Dynamic network topology determination
First Claim
1. A method to dynamically determine the topology of a communications network comprising a plurality of diverse network elements (DNEs), each comprising at least one communications port, said method comprising the steps of:
- (1) configuring at least one DNE with at least one mismatched port, said mismatched port adapted so that a signal mismatch is generated by each communications port coupled to said mismatched port;
(2) cross-connecting said mismatched port with a communications port within the same DNE;
(3) collecting alarm data from each communications DNE within the communications network;
(4) correlating the alarm data from step (3) with the cross-connection performed in step (2), thereby identifying alarms correlated to said mismatched port;
(5) processing the correlated alarms from step (4) to determine network connectivity.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for dynamically determining the physical connection topology between diverse network elements (DNEs) within a communication network. Each DNE is audited on a periodic basis to determine the arrangement, configuration, cross-connection, and alarm status of each communication port within each DNE in the communications network. A topology database is maintained with such baseline information. Each DNE is configured with at least one mismatched port. Mismatched ports are cross-connected with communication ports within DNEs so that signal mismatch alarms are generated by communication ports coupled with the mismatched ports in other DNEs. Signal mismatch alarms are collected and processed so that connectivity status may be derived based on the baseline data, expected alarms, and the receipt of such alarms or lack thereof. A topology database is continuously updated to reflect such derived information.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method to dynamically determine the topology of a communications network comprising a plurality of diverse network elements (DNEs), each comprising at least one communications port, said method comprising the steps of:
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(1) configuring at least one DNE with at least one mismatched port, said mismatched port adapted so that a signal mismatch is generated by each communications port coupled to said mismatched port; (2) cross-connecting said mismatched port with a communications port within the same DNE; (3) collecting alarm data from each communications DNE within the communications network; (4) correlating the alarm data from step (3) with the cross-connection performed in step (2), thereby identifying alarms correlated to said mismatched port; (5) processing the correlated alarms from step (4) to determine network connectivity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for dynamically determining the physical connection topology of a communications network comprising:
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a plurality of diverse network elements (DNEs), each said DNE having a first set of communication ports and a second set of communication ports, any of said first set of communication ports being cross-connectable to any of said second set of communication ports; a plurality of transmission segments each connecting a pair of said DNEs; and a computer system coupled to each said DNE, comprising; audit means for obtaining baseline status information from each said DNE, said baseline status information comprising data related to the cross-connection and alarm status of each said communications port within each said DNE; alarm generation means for generating alarms used to determine the operating condition of the transmission segments connected between the DNEs; collection means for collecting alarm data generated by the plurality of communication ports within the communications network; deriving means for determining the current operating condition of the transmission segments based on said audit means, said alarm generation means, and said collection means, and; storage means for storing topology data acquired by said audit means, said alarm generation means, and said deriving means. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification