Checking of broadband network components

Abstract

Systems and methods for checking broadband network components are provided in which an automated interactive system permits a field technician to check various conditions of a communication line or other broadband network components without the assistance of a support technician. While options to request assistance from a support technician are provided, the automated interactive system permits the field technician to perform various functions on a communication line without additional assistance, especially for routine tasks. The automated interactive system, therefore, removes efficiencies that may be associated with conventional approaches for checking broadband network components.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for checking digital subscriber line (DSL) components, the method comprising the steps of: 
 establishing a connection with a field technician over a public switched telephone network (PSTN);    providing options to the field technician over the PSTN, the options comprising; 
 verification of a DSL port;  
 conditioning of a DSL port; and  
 retrieving information on a DSL port;  
   receiving an input from the field technician in response to the provided options, the input being indicative of one of the provided options:    converting the input to a digital request; and    conveying the digital request to a field application tool using transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP).    
     
     
         2 . A method for checking digital subscriber line (DSL) components, the method comprising the steps of: 
 receiving a digital request from an Interactive Voice Response Application (IVR application), the digital request being received using transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP), the digital request being one selected from a group consisting of: 
 a request to verify a DSL port;  
 a request to condition a DSL port; and  
 a request to retrieve information on a DSL port;  
   translating the digital request into a common object request broker architecture (CORBA) compatible request; and    conveying the CORBA-compatible request to a network management system (NMS), the NMS being configured to affect DSL components.    
     
     
         3 . A system for checking digital subscriber line (DSL) components comprising: 
 an Interactive Voice Response Application (IVR application) coupled to a public switched telephone network (PSTN), the IVR application being adapted to receive an input from a field technician over the PSTN, the IVR application further being configured generate a digital request corresponding to the received input;    a field application tool configured to receive the digital request, the field application tool further being configured to translate the digital request into a common object request broker architecture (CORBA) compatible request;    a network management system (NMS) that manages network elements, the NMS being configured to receive the CORBA-compatible request, the NMS further being configured to generate a command in response to the received request, the NMS further being configured to transmit the command over a communication line; and    a DSL component coupled to the communication line, the DSL component being configured to receive the command, the DSL component being configured to respond to the received command.    
     
     
         4 . A system for checking broadband network components comprising: 
 an Interactive Voice Response Application (IVR application) operating under a first protocol, the IVR application being adapted to receive an input from a field technician, the IVR application further being configured to convey the input;    a field application tool configured to receive the conveyed input, the field application tool further being configured to translate the input into a request recognizable under a second protocol, the field application tool further being configured to convey the request;    a network management system (NMS) operating under the second protocol, the NMS being configured to receive the request, the NMS further being configured to generate a command in response to the received request, NMS further being configured to transmit the command over a communication line; and    a broadband network component coupled to the communication line, the broadband network component being adapted to receive the command, the broadband network component being adapted to respond to the received command.    
     
     
         5 . A method for checking broadband network components, the method comprising the steps of: 
 receiving a request to affect a broadband network component, the request being received from a first system; and    automatically conveying the request to a second system, the second system being configured to affect the broadband network component.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5:   wherein the first system operates under a first protocol; and    wherein the second system operates under a second protocol.    
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising the step of: 
 translating the request from the first protocol into the second protocol.  
 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the step of receiving the request comprises the step of: 
 receiving a request to condition a digital subscriber line (DSL) port.    
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the step of receiving the request comprises the step of: 
 receiving a dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signal.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the step of receiving the request comprises the step of: 
 receiving a voice signal.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the step of receiving the request comprises the step of: 
 receiving a request to verify a digital subscriber line (DSL) port.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the step of receiving the request comprises the step of: 
 receiving a request to retrieve information related to a digital subscriber line (DSL) port.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the step of receiving the request comprises the step of: 
 receiving the request from an Interactive Voice Response Application (IVR application).    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the step of conveying the translated request to the second system comprises the step of: 
 conveying the translated request to a network management system (NMS).    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising the steps of: 
 receiving a response from the second system, the response indicating that the broadband network component has been affected; and    translating the response from the second protocol into the first protocol.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising the steps of: 
 receiving a response from the second system, the response indicating that the broadband network component has not been affected; and    translating the response from the second protocol into the first protocol.    
     
     
         17 . A method for checking broadband network components, the method comprising the steps of: 
 receiving a request to affect a broadband network component, the request being received over a public switched telephone network (PSTN);    conveying the request to a network management system (NMS);    receiving a message from the NMS in response to conveying the request; and    transmitting the message over the PSTN.    
     
     
         18 . A method for checking broadband network components, the method comprising the steps of: 
 receiving a request to affect a broadband network component, the request being received over a public switched telephone network (PSTN);    conveying the request to a network management system (NMS);    affecting the broadband network component;    receiving a message from the NMS in response to affecting the broadband network component; and    transmitting the message over the PSTN.