# US 2006/0067237 A1 · Method and system for testing network connections > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2006/0067237 A1 - Document ID: US20060067237A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 11/002,122 - Filed: 2004-12-03 - Published: 2006-03-30 - Earliest claimed: 2004-09-24 - Assignees: Bce Inc. - Inventors: David Burns; Norman Robertson; Frank Gorenc; Manuel Branco - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20060067237A1 ## CPC - H04M 3/304: {and using xDSL modems (xDSL line qualification H04M3/306)} - H04L 43/50: Testing arrangements - H04L 12/2856: {Access arrangements, e.g. Internet access (asynchronous transfer mode networks H04L12/5601; broadband local area networks H04L12/2801; optical access or distribution networks H04Q11/0067; access to open networks H04L12/5691; digital subscriber line end-user equipment and bit-level processing of data on a PSTN-based network H04M11/00; home network gateways H04L12/2834; wireless access networks H04W)} - H04L 41/22: comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI] - H04L 2012/5628: {Testing} - H04M: TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION (circuits for controlling other apparatus via a telephone cable and not involving telephone switching apparatus G08) - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) ## Abstract A novel method and system for testing network connections is provided. In an embodiment, the system includes a network, such as the Internet, which is connected to subscriber devices in a subscriber site via an service provider, a gateway in a telephone company central office, and a DSLAM in an open plant interface. The system also includes a test apparatus operable to inject itself in the connection between the subscriber devices and the Internet at the gateway. The test apparatus can mimic the service provider and, thereby connect directly with the device at the subscriber site and try to test network connections for issue between the service provider and the device. The test apparatus can also mimic the customer and, thereby connect directly with the device and the test network connections between the service provider and the device. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A test apparatus for testing network connections comprising: a first interface for connecting to a node situated along a pathway between a data network and a subscriber device; a second interface for connecting to a computing apparatus; and, a test head intermediate said interfaces and operable to generate at least one network connection test over at least a portion of said pathway, said test head further operable to generate said at least one connection test based on instruction received from said computing apparatus via said second interface, said test head further operable to generate output representing results of said at least one network connection test. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The test apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first interface includes a switch operable to remotely connect said first interface to at least one of a plurality of nodes. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The test apparatus of claim 2 wherein said switch is operable to connect said first interface to a plurality of said nodes substantially simultaneously and wherein said test head is operable to generate a connection test for each pathway respective to each said node such that said test apparatus is operable to perform a plurality of said connection tests substantially simultaneously. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The test apparatus of claim 1 wherein said subscriber device is a computer and said network is the Internet and communications therebetween include at least one of web-browsing and email. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The test apparatus of claim 4 wherein said at least one network connection test includes at least one of an ICMP “ping”, a test for constant bit rate, a test for time delay, a test including the introduction of jitter, noise, bad or defective packets, a cyclic redundancy check, and a test including packet loss. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The test apparatus of claim 1 wherein said subscriber device is a VOIP telephone and said network is the Internet and communications there between include a VOIP telephone call. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The test apparatus of claim 6 wherein said at least one network connection test includes at least one of a test for constant bit rate, a test for time delay, a test including the introduction of jitter, noise, bad or defective packets, a cyclic redundancy check and a test including packet loss. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The test apparatus of claim 6 wherein said test apparatus further includes a local clock resident at said test apparatus for communicating with a remote tester resident on said network, said remote tester including another clock, said at least one network connection test including a test for delay wherein at least one VOIP packet is sent from said test apparatus to said remote tester at an originating time according said local clock, and said remote tester returns an arrival time according to said another clock when said at least one VOIP packet arrived at said remote tester such that a comparison can be effected between said times. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The test apparatus of claim 8 wherein said local clock is based on a GPS clock. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The test apparatus of claim 1 wherein said test head is at a remote location from said computing apparatus. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The test apparatus of claim 10 wherein communications with said computing apparatus via said second interface are conducted over a proprietary secure network of a service provider operating said computing apparatus. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The test apparatus of claim 1 wherein said test head connects to said node based on an additional instruction from said computing apparatus received at at least one of said test head and said node; said additional instruction for disconnecting said subscriber device from said node such that said at least a portion of said pathway is between said node and said data network. