Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for detection of client trails which may become unsupported due to reconfiguration of node elements within a network at a server layer, and a rerouting apparatus and method for proposing a set of alternative routes to support client trails during reconfiguration of a network at a physical layer. Data describing each trail, connection, node, link and other physical resource is maintained in a managed object database on a network controller. A trail detection algorithm investigates trail termination points corresponding to proposed deleted or created trails to see if those termination points support client trails at higher layers. If supported client trails are detected at higher layers, a routing algorithm is applied to find a set of alternative routes over which the client layer trails may be rerouted during network configuration at the physical or server layer.

Abstract: A network management system in a communications network comprises a managed object base having a plurality of managed objects describing individual resources of the network; a detection means for detecting changes for configuration of the network; a route finding means for generating data describing a set of routes of trails across said network, and a trail manipulation means for implementing changes to trails across the network. The trail manipulation means operates in four basic modes of operation, including a stretch operation in which a new node is inserted between first and second existing nodes and an existing trail between the first and second existing node is rerouted by the new node by creation of a pair of new links; Firstly, a stretch operation in which a new node is inserted between first and second existing nodes and an existing trail between the first and second existing node is re-routed via the new node by creation of a pair of new links.

Abstract: A trail explorer and method for exploring trails in a communication network is described. The trail explorer is provided in a trail managing system having a trail database for storing connections in the network. The trail explorer compares the connections stored in the database and those actually provisioned in the network. When a connection exists in the network but is missing from the database, the trail explore triggers a learn process. If a connection exists in the database but is missing from the network, it marks the connection and trails using the connection as “unprovisioned” if they are not already marked so, or delete trails if they are network learned trails.

Abstract: A network management system in a communications network comprises a managed object base having a plurality of managed objects describing individual resources of the network; a detection means for detecting changes for configuration of the network; a route finding means for generating data describing a set of routes of trails across said network, and a trail manipulation means for implementing changes to trails across the network. The trail manipulation means operates in four basic modes of operation, including a stretch operation in which a new node is inserted between first and second existing nodes and an existing trail between the first and second existing node is rerouted by the new node by creation of a pair of new links; Firstly, a stretch operation in which a new node is inserted between first and second existing nodes and an existing trail between the first and second existing node is re-routed via the new node by creation of a pair of new links.

Abstract: A trail management system for a transport network comprises a database storing data describing each of a plurality of actual and intended/planned trails within a network. Each trail is described in terms of a state model, in which the trail is recorded as being in one of a plurality of stable states, e.g. ready for service, not ready for service, existing in the network but not fully recorded in the network management system, or assigned for deletion from the network. The trail data is modified by a set of automatic processes, by means of which a trail data may transition between stable states. Each trail data may adopt one of a plurality of sub-states, e.g. fully provisioned, incomplete, in conflict with another trail, inconsistent with another trail, unprovisioned, or unsupported by network resources. The network management system learns of actual existing trails within the network and checks for consistency of actual trails with stored trail data.