Title of Invention

A METHOD AND A NETWORK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR FINDING CONNECTIVITY SOLUTION FOR NETWORK ELEMENTS .

Abstract The invention relates to a method of finding connectivity solutions for network elements to be switched into a path selected in a network managed by a network management system NMS, wherein each network element comprises input ports and output ports, each of the ports providing a plurality of connection points, the method comprises providing, at the level of NMS, a connectivity database (CD),the method being characterized in that the connectivity database (CD) comprises data on possible internal connections between connection points of any input port and connection points of any output port in any network element managed by said NMS, and in that the method further comprises steps of classifying connection points of both the input ports and the output ports of all network elements into a number of connection group (48) symbolically marked 1,2,3...n, wherein each of the groups is similar properties and/or limitations, assigning to each input port and each output port of a particular network element one or more of said connection groups, presenting common connectivity rules stating possibility of creating connection between any arbitrary connection group of the 1,2,3...n belonging to an input port of a network element and any arbitrary connection group of the 1,2,3...n belonging to an output port of the network element, whenever a particular network element, with its input port and its output port, is selected to be used in the path, applying the connectivity rules to the connection groups assigned to the selected input and output ports, thereby enabling obtaining, at the level of NMS, a connectivity solution for said particular network element.
Full Text FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to allocating connectivity solutions for network elements.
More particularly, the invention relates to a method of finding connectivity
solutions for network elements to be switched into a path selected in a network
managed by a network management system. The invention further relates to a
network management system implementing the method of finding connectivity
solutions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Modern telecommunication networks comprise huge numbers of network nodes
(network elements), and a great number of the nodes are switching elements
such as cross-connects having a complex system of input and output: ports. Each
of the input and output ports usually comprises a plurality of connections and is
characterized by various functions. For example, some output ports may serve
for dropping portions of a signal, while other output ports provide a throughput
of the inputted signal. The switching elements not only comprise various types of
ports and connections, but usually have particular equipment limitations so that
not each and every input connector can work with an arbitrary output connector
of the same or other switching element in the network. There may be a number
of reasons for such limitations, including differences in protocols, physical
characteristics, incompatible locations in space, preferred or non-preferred
connections, cost-related limitations etc.
For solving various tasks related to finding appropriate connections in the
modern networks, the following hierarchy of management systems is usually
provided and utilized.
a Network Management System (NMS) of the network, NMS having a
network-wide view i.e., possessing information on types of all existing
network nodes and their connections at the current moment,
an Element Management System (EMS) of a particular network element,
EMS having an element-wide view i.e., holding information on various
types of connections the network element (node) comprises, and on
various equipment limitations the network element has.
The NMS sees the network as a current configuration of the network
nodes and may contact any node by contacting its EMS.
When a path is to be found between two points in the network} a
program usually called pathfinder applies to the NMS for allocating such
a path between the available network elements. Upon finding a
preliminary path which, for example, is determined as a shortest path, a
detailed connectivity pattern should be found via the elements planned for
the path. To do that, the NMS applies to EMS of each node in the paths to
allocate specific connectivity solutions.
A similar method is described in EP 1130942A2, where the
network manager queries a resource management mechanism to allocate
an output port for an input port in an optical packet switching apparatus.
The resource management mechanism then applies to a port availability
database of a switching element, and upon reserving a spare output port,
the optical switch control mechanism is activated.
The iterations between the NMS and each of the EMS are time
consuming, require multiple exchange of protocols. Sometimes, the
connectivity solution for a particular node cannot be found due to any of
its equipment limitations unknown to the NMS, and a substantive portion
of the pathfinder process must be repeated i.e., a number of searches,
performed by the NMS in interaction with EMS, increases. As a result,
the process requires more time and is inefficient.
Object of the invention
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide such a
technology for finding connectivity solutions in a network comprising a
great number of switching network elements and NMS, which enables
effectively performing it at the NMS level.
Summary of the invention
In order to reduce the time required for finding connectivity
solutions in network elements, NMS (Network Management System)
may comprise a centralized connectivity database or table formed from
component connectivity databases of a plurality of the network elements.
Each of the component connectivity databases can be copied from EMS
(Element Management System) of the corresponding network element. In
such a case, the NMS will exactly "know" the structure of each and every
network element.
In the present application, the term NMS should be understood as a
managing entity responsible for management of a particular group of
network elements forming a network or part thereof.
In other words, the object of the invention can be achieved2cby
