A communication network includes a customer database storing information
including a customer identifier and an associated plurality of telephone
numbers. The customer database preferably is in communication with both a
circuit switch component and a packet switch component using a first
protocol. The switch components are further in communication with an error
collection computer using a variety of unique protocols. Upon the
occurrence of an error in the network, the switch component provides an
error message to the error collection computer for analysis. An
interconnecting datalink is also provided between the customer database
and the error collection computer communicating using a second protocol.
This interconnecting datalink allows additional information to be passed
without changing the SS7 protocol or the variety of unique protocols from
each of the network components. When the error collection computer
receives a calling number and/or a called number in the error message, the
error collection computer cross-references those numbers against those
contained in a database downloaded over the interconnecting datalink to
determine if any selected customers are impacted by the error. If so, the
error collection computer outputs its analysis including the customer
identifier.