Method and apparatus for testing new copper connections during migration from analog network elements to next generation network (NGN) elements
View Patent ↗This invention makes it possible to transparently test replacement functionality and optionally migrate subscribers on analog phone lines, served, for example, by PSTN Class 5 elements, to Next Generation Network (NGN) elements when copper co-termination is leveraged. The method and apparatus mechanizes replacement continuity verification to the NGN element from the analog dial tone port and the multi-element network changes required for real time per line per-migration, operational testing and optional migration to the NGN element. All of the network elements are accessible from a single device, the Control Computer used by this invention. Each line can be transparently tested and optionally migrated during a short time period when the subscriber is not using the analog line. In effect, this testing and optional migration is actually changing the state of the NGN element to operational for test purposes and if the tests pass, the analog port and associated DSLAM port can be optionally deactivated. This activity is accomplished in real time, with minimal service interruption to the subscriber. Support and routing databases may also be updated concurrently.
1. A method for testing a copper connection between an analog network element and a Next Generation Network element, the method comprising:
selecting a telephone number for a telephone line to test;
accessing the telephone line through the analog element using a metallic access circuit;
determining if the telephone line is available to test;
if the telephone line is available, activating the telephone number on the Next General Network element;
placing a call through the metallic access circuit;
capturing call flow data for the call on the Next Generation Network element; and
determining whether the copper connection is operating properly based on the call flow data.
2. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the selecting comprises extracting the telephone number from a work list.
3. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the determining if the telephone line is available includes placing the metallic access circuitry in bypass mode.
4. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the determining if the telephone line is available includes detecting whether the line has voice frequencies thereon.
5. The method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising selecting a second telephone number if the telephone line is not available to test.
6. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the capturing includes storing the call flow data in a data file.
7. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the determining whether the copper connection is operating properly includes evaluating the call flow data to determine if the telephone number is in the call flow data.
8. The method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising de-activating the analog network element if the copper connection is determined to be operating properly.
9. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the analog network is a Public Switched Telephone Network.
10. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the analog element is a Class 5 switch.
11. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the Next Generation Network element is a Voice over Internet Protocol element.
12. A system for testing a copper connection between an analog network element and a Next Generation Network element, the system comprising:
means for selecting a telephone number for a telephone line to test;
means for accessing the telephone line through the analog element using a metallic access circuit;
means for determining if the telephone line is available to test;
means for activating the telephone number on the Next General Network element if the telephone line is available;
means for placing a call through the metallic access circuit;
means for capturing call flow data for the call on the Next Generation Network element; and
means for determining whether the copper connection is operating properly based on the call flow data.
13. A system for testing a copper connection between an analog network and a Next Generation Network, the system comprising:
an analog network element;
a Next Generation Network element;
a copper connection between the analog network element and the Next Generation Network element; and
a control element operative to test the copper connection by placing a call through the analog network element and capture call flow data for the call through the Next Generation Network element.
14. The system as set forth in claim 13 wherein the analog network is a Public Switched Telephone Network.
15. The system as set forth in claim 13 wherein the analog network element is a Class 5 element.
16. The system as set forth in claim 13 wherein the analog element is a Class 5 switch.
17. The system as set forth in claim 13 wherein the Next Generation Network element is a Voice over Internet Protocol element.
18. The system as set forth in claim 13 wherein the control element is a control computer.
19. The system as set forth in claim 13 wherein the control element is further operative to determine whether the copper connection is operating properly based on the call flow data.
20. The system as set forth in claim 19 wherein the control element is further operative to de-activate the analog network element if the copper connection is determined to be operating properly.