Abstract: An end-user requested service item may relate to a service item type having a developer defined label (DDL) that extends the attributes of the service item type by specifying an additional attribute for which a value may be collected from the end-user for creation of an end-user order for the service item. The value is not needed to complete the end-user order but is collected to avoid needing to collect the value from the end-user for subsequent creation of a corresponding inter-provider order. The value is automatically mapped from the end-user order to an appropriate field of the inter-provider order.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for modeling communication networks includes a memory and a processing module. The memory stores configuration data for a plurality of network types. The configuration data associates each network type with components, connections, and rules for connecting the components using the connections. The processing module is coupled to the memory and allows a user to select one of the network types and to design a communication network using the components and connections associated with the selected network type according to the configuration data.

Abstract: A software interface used in designing communications circuits receives input from a user (20). In response, the software interface initiates accessing of a route plan (16) comprising a first route point group (38) associated with a first circuit end point (34), a second route point group (38) associated with a second circuit end point (34), and one or more routes (32) connecting the first and second route point groups (38). Each route (32) is available for use in designing the circuit. The software interface also initiates selection of a route (32) according to the route plan (16) and initiates the automatic assignment of the selected route (32) to the circuit in designing the circuit. The software interface provides information to the user (20) reflecting assignment of the route (32) to the circuit. The route plan (16) may be selected from among multiple route plans (16) according to a service application (14) automatically derived from an associated circuit order.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system (10) for designing communications circuits includes one or more route plans (16) each with a first route point group (38) for a first circuit end point (34), a second route point group (38) associated with a second circuit end point (34), and one or more routes (32) connecting the first and second route point groups (38). Each route (32) is available for use in designing the circuit. A design engine (12) accesses a particular route plan (16), selects a route (32) according to the route plan (16), and automatically assigns the selected route (32) to the circuit in designing the circuit. The design engine (12) may select the particular route plan (16) from among multiple route plans (16) according to a service application (14) that is automatically derived from an associated circuit order.

Abstract: An end-user requested service item may relate to a service item type having a developer defined label (DDL) that extends the attributes of the service item type by specifying an additional attribute for which a value may be collected from the end-user for creation of an end-user order for the service item. The value is not needed to complete the end-user order but is collected to avoid needing to collect the value from the end-user for subsequent creation of a corresponding inter-provider order. The value is automatically mapped from the end-user order to an appropriate field of the inter-provider order.

Abstract: A system (10) for designing diverse communications circuits (36) includes a diversity set (14) identifying at least one circuit (36) that is to be diverse from one or more other circuits (36) in the diversity set (14). The system (10) further includes one or more diversity rules (16) applicable to one or more circuits (36) belonging to the diversity set (14). A diversity engine (12) validates the assignment of at least one circuit element to a circuit (36) in the diversity set (14), according to the diversity rules (16), such that the circuit (36) is diverse from at least one other circuit (36) in the diversity set (14) with respect to that circuit element. The diversity engine (12) may generate one or more diversity violations (18) if the assignment of the circuit element fails to comply with the diversity rules (16) and may associate the diversity violations (18) with the circuit (36) and its diversity set (14) to indicate a possible need to modify the assignment.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system (10) for designing communications circuits includes one or more route plans (16) each with a first route point group (38) for a first circuit end point (34), a second route point group (38) associated with a second circuit end point (34), and one or more routes (32) connecting the first and second route point groups (38). Each route (32) is available for use in designing the circuit. A design engine (12) accesses a particular route plan (16), selects a route (32) according to the route plan (16), and automatically assigns the selected route (32) to the circuit in designing the circuit. The design engine (12) may select the particular route plan (16) from among multiple route plans (16) according to a service application (14) that is automatically derived from an associated circuit order.

Abstract: A system for analyzing communication paths in a telecommunications network includes a memory and a processor. The memory stores network data relating to a plurality of circuits in a telecommunications network. The processor, coupled to the memory, receives target circuit information specifying two telecommunication locations and a rate code. The processor identifies one or more circuits associated with a defined boundary area and identifies one or more communication paths between the specified telecommunication locations. Each communication path includes one or more of the identified circuits that communicate information according to the rate code.