U.S. patent application number 12/568998 was filed with the patent office on 2010-02-11 for methods, systems, and storage mediums for providing database management services for a telecommunications system.
This patent application is currently assigned to AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. f/k/a BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation. Invention is credited to Elisa Andrews, Stanley Greenstein, Cynthia Hoffner.
Application Number | 20100037126 12/568998 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34808286 |
Filed Date | 2010-02-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100037126 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Andrews; Elisa ; et
al. |
February 11, 2010 |
METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND STORAGE MEDIUMS FOR PROVIDING DATABASE
MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR A TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM
Abstract
Methods, systems, and storage mediums for database management
services for a telecommunications system are provided. A method
includes transferring, via a managed language application, raw data
extracted from a legacy system to a first spreadsheet application
macro. The method also includes merging, via the first spreadsheet
application macro, selected portions of the raw data, and creating
a first spreadsheet file that includes the merged data. The merged
data relates each physical and virtual fiber of the
telecommunications system to the merged data. The method further
includes transferring, via the managed language application, the
first spreadsheet file to another spreadsheet application macro,
and generating, via the other spreadsheet application macro, a
graphical drawing comprising a cable ring that includes fiber
routes and telecommunications equipment. The graphical drawing is
generated using the merged data.
Inventors: |
Andrews; Elisa; (Hoover,
AL) ; Hoffner; Cynthia; (Charlotte, NC) ;
Greenstein; Stanley; (Charlotte, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
AT&T Legal Department - CC;Attn: Patent Docketing
Room 2A-207, One AT&T Way
Bedminster
NJ
07921
US
|
Assignee: |
AT&T Intellectual Property I,
L.P. f/k/a BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation
Wilmington
DE
|
Family ID: |
34808286 |
Appl. No.: |
12/568998 |
Filed: |
September 29, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10770262 |
Feb 2, 2004 |
7636351 |
|
|
12568998 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
715/215 ;
707/E17.005 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 41/024 20130101;
H04L 41/145 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
715/215 ;
707/200; 707/E17.005 |
International
Class: |
G06F 17/00 20060101
G06F017/00 |
Claims
1. A method for providing database management services for a
telecommunications system, comprising: transferring, via a managed
language application, raw data extracted from a legacy system to a
first spreadsheet application macro; merging, via the first
spreadsheet application macro, selected portions of the raw data,
and creating a first spreadsheet file that includes the merged
data, the merged data relating each physical and virtual fiber of
the telecommunications system to the merged data; transferring, via
the managed language application, the first spreadsheet file to
another spreadsheet application macro; and generating, via the
other spreadsheet application macro, a graphical drawing comprising
a cable ring that includes fiber routes and telecommunications
equipment, the graphical drawing generated using the merged
data.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the raw data includes a first set
of raw data relating to telecommunications transmission lines.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the raw data includes a second
set of raw data relating to telecommunications equipment data.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the raw data includes a third set
of raw includes data relating to telecommunications wavelength
division multiplexing data; wherein the first, second, and third
sets of raw data are extracted via respective first, second, and
third routines of a network planning application.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the data in the first spreadsheet
file includes: fiber locations; a cable number; a fiber channel
number; a WDM channel number; a restriction code, if applicable; a
status code; a date a fiber is placed in service; and a sonet
carrier identifier.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: transferring, via the
managed language application, a portion of the raw data comprising
telecommunications wavelength division multiplexing data to a
second spreadsheet application macro; creating, via the second
spreadsheet application macro, a second spreadsheet file, the
second spreadsheet file comprising a listing of working and spare
channels serviced by an enterprise, the working and spare channels
identified by WDM location, WDM type, system identification
numbers, and state.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the cable ring drawing is
represented by nodes, passthroughs, and cable lines.
