The element management system ("EMS") of the present invention addresses the need for effective and efficient management of heterogeneous telecommunications networks that include network elements of different types, such as radios and fiber optic devices, made by different manufacturers. This EMS provides a core set of element-independent network management messages that support basic network management functions, such as fault and performance monitoring and configuration management. Element-independent messages to an individual network element are mapped to an element-dependent message for that network element; messages from individual network elements are correspondingly mapped into the core set of element-independent messages. Management applications and user interfaces in the EMS thus send and receive network management information using the core set of messages, in the common protocol of those messages. The EMS of the present invention thus supports rapid and low-cost integration of additional network elements of different types and different manufacturers, additional management functionality and additional and modified telecommunications services. The present invention also provides a method for developing the core set of element-independent network management messages for basic telecommunications management functions.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
In connection with this application, priority is claimed to the following provisional applications: SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR NETWORK CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT, U.S. Ser. No. 60/121,425, filed Feb. 23, 1999, and SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR NETWORK MANAGEMENT, U.S. Ser. No. 60/121,429, filed Feb. 23, 1999.
Data for inclusion in a probable cause field of a telecommunications network alarm indication message is structured to comprise first and second delimited data elements respectively indicating first and second predetermined (ie standardized) probable cause codes, the first and second predetermined probable cause codes relating to one or more characteristics of an event occurring or having occurred in a telecommunications network. Methods, apparatus and computer programs for generating and for processing such data is provided as well as signals representing such data.
A system and method for providing a telecommunications network with an improved way of transmitting management data between individual network elements, wherein all network elements (NEA1 NEA4) of the first type, which are supplied with the management data, form part of an at least partly closed ring (T1 T4) by way of which the management data is transmittable in the payload area of the data signals.
A software tool for monitoring network performance, traffic, inventory, breakdown, repair activity, and other conditions, alerts a user to anticipated problems based upon projection of performance and related data. The software can also suggest appropriate solutions, schedules proactive maintenance based upon anticipated fail date, importance to the network, repairperson availability, and company policy. A user can set the parameters of the software tool to provide customized network maintenance.
A network includes an operations support system (20) for managing one or more network elements (40), and an interface (10) between the operations support system (20) and each network element (40). The interface (10) includes a network element side mediator object (14) and a corresponding operations support side proxy mediator object (14p). During initialization of the interface (10), method calls from the proxy mediator object (14p) to the mediator object (14) are employed by the operations support system (20) to obtain a list of data tables supported by the network element (40). The interface (10) also includes a network element side interface object (12) and a corresponding operations support system side proxy interface object (12p). In this case, during initialization of the interface (10), method calls from the proxy interface object (12p) to the interface object (12) are employed by the operations support system (20) to obtain a list of attributes for each data table listed. Preferably, the data tables passed across the interface (10) are carried in one of a finite number of distinct well defined containers, each container carrying data tables having a set of common characteristics. In this manner, a standarized extensible interface (10) is achieved.
Systems and methods are provided for interfacing between an element management system and a network management system in a network. A method includes associating a plurality of physical elements of a network with at least one element management system; providing a network management system; and providing a generic management information base interfacing between the at least one element management system and the network management system. The generic management information base includes a first data structure and a second data structure, the first data structure including at least one attribute common to each of the plurality of physical elements associated with the element management system, the second data structure including at least one value representing at least one of the plurality of physical elements. The first data structure and the second data structure are associated using a common link field and the first data structure and the second data structure are generic.
