Assisted command script template creation

A method of auto-completing a CLI command, in a network management and service provisioning context, based on a Command Line Interface (CLI) command set currently employed by target managed entity deployed in a managed communications network, the method comprising:

• a. specifying the CLI command set version associated with the target managed entity;
• b. optionally specifying at least one first character of a CLI command name;
• c. invoking a command completion hot key;
• d. querying a run-time loaded CLI command dictionary;
• and
• e. providing a command completion options.

A method for validating one of a Command Line Interface (CLI) script and a CLI script template for execution on a target managed entity deployed in a managed communications network, the method comprising:

• a. obtaining the CLI command set version of the CLI command set currently deployed on the target managed entity;
• b. if the CLI command set version of the CLI command 'set currently deployed on the target managed entity matches the CLI command set version specified in respect of the one of the CLI script and the CLI script template, querying a run-time loaded CLI command ser version specific CLI command dictionary based on CLI command tokens specified in the one of the CLI script and the CLI script template;
• and
• c. selectively highlighting CLI command token discrepancies between the CLI command token sequence specified in the one of the CLI script and the CLI script template, and the CLI command dictionary.

A Command Line Interface (CLI) script template management system comprising:

• a. a network management repository holding managed entity information for a managed entity deployed in a managed communications network;
• b. a network management system for accessing the managed entity, the network management system further comprising:
• i. messaging means for exchanging messages with the managed entity;
• ii. means for capturing managed entity output from received messages;
• and
• iii. a parser determining the CLI command set version from a message issued by the managed entity signifying a successful login, the parser updating a CLI command set version specific CLI command dictionary held in the network management repository based on CLI command set specifications obtained from the managed entity output captured;
• and
• c. a CLI script template management tool operable in the network management and serviced provisioning context facilitated by the network management system to provide command completion in editing a CLI script template based on the CLI command set currently employed by the managed entity.

A Command Line Interface (CLI) command script template management tool for use in a centralized network management and service provisioning context, the CLI command script template management tool comprising:

• a. a user-interface for specifying a vendor specific, equipment type specific, CLI command set version;
• b. means for receiving user input in writing a CLI script template;
• c. means for loading a vendor specific, equipment type specific, CLI command set version CLI command dictionary at run-time;
• and
• d. a command completion hot key optionally responsive to at least one typed character to query the run-time loaded CLI command dictionary for command completion options.