8. A system for providing database management services for a
telecommunications system, comprising: a computer processing
device; and a managed language application and a network planning
application executing on the host system, the managed language
application and the network planning application implementing a
method, comprising: transferring, via the managed language
application, raw data extracted from a legacy system to a first
spreadsheet application macro; merging, via the first spreadsheet
application macro, selected portions of the raw data, and creating
a first spreadsheet file that includes the merged data, the merged
data relating each physical and virtual fiber of the
telecommunications system to the merged data; transferring, via the
managed language application, the first spreadsheet file to another
spreadsheet application macro; and generating, via the other
spreadsheet application macro, a graphical drawing comprising a
cable ring that includes fiber routes and telecommunications
equipment, the graphical drawing generated using the merged
data.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the raw data includes a first set
of raw data relating to telecommunications transmission lines.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the raw data includes a second
set of raw data relating to telecommunications equipment data.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the raw data includes a third
set of raw includes data relating to telecommunications wavelength
division multiplexing data; wherein the first, second, and third
sets of raw data are extracted via respective first, second, and
third routines of the network planning application.
12. The system of claim 8, wherein the data in the first
spreadsheet file includes: fiber locations; a cable number; a fiber
channel number; a WDM channel number; a restriction code, if
applicable; a status code; a date a fiber is placed in service; and
a sonet carrier identifier.
13. The system of claim 8, further comprising: transferring, via
the managed language application, a portion of the raw data
comprising telecommunications wavelength division multiplexing data
to a second spreadsheet application macro; creating, via the second
spreadsheet application macro, a second spreadsheet file, the
second spreadsheet file comprising a listing of working and spare
channels serviced by an enterprise, the working and spare channels
identified by WDM location, WDM type, system identification
numbers, and state.
14. A storage medium including machine-readable computer program
code for providing database management services for a
telecommunications system, the storage medium including
instructions for causing a computer to implement a method
comprising: providing database management services for a
telecommunications system, comprising: merging selected portions of
raw data extracted from a legacy system, and creating a first
spreadsheet file that includes the merged data, the merged data
relating each physical and virtual fiber of the telecommunications
system to the merged data; and generating a graphical drawing
comprising a cable ring that includes fiber routes and
telecommunications equipment, the graphical drawing generated using
the merged data.
15. The storage medium of claim 14, wherein the raw data includes a
first set of raw data relating to telecommunications transmission
lines.
16. The storage medium of claim 15, wherein the raw data includes a
second set of raw data relating to telecommunications equipment
data.
17. The storage medium of claim 16, wherein the raw data includes a
third set of raw includes data relating to telecommunications
wavelength division multiplexing data.
18. The storage medium of claim 14, wherein the data in the first
spreadsheet file includes: fiber locations; a cable number; a fiber
channel number; a WDM channel number; a restriction code, if
applicable; a status code; a date a fiber is placed in service; and
a sonet carrier identifier.
19. The storage medium of claim 14, further comprising instructions
for implementing: creating, a second spreadsheet file from a
portion of the raw data comprising telecommunications wavelength
division multiplexing data, the second spreadsheet file comprising
a listing of working and spare channels serviced by an enterprise,
the working and spare channels identified by WDM location, WDM
type, system identification numbers, and state.
20. The method of claim 14, wherein the cable ring drawing is
represented by nodes, passthroughs, and cable lines.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/770,262, filed Feb. 2, 2004, the entire
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Embodiments of the invention relate generally to
telecommunications systems, and more particularly, to methods,
systems, and storage mediums for providing database management
services for a telecommunications system.
[0003] Managing fiber and cable networks is generally performed in
a haphazard fashion using legacy system data and reports that are
incompatible with newer software and technology. With large volumes
of data spread across disparate systems, it is difficult if not
impossible to provide efficient analysis of fiber and cable
networking systems, equipment, and related operations. Much of the
reporting and analyses are performed manually. As new technology
continues to bring forth a wealth of advancements in communications
networks and equipment, telecommunications service providers will
require updated models for handling data relating to existing and
future transport facilities and services in order to keep pace with
these changes. Clearly, using existing manual processes for
analyzing networking data and providing network services is not an
optimum solution.
[0004] What is needed, therefore, is a way to integrate data from
legacy systems for providing efficient handling of networking data
that enables analysis and reporting.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Embodiments relate to methods, systems, and storage mediums
for providing database management services for a telecommunications
system. A method includes transferring, via a managed language
application, raw data extracted from a legacy system to a first
spreadsheet application macro. The method also includes merging,
via the first spreadsheet application macro, selected portions of
the raw data, and creating a first spreadsheet file that includes
the merged data. The merged data relates each physical and virtual
fiber of the telecommunications system to the merged data. The
method further includes transferring, via the managed language
application, the first spreadsheet file to another spreadsheet
application macro, and generating, via the other spreadsheet
application macro, a graphical drawing comprising a cable ring that
includes fiber routes and telecommunications equipment. The
graphical drawing is generated using the merged data.
