Systems and methods for creating network architecture planning tools

• US 8,539,017 B2
• Filed: 02/27/2009
• Issued: 09/17/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Brown, Tammy S.
• Primary Examiner(s): JEAN GILLES, JUDE
• Application Number:
  US12/394,893
• Publication Number:
  US 20090222788A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,663 Days
• Field of Search: 709/200, 709/226, 709/223, 709/217, 709/219, 709/249
• US Class Current: 709/200
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/08 Configuration management of networks or network elements address allocation H04L61/50
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/145 involving simulating, designing, planning or modelling of a network

Abstract

A method of creating a network architecture planning tool includes receiving at a host computer system a request from a user computer to display a first object template, transmitting an electronic file comprising the object template to a user computer, receiving at the host computer system information defining a first object comprising at least a function defining a next object, receiving at the host computer system a request from a user computer to display at least a second object template, transmitting an electronic file comprising the at least a second object template to the user computer, receiving at the host computer system information defining at least a second object relating to a network, and storing the information defining the first object and the information defining at least the second object.

Claims

1. A method of creating a planning tool, comprising:

determining a sequence of steps in a planning process relating to a network installation relating to a public switched telephone network, wherein determining a sequence of steps comprises;

assimilating requirements from a plurality of requirements sources, the plurality of requirements sources comprising one or more government regulations;

identifying parameters relating to projects that determine applicable ones of the requirements;

creating at least one step for each parameter that acquires information relating to the parameter; and

ordering the steps so as to acquire parameter information according to a particular sequence;

associating at least one object with each step in the planning process; and

linking the objects according to the sequence;

wherein each object comprises an operation and the operation depends on a location of the step associated with the object in the sequence of steps.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of associating at least one object with each step in the planning process comprises:

receiving at a user computer a list of objects from a host computer system; and

selecting at least one of the objects from the list to associate with a step.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of associating at least one object with each step in the planning process comprises:

entering information defining a first object comprising at least a function defining a next object; and

entering information defining at least a second object relating to a network.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the information defining at least the second object comprises at least one configuration item related to the network.

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein the information defining at least the second object comprises an action to take related to a network architecture.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the action comprises contacting an individual for information relating to the network architecture.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the action comprises obtaining educational information relating to the network architecture.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the educational information is located on a web site and the information defining the second object comprises a URL for the web site.

9. The method according to claim 5, wherein the task comprises completing a form relating to the network architecture.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of associating at least one object with each step in the planning process comprises:

receiving at a user computer a list of object templates from a host computer system;

selecting an object template from a list of object templates;

entering information defining an object; and

transmitting the information defining the object to the host computer system.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of linking the objects according to the sequence comprises:

identifying at least one next object;

defining a condition for each of the at least one next objects; and

transmitting information relating to the at least one next object and the conditions to a host computer system.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the requirements sources further comprise a corporate policy.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the requirements sources further comprise an industry standard.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the requirements sources further comprise a supplier agreement.

15. A system for creating a planning tool, the system comprising:

a host computer system programmed to;

determine a sequence of steps in a planning process relating to a network installation relating to a public switched telephone network, wherein determining a sequence of steps comprises;

assimilating requirements from a plurality of requirements sources, the plurality of requirements sources comprising one or more government regulations;

identifying parameters relating to projects that determine applicable ones of the requirements;

creating at least one step for each parameter that acquires information relating to the parameter; and

ordering the steps so as to acquire parameter information according to a particular sequence;

associate at least one object with each step in the planning process; and

link the objects according to the sequence;

wherein each object comprises an operation and the operation depends on a location of the step associated with the object in the sequence of steps.