Abstract: A network management system for management of a communications network is disclosed. The system comprises an inventory database storing a network inventory comprising information representative of network resources of the communications network. The system comprises means for receiving a change request specifying a modification to be made to the network, and an inventory update component adapted to modify the network inventory in response to the change request. The system also includes an implementation component adapted to access the inventory database, identify modifications made to the network inventory, and transmit configuration data to the network to implement the inventory modifications in the network.

Abstract: A resource management system for managing resources in a computing and/or communications resource infrastructure is disclosed. The system comprises a database for storing a model of the resource infrastructure. The database defines a set of resources provided by the infrastructure; a set of software applications operating within the infrastructure and utilizing resources; and associations between given applications in the model and given resources to indicate utilization of the given resources by the given applications. The model can be used to perform resource utilization analysis and failure impact analysis.

Abstract: A method of configuring a telecommunications system to provide a service involving multiple devices is disclosed. The method includes receiving a configuration script specifying a sequence of configuration instructions for configuring at least two of the devices to provide the service, and concurrently executing an instance of the configuration script for each of the at least two devices to configure the at least two devices to provide the service. The method can be used as part of a network management system or service provisioning system.

Abstract: A method of managing telecommunications services is disclosed which involves storing product data defining a plurality of telecommunications products, each product definition representing a service which may be provided to users of the applications and telecommunications network and comprising one or more service parameters defining characteristics of the service. The networked resource of application servers connected through telecommunications networks is rolled out and enhanced based on the product definition, the market forecast demand for the products and trends derived from actual, historical take-up of the products. Services are provisioned in accordance with the product definitions in the product data. The performance of the network in relation to the provisioned services is measured, and the product data and the product definitions are modified in dependence on the measured performance.

Abstract: A resource management system for managing resources in a computing and/or communications resource infrastructure is disclosed. The system comprises a database for storing a model of the resource infrastructure. The database defines a set of resources provided by the infrastructure; a set of software applications operating within the infrastructure and utilizing resources; and associations between given applications in the model and given resources to indicate utilization of the given resources by the given applications. The model can be used to perform resource utilization analysis and failure impact analysis.

Abstract: A method of processing service information relating to a plurality of user services available in a telecommunications system is disclosed. The method includes storing entities defining service components in a service information database, where each service component entity represents a distinct aspect of service functionality which can be provided by the telecommunications system. Entities defining implementation technologies are also stored, each implementation technology entity being associated with a service component entity and representing a technology that can be used for implementing the aspect of service functionality represented by the service component entity. The method further stores entities defining user services available to users of the telecommunications system, each user service entity being associated with one or more service component entities defining service functionality aspects of the user service.

Abstract: A resource management system for managing resources in a computing and/or communications resource infrastructure is disclosed. The system comprises a database for storing a model of the resource infrastructure. The database defines a set of resources provided by the infrastructure; a set of software applications operating within the infrastructure and utilising resources; and associations between given applications in the model and given resources to indicate utilisation of the given resources by the given applications. The model can be used to perform resource utilisation analysis and failure impact analysis.

Abstract: A method of designing a network circuit for a telecommunications network is disclosed. The method includes storing first model data in a database representing a first model of the telecommunications network. Second model data is received representing a second model of the telecommunications network. The second model data defines node groups, each representing a plurality of network nodes of the first network model, and interconnections between node groups, each representing connectivity between node groups in the first network model. The method involves searching the second model data to select a route from a start node group to an end node group, the route specifying a plurality of node groups connected by interconnections in the second network model; and searching the first model data to select a circuit from a node of the start node group to a node of the end node group.

Abstract: A method of performing network modification in a telecommunications network is disclosed. The method comprises storing a database comprising a master inventory defining network resources available in the network. A network modification is performed by a process comprising modifying the database storing the master inventory; and modifying the network in dependence on the modified database. The method can be used in the management of telecommunications systems. A network planning method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of processing capacity information is disclosed. The capacity information relates to data capacity in a data network in which a consumer circuit is carried on, and consumes bandwidth made available by, a bearer circuit. The method comprises storing, in a network information database, an entity representing the bearer circuit, and associating capacity information with the bearer circuit entity specifying a first bandwidth quantity defining a quantity of bandwidth made available by the bearer circuit. Also stored is an entity representing the consumer circuit, and capacity information is associated with the consumer circuit entity specifying a second bandwidth quantity defining a quantity of bandwidth allocated to the consumer circuit.

Abstract: A method of processing capacity information is disclosed, The capacity information relates to data capacity in a data network in which a consumer circuit is carried on, and consumes bandwidth made available by, a bearer circuit. The method comprises storing, in a network information database, an entity representing the bearer circuit, and associating capacity information with the bearer circuit entity specifying a first bandwidth quantity defining a quantity of bandwidth made available by the bearer circuit. Also stored is an entity representing the consumer circuit, and capacity information is associated with the consumer circuit entity specifying a second bandwidth quantity defining a quantity of bandwidth allocated to the consumer circuit.

Abstract: A method of designing a network circuit for a telecommunications network is disclosed. The method includes storing first model data in a database representing a first model of the telecommunications network. Second model data is received representing a second model of the telecommunications network. The second model data defines node groups, each representing a plurality of network nodes of the first network model, and interconnections between node groups, each representing connectivity between node groups in the first network model. The method involves searching the second model data to select a route from a start node group to an end node group, the route specifying a plurality of node groups connected by interconnections in the second network model; and searching the first model data to select a circuit from a node of the start node group to a node of the end node group.

Abstract: A method of designing a network circuit for a telecommunications network is disclosed. The method includes storing first model data in a database representing a first model of the telecommunications network. Second model data is received representing a second model of the telecommunications network. The second model data defines node groups, each representing a plurality of network nodes of the first network model, and interconnections between node groups, each representing connectivity between node groups in the first network model. The method involves searching the second model data to select a route from a start node group to an end node group, the route specifying a plurality of node groups connected by interconnections in the second network model; and searching the first model data to select a circuit from a node of the start node group to a node of the end node group.

Abstract: A method of processing service information relating to a plurality of user services available in a telecommunications system is disclosed. The method includes storing entities defining service components in a service information database, where each service component entity represents a distinct aspect of service functionality which can be provided by the telecommunications system. Entities defining implementation technologies are also stored, each implementation technology entity being associated with a service component entity and representing a technology that can be used for implementing the aspect of service functionality represented by the service component entity. The method further stores entities defining user services available to users of the telecommunications system, each user service entity being associated with one or more service component entities defining service functionality aspects of the user service.