Process for automatic system maintenance

Claim 1

Process for testing the operability of a multistage switching network wherein a calling one of a plurality of lines may be connected through one of a plurality of links to one of a plurality of outgoing trunks or through one of a plurality of junctors and another one of said plurality of links to another terminating line under control of a control network and providing a visual indication by indicating means of failures detected therein, comprising 1. storing first, second, third and fourth numerical designations representing a first link, a calling line, a terminating line and a junctor in discrete memory locations, 2. actuating the link and marking the calling line and junctor represented by said stored designations to determine if an operative originating path will be established, 3. incrementing the stored numerical designation of the link, 4. actuating the link and marking the terminating line and junctor represented by said stored designations to determine if an operative terminating path will be established, 5. releasing the originating path and after a time period check to insure that the path has released, 6. release the terminating path and after a time period check to insure that the path has released, 7. repeat steps (2) through (6) until stored link designation represents the last link of the system, 8. incrementing the stored numerical designations of calling line and terminating line and restore first link designation, 9. repeat steps (2) through (8) until stored line designations represent the last lines, 10. increment stored numerical designation of junctor and restore original link, calling line and terminating line designations, and 11. repeat steps (2) through (10) until stored junctor designation represents last junctor.