Abstract: An integrated data network management and data service provisioning environment is provided. The integrated environment includes legacy software application code and current software application code each augmented with code portions enabling exchange of information therebetween via an interworking layer. A facility for participation in and interacting with the integrated environment is also provided. A man-machine interface is integrated across different applications which themselves may be executed on different computers to provide a seamless exchange of information. The advantages are derived from enhanced usage efficiencies in providing data network management and service provisioning solutions. The interworking layer also provides for security enforcement across applications participating in the integrated environment.

Abstract: A method for testing connectivity of virtual private networks, the virtual private networks including customer edge routers and provider edge routers, the provider edge routers belonging to a network managed by a service provider, the method comprising: displaying a list of the virtual private networks on a display screen of a network management system for the network; receiving a signal from a user to select a virtual private network from the list of the virtual private networks, the virtual private network having a topology, an import route target, and an export route target associated therewith; generating a list of operations to test connectivity of the virtual private network from the topology, the import route target, and the export route target; displaying the list of operations to the user on the display screen; receiving a signal from the user to select an operation from the list of operations, the operation having a source provider edge router and a destination provider edge network associated there

Abstract: An integrated data network management and data service provisioning environment is provided. The integrated environment includes legacy software application code and current software application code each augmented with code portions enabling exchange of information therebetween via an interworking layer as well as support for limited application code load-up and execution. A facility for participation in and interacting with the integrated environment is also provided. A man-machine interface is integrated across different applications which themselves may be executed on different computers to provide a seamless exchange of information. Feature componetized application code is loaded and executed on a need-to-use basis, and unloaded when not used. Advantages are derived from enhanced resource utilization efficiencies in providing network management and service provisioning solutions. The interworking layer also provides for security enforcement across applications participating in the integrated environment.

Abstract: A method for generating a route distinguisher for a virtual private network, the virtual private network managed by a service provider through a network management system, the method comprising: receiving a signal from a user through a graphical user interface displayed on a display screen of the network management system to select a format for the route distinguisher; receiving a signal from the user through the graphical user interface to select a policy for determining the route distinguisher; displaying an available value for the route distinguisher on the display screen, the available value determined from the policy and the format, the available value including an administrator subfield value portion and a next assigned number subfield value portion; receiving an administrator subfield value and a next assigned number subfield value from the user through the graphical user interface; and, combining the administrator subfield value and the next assigned number subfield value to generate the route disting

Abstract: An integrated data network management and data service provisioning environment is provided. The integrated environment includes legacy software application code and current software application code each augmented with code portions enabling exchange of information therebetween via an interworking layer. A facility for participation in and interacting with the integrated environment is also provided. A man-machine interface is integrated across different applications which themselves may be executed on different computers to provide a seamless exchange of information. The advantages are derived from enhanced usage efficiencies in providing data network management and service provisioning solutions. The interworking layer also provides for security enforcement across applications participating in the integrated environment.

Abstract: A programmable configuration management infrastructure is provided. The programmable configuration management infrastructure employs Programmable Configuration Requests (PCRs) to perform configuration management over a definable target list of field-installed managed communication equipment subject to a definable schedule and configuration management policies. The programmable configuration management infrastructure provides for monitoring of configuration command execution and traps errors. In the event of detecting configuration command execution errors, the programmable configuration management infrastructure provides for restoring the configuration either for all targets processed or for the targets experiencing errors only as specified in the PCR definition. Recourse may be made to the validation of configuration change or configuration restoration commands as specified in the PCR definition.

Abstract: A programmable configuration management infrastructure is provided. The programmable configuration management infrastructure employs Programmable Configuration Requests (PCRs) to perform configuration management over a definable target list of field-installed managed communication equipment subject to a definable schedule and configuration management policies. The programmable configuration management infrastructure provides for monitoring of configuration command execution and traps errors. In the event of detecting configuration command execution errors, the programmable configuration management infrastructure provides for restoring the configuration either for all targets processed or for the targets experiencing errors only as specified in the PCR definition. Recourse may be made, to the validation of configuration change or configuration restoration commands as specified in the PCR definition.

Abstract: A bulk DSL service provisioning configuration tool for use in a network management context and method are presented. The bulk DSL service provisioning tool enables the specification of a programmable configuration request including specifying an target entity list and a configuration template. In turning up a subscriber, the configuration template is further populated with: operational parameter values used configuring a corresponding DSL port associated with the subscriber, a request to setup a cross connect at DSLAM node associated with the subscriber's DSL port, and a request to setup a data link between the DSLAM node and a broadband remote access server node. Advantages are derived from an ability to perform controlled large scale DSL service configuration management in a network management context at reduced service provisioning overheads.

Abstract: Methods of considering bandwidth load or load balancing in the selection of an optimal path for routing calls through a switched digital network are described. The described methods are applicable to both new calls and existing connected calls. Algorithms that take into consideration selection criteria such as route cost, number of link hops in the route in addition to bandwidth load are presented.

Abstract: An integrated data network management and data service provisioning environment is provided. The integrated environment includes legacy software application code and current software application code each augmented with code portions enabling exchange of information therebetween via an interworking layer as well as support for limited application code load-up and execution. A facility for participation in and interacting with the integrated environment is also provided. A man-machine interface is integrated across different applications which themselves may be executed on different computers to provide a seamless exchange of information. Feature componetized application code is loaded and executed on a need-to-use basis, and unloaded when not used. Advantages are derived from enhanced resource utilization efficiencies in providing network management and service provisioning solutions. The interworking layer also provides for security enforcement across applications participating in the integrated environment.

Abstract: An integrated data network management and data service provisioning environment is provided. The integrated environment includes legacy software application code and current software application code each augmented with code portions enabling exchange of information therebetween via an interworking layer. A facility for participation in and interacting with the integrated environment is also provided. A man-machine interface is integrated across different applications which themselves may be executed on different computers to provide a seamless exchange of information. The advantages are derived from enhanced usage efficiencies in providing data network management and service provisioning solutions. The interworking layer also provides for security enforcement across applications participating in the integrated environment.

Abstract: A method of assigning effective bandwidth to a physical or logical link for propagating multiple virtual paths through a switched digital communications network is described. Switching nodes within the network have more than one interconnecting link in order to provide redundancy in the event of link failure. The effective bandwidth is assigned to each link according to dual multipliers or booking factors. The first booking factor is used for provisioning the link on set up and the second booking factor is for re-routing in the event of link failure.

Abstract: A method of determining whether a requested parameter reconfiguration of a connected call in a switched digital communication network complies with system constraints is described. Bandwidth related parameters, in particular, are subject to reconfiguration after a call is provisioned in order to optimize utilization of network resources. The implementation of a bandwidth reconfiguration involves an assessment of bandwidth utilization by the logical or physical links routing the connected call so that the reconfigured bandwidth does not negatively impact on the connected call. Once the reconfigured parameter is determined to be acceptable the reconfiguration data is propagated to the relevant network elements.