Network management system for communications networks

A management system for a communications network, for use in monitoring and controlling the provision of services by means of the network, wherein the management system comprises:

• i) inputs for trigger signals containing information in respect of the network and/or a service provided thereby;
• ii) data processing means for accessing and processing information in response to said trigger signals;
• and
• iii) outputs for issuing control and/or report signals in respect of the network and/or said services
• wherein the management system is provided with a data structure comprising sets of feature-describing data, each set identifying and describing a manageable aspect of the communications network, management rule profiles to be associated with selected sets of feature-describing data, each management rule profile containing management rules in respect of the feature described by the relevant set of feature-describing data, and association data sets for associating one or more management rule profiles with one or more selected sets of feature-describing data,
• said data processing means being adapted to respond to a trigger signal by identifying a set of feature-describing data and accessing a management rule profile, identified by an association data set in respect of the set of feature-describing data, and, if indicated by the profile or by an association data set or otherwise by the data structure, in association with information from the trigger signal, accessing at least one further association data set and a management rule profile identified by said further association data set, such that the management system is enabled to respond appropriately to the trigger signal.

A method of managing a communications system, for use in monitoring and controlling the provision of services by means of the network, which method comprises:

• i) receiving a trigger signal at an input to a management system for service provision over said network;
• ii) accessing a data structure of said management system in response to receipt of the trigger signal, to identify a set of feature-describing data for a feature to which the trigger signal is potentially relevant;
• iii) identifying a management rule profile by reference to an association data set, containing association data for relating one or more management rule profiles to said feature;
• and
• iv) accessing the management rules of that profile and applying them together with information from the trigger signal, with respect to the relevant set of feature-describing data, to determine further action by the management system.