Performance monitors sing the blues: lonely

Hybrid networks made of optic fibers and coaxial cables are enabling telephone companies to perform real-time, continuous monitoring of the local loop from the central office to the customer's network interface unit. In addition, such smart networks also allows remote testing and provisioning. The shift from twisted-pair copper star networks curbs maintenance costs and labor, especially since the networks are the ones that report problems to the carrier.
Smart networks put a new spin (cycle) on remote testing and monitoring. The loneliest guy (or gal) in town. What a great thought--networks built like washing machines. Not clean--reliable. So [...]