[0006] A system includes a computer processing device and a managed
language application and a network planning application executing
on the computer processing device. The managed language application
and the network planning application implement a method. The method
includes transferring, via the managed language application, raw
data extracted from a legacy system to a first spreadsheet
application macro. The method also includes merging, via the first
spreadsheet application macro, selected portions of the raw data,
and creating a first spreadsheet file that includes the merged
data. The merged data relates each physical and virtual fiber of
the telecommunications system to the merged data. The method
further includes transferring, via the managed language
application, the first spreadsheet file to another spreadsheet
application macro, and generating, via the other spreadsheet
application macro, a graphical drawing comprising a cable ring that
includes fiber routes and telecommunications equipment. The
graphical drawing is generated using the merged data.
[0007] Other systems, methods, and/or computer program products
according to embodiments will be or become apparent to one with
skill in the art upon review of the following drawings and detailed
description. It is intended that all such additional systems,
methods, and/or computer program products be included within this
description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be
protected by the accompanying claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Referring now to the drawings wherein like elements are
numbered alike in the several FIGURES:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system upon which the
database management system is implemented in exemplary embodiments
of the invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a flowchart describing the process of implementing
the database management system in exemplary embodiments of the
invention;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a sample district table that is used as an input
file to the M_GETCAB macro of the database management system in
exemplary embodiments of the invention;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a sample WDMTABLE intermediate file derived from
the execution of the M_GETCAB macro of the database management
system and is used to create DETCAB files as well as WDM Summaries
in exemplary embodiments of the invention;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a sample SCIDTBL intermediate file derived from
the execution of the M_GETCAB macro of the database management
system and is used to create DETCAB files in exemplary embodiments
of the invention;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a sample WDMSUMMARY output file derived from the
execution of the M_FORMATWDM macro of the database management
system in exemplary embodiments of the invention;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a sample THRESHOLD FIBER COMPARISON report
produced by the database management system in exemplary embodiments
of the invention;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a sample state DETCAB worksheet derived from the
execution of the M_GETCAB macro of the managed language application
in exemplary embodiments of the invention;
[0017] FIG. 9 is a sample state CABLE CROSS SECTION TOTAL worksheet
derived from the execution of the M_GETCAB macro of the managed
language application in exemplary embodiments of the invention;
[0018] FIG. 10 is a sample state SUMMARY worksheet derived from the
execution of the M_GETCAB macro of the managed language application
in exemplary embodiments of the invention;
[0019] FIG. 11 is a sample cable drawing derived from the execution
of the M_CBLDRAWING macro of the database management system using
information obtained from a DETCAB worksheet in exemplary
embodiments of the invention;
[0020] FIG. 12 is a sample SPARE FIBERS report produced by the
database management system in exemplary embodiments of the
invention; and
[0021] FIG. 13 is a sample SONET SYSTEMS report produced by the
database management system in exemplary embodiments of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] The database management system of the invention provides a
means to evaluate fiber, wavelength division multiplexing (WDM),
and dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) networks for
determining cost efficient ways for building and maintaining a
network. The database management system is flexible enough to be
used by cable network enterprises in addition to fiber network
enterprises. The data acquired by implementing the database
management system of the invention may be used by a variety of
entities that are involved with telecommunication enterprises, such
as engineers, marketing, portfolio management, product management,
and finance groups. Database elements are structured for quick
analysis and macros utilized by the database management system
merge, query, and provide reporting capabilities using the
data.
[0023] The database management system is executed via a system such
as that depicted in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 includes a host system 102
comprising a server 104, an inter-office facilities (IOF) data
repository 105, a data repository 106, and a computer client 108 in
communication with one another via a network 110. Server 104 may
comprise a high-powered multiprocessor computer device including
web server and applications server software for receiving requests
from computer client 108 to run programs, access databases, and
generate reports as described further herein.
