Method and apparatus for monitoring and controlling communications networks

A method for monitoring and controlling a communications network, comprising the steps of:

• receiving numeric data representative of at least one operating parameter of the communications network from a separate network monitor and controller;
• converting the numeric data representative of at least one operating parameter into fuzzy input data;
• processing the fuzzy input data according to at least one fuzzy rule to provide fuzzy output data representative of control actions that effect a desired state of the communications network;
• displaying at least one of the fuzzy input data and the fuzzy output data to a user;
• receiving user modifications of said at least one fuzzy rule;
• repeating said processing step with said at least one user-modified fuzzy rule to provide modified fuzzy output data;
• repeating said displaying step with said at least one the fuzzy input data and said modified fuzzy output data;
• converting said modified fuzzy output data into numeric data;
• and
• controlling at least one network parameter in response thereto;
• wherein the method uses only fuzzy logic operations to control the communications network.

An apparatus for monitoring and controlling a communications network, comprising:

• means, including a separate network monitor and controller, for receiving numeric data representative of at least one operating parameter of the communications network;
• means including a separate system that requires only fuzzy logic operations to control the communications network, comprising:
• means for converting the numeric data representative of at least one operating parameter into fuzzy input data;
• means for processing the fuzzy input data according to at least one fuzzy rule to provide fuzzy output data representative of control actions that effect a desired state of the communications network;
• means for converting the fuzzy output data into numeric data for the separate network monitor and controller to control at least one network parameter in response thereto;
• means for displaying at least one of the fuzzy input data and the fuzzy output data to a user;
• means for incorporating user modifications of said at least one fuzzy rule into said processing means before converting the fuzzy output data into the numeric data enabling the user to modify said fuzzy logic operations during said control of the communications network;
• and
• means for controlling at least one network parameter in response to the numeric data.