providing a method of finding connectivity solutions for network
elements to be switched into a path selected in a network managed by a
network management system (NMS), wherein each network element
comprises input ports and output ports, each of the ports enabling a
plurality of connection points, the method including providing, at the
level of NMS, a connectivity table (CT) comprising data on possible
internal connections between connection points of any input port and any
output port of any of the network elements managed bv said NMS,
thereby enabling, whenever a particular network element is selected with
its input port and its output port to be used in the path, obtaining a
connectivity solution for said particular network element at the level of
NMS.
The method also comprises continuous updating the NMS by the
EMS of the respective managed network elements concerning any
changes in the component connectivity tables, for example, concerning
availability of particular connection points.
However, to reduce the memory required for storing such a tablo in
NMS, the object of the invention can be achieved without "knowing"
each particular network element by the NMS. by performing the
following steps:
- classifying connection points of both the input ports and the output
ports of all network elements into a number of connection groups
marked 1, 2, 3 ...n, wherein each of the groups is characterized by
similar properties and/or limitations
- assigning one or more of said connection groups to each input port
and each output port of a particular network element,
forming the connectivity table to represent common connectivity
rules stating possibility of creating connection between any arbitrary
connection group of the 1, 2, 3...n belonging to an input port of a
network element and any arbitrary connection group of the 1, 2, 3... n
belonging to an output port of the network element,
thereby enabling, whenever a particular network element is selected with
its input port and its output port to be used in the path, obtaining a
connectivity solution for said particular network element at the level of
NMS, by applying the connectivity rules to the connection groups
assigned to the selected input and output ports.
It goes without saying that the above method is universal for any of
the network elements managed by the NMS.
According to the preferred, version of the method, it comprises
arranging the connectivity table (CT) so that rows of the table being the
connection groups 1, 2, ... n of the input ports, columns of the table are
the connection groups 1,2, ...n of the output ports, and each intersection
cell between a particular row and a specific column comprises
information about a possibility of creating an internal connection between
a connection point belonging to said particular group of the input ports
and a connection point belonging to said specific group of the output
ports.
It should be emphasized that, in the preferred version of the present
invention, the NMS does not have to know (store) the connectivity
structure of each and every network element (NE). Instead, it stores a
single and relatively small connectivity table (CT) which is built to reflect
common connectivity rules in the network elements and thus effectively
assists in finding real connectivity solutions. Some additional information
might be held in the NMS, which will be mentioned later on.
According to a further, more elaborated version of the method, the
method comprises:
- applying to the NMS, by indicating a particular network element with
its input port and its output port required for the selected path, to find
a connectivity solution for said network element,
- checking in NMS which connection groups of said 1, 2, ...n are
present in said input port, and which - in said output port,
applying the connectivity rules by using said connectivity table (CT)
at the NMS to define, whether the desired connection can be
accomplished between at least one group of the input port's
connection groups and at least one group of the output port's
connection groups;
- if in the affirmative, considering the connectivity solution to be found
and
- applying from the NMS to an Element Management System (EMS) of
the particular network element to activate a specific internal
connection in the element,
- if in the negative, issuing a message from the NMS that no
connectivity solution is found for the indicated said input port and said
output port of the NE.
The selection of the NE with its ports for a path can be performed,
say, by a Pathfinder program forming part of the NMS. If no connectivity
solution is found for the NE selected by the Pathfinder, it should be
accordingly informed.
The above version of the method demonstrates that only the lower
level operation (activation of the internal connection) is performed at the
network element level, and there are practically no iterations from the
element (EMS) level to the NMS level. Would the principal solution on
the connectivity between an input port and an output port of a particular
network element (NE) be taken at the level of NE, there would be many
iterative communications between EMS and NMS.
The task of finding connectivity solutions for network elements an
be almost completely resolved at the level of NMS, so that only
activation of the internal connection is left to the level of EMS, due to the
fact that at the level of NMS, there is already all information concerning
connection groups associated to each particular port in each NE, and all
the information on possible connectivity between any of the "input"
connection groups and any of the "output" connection groups.
The method, in particular the step of applying the connectivity
rules, may further comprise a step of pointing out, at the level of NMS,
an internal connection between a contact point from the input connection
group and a contact point from the output connection group, wherein said
input connection group and said output connection group are selected at
the level of NMS for a particular network element as a connectivity
solution.
The search for a connectivity solution (either using the CT
composed from the component connectivity tables, or using the CT of
common connectivity rules) may be terminated by checking information
on busy connections. In particular, it can be made by preliminary
providing and further referring to a data base of busy connections (or a
