System and method for proactive scheduling of system maintenance

A computer-implemented system for planning maintenance activities in a communication network, the system comprising:

• a query execution module that is operative to search a database to identify elements in the network that are out of sync;
• an out of sync record generator module having a data path to the query execution module, the out of sync record generator being operative to record the identity of elements identified by the query execution module as being out of sync elements;
• a prioritizing module having a data path to the out of sync record generator module, the prioritizing module being operative to assign a priority value to the out of sync elements in accordance with prioritizing rules;
• and
• a network maintenance function command module that is operative to issue a series of commands wherein each command is operative to cause one of the out of sync elements to become in sync, the command module being operative to issue the commands in an order that corresponds to the priority value assigned to the out of sync elements by the prioritizing module, the command module being operative to issue the commands during a scheduled maintenance window.

An element management system for a communication network, comprising:

• a database;
• a query execution module that is operative to search the database to identify elements in the communication network that are out of sync;
• an out of sync record generator module having a data path to the query execution module, the out of sync record generator being operative to record the identity of elements identified by the query execution module as being out of sync elements;
• and
• a network maintenance function command module that is operative to issue a series of commands wherein each command is operative to cause one of the out of sync elements to become in sync, the command module being operative to issue the commands during a scheduled maintenance window.

An element management system for a communication network, comprising:

• a database;
• a query execution module that is operative to search the database to identify elements in the communication network that are out of sync;
• an out of sync record generator module having a data path to the query execution module, the out of sync record generator being operative to record the identity of elements identified by the query execution module as being out of sync elements;
• a prioritizing module having a data path to the out of sync record generator module, the prioritizing module being operative to assign a priority value to the out of sync elements in accordance with prioritizing rules;
• and
• a network maintenance function command module that is operative to issue a series of commands wherein each command is operative to cause one of the out of sync elements to become in sync, the command module being operative to issue the commands in an order that corresponds to the priority value assigned to the out of sync elements by the prioritizing module, the command module being operative to issue the commands during a scheduled maintenance window.

A method of performing planned maintenance activities is a communication network, comprising the steps of:

• querying a database to identify elements that are out of sync;
• recording the identity of the identified out of sync elements;
• and
• providing appropriate parameters, during a maintenance window, the allow the out of sync elements to be brought back into sync.

A method of performing planned maintenance activities is a communication network, comprising the steps of:

• querying a database to identify elements that are out of sync;
• recording the identity of the identified out of sync elements;
• prioritizing the out of sync elements in accordance with prioritizing rules;
• and
• providing appropriate parameters, during a maintenance window, that allow the out of sync elements to be brought back into sync.