Systems and methods for tracking the reliability of communications networks
First Claim
1. A system for monitoring the reliability of a network, wherein the network includes a plurality of nodes interconnected by links, wherein each node includes a plurality of modules, and wherein the modules cooperate to transport signals along paths from origins to destinations on the network, the system, comprising:
- a network management system that gathers network information, including the configuration, history and status of paths on and modules in the network, wherein the network information further includes data associated with failed paths and modules responsible for the failed paths; and
a reliability monitoring tool that receives the network information, determines an actual reliability for at least a portion of the network and produces output representing the condition of paths on the network and actual reliability data associated with at least one path.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for monitoring the reliability of a network includes a network management system that gathers information relating to modules, nodes and paths in the network. The information includes the configuration, history and status of the modules and paths, and the failure states of the paths and the modules responsible for any failed paths. Based on the information, a reliability monitoring tool produces output that includes the condition of network paths and the actual reliability of one or more paths. Embodiments of the invention include storage arrangements that store the module and path information, in which case the output may include time-based reliability of network paths. The output may be available via the Internet. Methods of monitoring the reliability of a network are also provided.
59 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A system for monitoring the reliability of a network, wherein the network includes a plurality of nodes interconnected by links, wherein each node includes a plurality of modules, and wherein the modules cooperate to transport signals along paths from origins to destinations on the network, the system, comprising:
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a network management system that gathers network information, including the configuration, history and status of paths on and modules in the network, wherein the network information further includes data associated with failed paths and modules responsible for the failed paths; and
a reliability monitoring tool that receives the network information, determines an actual reliability for at least a portion of the network and produces output representing the condition of paths on the network and actual reliability data associated with at least one path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A system for monitoring the reliability of a network, wherein the network includes a plurality of nodes interconnected by links, wherein each node includes a plurality of modules, wherein the modules may be combined into assemblies or separated into components, and wherein the modules, assemblies and components cooperate to transport signals along paths from origins to destinations on the network, the system, comprising:
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a network management system that gathers network information, including the configuration, history and status of paths on and modules in the network, wherein the network information includes data associated with failed paths and modules responsible for the failed paths;
a module and node storage arrangement that receives and stores a first portion of the network information relating to the modules in the network;
a path service storage arrangement that receives and stores a second portion of the network information relating to the paths in the network;
a reliability prediction storage arrangement that receives and stores product information relating to the modules, assemblies and components in the network, the product information including availability and reliability prediction information; and
a reliability monitoring tool that receives the network and product information, determines an actual reliability for at least a portion of the network, and produces output representing the condition of paths on the network and the actual reliability of at least one path. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of monitoring the reliability of a network, wherein the network includes a plurality of nodes interconnected by links, wherein each node includes a plurality of modules, and wherein the modules cooperate to transport signals along paths from origins to destinations on the network, the method, comprising:
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gathering network information relating to paths on and modules in the network, the network information, including the configuration, history and status of paths and modules, and the failure state of paths and the modules responsible for the failed paths;
determining an actual reliability of at least a portion of the network; and
producing output representing the condition of paths on the network and the actual reliability of at least one path. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification