Remote Network Connection Testing via VLAN Bridging

Solution Overview

Problem

The telecommunications industry faces inefficiencies and high costs due to the need for physical truck rolls to diagnose connectivity issues, especially with the introduction of triple play services and Gigabit Ethernet networks, which require skilled technicians and increased expenses.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for remotely testing connections using a management entity that bridges traffic VLANs and management VLANs, allowing for selective testing of network and customer connections through a control module that receives instructions from a management entity to perform network or customer tests.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If service technicians are dispatched to subscriber premises to verify Internet connectivity, then the nature of connectivity problems can be determined, but expenses and time are wasted due to unnecessary truck rolls

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnectivity problem diagnosis accuracyVSAvoidtruck roll time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary connectivity tests remotely before dispatching technicians. The test apparatus executes connectivity verification and diagnostics over the network connection, allowing service providers to determine whether a truck roll is actually necessary, thus avoiding unnecessary technician dispatches and time loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-diagnosis of connectivity issues through automated remote testing. The test apparatus autonomously performs connectivity verification, authentication testing, and diagnostics without requiring physical presence of technicians, allowing the network infrastructure to diagnose its own problems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If service technicians are dispatched to subscriber premises to verify Internet connectivity, then the nature of connectivity problems can be determined, but expenses increase due to truck roll costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnectivity problem diagnosis accuracyVSAvoidtruck roll expenses

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary connectivity tests remotely before dispatching technicians. The test apparatus executes connectivity verification and diagnostics over the network connection, allowing service providers to determine whether a truck roll is actually necessary, thus avoiding unnecessary technician dispatches and expense loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-diagnosis of connectivity issues through automated remote testing. The test apparatus autonomously performs connectivity verification, authentication testing, and diagnostics without requiring physical presence of technicians, allowing the network infrastructure to diagnose its own problems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If skilled technicians are deployed to handle triple play services and Gigabit Ethernet networks, then service quality is maintained, but costs increase due to higher skill requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice qualityVSAvoidtechnician cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automated self-diagnosis and testing of triple play services including voice, video, and data over Gigabit Ethernet networks. The test apparatus performs comprehensive service verification without requiring skilled technicians to be physically present, maintaining service quality through automated diagnostics while reducing technician deployment costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the mechanical presence of skilled technicians with an automated electronic test apparatus. The test apparatus remotely executes comprehensive diagnostics for Gigabit Ethernet and triple play services, substituting human expertise with automated testing algorithms that maintain diagnostic accuracy while eliminating the need for expensive skilled technician deployment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS7869371B2Method and system for testing a connection

Publication Date: 2011.01.11 KEYSIGHT TECH SINGAPORE (SALES) PTE LTD

AI summary

According to embodiments of the present invention an apparatus suitable for testing a connection defined between a customer entity and a network entity, the connection traversing at least a first portion of a packet-enabled network between said apparatus and the network entity is provided. The apparatus comprises a first interface adapted to exchange with the network entity data associated with the connection over a first traffic VLAN and a second interface adapted to exchange with the customer entity data associated with the connection over a second traffic VLAN bridged to the first traffic VLAN by a bridging entity. The apparatus further comprises a third interface adapted to exchange with a management entity data associated with a management connection over a management VLAN. A control module coupled to the first, second and third interfaces, the control module is provided and the control module is operable to respond to an instruction received from the management entity to cause the switching entity to perform selective bridging of the management VLAN to at least one of the first traffic VLAN and the second traffic VLAN.