Technique for diagnosing and locating physical and logical faults in data transmission systems

摘要

A system for testing circuits of digital data telecommunications networks provides selected physical and protocol testing on an integrated basis. Systems and test methods provide for analysis of test results to provide diagnosis of probable cause of actual or apparent faults related to data transmission and may also provide automatic implementation of additional diagnosis, followed by a second level of fault diagnosis using the additional test results. Display screens provide the results of fault analysis, provide comparative viewing of fault-free benchmark data and provide suggestions as to probable cause of faults. A central test unit portion of the system may be installed at a carrier's offices and testing may be controlled on a dial-up basis over telephone lines from a remote customer location using a personal computer as the test selection entry and information screen viewing device.