Access gateway management system
View Patent ↗An Access Gateway Management System (AGMS) allows telephone operating companies to transition their existing wireline customers over to Voice over the Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology without having to invest in new workflow processes, systems, or maintenance facilities by adapting the Operational Support Systems interfaces currently employed for managing legacy circuit-switched switching systems to manage Line Access Gateways (LAGs), which are the generic line termination systems employed in VoIP infrastructure. The AGMS also configures and adapts metallic loop test systems currently deployed for the purpose of routine maintenance and troubleshooting of subscriber lines terminating directly or indirectly (through access systems) on existing switching systems to continue to provide this functionality when the lines terminate on LAGs. Synchronization of the subtended LAGs is coordinated with the legacy network by the AGMS.
1. An access gateway management system for use in testing subscriber lines served by a Line Access Gateway (LAG) in a VoIP network by means of a legacy test system, said legacy test system having a No-Test Trunk (NTT) for testing a selected subscriber line, said access gateway management system comprising:
a controller communicating with the LAG and VoIP network;
a signaling adapter responsive to the controller communicating test status signaling with a legacy test system on the NTT; and
a trunk originating register responsive to the controller collecting the directory number for a referenced subscriber line selected to be tested by the legacy test system over the NTT;
whereupon the controller requests the LAG to present the referenced subscriber line for testing by the legacy test system over the NTT.
2. The access gateway management system of claim 1 further comprising an IP interface responsive to the controller for VoIP signaling with the LAG.
3. The access gateway management system of claim 1 further comprising a control interface responsive to the controller for converting subscriber information obtained over the NTT into instructions for the LAG to present the referenced subscriber line for testing.
4. The access gateway management system of claim 1 further comprising a digital test adapter responsive to the controller for testing the PCM connectivity of the referenced subscriber line, and wherein the controller reports the results of said testing over the NTT in a manner compatible with the legacy test system.
5. The access gateway management system of claim 1 further comprising a RTP/PCM adapter responsive to the controller for testing the RTP connectivity of the referenced subscriber line, and wherein the controller reports the results of said testing over the NTT in a manner compatible with the legacy test system.
6. The access gateway management system of claim 1 further comprising a metallic test adapter providing metallic access between the NTT and the referenced subscriber line for testing by the legacy test system.
7. The access gateway management system of claim 6 further comprising test terminations presenting determined terminations through the metallic test adapter to the referenced subscriber line for testing of the referenced subscriber line.