so-called hash table HT) in the NMS, indicating internal connections
which are presently occupied in the network elements. The HT is
composed of a plurality of Hash sub-tables assigned to respective
'network elements. Each of the Hash sub-tables comprises only a list of
busy internal connections of the element, and therefore is economical
from the point of memory since there is no need in storing status of all
possible real connections which might be arranged in the NE between all
its input and output connection points.
When using the CT of common connectivity rules, the step of
checking information on busy connections may comprise preliminary
providing and further referring to a data base for docketing a number of
existing connection points in each connection group of a particular
element; the pointing out being effected upon comparing information
about existing connection points in the selected input and output
connection groups with the information on busy connections.
To explain the method in more detail, some information should be
given on how the NMS is organized. From the request pointing out a
particular selected network element, the NMS obtains indications on the
element's input and output ports. For this purpose, any NMS holds its
topological information, preferably in the form of a network graph. As
has been mentioned before, the NMS comprises the Connectivity Table
(CT) enabling to decide whether the selected ports are capable of creating
an internal connection there-between. The Connectivity Table (CT) can
be built from component connectivity tables of the managed network
elements. If so, the CT "knows" all limitations of the connectivity points
of these network elements and enables to find a connectivity solution at
the level of the NMS.
According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the
topologic information additionally describes which connection groups are
present in which ports, concerning any of the network elements managed
by the NMS. Optionally, the topological information may comprise
docketing of existing connection points in each connection group of any
port of a managed network element. Though this information is quite
detailed, it is still far from the complete information on the network
elements' internal structure as in some of the prior art solutions. The
Connectivity Table (CT) of the NMS reflects common connectivity rules
enabling to decide whether the selected ports (by virtue of the connection
groups they comprise) are capable of creating an internal connection
there-between. Actually, such a Connectivity Table takes into account
and generalizes all limitations of the connectivity points, known to the
managed network elements.
Based on the above, and according to another aspect of the
invention, there is provided an improved network management system
(NMS) comprising a Connectivity Handler (CH) block enabling finding,
at the level of NMS, connectivity solutions for a particular network
element to be switched in a path selected over a network managed by the
NMS, wherein the Connectivity Handler comprising a connectivity table
(CT) holding data on possible internal connections within any of the
network elements managed by said NMS.
In one embodiment, the CT is composed from connectivity
databases obtained from EMS of respective network elements.
According to a preferred embodiment of the said NMS, the NMS
comprises:
- modified topologic data concerning the network elements of said
network and their ports, wherein to each input port and to each output
port of any network element there are respectively assigned one or
more connection groups 1,2, ...n of connection points such that each
connection group is characterized by similar features and/or
limitations, and
the CT comprises:
common connectivity rules stating possibility of creating
connection between any arbitrary connection group of the 1, 2, 3...n
belonging to an input port of a network element and any arbitrary
connection group of the 1, 2, 3... n belonging to an output port of the
network element,
the CT thereby enabling NMS, upon obtaining a request indicating a
particular network element with a pair of desired input and output ports to
be used in a selected path, to determine whether there is a connectivity
solution in said network element.
The connectivity table (CT) is preferably arranged so that rows ®f
the table are the connection groups 1,2, ... n belonging to input ports,
and columns of the table are the connection groups 1, 2, ... n belonging to
output ports, and each intersection cell between a particular row and a
specific column comprising information concerning a possibility of
creating an internal connection between at least one connection point
from the connection group belonging to an input port of a network
element, and at least one connection point from the connection group
belonging to an output port of said network element
Optionally, the Connectivity Handler in the NMS may comprise a
busy connections database (a so-called hash table) in the form of
information strings, each indicating internal connections which are
currently busy in a particular network element of the network. Each string
is intended for one busy connection, wherein the strings belonging to one
network element forming a hash-sub-table of that element.
In case the CT is built for groups of contact points, the modified
topological data may optionally comprise a data base for docketing a
number of existing connection points in each connection group of each
port of each particular element. To point out a real connection, the CH
should then be capable of comparing information about existing
connection points in the selected input and output connection groups with
the information on busy connections.
In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, there is also
provided a computer program product directly loadable into the internal
memory of a digital computer, comprising software code portions for
performing the steps of the above-described method when said product is
run on the computer.
The computer program product, stored on a computer usable
medium, comprises computer readable program means for causing a
computer to control execution of functions of the Network Management
System as described above.
Brief description of the drawings
The invention can further be described and illustrated with the aid of the
