Method for generating a client/server model of a multi-protocol layered transmissions network

• US 20010012990A1
• Filed: 01/12/2001
• Published: 08/09/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lightscape Networks Limited (Ribbon Communications, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Lightscape Networks Limited (Ribbon Communications, Inc.)
• Inventors: Gabso, Einat, Malamud, Natalia, Cohen, Merav, Zimmerman, Yakov
• Application Number:
  US09/758,354
• Publication Number:
  US 20010012990A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 703/13
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/022 Multivendor or multi-standard integration
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/12 Discovery or management of network topologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]

Abstract

For use in a multi-protocol Network Management System application for managing a multi-protocol layered transmissions network including a plurality of network elements, a method for generating a model of the multi-protocol layered transmissions network, the method comprising the steps of: determining the protocol layers in the multi-protocol layered transmissions network; and for each protocol layer, mapping out an overlay including the network elements operative in the protocol layer, and at least one physical link and/or the logical links interconnecting pairs of network elements where transport service along a logical link is at least partially provided by a transmission path on a protocol layer directly underlying the protocol layer, and the pair of association links between each logical link and its associated transmission path.

Claims

1. For use in a multi-protocol Network Management System application for managing a multi-protocol layered transmissions network including a plurality of network elements, a method for generating a model of the multi-protocol layered transmissions network, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) determining the protocol layers in the multi-protocol layered transmissions network; and

(b) for each protocol layer, mapping out an overlay including the network elements operative in the protocol layer, and at least one physical link and/or the logical links interconnecting pairs of network elements where transport service along a logical link is at least partially provided by a transmission path on a protocol layer directly underlying the protocol layer, and the pair of association links between each logical link and its associated transmission path.

2. The method according to

claim 1

and further comprising the step of displaying on a GUI an overlay of one protocol layer of the model with different technologies employed therein being displayed in visually distinctive manners.

3. The method according to either

claim 1

or

2

and further comprising the step of displaying on a GUI a top view of the overlays of two or more protocol layers of the model superimposed one on the other.

4. The method according to any one of

claims 1

to

3

and further comprising the step of displaying a 3D representation on a GUI of overlays of two or more protocol layers of the model including the pair of association links between each logical link and its associated transmission path.

5. A method according to

claim 1

, operative to distinguish between alarms generated at a client protocol layer and those generated and any of the underlying protocol layers.

6. A method according to

claim 1

, operative to allow the selection of a path in the multi-protocol layered transmissions network by using at least one selection criterion for the path to be provisioned.

7. A method according to

claim 6

, wherein said at least one selection criterion is selected from the group comprising:

distance of transmission, delay allowed in receiving the transmission, degradation of the transmitted signals, protection constrains, or any combination thereof.

8. A system comprising a processor capable of carrying out the method of

claim 1

.