US 5,295,139 A · Management system for partitioned multi-bandwidth communications network

Abstract

A management system for a partitioned multi-bandwidth communications network, i.e., a network in which end users are allocated virtual networks of limited bandwidth residing on lines of larger bandwidth. The management system includes a central management computer for use by network operators in communication with local terminals for use by end users. Tasks such as configurations for new circuits may be requested by the central operators as well as by the end users. Such requests are specified in terms of abstract logical objects, and the management system is programmed to correlate these logical objects to actual physical devices that comprise the circuit. The correlation programming is bi-directional so that in the case of a task such as failure detection, the management system may automatically correlate a failed physical object to a logical object for replacement.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A management system for a partitioned multi-bandwidth communications network, comprising:

a management computer programmed to establish virtual networks of said communications network, wherein said computer is further programmed with correlation programming that correlates logical objects representing classes of network elements to physical objects representing said network elements, such that it may translate virtual circuit definitions in terms of said logical objects to representations of physical objects to appropriate cross connect elements of said network;
communications links between said management computer and said cross connect elements of said communications network for delivering said representations of physical objects;
at least one terminal accessible to a user of virtual network for receiving virtual circuit requests from said user, wherein said requests are in terms of said logical objects;
and
communication means between said computer and said terminal for communicating said request to said computer.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Management system for partitioned multi-bandwidth communications network

Life of this patent

Management system for partitioned multi-bandwidth communications network

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22