Modular evolving knowledge-based diagnostic device for use in communication networks

• US 7,286,965 B2
• Filed: 08/16/2005
• Issued: 10/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alcatel SA (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Alcatel SA (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Martinot, Olivier, Delegue, Gérard, Marilly, Emmanuel, Betge-Brezetz, Stéphane, Squedin, Sylvain, Saidi, Mohamed Adel
• Primary Examiner(s): NGHIEM, MICHAEL P
• Application Number:
  US11/203,975
• Publication Number:
  US 20060064282A1
• Time in Patent Office: 798 Days
• Field of Search: 702/182, 702/183, 702/185, 702/188, 702/189
• US Class Current: 702/183
• 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 41/14 Network analysis or design
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/145 involving simulating, designing, planning or modelling of a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/16 using machine learning or artificial intelligence

Abstract

A diagnostic device, for use in a communication network including network equipments is provided. The diagnostic device includes a diagnostic module that is adapted to determine the cause of problems occurring within the network on the basis of information provided by the network equipments. The diagnostic module includes a knowledge base in the form of basic diagnostic units and a processing module adapted to establish hierarchical associations between basic diagnostic units selected in the knowledge base to constitute configurable diagnostic models adapted to determine the cause of problems.

Claims

1. A diagnostic device for use in a communication network comprising network equipments, said device comprising:

diagnostic means that are adapted to determine the cause of problems occurring within said network on the basis of information provided by said network equipments, the diaanostic means comprising;

a knowledge base in the form of basic diagnostic units, and

processing means comprising a rules engine adapted to establish hierarchical associations between basic diagnostic units selected in said knowledge base by means of selected rules to constitute configurable diagnostic models adapted to determine said causes of said problems.

2. The device claimed in claim 1 wherein at least some of said rules are of a statistical or probabilistic type.

3. The device claimed in claim 2 wherein said processing means are adapted to associate selected statistical or probabilistic weights with at least certain of said basic diagnostic units and/or at least certain of said rules and/or at least certain of said models.

4. The device claimed in claim 1 wherein said processing means are adapted to associate at least some of said basic diagnostic units by means of selected models.

5. The device claimed in claim 1 wherein said processing means are adapted to associate certain selected basic diagnostic units in selected trees constituting certain of said diagnostic models.

6. The device claimed in claim 1 wherein said processing means are adapted to associate selected administrative costs with at least certain of said basic diagnostic units and/or at least certain of said rules and/or at least certain of said models.

7. The device claimed in claim 1 wherein at least certain of said diagnostic models take the form of a Bayesian network.

8. The device claimed in claim 1 wherein at least certain of said basic diagnostic units take the form of a Bayesian network.

9. The device claimed in claim 1 wherein at least certain of said basic diagnostic units take the form of sets of hierarchical tests.

10. The device claimed in claim 1 wherein said processing means are adapted to modify at least certain of said basic diagnostic units and/or at least certain of said rules and/or at least certain of said models and/or .at least certain of said statistical or probabilistic weights and/or at least certain of said administrative costs.

11. The device claimed in claim 1 wherein said processing means comprise a man/machine interface adapted to enable a user to effect said associations and/or said modifications.