Safeguarding end-user performance through digital network maintenance

A performance-based process to support network maintenance activities that are related to, and thereby address, end-user needs is presented. The process consists of an integrated view of network performance objectives, performance monitoring capabilities, and maintenance limits. There are two main parts to the process. The first is top down/planning oriented and involves determination of end-user needs in terms of long-term, end-to-end digital transmission performance objectives and allocation of these objectives to maintenance entities; and expression of objectives as shorter term limits consistent with maintenance needs. The second part of the process is bottom up/operations oriented and involves continuous in-service performance monitoring of network elements and reporting of the resulting performance data to a centralized surveillance center, comparison of these data with the short-term maintenance limits derived as part of the top-down process, and initiation and support of maintenance action through further analysis of performance data