Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Computer network managing – Computer network monitoring
Reexamination Certificate
1997-08-01
2002-09-24
Meky, Moustafa M. (Department: 2153)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Computer network managing
Computer network monitoring
Reexamination Certificate
active
06457050
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates, in general, to the restoration of network information systems, and in particular to, a system and method for dynamically generating restoration routes to restore network communications following a network outage using real-time network architecture data.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Without limiting the scope of the present invention, the background is described in connection with telecommunication networks.
Telecommunication networks serve a vital role in both the public and private sectors. For example, businesses and individuals rely on these sophisticated networks to transport information, both voice and data, from one location to another. Of particular importance to both businesses and individuals is the reliability and cost of communicating via the telecommunications infrastructure. For example, if an outage occurs within a telecommunication network, vast amounts of information may be lost coupled with the substantial costs associated therewith.
Network outages develop when a discontinuity occurs within the network architecture. A discontinuity within the network may result for reasons such as, a natural disaster, accidental or intentional human intervention, or faulty network components. Regardless of the cause of the network outage, however, the communication within the network must be restored as promptly as possible to avoid unnecessary and costly disruptions in communication.
Presently, restoration of communications service is implemented by selecting alternate routes within the network which are not effected by the outage. Typically, a restoration pre-plan is used. These pre-plans are developed from network topology information which is periodically gathered and stored. It has been found, however, that due to the rapid and continuous nature of changes to the architecture of networks, the data used to prepare the pre-plans and therefore the pre-plans themselves may be obsolete before they are implemented. When a pre-plan is unsuccessful, an audit of the network architecture is required to develop a new restoration plan. This ad-hoc approach to restoration of communications, however, has been found to take an unacceptably long period of time.
Therefore, a need has arisen for a reliable, efficient and cost effective method for restoring communication after a network outage occurs. A need has also arisen for a method of maintaining real-time information regarding network architecture. Further, a need has arisen for a system and method for dynamically generating restoration routes following an outage based upon accurate network architecture information.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention disclosed herein comprises a system and method that reliably, efficiently and cost effectively restores communication within a network after a network outage has occurred. The system and method of the present invention also dynamically generates restoration routes following an outage based upon accurate network architecture information which is updated in real-time with the current network architecture.
The system and method of the present invention comprises a database containing the configuration of switching elements within a network and a plurality of instructions resident on a memory device for operating a control computer. The database consists of individual partitions corresponding to each of the switching elements which are updated in real-time such that each partition reflects the current configuration of the corresponding switching element within the network.
The plurality of instructions includes code segments that direct the control computer to identify an outage and dynamically implement a restoration route to restore communication within the network. The system includes a code segment for receiving alarms from the switching elements to identify an outage. Once an outage is declared, the system utilizes a code segment for selecting restoration switching elements based upon the current configuration of the switching elements in the database. The system then prompts a code segment to accept a pre-plan restoration route or to dynamically generate a restoration route using the selected restoration switching elements. After a restoration route is available, a code segment within the system implements the restoration route by issuing connect and disconnect commands to the restoration switching elements, thereby restoring communications within the network.
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Commerford Gerard Lawrence
Cowan Daniel E.
Turner Mark B.
MCI Communications Corporation
Meky Moustafa M.
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