Patent ID: 6950968
Filing Date: 2005-09-27
Classification: G06F,H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for conducting diagnostic tests in a telecommunications node including an optics assembly coupled to a plurality of formatter cards, wherein a plurality of channel bank assemblies are coupled via a time slot interchanger (TSI) to said formatter cards, said method comprising the steps: launching a diagnostics automaton at a predetermined time by an executive scheduler running on a standby formatter card, wherein said standby formatter card is in a provisioned configuration mode operable to transport communication traffic therethrough; upon determining by said diagnostics automaton to install a diagnostic application, reconfiguring said standby formatter card into a loopback configuration mode involving a predefined loopback path in said telecommunications node and suspending said communication traffic through said standby formatter card, wherein said predefined loopback path involves a transmit path and a receive path in said standby formatter card and a cross-connect path in said optics assembly, said predefined loopback path traversing a backplane to which said standby formatter card is coupled; performing at least one diagnostic test relating to said predefined loopback path; and upon completing said at least one diagnostic test, reconfiguring said standby formatter card into said provisioned configuration mode in order to commence said communication traffic through said standby formatter card.