Method and apparatus for testing call paths over long distance carrier networks

A method for remotely testing a call path through a long distance carrier switch comprising:

• determining a calling path from a call which has been placed through said long distance carrier switch by consulting a log of said switch containing call information;
• remotely placing said call through a maintenance port of said switch through an output port identified in said switch log over said calling path to a destination;
• and,
• measuring the performance of said calling path.

A method for remotely testing call paths in a telecommunications system which interconnects a plurality of local telephone companies through a plurality of switches interconnected by long distance carriers comprising:

• connecting a test facility to each of said switches, permitting said test facility to place a call through a selected port of said switches;
• connecting said test facility over a data network to a support station to permit said support station to request said test facility to place a call through any of said switches through a selected port of said switches to a selected destination;
• determining at said support station a call path which has been reported by a customer as being troublesome, including the switches through which said customer's call was routed, and an output port of each of said switches over which said call was placed;
• and,
• requesting from said support station said test facility to place said call through each of said determined switches and determined output ports to the destination of said customer's call isolate a troublesome portion of said call path.

A method for remotely testing a call path established over a telecommunication system which interconnects a plurality of local telephones, when said call path is reported to be substandard by a calling party using said call path, comprising:

• connecting a maintenance port at each switch of said telecommunication network to a remote test site via a T1 carrier;
• connecting each remote test site via a data network to a central testing facility which forwards digital commands to said remote test site;
• determining from said central testing facility a first switch of said call path which is connected to said calling party and each remaining switch of said call path;
• issuing a command from said central testing facility to a remote test site connected to said first switch, to place a call through a maintenance port of said first switch over said call path;
• testing said call path from said test site connected to said first switch;
• issuing subsequent commands to a maintenance port of each remaining switch of said call path via a connected test site to establish a remaining portion of said call path from said subsequent switches in said call path;
• and,
• testing each remaining portion of said call path established by each of said remaining switches of said call path.