included in an endpoint map. An analysis is then performed to identify faulty elements in the system which are reported with their geographical location coordinates.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing network elements within a communications system. A test is initiated at a data processing system located at a first site by the selection of one or more network elements for testing. In initiating the test, a communications link is established between the data processing system located at the first site and a network element located at a second site. The network element is monitored during testing of the network element using the communications link. The information is displayed on the data processing system in the form of a web page. Monitoring of the network element is paused from the data processing system in response to detecting an error originating from the network element. Monitoring of the network element is restarted from the data processing system in response to a correction of the error.