following non-limiting drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 (prior art) is a known structural block diagram illustrating
interaction between NMS and EMS in the task of finding connectivity
solutions.
Fig. 2 is a structural block diagram illustrating interaction between NMS
and EMS for finding connectivity solutions, according to one
embodiment of the invention.
Fig, 3 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary network element having
input and output ports, each port comprising a plurality of connection
groups according to the classification proposed in the invention.
Fig, 4 is an example of an NMS connectivity table (CT) according to the
invention.
Fig. 5 is an example of a hash table (HT) in NMS.
Detailed description of exemplary embodiments
Fig. 1 illustrates a known type of interaction between NMS and EMS for finding a
connectivity solution in a network element selected to form part of a path in a
network (not shown). NMS (Network Management System) is marked 10, and
comprises a pathfinder program (marked 12) and data on the network topology
(marked 14), which is usually built as a graph reflecting the existing network
elements, ports and arrangement of the elements in the network. The
pathfinder's function is to select a path in the network according to a number of
conditions and based on the network topology, and to form in the NMS a request
indicating particular network elements and ports thereof which are to be utilized
(i.e., the selected input port and the selected output port). The information on
the selected ports are then transmitted from the NMS to EMS (Element
Management System) of each element selected for the path (the EMS blocks: 1,
i....n are marked with 16) . The EMS of a particular network element looks for an
internal connection between the selected input port and the selected output port
using information, available in the ports and based on specific limitations known
to the EMS. The limitations can be as follows: the selected ports may be
available or not, connection points in the selected ports may be available or not,
some available connection points may be prevented from using for the required
type of connection, etc. The limitations and physical availability of connections
can be reflected in a so-called port availability data associated with a particular
port, and there are as many of such data(bases) in the EMS, as the number of
ports in the element. After clearing up all availability questions, the relevant EMS
will report to the
NMS whether the connectivity solution is found. Interaction between the
NMS and EMS may include multiple steps and is therefore time
consuming. The path finding process is complex and long; when during
the process there are stops for inquiring EMS, such interrups/interactions
become time consuming.
Fig. 2 illustrates a diagram reflecting interaction between a
modified NMS and a number of EMSs according to one embodiment of
the proposed invention. The modified NMS comprises a Connectivity
Handler (CH) with a Connectivity Table (CT) which, in general, may be
composed from connectivity tables of all respective EMSs in order to
make connectivity decisions at the level of NMS. Dynamic update of the
Connectivity Handler on limitations at the elements, for example - on
changes in status of the connection ports/points can be provided and is
marked by dotted lines.
Preferably, all connection points existing in the ports of network elements
(see also Fig. 3) managed by the NMS, are classified into connection
groups. Each of the groups is characterized by specific properties and
limitations. By doing that, a huge plurality of connection points of all the
network elements are divided into a relatively small number of groups,
each having a known behavior. The NMS 20 comprises a pathfinder -2.2,
a modified topology data 24 which additionally holds information about
specific connection groups which exist in (or are assigned to) each of the
ports of the network elements.
The modified NMS further comprises a new connectivity handler (CH)
block 26 which comprises a connectivity table (CT) 28. One preferred
example of the connectivity table is shown below in Fig. 4. The
connectivity table 28 actually stores so-called common connectivity rules
which, in order to formulate (at the level of NMS), whether and how the
ports selected by the pathfinder can be interconnected, introduce terms of
compatibility/incompatibility between connection groups of input and
output ports. Since the connection groups of the connection points are
formed over all the network, these terms of compatibility will apply to
any network element having ports comprising any of such groups.
The connectivity table CT (28) of the CH block (26), upon receiving
information on connection groups existing in the selected ports of the
element pointed out for a path, is capable of giving answers which
connections are possible. This information may be forwarded too a
corresponding EMS 32 for selecting a real internal connection and
activating it. However, to minimize a chance that the desired connection
will be busy, the NMS may apply to the EMS level only upon consulting
with an optional block 30 of the connectivity handler 26. This block is
called a hash table (HT) and registers only busy connections of each
network element; it is continuously updated by the EMS l,...m. When a
possible connection is allowed by CT and checked with the HT, an
internal connection may actually be pointed out and transferred for
activation to a corresponding EMS 32.
Fig. 3 illustrates a network element 40 having a plurality of input
ports 42 ( 1,... K) and a plurality of output ports 44 (1,...F). Each of the
ports comprises connection points illustrated as circles and marked 46.
All the connection points existing in the network elements, managed by
the inventive NMS, are schematically divided into a number of
connection groups 1, 2, ... n. Each of the groups is characterized by its
particular limitations and behavior (properties, features) of the connection
points.
For example, connection points of a specific group positioned at input
ports can be connected only to connection points of this same group
positioned at output ports. In one case, connection points at an input port
can be intended tor entering, into the network element such as cross-
connect, virtual containers carrying data according to; the SDH/SONBT
data transmission hierarchy. In such a case, the connection point can be
