Service assurance automation access diagnostics

A business process automation system architecture is used to isolate problems in a virtual private network access network. Codified rules and a rules based program are used to determine all equipment from a customer premises equipment to a VPN core access point equipment on a VPN access path and that is associated with a failure. The codified rules also govern the gathering of information on the equipment including determining whether the equipment supports automated diagnostics and the communication protocols used. Extended PING testing is done on the equipment and a status of the extended PING test, link status, line protocol status, and existing loop status is determined. Further testing is automatically run based on the codified rules and the status. The failure is then isolated to the CPE, a local exchange carrier, or a network provider.