[0024] Server 104 executes a networking application 112. Networking
application 112 comprises a telecommunications software product for
facilitating network provisioning for equipment such as carrier
circuits and message trunks. Networking application 112 may also
provide inventory management of networking facilities and equipment
and supports a variety of transmissions technologies serviced by
the enterprise of host system 102. Networking application 112 may
comprise a proprietary application or may be a commercial
application such as TIRKS.RTM. by Telcordia.RTM. Technologies, Inc.
of Piscataway, N.J. Server 104 further executes networking planning
software 114 that assists host system 102 employees in planning,
monitoring, and reporting on network facilities and equipment.
Network planning software 114 may be a proprietary application or
may comprise a commercial product such as Telcordia.RTM. FEPS
Planning Workstation (PWS) programs. Network planning software 114
includes a routine (e.g., X02GETCABLE routine 120) for extracting
data relating to telecommunications transmission lines from legacy
files 130, a routine (e.g., X02SCIDSYS routine 122) for extracting
data relating to telecommunications equipment from legacy files
130, and a routine (e.g., X02WDMTABLE routine 124) for extracting
wavelength division multiplexor equipment (WDM) data from a legacy
WDM table. The data is extracted from legacy reports produced by
network planning software 114 as described further herein.
[0025] Server 104 also executes a keystroke emulator application
116 that allows a user to further drill down the raw data produced
a result of executing X02GETCABLE routine 120. Keystroke emulator
application 116 maybe a proprietary tool or may comprise a
commercial application such as TaskMate.TM.. In addition, a managed
language program 117, such as Microsoft Visual Basic.RTM. or C++ is
executing on server 104. Managed language program 117 includes a
spreadsheet component, such as Microsoft.RTM. Excel.RTM., to
produce and execute macros M_GETCAB 126, M_FORMATWDM 128, and
M_CBLDRAWING 129 as described further herein.
[0026] IOF data repository 105 is a legacy data store that houses
data created and utilized by legacy applications such as networking
management application 112 and network planning application 114.
Applications 112 and 114 produce legacy tables and reports 130.
[0027] Data repository 106 stores information produced by database
management system 102 such as intermediate files 136, DETCAB files
138, and summaries/reports 140. These and other documents are
described further herein. Data repository 106 further stores
district tables 132. A portion of a sample DISTRICT table is shown
generally in FIG. 3. The table of FIG. 3 provides information for a
telecommunications district such as geographic coding information,
fiber location data, and detailed district locations. Data
repository 106 is preferably utilizing a relational database
configuration such as Microsoft Access.RTM. for allowing data
stored therein to be organized and manipulated on various
levels.
[0028] Data repositories 105 and 106 may each comprise a standalone
storage device or may, along with server 104, comprise a single
unit such as a mainframe computer.
[0029] Information produced by networking management application
112 and network planning software 114 is processed by routines
120-124 and keystroke emulator 116 to produce raw data that is
integrated by database management system 102 utilizing managed
language application 117 and macros 126, 128, and 129.
[0030] Computer client 108 is used by host system employees to
execute the database management system processes described herein.
Computer client 108 requests execution of applications via server
104 and generates reports. Computer client 108 maybe a
general-purpose computer such as a desktop, laptop, or similar
device.
[0031] Network 110 may comprise a local area network (LAN) or other
suitable network system for facilitating communication between
server 104, data repositories 105 and 106, and computer client
108.
[0032] Data produced from various disparate network systems and
software are merged together by database management system 102 and
structured in a way that allows for analyses and reporting
activities to be performed as will now be described in FIG. 2. A
user on computer client 108 executes network planning application
114 routine X02GETCABLE 120 for a selected state at 202. This step
extracts raw data from legacy tables 130 in IOF data repository 105
(e.g., HICAP/SPAN tables). HICAP refers to high-capacity cable
lines such as leased lines for long distance carrier enterprises.
The type of raw data extracted from legacy tables 130 includes
cable data relating to fiber cables/transmission lines serviced by
the enterprise executing the database management system 102. The
raw data output of this execution is then fed to keystroke emulator
116 at 204. Keystroke emulator 116 comprises an extraction routine
that performs extractions on the raw data, enabling the user to
further drill down the raw data at 206.
[0033] The user then executes network planning program 114
X02SCIDSYS routine 122 at 208. This step extracts raw data from
legacy tables/reports 130 in IOF data repository 105. The type of
raw data extracted from X02SCIDSYS routine 122 includes information
relating to the telecommunications equipment serviced by the
enterprise system such as SONET equipment used to handle
trunking.