called a VC point. In SDH switching equipment, the VC points are
usually intended for inputting/outputting VC-4 data streams.
Each port comprises connection points 46 belonging to one or more
groups 48. For example, the Input Port 1 (marked 50) comprises
connection points 46 belonging to three connection groups 48, namely to
connection groups 1, 2 and 5. Each of the connection points within one
group has its serial number or other indication.
Fig. 4 illustrates an example of the preferred embodiment of a
connectivity table (CT) 52, which comprises n columns 54 and n rows
56, where each of the rows is assigned to a particular connection group of
input ports or simply to "input connection groups", and each of the
columns is assigned to a particular "output connection group". Symbols
in the intersection of a particular row and a specific column have the
meaning that an internal connection between the particular input
connection group and the specific output connection group is either
impossible or possible with or without some conditions.
Fig. 5 illustrates a fragment of a data base of busy connections or a
so-called hush sub-table 58 for a particular network element. The table
does not have any standardized volume and comprises only strings 60
which announce on currently busy connections in the network elements.
The table is used as follows: upon finding a possible connectivity
solution, say, between the input connection group 1 and the output
connection group 2, NMS checks the hash sub-table of the element of
interest to point out particular connection points to the EMS. Since the
connection points 4 and 1 of the input connection group 1 are already
busy, they will not be pointed out in the order. Also, connection point55
of the output connection group 2 cannot be pointed out. It is assumed,
that other connection points exist in the selected groups of the respective
input and output ports of the required element, and they will be approved
by EMS. However, the table will not be helpful if there is no extra
connection points in the relevant groups, except for those already
occupied. In this case, a negative response will be received from the EMS
and, in this special case iterations will occur between the NMS and EMS.
To avoid such a situation, the modified topology data may optionally
comprise information on the total number of input contact points (output
contact points) of each group in an input (output) port. This information
would be compared with the information on busy connections in the
hush-table to know exactly whether there is at least one available
combination, and based on that comparison would produce a specified
connectivity order to the EMS if the answer is positive, or prevent
applying to the EMS if the answer is negative.
While the present invention has been described using on a number of
specific examples, one should appreciate that one might propose other
implementations of a Network Management System capable of finding
connectivity solutions for its managed network elements at the level of
NMS by creating and using common connectivity rules, and modified
methods of using such NMS, though all these implementations/methods
are to be considered part of the inventive concept.
We Claim:
1. A method of finding connectivity solutions for network elements to be
switched into a path selected in a network managed by a network
management system (NMS), wherein each network element comprises
input ports and output ports, each of the ports providing a plurality of
connection points;
the method comprises providing, at the level of network management
system (NMS), a connectivity database (CD),
the method being characterized in that the connectivity database (CD)
comprises data on possible internal connections between connection points
of any input port and connection points of any output port in any network
element managed by said network management system (NMS), and in that
the method further comprises the steps of:
- classifying connection points of both the input ports and the output ports
of all network elements into a number of connection group (48)
symbolically marked 1,2,3...n, wherein each of the groups is characterized
by similar properties and/or limitations,
- assigning to each input port and each output port of a particular network
element one or more of said connection groups,
- presenting common connectivity rules stating possibility of creating
connection between any arbitrary connection group of the 1,2,3...n
belonging to an input port of a network element and any arbitrary
connection group of the 1,2,3...n belonging to an output port of the
network element,
- whenever a particular network element, with its input port and its output
port, is selected to be used in the path, applying the connectivity rules to
the connection groups assigned to the selected input and output ports,
thereby enabling obtaining, at the level of the network management
system ( NMS), a connectivity solution for said particular network element.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of forming the
connectivity database (CD) comprises arranging it as a connectivity table
(CT) so that rows of the table being the connection groups 1,2,....n of the
input ports, columns of the table are the connection groups 1,2...n of the
output ports, and each intersection cell between a particular row and a
specific column comprises information about a possibility of creating an
internal connection between a connection point belonging to said
particular group of the input ports and a connection point belonging to
said specific group of the output ports.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, comprising sub-steps of
- applying to the network management system (NMS), by indicating the
particular network element with its input port and its output port required
for the selected path, to find a connectivity solution for said network
element,
- determining which connection groups of said 1,2,...n are present in said
input port, and which
- in said output port,
- applying the connectivity rules by using said connectivity database (CD) at
the network management system (NMS) to define, whether the desired
connection can be accomplished between at least one group of the input
port's connection groups and at least one group of the output port's
connection groups;
- if in the affirmative, considering the connectivity solution to be found and
