Network element management
First Claim
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1. A method of managing network elements in an optical network at a node in the network, comprising:
- providing a network element independent module that includes functions for managing different types of network elements;
providing one or more network element dependent modules that include functions for managing a specific type of network element and is in communication with the network element independent module;
providing a network management application that is in communication with the network element independent module and calls the functions of the network element independent and dependent modules to manage a plurality of network elements in a network;
receiving at the node a message indicating that there is a new network element in the network;
sending a request to the new network element for information about the new network element;
initializing the network element independent module for the new network element;
determining if the new network element corresponds to one of the network element dependent modules accessible by the network management application;
utilizing one of the network element dependent modules to manage the new network element if the new network element corresponds to one of the network element dependent modules accessible by the network management application; and
receiving from the new network element and storing a new network element dependent module if the new network element does not correspond to one of the network element dependent modules accessible by the network management application;
wherein the new network element dependent module, network element independent module, and network management application are stored at the node so that the node is operable to communicate directly with the new network element.
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Abstract
Techniques for managing network elements in a network are provided. A network element dependent module is utilized to provide functions for managing a specific type of network element. The network element dependent module can be for a network element type and software version. The network element application can manage new network elements, even those with new features, without requiring an update to the network management application.
46 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of managing network elements in an optical network at a node in the network, comprising:
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providing a network element independent module that includes functions for managing different types of network elements; providing one or more network element dependent modules that include functions for managing a specific type of network element and is in communication with the network element independent module; providing a network management application that is in communication with the network element independent module and calls the functions of the network element independent and dependent modules to manage a plurality of network elements in a network; receiving at the node a message indicating that there is a new network element in the network; sending a request to the new network element for information about the new network element; initializing the network element independent module for the new network element; determining if the new network element corresponds to one of the network element dependent modules accessible by the network management application; utilizing one of the network element dependent modules to manage the new network element if the new network element corresponds to one of the network element dependent modules accessible by the network management application; and receiving from the new network element and storing a new network element dependent module if the new network element does not correspond to one of the network element dependent modules accessible by the network management application; wherein the new network element dependent module, network element independent module, and network management application are stored at the node so that the node is operable to communicate directly with the new network element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of managing network elements in an optical network at a node in the network, comprising:
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receiving at the node a message indicating that there is a new network element in the network; sending a request to the new network element for the specific type of the network element; determining if the new network element is compatible with a specific type of another network element on the network; if the specific type of the network element is compatible with the specific type of another network element on the network, utilizing a stored network element dependent module; if the specific type of the network element is not compatible with the specific type of another network element on the network; sending a request to the new network element for a network element dependent module that includes functions for managing the specific type of the network element; executing the network element dependent module to create an interface to the network element; and utilizing the interface to manage the network element; wherein the network element dependent module is executed at the same node running a network management application. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A computer-readable storage medium encoded with a computer program for managing network elements at a network management node in a network, the network comprising a plurality of network elements including one or more edge devices, the computer program comprising:
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code that operates an element independent module including functions for managing different type of network elements in the network; code that operates one or more network element dependent module that support network element dependent functions and network element dependent communication protocols; code that operates a network management application in communication with the network element independent module and operable to call the functions of the network element independent and dependent modules to manage said plurality of network elements in the network; code that receives at the network management node an object change message indicating that there is a topology change in the network and identifying a new network element; code that stores information on said plurality of network elements and the new network element including path information for communicating with the network elements; code that sends a request to the new network element for information about the new network element; code that initializes the network element independent module for the new network element; code that determines if the new network element corresponds to one of the network element dependent modules accessible by the network management application; code that utilizes one of the network element dependent modules to manage the new network element if the new network element corresponds to one of the network element dependent modules accessible by the network management application; and code that receives from the new network element and stores a new network element dependent module if the new network element does not correspond to one of the network element dependent modules accessible by the network management application; wherein the new network element dependent module, network element independent module, and network management application are stored at the network management node so that the node is operable to communicate directly with the new network element. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification