Pstn call simulator and method of operation for testing pstn-to-ip network telephone services for individual and group internet clients prior to availability of the services

Abstract

A telephone call simulator generates telephone calls for large sets of subscribers in a PSTN-IP telephone service for purposes of validating various telephone services, e.g. call waiting, call forwarding, etc. available to subscribers of the telephone service. via the IP network. The telephone numbers of subscribers are grouped in different call processing actions and/or subscriber call behavior based on the options offered by the service. The telephone numbers and test logic scripts are stored in a test input data file. Test logic scripts are generated for each group of related telephone number and stored in a file, typically the test input data file. The test input data file is read by test assignment apparatus which assigns the test logic scripts to process within a call processing pool. The test logic scripts record test result data to a test output data file. Call implementation apparatus in the pool executes random calling of each test logic script for the group of related telephone numbers which records the responses to the test logic scripts in the test output data file validating the telephone services for the related telephone numbers.