Method and system for testing a network element within a telecommunications network
First Claim
1. A method for testing a network element within a telecommunications network, comprising the steps of:
- receiving a universal command identifying the network element from an input device;
determining, without receiving information from a user in addition to the universal command, a test parameter associated with testing the network element based upon the universal command;
identifying a test system associated with testing the network element based upon the universal command;
formatting a test request based upon the test parameter; and
processing the test request within the telecommunications network in order to initiate a test by the test system on the network element.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems consistent with the present invention test a network element in a telecommunications network using a universal command, such as a telephone number or circuit identification number. By doing so, the network element can be easily identified along with the type of service provided by the network element and the appropriate test system can be identified and used without requiring the user to have detailed system-specific knowledge of the test system. Methods and systems consistent with the invention provide an interface to a user. A universal command is received, typically as a telephone number or a circuit identification number. Using the universal command, the type of service associated with the network element is determined and a test system for testing the service type of the network element is identified. A test request is formatted based upon the universal command, the service type to be tested, and the particular test system to be used to test the network element. The test request is then processed within the network, typically by routing the test request to the appropriate test system. In this manner, system-specific commands may be formulated and the appropriate test may be initiated for a network element with test results reported to the user without the need for the user to have pre-existing knowledge of the test system itself.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method for testing a network element within a telecommunications network, comprising the steps of:
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receiving a universal command identifying the network element from an input device;
determining, without receiving information from a user in addition to the universal command, a test parameter associated with testing the network element based upon the universal command;
identifying a test system associated with testing the network element based upon the universal command;
formatting a test request based upon the test parameter; and
processing the test request within the telecommunications network in order to initiate a test by the test system on the network element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for testing a network element within a telecommunications network, comprising the steps of:
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providing, at an input device, an interface through which the network element may be tested by a user;
receiving a universal command identifying the network element from the input device, the universal command identifying the network element to be tested;
determining, without receiving information from a user in addition to the universal command, a service type associated with testing the network element based upon the universal command;
identifying a test system associated with testing the determined service type based upon the universal command;
formatting a test request based upon the determined service type and the identified test system; and
processing the test request within the telecommunications network in order to initiate a test by the test system on the network element. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A system for testing a network element within a telecommunications network, comprising:
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a test management processing unit coupled to a plurality of test systems;
a memory storage device coupled to the test management processing unit, the memory storage device maintaining a test management database;
an input device coupled to the test management processing unit, the input device providing a universal command to the test management processing unit; and
the test management processing unit being operative to receive the universal command from the input device, query the test management database in the memory storage device using the universal command in order to determine, without receiving information from a user in addition to the universal command, a service type associated with the network element and identify one of the test systems associated with testing, format a test request based upon the service type and the one of the test systems, and route the test request to the one of the test systems in order to initiate a test on the network element. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method for testing a network element within a telecommunications network, comprising the steps of:
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receiving, from an input device, a universal command identifying a network element associated with a subscriber line to be tested;
determining a test parameter associated with testing the network element based upon the universal command;
identifying a test system associated with testing the network element based upon the universal command;
formatting a test request based upon the test parameter; and
processing the test request within the telecommunications network in order to initiate a test by the test system on the network element.
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27. A method for testing a network element within a telecommunications network, comprising the steps of:
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receiving, from an input device, a universal command identifying a network element associated with a subscriber line to be tested;
determining a service type associated with testing the network element based upon the universal command;
identifying a test system associated with testing the determined service type based upon the universal command;
formatting a test request based upon the determined service type and the identified test system; and
processing the test request within the telecommunications network in order to initiate a test by the test system on the network element.
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28. A system for testing a network element within a telecommunications network, comprising:
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a test management processing unit coupled to a plurality of test systems;
a memory storage device coupled to the test management processing unit, the memory storage device maintaining a test management database;
an input device coupled to the test management processing unit, the input device providing, to the test management processing unit, a universal command identifying a network element associated with a subscriber loop to be tested; and
the test management processing unit being operative to receive the universal command from the input device, query the test management database in the memory storage device using the universal command in order to determine a service type associated with the network element and identify one of the test systems associated with testing, format a test request based upon the service type and the one of the test systems, and route the test request to the one of the test systems in order to initiate a test on the network element.
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Specification