Lucent Technologies Inc.

Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc.

Douglas A Kimber

Eric Jonathan Bauer

Mikiel L Larson

Todd Keaffaber

Xuemei Zhang

Paul Hampton Franklin

John H Pokropinski

Brian P Doherty

Michael Scott Habeck

Philip Eugene Rynes

The invention includes a method for predicting a scheduled downtime associated with a system. In one embodiment, a method includes determining a system model associated with the system according to a system type of the system, determining at least one scheduled system downtime event type associated with the system using the system model, selecting at least one scheduled system downtime event model according to the at least one scheduled system downtime event type, and predicting the scheduled system downtime using the at least one scheduled system downtime event model.

Method and apparatus for predicting scheduled system downtime

A method is provided for injecting faults into an operational system containing software and hardware components to be tested. A fault injection routine is stored in a memory location of the system. An interrupt service routine, preferably operational during normal operation of the system is provided with a pointer to the fault injection routine. A fault injection routine is executed from within the interrupt service routine. In one embodiment, the interrupt service routine provides a clock or timing function. In another embodiment, a number of fault injection subroutines are accessible by the fault injection routine. A value is passed to the fault injection routine indicating the particular fault injection subroutine to be employed.

Injection of software faults into an operational system

A protocol converter converts from a first data and command exchange protocol to a second, different data and command exchange protocol. The protocol converter includes a first interface for sending and receiving data and commands in a first protocol, such as DSCH, and a second interface for sending and receiving data and commands in a second, different protocol, such as Ethernet. The device can receive data and commands simultaneously at either interface and convert from the first protocol to the second protocol or from the second protocol to the first protocol without loss of integrity to the flow of the data and commands. Additionally, the device provides a redundant connection, a safeguard in the event of primary path failure.

Method and apparatus for converting between differing data and command exchange protocols

A modular switch box which is responsive to a control signal, is diagnosable, and is not dependent upon the type of protocol being switched. There may be a plurality of switch boxes wherein each switch box includes a plurality of inputs and an output. There is a selector for selecting which input is connected to the output and a controller for controlling the selector. There is also a control means for controlling the switch boxes. The switch boxes are connected in a chain so that the input of one switch box is connected to the output of the next, etc., until the output of the last switch box is connected back to the controller. The controller sends a command message to the first switch box which then executes the command and forwards the message on to the next switch box, etc., until the command returns to the controller. In this manner, the controller knows that all switch boxes have received the command. If the command does not return within a reasonable time, then the controller knows that one of the switch boxes or a control link may be faulty. The controller then sends the same command through the chain in the opposite direction. In this manner, all switch boxes will receive the command, except for the one that is faulty.

Remote control, link independent A/B switch box with diagnostic loopback

A highly available processor complex that can use industry standard hardware and software through use of an N+K sparing arrangement with a separate monitor ('watchdog') processor. The watchdog processor monitors periodic 'heartbeat' messages from the monitored elements and can change activity and status of such monitored elements through control messages. Further, the watchdog processor is operatively connected to a power control circuit that controls the power to the monitored elements. Thus, the watchdog processor can guarantee that a faulty element can be rendered non-functional and can also totally restart an element through power cycling it.

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Batavia, IL, United States of America

Douglas A Kimber