The present invention generally relates to a method and apparatus for effectively detecting and characterizing noise and other events affecting a communications system such as digital subscriber lines (DSL). According to certain aspects, the invention includes a noise analysis engine that is embedded in customer premises equipment that classifies noise sources according to their specific characteristics and tracks each noise source in a dynamic manner, in such a way as to provide visibility to the changing noise environment within the customer premises and/or report this environment to a remote entity.