Fault testing in a telecommunications switching platform

Abstract

In a switching platform of a telecommunications system, fault testing is automatically performed during operation of the switching platform to identify components to be tested, perform testing and if a fail condition occures, perform localization to isolate a source of the fail condition. In another mode of testing, an off-line component is identified and the test procedure automatically performs testing and if a fail condition occurs, a localization procedure is automatically initiated to identify a source of the fail condition. A configuration database containing status information on components of the switching platform can be periodically searched by the fault test procedure to identify components to be tested. The configuration database can also be searched to identify replacement components in response to an alarm identifying a faulty component generated by the fault test procedure.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for testing a component in a switching platform, comprising the steps of: periodically searching a configuration database to identify a component to be tested, the configuration database maintaining status information on components of the switching platform; and   automatically performing a fault test on the identified component.   
     
     
       2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: if the fault test results in a pass condition, terminating the fault test; and   if the fault test results in a fail condition, automatically performing a localization operation to isolate a source of the fail condition.   
     
     
       3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of automatically performing the fault test includes establishing an end to end test connection of the identified component. 
     
     
       4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the step of automatically performing the fault test includes establishing an end to end test connection of the identified component and the step of performing the localization procedure includes establishing iterative loopback connections within the end to end connection until the source of the fail condition is isolated. 
     
     
       5. The method according to claim 2, further comprising the steps of: when the source of the fail condition is isolated, generating an alarm identifying the source of the fail condition;   in response to the alarm, searching the configuration database to identify a redundant component for the source of the fail condition; and   if a redundant component is identified, automatically failing over to the redundant component.   
     
     
       6. A method for testing a component in a switching platform, comprising the steps of: initiating a fault test on an identified component,   If the fault test results in a pass condition, terminating the fault test; and   if the fault test results in a fail condition, automatically performing a localization operation to isolate a source of the fail condition.   
     
     
       7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising the steps of: when the source of the fail condition is isolated, generating an alarm identifying the source of the fail condition;   in response to the alarm, searching a configuration database to identify a redundant component for the source of the fail condition, the configuration database maintaining status information on components of the switching platform; and   if a redundant component is identified, automatically failing over to the redundant component.