Template-driven approach for generating models on network services
DCFirst Claim
1. A method of modeling services that are available via a network comprising steps of:
- selecting a core service of interest;
forming a service model template for said core service such that said service model template anticipates possible instances of network elements and possible instances of network services that cooperate in execution of said core service, including defining specifications relating to linking a plurality of said anticipated network elements and network services;
discovering instance information specific to instances of actual network elements and instances of actual network services of said network; and
generating a service model instance of said core service based upon a combination of said service model template and said instance information, including identifying dependencies among said actual network elements and actual network services.
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Abstract
A method and system of modeling a selected service within a network environment includes forming a service model template that is not specific to the network environment, but identifies anticipated network elements and network services that cooperate to enable the selected service. The service model template includes specifications related to linking the anticipated network elements and network services. When the service model template is combined with discovered instance information that is specific to actual network elements and actual network services, a service model instance is generated for the selected service. The service model instance includes identifications of dependencies among the elements and services. Preferably, the service model instance also includes identification of the “health” of the different elements and services. A view generator may be used to configure the service model instance as a hierarchical graph of nodes that are linked to identify the dependencies among the nodes. The discovered instance information may be acquired using a discovery template that orchestrates the process. The discovery template may identify auto-discovery modules that are to be used to detect actual network elements and services and may identify dependencies among the modules. A user-configurable discovery engine accesses the discovery template and deploys the modules in order to acquire the discovered instance information.
791 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method of modeling services that are available via a network comprising steps of:
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selecting a core service of interest;
forming a service model template for said core service such that said service model template anticipates possible instances of network elements and possible instances of network services that cooperate in execution of said core service, including defining specifications relating to linking a plurality of said anticipated network elements and network services;
discovering instance information specific to instances of actual network elements and instances of actual network services of said network; and
generating a service model instance of said core service based upon a combination of said service model template and said instance information, including identifying dependencies among said actual network elements and actual network services. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for modeling a selected service that is available via a network comprising:
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means for storing a service model template having information regarding possible instances of network elements and possible instances of services as cooperating to enable said selected service, said service model template being configured to anticipate multiple said possible instances of said network elements and services;
discovery engine means for initiating operations specific to identifying actually discovered network elements and services, said discovery engine means having an output of instance information specific to said discovered network elements and services; and
model creation engine means, connected to access said service model template and said instance information, for mapping said discovered network elements and services into a framework identified in said service model template. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification