Patent ID: 7940676

Claim:
A method for providing network testing, the method comprising: connecting, at a server, to at least one element within a network; performing, by the server, a test on at least one layer of the network through the at least one element, the at least one layer selected from a group comprising an open system interconnection layer 3, an open system interconnection layer 4, an open system interconnection layer 5, an open system interconnection layer 6, and an open system interconnection layer 7, the test associated with at least one addressable device connected to the network, and wherein performing the test comprises inspecting packet header information of packets associated with an individual customer, inspecting the packets for observing an individual flow of traffic, determining which application is being used by the individual customer based on the packets inspected, monitoring traffic on the network comprising capturing asynchronous transfer mode cell traffic counters, operations, administration, and maintenance traffic, internet protocol traffic, header error check errors, and cyclic redundancy check errors, sending the traffic monitored to a support group, setting up thresholds for proactive support, wherein setting up the thresholds for the proactive support comprises tracking port utilization of known abused ports and receiving a notification when the thresholds reach a user-definable level, and retrieving traffic counters associated with the individual customer at each network element on the network; analyzing data associated with the test, wherein analyzing the data associated with the test to determine whether at least one of a new device should be sent, a service technician should be dispatched, or personnel at a network operating center should be involved; and upon determining whether at least one of a new device should be sent, a service technician should be dispatched, or personnel at a network operating center should be involved, providing a response based on the data analysis, wherein providing the response comprises at least one of sending the new device, dispatching the service technician, or involving the personnel at the network operating center.