Mci Communications Corporation

Mci, Inc.

John V McLain, Jr

Damon Curnell

Dale W Harris, Jr

James D Dellinger

A system, method and computer program product for processing multiple tasks using a single copy of a data object employs command control vectors (CCVs) for representing tasks. A CCV includes pointers to method objects that store instructions for processing tasks and pointers to data objects that store temporary data generated by execution of the method objects. A command response manager manages a queue of CCVs. A separate CCV is generated for each session thread. Multiple CCVs can point to the same method object so that only a single copy of a method object needs to be provided. In one embodiment, CCVs are used in a telecommunication network emulator, where each CCV points to a command response table method object that includes a variety of responses for a variety of inputs. When a CCV points to a script invocation within a command response table, the CCV includes a field for pointing to the invoked script, a field for pointing to a particular offset within the script and a field for pointing to a data object that stores data associated with execution of the script for the CCV. The temporary data object and the virtual instructions of the script form a virtual data object.

System and method for managing computer system resources using command control vectors

A system, method and computer program product for emulating a telecommunications network by simultaneously emulating multiple independent activities normally performed by multiple network devices in a telecommunications network includes a network interface for communicating with a control system, a user interface for accepting user input and for providing user output, a command response manager for reading control system commands and for formulating intelligent responses, a script interpreter for executing scripts, a script database containing data from actual network devices for use by the scripts, a database manager for performing database functions and a multi-tasking system manager for controlling these logical components and for interacting with an operating system of a host computer to provide for invoking and terminating various processes. The system provides both script and non-script responses to a control system in order to emulate digital matrix switches. Script responses preferably work in conjunction with databases that contain data from actual network devices and data provided by control systems to generate more realistic responses. Preferably, a hybrid preemptive and cooperative multi-tasking controller is employed for processing a number n of logical units of work for a task before interrupting. The system, method and computer program product can be implemented on a standard PC. The present invention emulates the communications protocol of TNDs via the network interface module. Preferably, the network interface module communicates with a control system via an X.25 interface. Preferably, the control system utilizes Message Transfer Protocol (MTP) over an X.25 network. Other communications protocols can be employed as well.

System and method for emulating telecommunications network devices

A system, method and computer program product for performing hybrid preemptive and cooperative multi-tasking in a computer system executes a number n of logical units of work before interrupting a task. A logical unit of work is defined as a set of one or more computer instructions, the completion of which is a logical stopping point with few or no temporary variable to store. A logical unit of work can be, for example, one or more instructions in a stream of instructions, where each instruction requires a number of individual computer code instructions to execute. In a preferred embodiment, the system is implemented as a controller application which operates under an existing operating system. In an alternative embodiment, the present invention is implemented as an integral part of an operating system. In operation, the present invention performs a number n of logical units of work for a first task or process. At the completion of the logical unit of work, few, if any, temporary values need to be stored for later use when processing resumes. Instead, only a pointer to a current or next instruction needs to be maintained. The present invention then selects a second process for execution. A number m of logical units of work are then performed for the second process. At the completion of the number m of logical unit of work, few, if any, temporary values need to be stored for later use when processing resumes. Instead, only a pointer to a current or next instruction needs to be maintained. The number n can be equal to, greater than or less than the number m. In one embodiment, the numbers n and m are dynamically set according to the type of task being processed. In another embodiment, the numbers n and m are predetermined according to the type of tasks performed.

System and method for performing hybrid preemptive and cooperative multi-tasking in a computer system

A system, method and computer program product for quickly generating responses to vast numbers and types of inputs employs a command response table that includes instructions for generating simple responses and various levels of detailed logical responses. In a preferred embodiment, the command response table provides three levels of responses: a first level of response for unintelligently responding to certain inputs, a second level of response for intelligently responding to certain input using simple commands and a third level of response for providing detailed logical responses by invoking scripts. Preferably, detailed logical responses are provided via scripts that are invoked by a script invocation instruction stored in the command response table. The command response table can include thousands of responses indexed by thousands of input messages. When an input command is received, the command response table is searched for the input command. If the command is found, a response is generated from an associated instruction. In a preferred embodiment, the command response table is compiled to a loadable image and is run in conjunction with an operating system having a command response table interpreter. This way, the command response table can be ported to any system employing the operating system. Where a command response table includes script invocations, the scripts are preferably compiled to a loadable image and run in conjunction with an operation system having a script interpreter. This way, the compiled scripts can be ported to any system employing the operating system.

