Media terminal adaptors (MTAs) are used to convert digital data to analog audio for telephones. MTAs require a strict provisioning sequence prior to becoming operational. In a PacketCable environment a total of 25 steps must be complete to become operational, and 11 additional steps must be completed in order to establish security associations with the call agent. These provisioning steps are controlled by the Multiple Service Operator (MSO) or Internet Service Provider (ISP) and are a function of the MSO Provisioning Server (MTA dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) options and MTA configuration file), the service provider's domain name system (DNS) configuration, and the configuration of the service provider call agent and Kerberos Key Distribution Center (KDC). Failure to properly configure any of these items can leave the MTA in a non-provisioned or improperly configured state which will render the MTA nonfunctional or out-of-service. In this context, out-of-service means that dial tone is not heard on the handset when the phone attached to the MTA is taken off-hook.
Existing cable modems and MTAs use discrete light emitting diodes (LEDs) or a 7-segment LED display to indicate provisioning status and possibly, the first provisioning step that has failed. Due to the small number of product LEDs (typically 5, 6, or 7-segment display) and the large number of provisioning steps, it is difficult to indicate the precise cause of a provisioning failure. Approaches have been used to display the provisioning status via blinking LEDs, displaying the status code in a binary format, etc. Many non-technical consumers are not able to easily correlate the blinking LED codes with a table in the user manual in order to resolve their specific problem.
As can be appreciated, there is a need for a MTA that provides a diagnostic audio message that is easily understandable to the user of the MTA when a there is a provisioning failure or out-or-order condition. Additionally, there is a need to provide a message to the user that the user can easily understand with regard to correcting the provisioning failure or out-of-order condition.