Method and apparatus for a comprehensive network management system

• US 20040153533A1
• Filed: 07/19/2003
• Published: 08/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Computer Associates Think Inc. (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Computer Associates Think Inc. (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Lewis, Lundy M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,769,847 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/223
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/00 Arrangements for maintenance, administration or management of data switching networks, e.g. of packet switching networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0631 using root cause analysis; using analysis of correlation between notifications, alarms or events based on decision criteria, e.g. hierarchy, tree or time analysis
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0886 Fully automatic configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/28 Restricting access to network management systems or functions, e.g. using authorisation function to access network configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5003 Managing SLA; Interaction between SLA and QoS

Abstract

In a system for managing data, voice, application and video networks and associated systems and services that comprise multiple, interconnected network technologies, a management system suited for a particular networking technology manages each separate technology domain. Multiple management systems thus manage multiple domains with respect to fault, configuration, accounting, performance, and security management. The management systems that manage the individual networking technology domains are then themselves managed by a higher-level system, called an inter-domain management system, which performs cross-domain management. The individual management systems of the invention collect data from their respective technology domains and provide it to an intra-domain data collection function. This data is then utilized by an inter-domain data correlation function to determine what instructions should be sent from an intra-domain instruction function to each management system for implementation in its respective technology domains. The comprehensive management system thus collects data from each lower-level management system and, if required, sends operational instructions back to each lower level system. Event correlation and service level management are performed at both the intra-domain and inter-domain levels. Business process management is performed at the inter-domain level.

Claims