System and method for generating responses for inputs using a hybrid

An automated computer program application, called an Automated Build Control (ABC) application, provides an improved tool for managing the software build process. ABC uses the specification of a programmer's original program files as input, and automatically identifies all header, include, and other shared library files, which eliminates coding of dependencies. ABC identifies embedded header files, such as those which are referenced in other header files. ABC identifies duplicate headers so future builds can be expedited. ABC ensures all necessary source modules are located and available for compilation, prior to compilation. ABC performs comparisons of date/time stamps and identifies what source modules require recompilation. Essentially, ABC evaluates the compiling and linking processes prior to performing them, thus detecting any potential errors or conflicts before any time and effort is wasted.

System and method for automated software build control

A computer testing system, method, and computer program product is provided for testing one or more digital cross connect devices (DXCs) with one or more test and monitoring units (TMUs). A DXC test tool is coupled to each DXC and to each TMU. The DXC test tool sends a logical command or query to a DXC. A TMU tests the physical presence of the logical command directed to the DXC. The TMU sends a response to the DXC test tool indicating the state of the physical component. In this way, the DXC test tool tests each DXC in physical and logical dimensions. The DXC test tool can communicate over a plurality of communication links including fast channel links, human readable links, and remote control links. Routers are used to expand capacity. A single message display option for selecting between sending ASCII messages and sending binary messages. By connecting the DXC test tool to multiple DXCs, end-to-end path testing in physical and logical dimensions is performed. The DXC test tool also generates an analysis log of unexpected DXC and TMU responses. The analysis log and communication log are comprised of records having data fields so that a user can filter the logs. Timestamps further aid analysis. A scripting language is used that significantly reduces the number of lines required for a script. The scripting language uses repeatable commands and pointers that point to data tables. Multiple DXCs can be tested in parallel by running multiple scripts at the same time. The user-interface allows for interactive and dynamic script execution.

System, method, and computer program product for digital cross connect

A copy utility for non-stop database applications allows users to continuously access a database which is undergoing back-up operations. The system includes a lock manager which controls the access of requesters to the files of the database. The back-up storage device is treated in the same manner as other requesters.

Copy utility method and apparatus for non-stop database applications

A method and apparatus for emulating a digital cross-connect switching (DXC) network fully tests a telecommunication network monitoring and control system (MCS). The communication and behavior of a DXC network are emulated in the presence and absence of selected network node and trunk configurations, failures, and/or normalizations. A communication module communicates with the MCS through emulator control links using a communications protocol substantially identical to a communications protocol used in the emulated digital cross-connect network. A configuration database stores configuration data representing the current behavior of the DXC nodes. A topology database stores flexible topology data identifying trunks through adjacent DXC nodes. Changes to trunk connections can be made without knowledge of intermediate site and equipment topology details to test many network scenarios. An emulator message generator generates messages emulating communications from DXC nodes to the MCS. An emulator link selector further selects an enabled emulator control link depending upon whether respective emulated network control links are enabled. Intelligent emulator responses are generated and sent based on the current configuration and/or topology data which take into account any selected user-input to emulate solicited and unsolicited responses by actual digital cross-connect network nodes to MCS commands and audits. Simulated multi-tasking and dynamic user-interface control options are included. Different DXC networks and systems are emulated to test an MCS including a hybrid DXC network.

Method and apparatus for emulating a digital cross-connect switch

A system, method, and computer program product is provided for script processing. A new script language and script processing is used to significantly reduce the number of lines required for a script. A script includes a global script segment associated with a script data segment. The global script segment includes global directives (automatic directives and script repeating directives). The script data segment includes command records. Automatic directives are interpreted and repeatedly executed until script processing is complete. Automatic directives can be selectively activated and de-activated by a user. Script repeating directives repeat processing of the script data segment until the script repeating directive is satisfied. A command record includes an operation name field identifying a particular command and one or more operand fields. The operand fields can include single values, a range of values, or substitution codes. The script processor automatically repeats processing the script for each command record in the script data segment. The script processor further interprets the syntax of an operand to determine whether an operand is a single value, range of values, pointer, or substitution code. For a single value, the script processor executes the operation using the single value. For a ranges of values, the script processor repeatedly executes the operation for each value in said range of values. For a pointer to a table or other range of values, the script processor repeatedly executes the operation for each value in the table or range of values pointed to by the pointer. For a substitution code, the script processor repeatedly executes the operation using a corresponding substitution value (e.g. data, time, or sequence number).

