Abstract: A series of state transitions is indicative of performance of hardware service actions. A transition from, for instance, a disconnected state to a connected state for a hardware component is indicative of performance of a service action for the hardware component. Detection of this transition is automatic.

Abstract: Network managers are operated in verification mode to facilitate error handling of communications networks. In verification mode, error reporting remains enabled, even for those components of a communications network reporting errors. A step-by-step procedure is provided for handling each type of error that is detected. Subsequent to handling any reported errors, the network manager is removed from verification mode and may be placed in production mode.

Abstract: An exemplary method of identifying configuration topology, existing switches, and miswires in a given network is provided. Given a number of switches, which may be less than the maximum possible for the actual configuration and some ports of which may be miswired, generate a hypothesis for the supported topology of which the existing configuration is a subset. Perform a best fit of the existing switches to the supported number switches of the maximal topology, using formulae for the connections of the maximal supported topology. If supported switches are found missing in the assumed topology, increase the switch count accordingly, and start over with a new hypothesis. When satisfied with identification, revisit all switch ports and use the connection formulae to identify all miswires.