- applying from the network management system (NMS) to an Element
Management System (EMS) of the particular network element: to activate a
specific internal connection in said network element,
- if in the negative, issuing a message from the network management
system (NMS) that no connectivity solution is found for the indicated said
input port and said output port of said network element.
4. The method as claimed in claim 3, comprising a step of pointing out, at
the level of the network management system (NMS), an internal
connection between a contact point from an input connection group and a
contact point from an output connection group, wherein said input
connection group and said output connection group are selected at the
level of the network management system (NMS) as a connectivity solution
for said particular network element.
5. The method as claimed in claim 4, comprising a step of checking
information on busy connections by preliminary providing and further
referring to a data base of busy connections in the network management
system (NMS), said data base indicating internal connections which are
presently occupied in the network elements.
6. The method as claimed iri claim 5, comprising preliminary providing and
further referring to a data base for docketing a number of existing
connection points in each connection group of each port of a particular
element;
the step of pointing out being effected upon comparing information about
existing connection points in the selected input and output connection
groups with the information on busy connections in said particular
network element.
7. A network management system NMS comprising a Connectivity Handler
(CH) block for finding, at the level of the network management system
(NMS), connectivity solutions for a particular network element to be
switched in a path selected over a network managed by the network
management system (NMS), wherein the Connectivity, Handler comprising
a connectivity database (CD), the NMS being characterized in that said
connectivity database (CD) holds data on possible internal connections
within any of the network elements managed by said network
management system (NMS):
the network management system (NMS) comprises:
- topologic data concerning the elements of said network and their ports,
wherein to each input port and to each output port of any network
- element there are respectively assigned one or more connection groups
1,2,...n of connection points such that each connection group is
characterized by similar features and/or limitations,
wherein the connectivity database (CD) comprises:
- common connectivity rules stating possibility of creating connection
between any arbitrary connection group of the 1,2,3...n belonging to an
input port of a network element and any arbitrary connection group of the
1,2,3...n belonging to an output port of the network element,
the connectivity handler (CH) thereby enabling NMS to determine whether there
is a connectivity solution in a particular network element, upon obtaining a
request indicating said particular network element with a pair of desired input
and output ports thereof to be used in a selected path.
8. The network management system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the
connectivity database (CD) is built as a table so that rows of the table are
the connection groups 1,2,...n belonging to input ports, and columns of
the table are the connection groups l,2...n belonging to output ports, and
each intersection cell between a particular row and a specific column
comprising information concerning a possibility of creating an internal
connection between at least one connection point from the connection
group belonging to an input port of a network element, and at least one
connection point from the connection group belonging to an output port
of said network element.
9. The network management system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the
connectivity handler (CH) further comprises a busy connections database
in the form of information strings, each indicating internal connections
which are currently busy in a particular network element of the network.
10.The network management system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the
topological data comprises a data base for docketing a number of existing
connection points in each connection group of each port: of each particular
element, said connectivity handler (CH) being capable of comparing
information about existing connection points in the selected input and
output connection groups of the selected ports of the selected element
with information obtained from the busy connections database with
respect to said selected element.
The invention relates to a method of finding connectivity solutions for network
elements to be switched into a path selected in a network managed by a
network management system NMS, wherein each network element comprises
input ports and output ports, each of the ports providing a plurality of connection
points, the method comprises providing, at the level of NMS, a connectivity
database (CD),the method being characterized in that the connectivity database
(CD) comprises data on possible internal connections between connection points
of any input port and connection points of any output port in any network
element managed by said NMS, and in that the method further comprises steps
of classifying connection points of both the input ports and the output ports of all
network elements into a number of connection group (48) symbolically marked
1,2,3...n, wherein each of the groups is similar properties and/or limitations,
assigning to each input port and each output port of a particular network
element one or more of said connection groups, presenting common connectivity
rules stating possibility of creating connection between any arbitrary connection
group of the 1,2,3...n belonging to an input port of a network element and any
arbitrary connection group of the 1,2,3...n belonging to an output port of the
network element, whenever a particular network element, with its input port and
its output port, is selected to be used in the path, applying the connectivity rules
to the connection groups assigned to the selected input and output ports,
thereby enabling obtaining, at the level of NMS, a connectivity solution for said
particular network element.

