Method and system for providing intelligent network management

• US 20040205182A1
• Filed: 05/03/2004
• Published: 10/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Applied Systems Intelligence Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Applied Systems Intelligence Incorporated
• Inventors: Geddes, Norman D.
• Application Number:
  US10/836,242
• Publication Number:
  US 20040205182A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/223
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0668 by dynamic selection of recovery network elements, e.g. replacement by the most appropriate element after failure
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/16 using machine learning or artificial intelligence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0817 by checking functioning

Abstract

A network management system and method is disclosed for providing an intelligent decision support system for assisting human operators monitor, maintain, and diagnose and solve problems with a network. According to one embodiment, a system and method is provided that uses a partial order planner and a knowledge base to implement intelligent decision support using knowledge stored as plan and goal graphs, concept graphs, and/or scripts.

Claims

1-23. -23. (canceled)

24. A method for providing decision support in a network, the method comprising:

monitoring actions received by a network management console from a plurality of network operators;

using the actions to determine an intent of a human network operator using an inference engine coupled to a knowledge base; and

updating a network management console display based on the determined intent by using active, goal-directed planning.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein updating is further based on conflict detection in intentions between the plurality of network operators.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein monitoring comprises monitoring at least one of:

key presses;

mouse clicks; and

mouse movements.

27. The method of claim 24, further comprising:

determining a plan for carrying out a determined intention.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein determining a plan is performed using the inference engine.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the inference engine comprises at least one of:

a non-monotonic truth maintenance system; and

a partial-order planner.

30. The method of claim 24, wherein the network management console monitors a communications network, the communications network performing at least one of:

data communications, voice communications, and video communications.

31. A decision support system for managing a communications network, the system comprising:

a knowledge base including expert knowledge about communication networks;

an inference engine coupled to the knowledge base, the inference engine determining the intent of at least one network operator;

a network management system that monitors a communications network, collecting data from a plurality of network devices and network operators; and

a graphical user interface system that displays information regarding the communications network;

wherein the information displayed by the graphical user interface system is modified;

based on the determined intent of the network operator; and

by displaying information deemed most pertinent to a network operator'"'"'s goals and plans.

32. The decision support system of claim 31, further displaying notification of detected potential conflicts between one or more of the plurality of network operators.

33. The system of claim 31, wherein the knowledge base comprises one or more plan and goal graphs.

34. The system of claim 31, wherein the knowledge base comprises one or more concept graphs.

35. The system of claim 31, wherein the knowledge base comprises one or more scripts, each script comprising a weakly-ordered, partially specified sequence of actions.

36. The system of claim 31, wherein the inference engine comprises a partial order planner.

37. The system of claim 31, wherein the inference engine detects potential conflicts in intentions between a plurality of network operators and provides notification of the detected potential conflicts to one or more of the plurality of network operators.

38. The system of claim 31, wherein the inference engine comprises a non-monotonic truth maintenance system.

39. The system of claim 31, wherein the communications network performs at least one of:

data communications, voice communications, and video communications.

40. The system of claim 36, wherein the inference engine creates one or more plan instances.

41. The system of claim 40, wherein the inference engine manages life cycle states of the plan instances according to a commitment level of the partial order planner.

42. The system of claim 41, wherein the inference engine manages monitoring of actions received by the network management system using the concept graphs according to the life cycle states of the plan instances.

43. The system of claim 42, wherein the inference engine determines what further processing is needed by the partial order planner based on the monitoring of actions received by the network management system.

44. A network management system comprising:

a plurality of intelligent agents, each of the agents including;

a knowledge base including expert knowledge about communication networks;

an inference engine coupled to the knowledge base, the inference engine including a partial order planner;

a network management system that monitors a communications network, collecting data from and distributing data to a plurality of network devices and network operators; and

a graphical user interface system that displays information regarding the communications network;

wherein the information displayed by the graphical user interface system is modified;

based on a determined intent of a network operator; and

by displaying information most pertinent to network operator'"'"'s goals and plans.

45. The system of claim 44 wherein the information displayed is further modified by displaying notification of detected potential conflicts between one or more of the network operators.

46. The system of claim 44, wherein the knowledge base includes one or more concept graphs.

47. The system of claim 46, wherein each agent of the plurality of intelligent agents determines at least one intention of at least one user and wherein the data management system of a first agent of the plurality of intelligent agents shares data with a second agent of the plurality of intelligent agents representing the at least one determined intention of the at least one user to facilitate collaboration.

48. The system of claim 47, wherein the system uses the shared data to detect conflicts between a plurality of users.