Providing network management access through user profiles
First Claim
1. A method of managing a telecommunications network, comprising:
- generating a plurality of user profiles each providing a network management access to a user, each user profile defining network management capabilities assigned to a respective user for configuring one or more network devices;
generating a group access level for various management capabilities, wherein a level has a group name with an associated list of network devices;
listing the network devices and/or the group name being managed through the user profiles;
utilizing at least one of said user profiles to physically and logically configure one or more of said network devices within a scope of that profile, wherein at least one of enabling a network device port on the network device or provisioning a network path on a network device port is conducted; and
displaying a graphical user interface in accordance with the user profile, wherein the graphical user interface comprises a user-specific customized view with predefined network management capabilities, user-specific fields in the listing of network devices, and a custom presentation format.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a method for managing telecommunications networks through user profiles that establish management capabilities and lists of network devices capable of being managed through each user profile. Through profiles, users may be given controlled access to configure network devices, provision services or simply view the network devices, services or portions thereof. For example, customers may be enabled to view services dedicated to their particular networks while being simultaneously prevented from viewing services particular to other customer'"'"'s networks. This provides security while enabling controlled customer network management. In addition, profiles may be used to limit the management capabilities of network managers to only those network devices and capabilities for which each network manager is responsible and authorized. This controlled access again provides security and may prevent network outages due to inexperienced network management errors as well as simplify network management for each level of network manager. The user profiles may also be used to customize the user interface each user accesses to improve efficiency and ease of network management. Profiles may also be used to establish local network connections and set up appropriate network communication channels to improve the efficiency of user access.
167 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method of managing a telecommunications network, comprising:
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generating a plurality of user profiles each providing a network management access to a user, each user profile defining network management capabilities assigned to a respective user for configuring one or more network devices; generating a group access level for various management capabilities, wherein a level has a group name with an associated list of network devices; listing the network devices and/or the group name being managed through the user profiles; utilizing at least one of said user profiles to physically and logically configure one or more of said network devices within a scope of that profile, wherein at least one of enabling a network device port on the network device or provisioning a network path on a network device port is conducted; and displaying a graphical user interface in accordance with the user profile, wherein the graphical user interface comprises a user-specific customized view with predefined network management capabilities, user-specific fields in the listing of network devices, and a custom presentation format. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of managing a telecommunications network, comprising:
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adding a user profile to a network management system comprising network devices; editing parameters within the user profile to establish management capabilities assigned to one or more users associated with said user profile for physically and logically configuring one or more of said network devices; assigning a group access level for various management capabilities, wherein a level has a group name with an associated list of network devices; and listing the network devices and/or the group name being managed through the user profile, wherein at least one of enabling a network device port on the network device or provisioning a network path on a network device port is conducted; and displaying a graphical user interface in accordance with the user profile, wherein the graphical user interface comprises a user-specific customized view with predefined network management capabilities, user-specific fields in the listing of network devices, and a custom presentation format. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification