At&t Intellectual Property I, L.p.

Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation

At&t Delaware Intellectual Property Corporation, Inc.

At&t Bls Intellectual Property, Inc

Harry Tang

James F Kelley

Sony Antony

Tommy Woods

M Jeff Wilson

Hong Nguyen

Scott Crandall Holt

Scott Traynham Stillman

Senis Busayapongchai

Homayoun Torab

Thomas L Georges

Judson Barry Johnston

Asad Khan

Ren-Wei Liou

Lisa Marie Birkenberger

Hanif Merali

Eric Duron

Diana N Gash

Vikas Varma

Kenneth Wayne Chastain

Marvin Jeffery Wilson

Methods, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for dynamically recognizing and processing service order types in a network management system. Service type data for a new service order type is registered in a database table while the network management system is operating. Then, a service order is received in the network management system and the service order is parsed to determine if the received service order corresponds with the new service order type based on the service type data registered in the database table. If the service order corresponds with the new service order type, then the service order is processed by the network management system. If the service order does not correspond with the new service order type, then updated service type data may be registered in the database table.

Methods, systems and computer-readable media for dynamically recognizing and processing service order types in a network management system

Systems and methods for checking broadband network components are provided in which an automated interactive system permits a field technician to check various conditions of a communication line or other broadband network components without the assistance of a support technician. While options to request assistance from a support technician are provided, the automated interactive system permits the field technician to perform various functions on a communication line without additional assistance, especially for routine tasks. The automated interactive system, therefore, removes efficiencies that may be associated with conventional approaches for checking broadband network components.

Checking of broadband network components

Example methods and apparatus to assign permanent virtual circuits (PVC) to subscribers are disclosed. A disclosed example method to assign a PVC to a subscriber comprises obtaining a parameter representative of a port associated with the subscriber, computing a virtual circuit identifier (VCI) for the PVC from the parameter, and storing the virtual circuit identifier in association with the PVC.

Asynchronous digital subscriber line (ADSL) resource planning

A communication interface between an order generating program that generates orders and an order processing program that processes orders is managed. At least one metric that is based on orders passing from the order generating program to the order processing program is monitored. The communication interface between the order generating program and the order processing program is determined to have failed based on the monitored metric. The communication interface is then restarted based on when it has been determined to have failed.

Methods and computer program products that manage communication interfaces between order handling programs

A system and method is described for updating EMS class object references within a database of an NMS when a change is made in the EMS or a component within a system architecture. Such updating of NMS database occurs in real time by continuously requesting information relating to any such update from a naming administrator.

Systems and methods for updating EMS class object references

A system and methods to optimize the resource planning of ADSL services is provided. In an illustrative implementation, a network management system (NMS) communicates with an ADSL network to provision resources for participating users. The provisioning process yields a permanent virtual circuit (PVC). Included in the provisioning process is the creation and management of configuration variables, such as, the virtual path identifier (VPI) and the virtual circuit identifier (VCI). The VPI/VCI combination uniquely identifies each PVC. If the provisioning process is aborted or fails, it may be reanimated by the NMS using the VPI/VCI combination. In this implementation, the VPI may be set to a certain value and the VCI value calculated using ADSL configuration values (e.g. the physical connection position on a first, second, third, etc. ADSL network component.) The deterministic nature of the VPI and VCI configuration variables assist the NMS to track and optimize available resources.

Disclosed is a system for an ADSL access network for providing ADSL provision flow control at a DSLAM switch. The system includes an element management system in communication with a DSLAM switch; and a network management system in communication with the element management system, the network management system including a control algorithm for controlling ADSL provision flow on a DSLAM switch by introducing a two level semaphore including a first semaphore and a second semaphore. The first semaphore controls a first provision request flow at the element management system level and the second semaphore controls a second provision request flow at the DSLAM level. Disclosed is also a method of providing ADSL provision flow control at a DSLAM switch. The method includes at a DSLAM switch, receiving a provision request from a network management system; determining whether a DSLAM level semaphore is available at the DSLAM switch; determining whether an element management system level semaphore is available; and connecting the network management system to the DSLAM.

Asymmetric digital subscriber line provision flow control on digital subscriber line access multiplexer switches

A connection management system (CMS) serializes bulk virtual circuit connection requests made to a connection creation system (CCS) that is responsible for establishing virtual connections between one or more end users and an ISP. The CMS uses a set of serialization parameters to evaluate a set of conditions. The results of the evaluations are used to serialize sending bulk virtual circuit connection requests to the CCS for provisioning. In effect, the sending of a bulk virtual circuit connection request is delayed until a prior bulk virtual circuit connection request completes, whether successfully or unsuccessfully. In addition, a bulk virtual circuit connection request can be re-submitted in the event of a failed prior request or a prior request that remains pending for an unexpectedly long duration.

System and method for serializing bulk virtual circuit connection requests

A system and method is described for informing an upstream NMS when any changes have occurred in an electronic system architecture through a notification listener. The listener receives signals from EMS and translates them into a readily relayable format and forwards the signals to the NMS.

NMS CORBA listener for EMS signals

A system and method is described for checking the health status of a communication pathways between an EMS and a notification listener that receives notification signals from the EMS when changes have occurred in a downstream electronic system architecture.

Health checker for EMS CORBA notification listener

A system for provisioning virtual circuits in broadband access multiplexing elements is disclosed. The system manages an algorithm that selects a unique virtual path identifier and virtual circuit identifier for each new multiplexor input from a pool. The system sends commands to connect each new input to the multiplexor output based on the selected virtual path identifier and virtual circuit identifier. The selected virtual path identifier and virtual circuit identifier remain assigned to the input port even if the input connection is later deleted.

System and method for provisioning virtual circuits in broadband access multiplexing elements

A storage structure includes a plurality of sequentially arranged positions, each position for holding one order at a time. One of the positions is an end position from which an order is to be taken up for provisioning. Each order in a position moves to the next sequential position toward the end position, as the next sequential position becomes empty and available. The positions are organized into a first section and a second section. The first section is distal from the end position and includes at least one position. The first section receives orders from a first order delivery system into a receiving position. The second section is proximate to the end position and includes at least one position. The second section receives orders from a second order delivery system into a receiving position. If the second section cannot receive an order from the second order delivery system due to the receiving position thereof already holding an order, a pre-determined interval is observed prior to attempting to again receive the order. The pre-determined interval is selected to allow enough orders in the storage structure to be taken up and to allow the receiving position of the second section to become empty.

System and method for provisioning virtual circuit orders on an asynchronous transfer mode subnetwork

A system and methods to optimize the resource planning of ADSL services is provided. In an illustrative implementation, a network management system (NMS) communicates with an ADSL network to provision resources for participating users. The provisioning process yields a permanent virtual circuit (PVC). Included in the provisioning process is the creation and management of configuration variables, such as, the virtual path identifier (VPI) and the virtual circuit identifier (VCI). The VPI/VCI combination uniquely identifies each PVC. If the provisioning process is aborted or fails, it may be reanimated by the NMS using the VPI/VCI combination. In this implementation, the VPI may be set to a constant value and the VCI value calculated using ADSL configuration values (e.g. the physical connection position on a first, second, third, etc. ADSL network component.) The deterministic nature of the VPI and VCI configuration variables assist the NMS to track and optimize available resources.

Growing community of inventors

Atlanta, GA, United States of America

Harry Tang