Communications test system
First Claim
1. A method for operating a test system to test a switching system for use in a communications network, wherein the test system is operationally coupled to the switching system by a signaling link and a call connection and wherein the test system does not include a local access switch, the method comprising:
- receiving a first user request to generate a call;
transferring signaling to the switching system over the signaling link wherein the signaling causes the switching system to extend the call connection;
receiving a second user request to run a test; and
applying the test to the call connection.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention is a test system that gives the user a single point of control to generate calls and run tests on a switching system for use in a communications network. The test system is capable of generating calls through a tandem switching system without using a local access switch. The test system is operationally coupled to the switching system by a signaling link and a call connection. The test system receives a first user request to generate a call. The test system transfers signaling to the switching system over the signaling link to cause the switching system to extend the call connection. The test system receives a second user request to run a test, and applies the test to the call connection. In some embodiments, the test system includes a web server that interfaces with a web browser operated by the user. The web server transfers information for screen displays to the web browser. The web server collects user requests from the web browser to generate calls and run tests. The web server transfers signaling, such as an initial address message, to a signaling point for formatting. The signaling point forwards the signaling to the switching system to generate calls. The web server also transfers a test instruction to test equipment. The test equipment applies the test to the call connection and returns the test result to the web server. The web server displays the test result to the user through the web browser.
34 Citations
54 Claims
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1. A method for operating a test system to test a switching system for use in a communications network, wherein the test system is operationally coupled to the switching system by a signaling link and a call connection and wherein the test system does not include a local access switch, the method comprising:
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receiving a first user request to generate a call; transferring signaling to the switching system over the signaling link wherein the signaling causes the switching system to extend the call connection; receiving a second user request to run a test; and applying the test to the call connection. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A test system for testing a switching system for use in a communications network, wherein the switching system is coupled to a signaling link and a call connection, the test system comprising:
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a test server operational to interface with a data link to a graphical user interface to receive user requests to generate calls and apply tests, to transfer signaling to generate the calls, and to transfer test instructions to apply the tests; a signaling point coupled to the test server and operational to receive the signaling from the test server, to format the signaling, and to transfer the signaling to the signaling link; and test equipment coupled to the test server and operational to receive the test instructions and to apply the tests to the call connection. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
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Specification