Methods and systems for testing network components

A system for managing and testing networks, the system comprising:

• a rule-based component capable of interacting with network devices;
• an expert system component capable of analyzing and responding to information received from the rule-based component and of managing, through the rule-based component, communication with the network devices;
• a policy building/rule building component capable of instantiating events;
• and
• a user interface comprising:
• a component capable of allowing instantiation of an event;
• another component capable of allowing selection of an event;
• yet another component capable of retrieving and displaying attributes of instantiated network events;
• and
• a graphical object depicting a map, the map having icons representing network locations related to events;
• said events having corresponding rules;
• and
• wherein said instantiated events and said attributes are not stored in the database;
• whereby said corresponding rules are applicable to managing and testing networks.

A method for managing and testing networks, the method comprising the steps of:

• selecting an event, the event having corresponding rules;
• instantiating the event;
• communicating the instantiated event to a network;
• receiving test results from the network;
• and
• displaying event attributes/test results.