[0034] The user then executes network planning program 114
X02WDMTABLE routine 124 at 210. This step extracts raw data from
legacy tables/reports 130 in IOF data repository 105 that pertains
to WDM equipment. Routine 124 may be run for one state or for an
entire region. The type of raw data produced by this step includes
WDM information such as WDM identifier, WDM type, CLLI codes, and
WDM A and Z locations. Examples of WDM types include "OMO2"
referring to a 2-channel WDM, and "OM12" and "OM13" referring to 12
and 13 channel WDM systems to name a few.
[0035] The raw data extracted at steps 206, 208, and 210 are
imported to managed language application macro, M_GETCAB at 212.
The raw data extracted is linked by the M_GETCAB macro by relating
each channel of WDM raw data with corresponding SCID data. When an
OM* carrier (e.g., WDM system) is detected in the fiber data (i.e.,
raw data resulting from step 206), a lookup is used from the WDM
data to insert a row into a DETCAB worksheet for each working WDM
channel. DETCAB worksheets are described further herein. This
linking of WDM raw data to SCID data provides a database that
enables an analyst to view paths of SCIDs in a single step.
[0036] Optionally, district tables 132 from IOF data repository 106
for the selected state may be accessed by the M_GETCAB macro for
further filtering the raw data by district at step 214. A portion
of a sample district table is shown generally in FIG. 3. District
tables are provided to map districts to CLLIs.
[0037] At 216, a user runs the M_GETCAB macro 126. The M_GETCAB
macro 126 is a program that processes the data extracted as a
result of the execution of routines 120-124 described above. The
M_GETCAB macro 126 is written using managed language application
117. The M_GETCAB macro 126 merges the raw data produced in steps
206, 208, and 210 and produces intermediate files 136 in
spreadsheet form. Two intermediate spreadsheet files are shown in
FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0038] Using intermediate files produced from the M_GETCAB macro
126, a DETCAB workbook comprising a DETCAB worksheet 148, a CABLE
CROSS SECTION worksheet 150, and SUMMARY worksheet 152, is created
and stored in data repository 106 at 218. Sample worksheets 148-152
are shown in FIGS. 8-10. The DETCAB worksheet of FIG. 8 provides a
variety of details for each working WDM channel, such as Fiber A
and Z locations for a cable 902 and 904, cable number 906, fiber
identification 908, WDM channel number 910, a restriction code 912,
a status now 914, status pending 916, the date the fiber was placed
in service 918, the SCID 920, among other information. The
restriction code 912 field provides information concerning any
equipment restrictions. For example, a `J` in restrictive code 912
field indicates that a restriction relates to a jumper. Other codes
available for restrictive code 912 field include `DEF` for
defective, `$` for spare, `W` for work, to name a few.
[0039] SUMMARY worksheets 152 provide a variety of details such as
whether a cable cross section is being used for IOF,
SmartRings.RTM., Lightgates.RTM., Asynchronous Equipment, or
Specials. A sample Summary worksheet is illustrated in FIG. 10.
[0040] CABLE CROSS SECTION worksheets 150 produced from the
M_GETCAB macro 126 allow a user to view fiber growth trends, those
with a threshold flag of `Y`, spare/available fibers, not available
fibers, and cable status in order to quickly analyze potential
cross sections for exhaust. A sample cable cross section worksheet
is shown in FIG. 9. A user may further use an autofilter to quickly
analyze database problems and update the database for more accurate
future analysis. For example, a filter on `cable status=PA` and
`Wkg Util>0` generally means that the cable status should be
changed to an `IE` since there are fibers working on it. Also, `not
available` percents greater than 25 can be analyzed quickly on the
DETCAB worksheet to determine if there are defective units that
need to be fixed or if there are restrictions that may be
inaccurate and may need to be removed to correctly show either
working on spare fibers.
[0041] DETCAB worksheet 148 is used as a database of combined
information by M_GETCAB macro 126 to create SUMMARY and CABLE CROSS
SECTION worksheets described above. These worksheets are used to
help in fiber planning to determine how fast cross sections are
filing up. The CABLE CROSS SECTION worksheet 150 has thresholds
built into it to easily filter the fiber paths that may require
rebuilding. SUMMARY worksheets 152 illustrate what types of SCIDs
are working on the fiber cross sections.