System, method, and computer program product for script processing

A computer-implemented method and apparatus for servicing multiple external interfaces in a pseudo-parallel fashion which simulates multi-tasking. An application program is programmed to switch control during the servicing of multiple external units and/or time-consuming CPU steps to optimize overall application execution time. An application services each of these external interface units through calls to respective program modules. Relatively long program modules contain calls to transfer system control to shorter program modules which await servicing. These calls are strategically inserted in a long program module after one or more partial logic of units of work have been completed. At the time of each call, a check is first made to determine whether servicing of another external interface unit with a short program module is required. If servicing is required, then control is transferred to execute the short program module. Switches between servicing the multiple external interfaces, such as a user-interface and a communication link, are substantially transparent to external users. Sub-second responses are provided simulating multi-tasking of the communication interface and the user-interface during execution of an application by a personal computer.

Method and system for simulated multi-tasking

A method and apparatus for emulating a change-of-state (COS) report network fully tests a monitor and/or control system (MCS). The communication and behavior of a COS report network are emulated for selected report network configurations, events, and/or COS indications. A communication module communicates with the MCS through emulator links using a communications protocol substantially identical to a communications protocol used in the emulated report network. A configuration database stores configuration data representing the current status of the report network of state monitoring devices. In response to MCS polling, an emulator message generator generates intelligent responses based on the configuration data which emulate communications from a report network of state monitoring devices to the MCS in response to such MCS polling. Simulated multi-tasking and dynamic user-interface control options are included.

Method and apparatus for emulating a network of state monitoring devices

A method and apparatus for emulating a digital cross-connect switching (DXC) network, such as a DXC 1/0 network, fully tests a telecommunication network monitoring and control system (MCS). The communication and behavior of a DXC network at the channel level are emulated in the presence and absence of selected network node and trunk configurations, failures, and/or normalizations. A communication module communicates with the MCS through emulator control links using a communications protocol substantially identical to a communications protocol used in the emulated digital cross-connect network. Configuration data representing the current behavior of the DXC nodes. Topology data traces logical trunks or channels through adjacent DXC nodes. The topology data further includes port provision data identifying the allocation of channels for cross-connected ports at DXC nodes. Additional DXC nodes and/or trunks can be added or deleted from the topology data during pre-processing or emulator operation to test different postulated network designs. The topology data can be updated in response to MCS channel level commands (i.e. grow/de-grow, connect/dis-connect, and cross-connect commands) to set up paths through provisioned ports in the emulated DXC network. Detailed knowledge of intermediate site and equipment within the emulated DXC network is not necessary to emulate different dynamic link connections and DXC topologies. Partial or total logical trunk outages can still be emulated by generating appropriate near-side port alarms. Simulated multi-tasking and dynamic user-interface control options are included.

Method and apparatus for emulating a dynamically configured digital

A method and apparatus for emulating a digital cross-connect (DXC) network fully tests a telecommunication network monitoring and control system (MCS). The communication and behavior of a digital cross-connect switching network are emulated in the presence and absence of selected network configurations, failures, and/or normalizations. A communication module communicates with the MCS through emulator control links using a communications protocol substantially identical to a communications protocol used in the emulated digital cross-connect network. A configuration database stores configuration data representing the current behavior of the DXC nodes. A topology database stores topology data representative of the topology of the emulated DXC network. An emulator message generator generates messages emulating communications from DXC nodes to the MCS. An emulator link selector further selects an enabled emulator control link depending upon whether respective emulated network control links are enabled. Intelligent emulator responses are generated and sent based on the current configuration and/or topology data which take into account any selected user-input to emulate solicited and unsolicited responses by actual digital cross-connect network nodes to MCS commands and audits. Simulated multi-tasking and dynamic user-interface control options are included. Finally, different types of digital cross-connect switching networks and systems are emulated to test an MCS including: DXC 3/3, DXC 3/1, and/or DXC 1/0 networks.

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Colorado Springs, CO, United States of America

John V McLain, Jr