A next generation performance network management system (30') includes a first component (34a) that monitors one or more attributes of network elements (11.sub.1-11.sub.n, 12.sub.1-12.sub.m, 20 and 26) as well as peripheral devices (16 and 22) and interconnecting links (18, 24) to establish an historic trend for each monitored element. A second performance management system component (34b) monitors, on a near real-time basis, critical attributes of elements identified from historic trends as undergoing performance degradation: If such performance degradation persist, as detected by such near real-time monitoring, then the network operator can repair or replace the element in question to maintain network performance.
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation of, claims priority to, and incorporates by reference herein in its entirety, pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/313,354, filed 21 Dec. 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,191,230 which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/035,306 filed Nov. 7, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,007,084, issued 28 Feb. 2006, by the same inventors and similarly titled.