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The test apparatus of claim 1 wherein said test head connects to said node based on an additional instruction from said computing apparatus received at at least one of said test head and said node; said additional instruction for disconnecting said network from said node such that said at least a portion of said pathway is between said node and said subscriber device. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The test apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first interface includes a switch operable to remotely connect said first interface to at least one of a plurality of nodes and wherein said instruction includes a command to actuate said switch. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The test apparatus of claim 1 wherein said network connection test is initiated by user input entered into a web page presented on said subscriber device and for issuing instructions to said test head. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The test of apparatus of claim 1 wherein said output is delivered to said computing apparatus via said second interface ### Claim 17 A test apparatus for testing network connections comprising: a first interface for connecting to a node situated along a pathway between the Internet and a subscriber device; a second interface for connecting to a remote computing apparatus; and, a test head between said interfaces and operable to generate at least one network connection test over at least a portion of said pathway, said test head further operable to generate said at least one connection test based on instructions received from said computing apparatus via said second interface, said test head further operable to return results of said at least one network connection test to said computing apparatus via said second interface. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The test apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said node is a DSLAM for intermediating communications between said Internet and said device and wherein said pathway based on DSL. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The test apparatus of claim 17 wherein said test head connects to said node based on an additional instruction from said computing apparatus received at at least one of said test head and said node; said additional instruction for disconnecting said subscriber device from said node such that said at least a portion of said pathway is between said node and said data network. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The test apparatus of claim 17 wherein said test head connects to said node based on an additional instruction from said computing apparatus received at at least one of said test head and said node; said additional instruction for disconnecting said network from said node such that said at least a portion of said pathway is between said node and said subscriber device. ### Claim 21 (depends on 17) The test apparatus of claim 17 wherein communications with said computing apparatus via said second interface are conducted over at least a portion of a secure network proprietary to a service provider operating said computing apparatus. ### Claim 22 (depends on 17) The test apparatus of claim 17 wherein said first interface includes a switch operable to remotely connect said first interface to at least one of a plurality of nodes and wherein said instruction includes a command to actuate said switch. ### Claim 23 (depends on 17) The test apparatus of claim 17 wherein said network connection test is initiated by user input entered into a web page presented on said subscriber device and for issuing instructions to said test head. ### Claim 24 A computing apparatus comprising an interface for remote connection to a test apparatus, said apparatus operable to cause introduction of said test apparatus to a node situated along a pathway between a data network and a subscriber device, said computing apparatus further operable to remotely instruct said test apparatus to perform at least one network connection test over at least a portion of said pathway, said computing apparatus further operable to receive results of said at least one network connection test that are generated by said test apparatus. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The computing apparatus of claim 24 wherein said introduction includes an instruction to disconnect said subscriber device from said node such that said portion of said pathway comprises a path between said node and said data network. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The computing apparatus of claim 25 wherein said node is a gateway having at least one PVC and said instruction is addressed to said PVC. ### Claim 27 (depends on 24) The computing apparatus of claim 24 wherein said introduction includes an instruction to disconnect said data network from said node such that said portion of said pathway comprises a path between said node and said subscriber device. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The computing apparatus of claim 27 wherein said node is a gateway having at least one PVC and said instruction is addressed to said PVC. ### Claim 29 (depends on 24) The computing apparatus of claim 24 wherein said computing apparatus is implemented in a distributed manner across a first computing device that is remote from a second computing device. ### Claim 30 (depends on 24) The computing apparatus of claim 24 wherein said pathway is based on DSL and said connection test based on DSL standards. ### Claim 31 (depends on 24) The computing apparatus of claim 24 wherein said subscriber device is a computer and said network is the Internet and communications therebetween include at least one of web-browsing and email. