Multiplex communications – Network configuration determination
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-18
2001-06-26
Nguyen, Chau (Department: 2663)
Multiplex communications
Network configuration determination
C370S400000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06252858
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for building a network configuration database. More particularly, the present invention relates to a network configuration database builder which is connected to a plurality of transmission units constituting a network, and also to a method executed by this database builder to create a network configuration database.
2. Description of the Related Art
Configuration management, which is one of the major aspects of network management, can be defined as a process of collecting data from a network of interest and using that data to manage the configuration of all network devices being involved. The collected data is stored into an appropriate database, allowing efficient access from network engineers. Conventionally, such a network configuration database is constructed through a labor-intensive process which includes the following tasks: (1) manually designing database records, based on the connections among transmission units that constitute the network, (2) verifying the records concerning their contents and coverage, (3) correcting errors, and (4) registering the validated records into the network configuration database.
In reality, however, the network configuration changes almost every day, and transmission units on the network are routinely added, deleted, and/or reconfigured. On the other hand, the network engineers always need precise information about network configuration to accomplish their duty, which includes the setup of new communication channels, diagnosis of existing channels, and troubleshooting. Thus the network configuration database is required to be perfectly consistent with the physical configuration of the network, and it is necessary for the network engineers to frequently refresh the database to keep up-to-date information. However, since the maintenance of this database is a labor-intensive job, there has been a demand for such a facility that aids the network engineers and reduces the cost of labor.
In the conventional process of building a network configuration database described above, the initial design stage is prone to introduce human errors. This is why the conventional process involves verification of records as an essential step. The problem is that this verification step should be performed each time the network configuration is changed. Time and expenses for such verification tasks have been a major concern in the network configuration management.
Further, the verification of database records is not a simple and easy task, but requires expert knowledge about network design and transmission equipment. This is another factor to increase the time and expenses for the network configuration management.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Taking the above into consideration, an object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for building a network configuration database which eliminates manual data collection and verification processes and thereby reduces the time and labor costs associated with them.
To accomplish the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for building a network configuration database, which is connected to a plurality of transmission units constituting a network. This apparatus comprises the following elements:
(a) a device data collection unit which collects device configuration data from the plurality of transmission units, where the device configuration data describes how each transmission unit is internally configured and how each transmission unit is linked to other transmission units;
(b) a template data storage unit which stores template data that is previously prepared by modeling possible configurations of various types of transmission units;
(c) a physical connection database which stores the device configuration data;
(d) a data area management unit which reserves a plurality of data storage areas in the physical connection database according to the template data stored in the template data storage unit, where the plurality of data storage areas are allocated respectively to the plurality of transmission units; and
(e) a process decision unit which saves the device configuration data collected by the device data collection unit into the corresponding data storage areas in the physical connection database.
To accomplish the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a method of building a network configuration database, which is executed by a network configuration database builder that is connected to a plurality of transmission units constituting a network and comprises a physical connection database to store device configuration data. This method comprising the steps of:
(a) storing template data that is previously prepared by modeling possible configurations of various types of transmission units;
(b) reserving a plurality of data storage areas in the physical connection database according to the template data stored in the step (a);
(c) collecting device configuration data from the plurality of transmission units, which describes how each transmission unit is internally configured and how each transmission unit is linked to other transmission units; and
(d) storing the device configuration data collected in the step (c) into the corresponding data storage areas reserved in the physical connection database.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention by way of example.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5483631 (1996-01-01), Nagai et al.
patent: 5724341 (1998-03-01), Inoue
patent: 5-83226 (1993-04-01), None
patent: 5-128032 (1993-05-01), None
patent: 5-250296 (1993-09-01), None
Boakye Alexander
Fujitsu Limited
Helfgott & Karas P.C.
Nguyen Chau
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