Distributed resource management for multi-service, multi-access broadband networks

A method, in a telecommunication system, of monitoring performance of an access network and reporting the performance to an access network resource manager in a core network, said method comprising the steps of:

• collecting performance and stability data for nodes in the access network by a loop qualification and monitoring tool;
• analyzing by the loop qualification and monitoring tool, the collected performance and stability data utilizing interpretation filters to derive key performance indicators for the access network;
• comparing by the loop qualification and monitoring tool, the key performance indicators with corresponding threshold values for access network performance;
• and
• communicating between the loop qualification and monitoring tool and the access network resource manager over a web service-based interface, said communicating step including:
• sending the key performance indicators for the access network to the access network resource manager in response to a query therefrom, wherein the query is received and the performance data is sent over the web service-based interface;
• and
• automatically sending notifications to the access network resource manager over the web service-based interface whenever the comparing step indicates that one of the key performance indicators exceeds a corresponding threshold value.

A loop qualification and monitoring tool in a telecommunication network for monitoring performance of an access network and reporting the performance to an access network resource manager in a core network, said tool comprising:

• means for collecting performance and stability data for nodes in the access network;
• an analyzer for analyzing the collected performance and stability data utilizing interpretation filters to derive key performance indicators for the access network;
• means for connecting to a web service-based interface for sending the key performance indicators for the access network to the access network resource manager in response to a query therefrom;
• means for comparing the key performance indicators with corresponding threshold values for access network performance;
• and
• communication means for automatically sending notifications to the access network resource manager over the web service-based interface whenever one of the key performance indicators exceeds a corresponding threshold value.

A system in a telecommunication network for monitoring performance of an access network and allocating access network resources, said system comprising:

• a loop qualification and monitoring tool for monitoring and reporting performance of the access network;
• and
• an access network resource manager in the core network communicating with the loop qualification and monitoring tool through a web service-based interface;
• wherein the loop qualification and monitoring tool includes:
• means for collecting performance and stability data for nodes in the access network;
• an analyzer for analyzing the collected performance and stability data utilizing interpretation filters to derive key performance indicators for the access network;
• means for connecting to the web service-based interface for sending the key performance indicators for the access network to the access network resource manager in response to a query therefrom;
• means for comparing the key performance indicators with corresponding threshold values for access network performance;
• and
• communication means for automatically sending notifications to the access network resource manager over the web service-based interface whenever one of the key performance indicators exceeds a corresponding threshold value;
• wherein the access network resource manager includes means for allocating access network resources based on the key performance indicators and notifications received from the loop qualification and monitoring tool.