SYSTEM, METHOD FOR COMPILING NETWORK PERFORMANCING INFORMATION FOR COMMUNICATIONS WITH CUSTOMER PREMISE EQUIPMENT

• US 20120236750A1
• Filed: 05/31/2012
• Published: 09/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Embarq Holdings Company LLC (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bugenhagen, Michael K., Morrill, Robert J., Wiley, William L.
• Granted Patent: US 9,832,090 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/252
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/08 Configuration management of networks or network elements address allocation H04L61/50
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0816 the condition being an adaptation, e.g. in response to network events
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/083 for increasing network speed
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/34 Signalling channels for network management communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/045 for graphical visualisation of monitoring data
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0829 Packet loss
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0852 Delays
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/087 Jitter
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/091 Measuring contribution of individual network components to actual service level
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/22 Alternate routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/26 Route discovery packet
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/65 Network streaming protocols, e.g. real-time transport protocol [RTP] or real-time control protocol [RTCP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6437 Real-time Transport Protocol [RTP]

Abstract

A system and method for determining network performance information. The system includes an interface configured to communicate between customer premise equipment (CPE) and a communications device. The system also includes one or more processing units in communication with the interface. The one or more processing units are configured to generate packets communicated by the interface between the CPE and the communications device to determine the network performance information.

Claims

1. A system for determining network performance information, the system comprises:

an interface configured to communicate between customer premise equipment (CPE) and a communications device; and

one or more processing units in communication with the interface, wherein the one or more processing units are configured to generate packets communicated by the interface between the CPE and the communications device to determine the network performance information.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the packets are probe packets utilized to simulate data traffic.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the packets simulate real-time and non real-time traffic.

4. The system according to claim 2, wherein the packets are communicated wirelessly between the CPE and the communications device.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the packets are both sent and received from the CPE and the communications device.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the one or more processing units evaluates the communications link between the CPE and the communications device.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein network performance information for the network connection between the CPE and the communications device is added to the packets for analysis by the one or more processing units

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein the network performance information.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the communications device is a mobile device.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein the network performance information is sent to a remote device for analysis.

10. The system according to claim, wherein a payload of the packets simulates real-time or non real-time packets.

12. A method for determining network performance, the method comprising:

generating a plurality of packets for communication between customer premise equipment (CPE) and a communications device; and

sending the plurality of packets between the CPE and the communications device to determine network performance information for the network connection between the CPE and the communications device.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising:

compiling the network performance information for the network connection.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising:

sending the network performance information for the network connection to one or more network devices.

15. The method according to claim 12, wherein the plurality of packets are probe packets configured to simulate both real-time and non real-time packets.

16. The method according to claim 12, wherein the packets are communicated wirelessly between the CPE and the communications device.

17. The method according to claim 12, further comprising:

implementing a path trace of the network connection in response to determining there is an issue.

18. A network device for compiling performance information, the network device comprising:

one or more processors for executing a set of instructions; and

a memory in communication with the one or more processors configured to store the set of instructions, wherein the set of instructions are executed to;

generate a plurality of packets for communication between customer premise equipment (CPE) and a communications device; and

communicate the plurality of packets between the CPE and the communications device to determine network performance information for the network connection between the PE and the communications device.

19. The network device according to claim 18, wherein the set of instructions is further configured to:

compile the network performance information for the network connection; and

send the network performance information for the network connection to one or more remote network devices.

20. The network device according to claim 18, wherein the plurality of packets are probe packets that simulate real-time and non real-time traffic.