Apparatus for testing communication equipment

• US 6,292,909 B1
• Filed: 07/14/1998
• Issued: 09/18/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Duncan Hare
• Original Assignee: Duncan Hare
• Inventors: Hare, Duncan
• Primary Examiner(s): Beausoleil, Robert
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ziemer, Rita A.
• Application Number:
  US09/115,066
• Time in Patent Office: 1,162 Days
• Field of Search: 714/40, 379/29, 379/10, 379/88.18, 370/242, 455/426, 455/427
• US Class Current: 714/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0213 Standardised network management protocols, e.g. simple network management protocol [SNMP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/20 Network management software packages
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/50 Testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/2209 for lines also used for data transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/323 for the arrangements providing the connection (test connection, test call, call simulation)
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5175 Call or contact centers supervision arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5183 Call or contact centers with computer-telephony arrangements

Abstract

Apparatus for monitoring and testing a transaction system, and controlled by enterprise automation equipment. The testing apparatus is programmed with various MIB structures to provide probe points and signals to the transaction system. Responses are received by the test apparatus via check points connected to the transaction system. The test apparatus applies test signals to the probe points in a manner similar to signals applied by users of the transaction system. The responses received from the transaction system are again similar to the responses received by the user in the normal utilization of the transaction system.

Claims

1. A method of testing transaction systems, comprising the steps of:

coupling test inputs to the transaction system, at least one said test input being of an analog type as input by a user of the transaction system;

said coupling step including coupling a plurality of different output probes to respective sub-systems of the transaction system;

receiving from one or more points of said transaction system respective responses to the test inputs, one response being an analog response;

coupling a plurality of response check points via a corresponding plurality of response lines to receive said responses;

utilizing an MIB structure to carry out the coupling and receiving steps; and

utilizing enterprise automation equipment to control the MIB structure and identify a fault in the transaction system based on the responses received therefrom.

2. The method of claim 1, further including periodically monitoring the transaction system at periodic intervals during regular operation of the transaction system to verify correct operation thereof.

3. The method of claim 1, further including dialing a telephone number of the transaction system, and receiving a voice response that assures correct operation.

4. The method of claim 1, further including using a tester having response inputs and test signal outputs, and further including coupling commands between the enterprise automation equipment and said tester using an Internet connection.

5. The method of claim 1, further including using boundary probes coupled to the transaction system to determine which sub-system of the transaction system has failed.