[0042] Execution of the custom and pre-built queries in the
Access.TM. database also produces summaries and reports, a sample
of which is shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 illustrates a THRESHOLD FIBER
COMPARISON report produced by the database management system 102. A
THRESHOLD FIBER COMPARISON REPORT provides information such as the
threshold limits for a given fiber, whether the threshold limits
have been exceeded, and a fix status for the fiber. This
information is provided along with the low/high quantities for a
fiber (e.g., the lowest and highest numbers in the fiber
complement), as well as the number of spare fibers. These and other
reports may be stored in summaries/reports database 140 in data
repository 106.
[0043] The DETCAB worksheet 148 is imported to an Access.TM.
database (or similar relational database) of data repository 106 at
220 where custom and pre-built queries may be used to analyze the
data. This information can be further searched and drilled down for
specific information at 222. For example, a user may place a filter
on the SCID in order to view all the cross sections inventoried in
networking application 112 for a given ring. A user may also, for
example, place a custom filter on the type "T?X" and a filter on
the status now ="W" to view all of the Async systems still in
service.
[0044] Other reports generated via step 222 include SPARE FIBERS
reports and SONET SYSTEMS reports as shown generally in FIGS. 12
and 13, respectively. SPARE FIBERS reports may be generated for a
given date and provide status information on the number of
`working`, `spare now`, and `spare pending` fibers for a
location.
[0045] The data used in the DETCAB worksheet of FIG. 8 may be
further used to produce a cable drawing that plots a ring of fiber
routes including electronic equipment. This is accomplished by
importing the DETCAB worksheet 148 to managed language application
117 at step 224. The macro, M_CBLDRAWING 129 is run on the
worksheet data at step 226 and a cable ring drawing is generated at
step 228. A sample cable ring drawing 1000 is shown in FIG. 11.
Drawing 1000 includes a ring of nodes 1002 and passthroughs 1004
interconnected by lines 1006. Nodes 1002 refer to networking
equipment serviced by the enterprise. Passthroughs 1004 refer to
the supporting equipment that receive and transmit signals to and
from nodes 1002. These signals are transmitted via lines 1006 which
refer to fiber cables. Each path used, node, and passthrough has an
identifier (e.g., LSVLKYFC for node 1002a) as shown generally in
FIG. 11. This graphical information may be useful in assisting
engineers for future ring planning or fiber technicians when
prioritizing fiber repair work when fiber cables are cut.
[0046] The raw data extracted from the X02WDMTABLE procedure 124
may be input to M_FORMATWDM macro 128 at step 230 for producing a
WDM Summary report 154 (steps 232-234). A sample WDM Summary report
is shown in FIG. 6. The WDM Summary report includes a listing and
quantity of working and spare channels serviced by the enterprise
executing the database management system 102. Working and spare
channels are identified by descriptors such as WDM A and Z
locations, WDM types, system identification numbers, and state.
[0047] The database management system combines data from disparate
systems, such as networking applications, network planning
programs, and localized district tables, and creates a database of
information to help better forecast and manage fibers, detect
routing errors, and resolve issues concerning inter-office
facilities data. Threshold flags are set based upon available spare
and growth rate that are unique to a particular cross section. The
data may be combined with nodes data for generate graphical
information for nodes, passthroughs, and lines for any network
ring.
[0048] As described above, embodiments may be in the form of
computer-implemented processes and apparatuses for practicing those
processes. In exemplary embodiments, the invention is embodied in
computer program code executed by one or more network elements.
Embodiments include computer program code containing instructions
embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs, hard
drives, or any other computer-readable storage medium, wherein,
when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a
computer, the computer becomes an apparatus for practicing the
invention. Embodiments include computer program code, for example,
whether stored in a storage medium, loaded into and/or executed by
a computer, or transmitted over some transmission medium, such as
over electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or via
electromagnetic radiation, wherein, when the computer program code
is loaded into and executed by a computer, the computer becomes an
apparatus for practicing the invention. When implemented on a
general-purpose microprocessor, the computer program code segments
configure the microprocessor to create specific logic circuits.
[0049] While the invention has been described with reference to
exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in
the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope
of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to
adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the
invention without departing from the essential scope thereof
Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the
particular embodiments disclosed for carrying out this invention,
but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within
the scope of the claims.
* * * * *