System and method for enhancing the activation of DSL service

• US 20030131107A1
• Filed: 11/14/2002
• Published: 07/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ciena Corporation
• Original Assignee: Catena Networks, Inc. (Ciena Corporation)
• Inventors: Gazier, Michael, Godse, Dhananjay
• Granted Patent: US 7,127,049 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/225
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2856 Access arrangements, e.g. Internet access asynchronous transfer mode networks H04L12/5601; broadband local area networks H04L12/2801; optical access or distribution networks H04Q11/0067; access to open networks H04L12/5691; digital subscriber line end-user equipment and bit-level processing of data on a PSTN-based network H04M11/00; home network gateways H04L12/2834; wireless access networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2889 Multiservice, e.g. MSAN
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/04 for time-division multiplexing H04Q11/0001 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13034 A/D conversion, code compression/expansion
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13092 Scanning of subscriber lines, monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13109 Initializing, personal profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13175 Graphical user interface [GUI], WWW interface, visual indication
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13199 Modem, modulation
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13204 Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1329 Asynchronous transfer mode, ATM
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13367 Hierarchical multiplexing, add-drop multiplexing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 LAN, internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13399 Virtual channel/circuits

Abstract

A system enhances automation of activating network service between a customer modem and a central office modem over a digital subscriber line (DSL) link. The central office modem couples the customer modem to a network for providing the network service. The system comprises a polling system coupled with the central office modems. The polling system polls inactive central office modems in order to detect the presence of an associated customer modem. A discovery application is coupled with the polling system and the central office modems for selectively enabling ones of the central office modems in accordance with a result of the polling system. If the polling system detects the presence of the customer modem, the associated central office modem is enabled for providing network service to a customer.

Claims

1. A system for enhancing automation of activating network service between a customer modem and a central office modem coupled via a digital subscriber line (DSL) link, said central office modem for coupling said customer modem to a network for providing said network service, said system comprising:

a polling system, coupled with a plurality of central office modems, for polling inactive ones of said plurality of central office modems for detecting a presence of an associated customer modem; and

a discovery application, coupled with said polling system and said plurality of central office modems, for selectively enabling ones of said plurality of said central office modems in accordance with a result of said polling system,

wherein if said polling system detects said presence of said associated customer modem, an associated central office modem is enabled for providing network service to a customer.

2. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein said polling system polls said inactive ones of said plurality of central office modems at predetermined intervals.

3. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein said polling system polls said inactive ones of said plurality of central office modems continuously.

4. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein said polling system polls said inactive ones of said plurality of central office modems in response to a command from a system administrator.

5. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein said polling system polls said inactive ones of said plurality of central office modems by enabling said plurality of central office modems and attempting to train said plurality of central office modems with said associated customer modem, wherein said presence of said associated customer modem is detected if the training is successful.

6. A system as defined in claim 5, wherein if said presence of said associated customer modem is detected, said associated central office modem remains enabled, otherwise said associated central office modem is disabled.

7. A system as defined in claim 1, further including:

a web page server for providing said customer with a service web page, said service web page for allowing said customer to select properties of said network service for self-enabling said network service.

8. A system as defined in claim 7, wherein said properties include one or more of a network service provider property, a connection rate property, a fixed or floating IP address property, and a payment scheme property.

9. A system as defined in claim 8, wherein said web page server notifies said customer of difficulties in fulfilling said properties of said network service that have been selected.

10. A system as defined in claim 9, further including:

a service portal for providing billing information about said customer, said service portal having a pre-provisioned connection path with said associated customer modem.

11. A system as defined as in claim 10, wherein said service portal uses an identifier assigned to said pre-provisioned connection for identifying said customer.

12. A system as defined in claim 7, wherein said service web page is accessible via the Internet for allowing said customer to modify said properties after said network service is enabled.

13. A system as defined in claim 7, wherein said web page server provides said customer with an error message if an error is detected on said DSL link.

14. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein said customer is provided with contact information for contacting a service provider if an error is detected on said DSL link.

15. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein a service provider is provided with error information if an error is detected on said DSL link.

16. A method for activating network service between a customer modem and a central office modem coupled via a digital subscriber line (DSL) link, said central office modem for coupling said customer modem to a network for providing said network service, said method comprising the steps of:

polling a plurality of central office modems for detecting one or more associated customer modems;

enabling one or more of said plurality of central office modems in accordance with said one or more associated customer modems that have been detected; and

providing a network service connection to said one or more associated customer modems that have been detected.

17. A method as defined in claim 16, wherein a customer connects to said network by coupling said customer modem, which is connected to a computing device of said customer, to said DSL link.

18. A method as defined in claim 17, wherein said customer modem connects with said central office modem by running an auto-discovery on said link.

19. A method as defined in claim 17, wherein said customer modem connects with said central office modem by configuring said customer modem using said computing device.

20. A method as defined in claim 17, wherein said customer modem connects with said central office modem by using Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol.

21. A method as defined in claim 17, wherein said step of providing said network service connection further comprises the step of:

providing said customer with a service web page for selecting details of said network service connection.

22. A method as defined in claim 21, wherein said details include one or more of a service provider, a connection speed, and a quality of service.

23. A method as defined in claim 17, wherein if an error occurs, an error message is sent to said customer for identifying said error, thereby reducing a need for loop qualification.

24. A method as defined in claim 23, wherein upon receiving said error, said customer is provided with contact information for informing a service provider of said error.

25. A method as defined in claim 17, wherein if an error occurs, an error message is sent to a service provider for identifying said error, thereby reducing a need for loop qualification.