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) The computing apparatus of claim 31 wherein said at least one network connection test includes at least one of an ICMP “ping”, a test for constant bit rate, a test for time delay, a test including the introduction of jitter, noise, bad or defective packets, a cyclic redundancy check, and a test including packet loss. ### Claim 33 (depends on 24) The computing apparatus of claim 24 wherein said subscriber device is a VOIP telephone and said network is the Internet and communications therebetween include a VOIP telephone call. ### Claim 34 (depends on 24) The computing apparatus of claim 24 wherein said apparatus is accessible to a plurality of customer service workstations from which said apparatus can be operated. ### Claim 35 (depends on 24) The computing apparatus of claim 24 wherein said test apparatus is at a remote location from said computing apparatus. ### Claim 36 (depends on 24) The computing apparatus of claim 24 wherein communications with said test apparatus are conducted over at least a portion of a secure network proprietary to a service provider operating said computing apparatus. ### Claim 37 (depends on 24) The computing apparatus of claim 24 wherein said test apparatus includes a switch operable to remotely connect said first interface to at least one of a plurality of nodes and wherein said introduction includes an instruction to actuate said switch. ### Claim 38 A computer readable media storing a plurality of programming instructions for execution on a computing apparatus that is remotely connectable to a test apparatus, said instructions for rendering said computing apparatus operable to cause introduction of said test apparatus to a node situated along a pathway between a data network and a subscriber device, said instructions further rendering said computing apparatus operable to issue remote instructions to said test apparatus to perform at least one network connection test over at least a portion of said pathway, said instructions further rendering said computing apparatus operable to receive results of said at least one network connection test that are generated by said test apparatus. ### Claim 39 A computer readable media storing a plurality of programming instructions for execution on a computer-based test apparatus for testing network connections that is connectable to a computing apparatus via an interface; said instructions for rendering said test apparatus connectable to a node situated along a pathway between a data network and a subscriber device via remote instructions received by said test apparatus; said programming instructions rendering said test apparatus operable to generate at least one network connection test over at least a portion of said pathway; said programming instructions further rendering said test apparatus operable to generate said at least one connection test based on instructions received from said computing apparatus; said programming instructions rendering said test apparatus further operable to return results of said at least one network connection test to said computing apparatus. ### Claim 40 A system for testing network connections comprising: a node for connection to a data network; a subscriber device connected to said node and for communicating with said data network via said node; a test apparatus remotely connectable to said node and for performing at least one network connection test along at least a portion of a pathway between said node and said data network or said node and said subscriber device; and, a computing apparatus connected to said test apparatus and said node for instructing said test apparatus to perform said test and for receiving results thereof from said test apparatus. ### Claim 41 (depends on 40) The system of claim 40 wherein said network connection test is initiated by user input entered into a web page presented on said subscriber device and for issuing instructions to said test head. ### Claim 42 (depends on 40) The system of claim 40 wherein said test apparatus is at a remote location from said computing apparatus. ### Claim 43 (depends on 40) The system of claim 40 wherein communications between said computing apparatus and said test apparatus are conducted over at least a portion of a secure network proprietary to a service provider operating said computing apparatus. ### Claim 44 (depends on 40) The system of claim 40 wherein said test apparatus includes a switch operable to remotely connect said first interface to at least one of a plurality of nodes and wherein said instructing includes a command to actuate said switch. ### Claim 45 (depends on 40) The system claim 40 wherein said test apparatus is connectable to said node via a command from said computing apparatus, said command including an instruction to said node to disconnect said subscriber device from said node such that said portion of said pathway comprises a path between said node and said data network. ### Claim 46 (depends on 45) The system of claim 45 wherein said node is a gateway having at least one PVC and said instruction is addressed to said PVC. ### Claim 47 (depends on 40) The system of claim 40 wherein said test apparatus is connectable to said node via a command from said computing apparatus, said command including an instruction to disconnect said data network from said node such that said portion of said pathway comprises a path between said node and said subscriber device. ### Claim 48 (depends on 47) The system of claim 47 wherein said node is a gateway having at least one PVC and said instruction is addressed to said PVC. ### Claim 49 (depends on 40) The system of claim 40 wherein test apparatus and said computing apparatus are integrated into a single apparatus. ### Claim 50 (depends on 40) The system of claim 40 further comprising a plurality of workstations connected to said computing apparatus for issuing instructions thereto. ### Claim 51 (depends on 40) The system of claim 40 wherein said node is a gateway for intermediating communications between said network and said subscriber device. ### Claim 52 (depends on 51) The system of claim 51 wherein said gateway is a DSL access concentrator and further comprising an outside plant interface intermediate said node and said subscriber device, said outside plant interface housing a DSLAM for intermediating communications between said DSL access concentrator and said subscriber device ### Claim 53 (depends on 51) The system of claim 51 wherein said gateway includes a plurality of permanent virtual circuits that are switchable according to instructions received from said computing apparatus, wherein a connection between said gateway and said data network is effected via a first permanent virtual circuit at said gateway, wherein a connection between said gateway and said subscriber device is effected via a second permanent virtual circuit at said gateway, wherein said communications between said subscriber device and said network are effected when said first permanent virtual circuit is connected to said second permanent virtual circuit, and wherein introduction of said test apparatus to said gateway includes an instruction from said computing apparatus to disconnect said first permanent virtual circuit from said second permanent virtual circuit and to connect said first permanent virtual circuit with a permanent virtual circuit at said gateway that is connected to said test apparatus. ### Claim 54 (depends on 51) The system of claim 51 wherein said gateway