Method and apparatus for providing signature based predictive maintenance in communication networks

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions, the plurality of instructions including instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method for enabling signature based predictive maintenance in a communication network, comprising:

• detecting a signature of a cable, where the cable is for coupling network elements within the communication network, wherein the detecting comprises determining if a latest total error count is greater than a current total error count by an amount larger than a threshold, where the signature indicates that a failure of the cable is imminent before the cable actually fails, and wherein the signature is based on a transmission line performance parameter;
• and
• generating a trouble ticket automatically for servicing the cable in accordance with the signature.

An apparatus for enabling signature based predictive maintenance in a communication network, comprising:

• means for detecting a signature of a cable, where the cable is for coupling network elements within the communication network, wherein the detecting comprises determining if a latest total error count is greater than a current total error count by an amount larger than a threshold, where the signature indicates that a failure of the cable is imminent before the cable actually fails, and wherein the signature is based on a transmission line performance parameter;
• and
• means for generating a trouble ticket automatically for servicing the cable in accordance with the signature.