Managing network configurations
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for managing network configurations of a data processing system, comprising:
- obtaining, by the data processing system, first configuration information for a set of network devices operatively coupled to a network;
storing, by the data processing system, the first configuration information for the set of network devices in a configuration database;
determining, by the data processing system, one or more required configuration changes to one or more devices in the set of network devices to provide a configured set of network devices that enable a service provided at an end user device;
enabling the service by configuring the one or more devices according to the one or more required configuration changes;
determining, by the data processing system responsive to configuring the one or more devices, updated configuration information for the set of network devices;
comparing the first configuration information for the set of network devices with the updated configuration information for the set of network devices;
generating, by the data processing system, at least one service policy representing a set of network configuration information elements for the configured set of network devices that enable the service, wherein the at least one service policy is based at least in part on the comparing step, and saving, by the data processing system, the at least one service policy in association with the service;
determining, by the data processing system, whether a proposed configuration change to the set of network devices complies with the at least one service policy; and
generating, by the data processing system, a notification if the proposed configuration change does not comply with the at least one service policy.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Provided are systems, methods and computer program products that proactively manage configurations that enable a service. Configurations that are critical to enabling a particular service are automatically captured, for example as part of a provisioning activity, and/or tracked in association with that service. This automated, service-oriented configuration management enables improved service assurance and faster identification of problems, and mitigates the problem of errors and compromised service delivery that can arise from misconfigurations.
45 Citations
17 Claims
-
1. A method for managing network configurations of a data processing system, comprising:
-
obtaining, by the data processing system, first configuration information for a set of network devices operatively coupled to a network; storing, by the data processing system, the first configuration information for the set of network devices in a configuration database; determining, by the data processing system, one or more required configuration changes to one or more devices in the set of network devices to provide a configured set of network devices that enable a service provided at an end user device; enabling the service by configuring the one or more devices according to the one or more required configuration changes; determining, by the data processing system responsive to configuring the one or more devices, updated configuration information for the set of network devices; comparing the first configuration information for the set of network devices with the updated configuration information for the set of network devices; generating, by the data processing system, at least one service policy representing a set of network configuration information elements for the configured set of network devices that enable the service, wherein the at least one service policy is based at least in part on the comparing step, and saving, by the data processing system, the at least one service policy in association with the service; determining, by the data processing system, whether a proposed configuration change to the set of network devices complies with the at least one service policy; and generating, by the data processing system, a notification if the proposed configuration change does not comply with the at least one service policy. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A data processing system for managing network configurations for service enablement, comprising:
-
a data store device comprising first configuration information obtained for a set of network devices operatively coupled to a network; and a processor operatively coupled to a memory device having stored therein instructions that are operable to cause the data processing system to perform, when executed by the processor, steps of; determining one or more required configuration changes to devices in the set of network devices to provide a configured set of network devices that enable a service provided at an end user device;
enabling the service by configuring the one or more devices according to the one or more required configuration changes;
determining, by the data processing system responsive to configuring the one or more devices, updated configuration information for the set of network devices;
comparing the first configuration information for the set of network devices with the updated configuration information for the set of network devices;
generating at least one service policy representing a set of network configuration information elements for the configured set of network devices that enable the service, wherein the at least one service policy is based at least in part on the comparing step;
saving the at least one service policy in association with the service;
determining whether a proposed configuration change to the set of network devices complies with the at least one service policy; and
generating a notification if the proposed configuration change does not comply with the at least one service policy. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A computer program product comprising program code embodied on a non-transitory recording component, the program code configured to control performance of operations on a data processing apparatus on which the program code executes, to perform steps of:
-
obtaining first configuration information for a set of network devices operatively coupled to a network; storing the first configuration information for the set of network devices in a configuration database; determining one or more required configuration changes to one or more devices in the set of network devices to provide a configured set of network devices that enable a service provided at an end user device; enabling the service by configuring the one or more devices according to the one or more required configuration changes; determining, responsive to configuring the one or more devices, updated configuration information for the set of network devices; comparing the first configuration information for the set of network devices with the updated configuration information for the set of network devices; generating at least one service policy representing a set of network configuration information elements for the configured set of network devices that enable the service, wherein the at least one service policy is based at least in part on the comparing step, and saving the at least one service policy in association with the service; determining whether a proposed configuration change to the set of network devices complies with the at least one service policy; and generating a notification if the proposed configuration change does not comply with the at least one service policy. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
-
Specification