includes a plurality of permanent virtual circuits that are switchable according to instructions received from said computing apparatus, wherein a connection between said gateway and said data network is effected via a first permanent virtual circuit at said gateway, wherein a connection between said gateway and said subscriber device is effected via a second permanent virtual circuit at said gateway, wherein said communications between said subscriber device and said network are effected when said first permanent virtual circuit is connected to said second permanent virtual circuit, and wherein introduction of said test apparatus to said gateway includes an instruction from said computing apparatus to disconnect said first permanent virtual circuit from said second permanent virtual circuit and to connect said second permanent virtual circuit with a permanent virtual circuit at said gateway that is connected to said test apparatus. ### Claim 55 (depends on 40) The system of claim 40 wherein said subscriber device is a computer and said network is the Internet and communications therebetween include at least one of web-browsing and email. ### Claim 56 (depends on 55) The system of claim 55 wherein said at least one network connection test include at least one of an ICMP “ping”, a test for constant bit rate, a test for time delay, a test including the introduction of jitter, noise, bad or defective packets, a cyclic redundancy check, and a test including packet loss. ### Claim 57 (depends on 40) The system of claim 40 wherein said subscriber device is a VOIP telephone and said network is the Internet and communications therebetween include a VOIP telephone call. ### Claim 58 (depends on 57) The system of claim 57 wherein said at least one network connection test include at least one of a test for constant bit rate, a test for time delay, a test including the introduction of jitter, noise, bad or defective packets, a cyclic redundancy check, and a test including packet loss. ### Claim 59 (depends on 57) The system of claim 57 wherein said system further includes a local clock resident at said test apparatus and a remote tester resident on said network, said remote tester including another clock, said at least one network connection test including a test for delay wherein at least one VOIP packet is sent from said test apparatus to said remote tester at an originating time according said local clock, and said remote tester returns an arrival time according to said another clock when said at least one VOIP packet arrived at said remote tester such that a comparison can be effected between said times. ### Claim 60 (depends on 59) The system of claim 59 wherein said clocks are based on GPS devices. ### Claim 61 (depends on 40) The system of claim 40, wherein said test apparatus is operable to perform at least one network connection test along both a pathway between said node and said subscriber device and a pathway between said node and said data network. ### Claim 62 (depends on 40) The system of claim 40 wherein said test apparatus is further operable to respond to at least one additional network connection test generated by said subscriber device and report the results of said at least one additional network connection test back to said subscriber device. ### Claim 63 (depends on 62) The system of claim 62 wherein said network connection test is initiated by user input entered into a web page presented on said subscriber device and for issuing instructions to said test head. ### Claim 64 A method for testing a network connection comprising the steps of: receiving a remote instruction to perform at least one network connection test over at least a portion of a pathway between a data network and a subscriber device having a node therebetween; based on said instruction, generating said at least one network connection test over said at least a portion of said pathway; and, outputting results of said at least one network connection test. ### Claim 65 (depends on 64) The method of claim 64 wherein said node is a gateway for intermediating communications between said network and said subscriber device. ### Claim 66 (depends on 65) The method of claim 65 wherein said pathway is based on DSL and wherein said gateway is a DSL access concentrator and wherein said pathway further comprises an outside plant interface intermediate said node and said subscriber subscriber device, said outside plant interface housing a DSLAM for intermediating communications between said DSL access concentrator and said subscriber device. ### Claim 67 (depends on 64) The method of claim 64 wherein said subscriber device is a computer and said network is the Internet and communications therebetween include at least one of web-browsing and email. ### Claim 68 (depends on 67) The method of claim 67 wherein said at least one network connection test includes at least one of an ICMP “ping”, a test for constant bit rate, a test for time delay, a test including the introduction of jitter, noise, bad or defective packets, a cyclic redundancy check, and a test including packet loss. ### Claim 69 (depends on 64) The method of claim 64 wherein said subscriber device is a VOIP telephone and said network is the Internet and communications therebetween include a VOIP telephone call. ### Claim 70 (depends on 69) The method of claim 69 wherein said at least one network connection test includes at least one of a test for constant bit rate, a test for time delay, a test including the introduction of jitter, noise, bad or defective packets, a cyclic redundancy check a, a tests involving packet loss. ### Claim 71 A method for testing a connection comprising the steps of: issuing a first instruction to cause introduction of a test apparatus to a node situated along a pathway between a data network and a subscriber device; issuing a second instruction to said test apparatus to perform at least one network connection test over at least a portion of said pathway; and, receiving results of said at least one network connection test that are generated by said test apparatus. ### Claim 72 (depends on 71) The method of claim 71, wherein said first instruction includes disconnecting said subscriber device from said node such that said portion of said pathway comprises a path between said node and said data network. ### Claim 73 (depends on 71) The method of claim 71, wherein said first instruction includes an instruction to disconnect said data network from said node such that said portion of said pathway comprises a path between said node and said subscriber device.