Dynamic configuration of network devices to enable data transfers

A method for optimizing data transmissions, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving a request to move data via a path between a first point and a second point;
• receiving a request for bandwidth between the first point and the second point;
• identifying at least a first network device configurable to assist in providing the requested bandwidth between the first point and the second point;
• retrieving at least a first configuration record that corresponds to the at least a first network device, wherein the retrieved configuration record includes configuration information about the at least a first network device;
• altering the at least a first configuration record in accordance with the requested path and the requested bandwidth;
• generating, using the altered configuration record, device-specific commands to the at least one network device;
• configuring, using the commands, the identified at least a first network device so as to enable the at least a first network device to assist in providing the requested bandwidth and the requested path between the first point and the second point;
• and
• responsive to a predefined event, configuring the identified at least a first network device to disable the requested path and the requested bandwidth between the first point and the second point in accordance with a customer service level agreement that governs the requests for the path and the bandwidth.

A system for managing a transmission of data in a network comprising:

• a repository for a plurality of configuration records, wherein each of the plurality of configuration records includes configuration information for a corresponding one of a plurality of network devices in a network;
• and
• a the network manager unit communicatively coupled to each of the network devices and to the repository of configuration records wherein the network management component is configured to:
• receive a request for a path between a first point and a second point for the transmission of the data;
• identify a collection of the plurality of network devices that are configurable to assist in providing the requested path;
• retrieve and alter each of a portion of the plurality of configuration records in accordance with the requested path wherein each of the collection of the plurality of configuration records corresponds to one of the portion of the plurality of network devices;
• generate using the altered configuration records, device-specific commands to configure each of the collection of the plurality of network devices so as to enable the collection of the plurality of network devices to assist in providing the requested path;
• and
• send the device-specific commands to each of the collection of the plurality of network devices.