Documents:

893-KOLNP-2004-FORM 27.pdf

893-KOLNP-2004-FORM-27.pdf

893-kolnp-2004-granted-abstract.pdf

893-kolnp-2004-granted-claims.pdf

893-kolnp-2004-granted-correspondence.pdf

893-kolnp-2004-granted-description (complete).pdf

893-kolnp-2004-granted-drawings.pdf

893-kolnp-2004-granted-examination report.pdf

893-kolnp-2004-granted-form 1.pdf

893-kolnp-2004-granted-form 13.pdf

893-kolnp-2004-granted-form 18.pdf

893-kolnp-2004-granted-form 2.pdf

893-kolnp-2004-granted-form 26.pdf

893-kolnp-2004-granted-form 3.pdf

893-kolnp-2004-granted-form 5.pdf

893-kolnp-2004-granted-reply to examination report.pdf

893-kolnp-2004-granted-specification.pdf


Patent Number 226795
Indian Patent Application Number 893/KOLNP/2004
PG Journal Number 52/2008
Publication Date 26-Dec-2008
Grant Date 24-Dec-2008
Date of Filing 29-Jun-2004
Name of Patentee ECI TELECOM LTD . ,
Applicant Address 30 HASIVIM STREET, PETACH-TIKVA
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 ISRAEL PAPOUSHADO 15/2 BAT MIRIAM-YOCHEVED STREET TEL-AVIV 69411
2 AVRAHAM SHEMESH 11 GDERA STREET PETACH-TIKVA 49725
3 ANAT YAM 12 YONI NETANYAHU STREET GIVAT-SHMUEL 54424
PCT International Classification Number H04L 12/24
PCT International Application Number PCT/IL01/01219
PCT International Filing date 2001-12-31
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 NA