Checking of broadband network components

• US 20080212486A1
• Filed: 05/13/2008
• Published: 09/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: At&T Delaware Intellectual Property, Inc. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: At&T Delaware Intellectual Property, Inc. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Nguyen, Hong Thi, Holt, Scott Crandall, Birkenberger, Lisa Marie, Torab, Homayoun, Johnston, Judson Barry, Duron, Eric, Stillman, Scott Traynham, Chastain, Kenneth Wayne, Busayapongchai, Senis, Tang, Harry, Gash, Diana N.
• Granted Patent: US 8,068,585 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/252
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0213 Standardised network management protocols, e.g. simple network management protocol [SNMP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0869 Validating the configuration within one network element
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/50 Testing arrangements

Abstract

Systems and methods for checking broadband network components are provided in which an automated interactive system permits a field technician to check various conditions of a communication line or other broadband network components without the assistance of a support technician. While options to request assistance from a support technician are provided, the automated interactive system permits the field technician to perform various functions on a communication line without additional assistance, especially for routine tasks. The automated interactive system, therefore, removes efficiencies that may be associated with conventional approaches for checking broadband network components.

Claims

1. A method for checking digital subscriber line (DSL) components, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a digital request from an Interactive Voice Response Application (IVR application), the digital request being received using transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP), the digital request being one selected from a group consisting of;

a request to verify a DSL port;

a request to condition a DSL port; and

a request to retrieve information on a DSL port;

translating the digital request into a common object request broker architecture (CORBA) compatible request; and

conveying the CORBA-compatible request to a network management system (NMS), the NMS being configured to affect DSL components.

2. A system for checking digital subscriber line (DSL) components comprising:

an Interactive Voice Response Application (IVR application) coupled to a public switched telephone network (PSTN), the IVR application being adapted to receive an input from a field technician over the PSTN, the IVR application further being configured generate a digital request corresponding to the received input;

a field application tool configured to receive the digital request, the field application tool further being configured to translate the digital request into a common object request broker architecture (CORBA) compatible request;

a network management system (NMS) that manages network elements, the NMS being configured to receive the CORBA-compatible request, the NMS further being configured to generate a command in response to the received request, the NMS further being configured to transmit the command over a communication line; and

a DSL component coupled to the communication line, the DSL component being configured to receive the command, the DSL component being configured to respond to the received command.

3. A system for checking broadband network components comprising:

an Interactive Voice Response Application (IVR application) operating under a first protocol, the IVR application being adapted to receive an input from a field technician, the IVR application further being configured to convey the input;

a field application tool configured to receive the conveyed input, the field application tool further being configured to translate the input into a request recognizable under a second protocol, the field application tool further being configured to convey the request;

a network management system (NMS) operating under the second protocol, the NMS being configured to receive the request, the NMS further being configured to generate a command in response to the received request, NMS further being configured to transmit the command over a communication line; and

a broadband network component coupled to the communication line, the broadband network component being adapted to receive the command, the broadband network component being adapted to respond to the received command.