Fault managment system for communications network

Abstract

There is described a method of operating a fault management system for an access network which forms part of a communications network. In the access network, terminating lines in the form of pairs of copper wires extend from a local switch (10) through a series of nodes to terminal equipment provided for user of the network. The fault management system includes a test head (104) and an access network management system (102). Each night, the test head (104) performs a series of tests on each of the terminating lines. The results of the tests are transmitted to the access network management (102). The test results are then analysed with respect of a set of parameter to identify characteristics that would indicate that a fault is likely to occur on the associated circuit within a predetermined period e.g. 1 year. Further analysis can then be carried out to establish the probability of the fault actually occurring and / or whether the potential fault analysed is going to occur in either the underground or the over-ground part of the network. Further analysis determines the relative costs of repair for circuits or network elements in which faults or potential faults have been identified.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to a fault management system for managing faults in a terminating circuit of a communication network, and also to a method of operating such a fault management system. Background technique [0002] Traditional communication networks consist of a relatively small number of interconnected main exchanges and a large number of local exchanges each connected to one or two main exchanges. The local exchanges are connected to the terminating circuits of the network, and the remote ends of these circuits are connected to terminal equipment, such as telephone sets, provided to users of the network. The network consisting of main switches and local switches is called the core network, while the network consisting of terminating circuits is called the access network or local loop. In this specification, it is referred to as an access network. Certain terminating circuits connect to remote hubs, which may or may not have switching c...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, while the quality of operation of nodes can be measured, current systems do not provide network administrators with information to indicate when or if failures actually occur, what resources may be required to repair them

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