Abstract: A method of provisioning modular network devices is described. A generic configuration is placed on a device; the configuration comprises commands for configuring interfaces associated the device. At the device, each interface associated with the device is configured with at least one command associated with the configuration. The device then attempts to connect with a management point through the current interface. If the current interface can connect to the management point, then an inventory of all interfaces associated with the device is self-initiated and automatically communicated by the device to the management point. In other embodiments, based on the inventory information, a configuration template containing relative interface references may be resolved into a permanent device configuration that includes absolute interface references.

Abstract: A cluster console user interface provides a single console control point for a network device cluster comprising a first switch device, a plurality of active routers, one or more standby routers, and a second switch device. Using the cluster console, a network administrator can perform various operations with respect to the cluster as a whole, without knowing identity information for particular network routers serving as active or standby, or for the switch devices.

Abstract: A method of provisioning modular network devices is described. A generic configuration is placed on a device; the configuration comprises commands for configuring interfaces associated the device. At the device, each interface associated with the device is configured with at least one command associated with the configuration. The device then attempts to connect with a management point through the current interface. If the current interface can connect to the management point, then an inventory of all interfaces associated with the device is self-initiated and automatically communicated by the device to the management point. In other embodiments, based on the inventory information, a configuration template containing relative interface references may be resolved into a permanent device configuration that includes absolute interface references.

Abstract: A method of provisioning modular network devices is described. A generic configuration is placed on a device; the configuration comprises commands for configuring interfaces associated the device. At the device, each interface associated with the device is configured with at least one command associated with the configuration. The device then attempts to connect with a management point through the current interface. If the current interface can connect to the management point, then an inventory of all interfaces associated with the device is self-initiated and automatically communicated by the device to the management point. In other embodiments, based on the inventory information, a configuration template containing relative interface references may be resolved into a permanent device configuration that includes absolute interface references.

Abstract: A method of automatically re-provisioning a network element in adaptation to a failure comprises the computer-implemented steps of identifying a network element that has failed; selecting a substitute network element from among a pool of one or more available network elements; receiving connection configuration information from the identified network element; and, based on the connection configuration information, re-configuring the substitute network element and one or more switch devices associated with the identified network element, wherein the re-configuring causes the one or more switch devices to change one or more connections from the identified network element to the substitute network element.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for synchronizing a device identifier value with management point systems of a service provider. In one aspect, the method involves receiving a first device identifier that is assigned to the device by a manufacturer of the device as the unique identifier of the device, receiving a second device identifier from a service provider associated with the device, assigning the second device identifier as the unique identifier of the device, and communicating a message to one or more systems indicating that the second device identifier is the unique identifier of the device.

Abstract: A method of automatically configuring a port of a network element comprises the steps of discovering information that identifies or describes a second network element that is coupled to a port of a first network element; associating the port with a port role definition selected from a plurality of port role definitions based on the discovered information; retrieving one or more configuration settings that are associated with the selected port role definition; and applying the one or more configuration settings to the port.

Abstract: A method of provisioning modular network devices is described. A generic configuration is placed on a device; the configuration comprises commands for configuring interfaces associated the device. At the device, each interface associated with the device is configured with at least one command associated with the configuration. The device then connects with a management point through the current interface. An inventory of all interfaces associated with the device is self-initiated and automatically communicated by the device to the management point.

Abstract: A method of detecting alterations in the design of a software system over the development and maintenance life cycle of the software system is disclosed. A baseline model of the software system is generated. A current model of the software system is also generated. The current model is automatically compared with the baseline model, and any alteration in the design of the software system is identified.