Method and apparatus for fault analysis in a communication network

Abstract

A communication network includes a customer database storing information including a customer identifier and an associated plurality of telephone numbers. The customer database preferably is in communication with both a circuit switch component and a packet switch component using a first protocol. The switch components are further in communication with an error collection computer using a variety of unique protocols. Upon the occurrence of an error in the network, the switch component provides an error message to the error collection computer for analysis. An interconnecting datalink is also provided between the customer database and the error collection computer communicating using a second protocol. This interconnecting datalink allows additional information to be passed without changing the SS7 protocol or the variety of unique protocols from each of the network components. When the error collection computer receives a calling number and/or a called number in the error message, the error collection computer cross-references those numbers against those contained in a database downloaded over the interconnecting datalink to determine if any selected customers are impacted by the error. If so, the error collection computer outputs its analysis including the customer identifier.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.