Digital subscriber line (DSL) state and line profile control

A method of evaluating whether to transition operation of a DSL line from a current line profile to one or more target line profiles, the method comprising:

• providing a state transition matrix comprising prioritization of the target line profiles, a plurality of threshold tables comprising sub-rules, and an overall rule;
• operating in the current line profile;
• collecting operational data to generate reported data and estimated data pertaining to operation of the DSL line in at least one of:
• the current line profile, or one of the target line profiles;
• performing one or more feasibility tests to evaluate the infeasibility of moving from the current line profile to each of the target line profiles;
• and
• operating the DSL line in a best line profile, wherein the best line profile comprises whichever of the current line profile and the target line profiles that has the highest priority in the state transition matrix and is not evaluated to be infeasible.

A DSL optimizer for evaluating whether to instruct a DSL line operating in a current line profile to operate in one of a plurality of potential line profiles, comprising:

• a controller comprising a data collection module and an analysis module, wherein the controller is coupled to a DSL system comprising the DSL line and DSL equipment operating on the DSL line using the current line profile;
• wherein the collection module is configured to collect operational data pertaining to operation of the DSL line in one or more of the potential line profiles, wherein the potential line profiles comprise one or more of:
• the current line profile or one or more target line profiles;
• further wherein the analysis module comprises:
• implementation of a state transition matrix comprising prioritization of the potential line profiles and implementation of one or more rules;
• and
• further wherein the analysis module is to:
• perform one or more feasibility tests to determine the feasibility of moving from the current line profile to each of the potential line profiles and to instruct the DSL line to operate using a best available line profile, wherein the best available line profile comprises the potential line profile that has the highest priority in the state transition matrix and has not been determined to be infeasible.