Method and apparatus for managing a communications network by storing management information about two or more configuration states of the network

A communications network management system comprising:

• (i) a first memory arranged to store first management information in a first format which represents a first configuration state of the network;
• (ii) a processor arranged to generate difference information representing the differences between said first configuration state and a second configuration state of the network, the processor being further arranged to carry out said generation of said difference information without user intervention;
• and
• (iii) a second memory arranged to store information about said second configuration state of the network in the form of the said generated difference information;
• whereby the cumulative volume of data represented by the first management information and the difference information is reduced relative to the volume of data which would be required to store management information for the first and second configuration states using only the first format.

A communications network including a communications network management system, the communications network management system comprising:

• (i) a first memory arranged to store first management information in a first format which represents a first configuration state of the network;
• (ii) a processor arranged to generate difference information representing the differences between said first configuration state and a second configuration state of the network, the processor being further arranged to carry out said generation of said difference information without user intervention;
• and
• (iii) a second memory arranged to store information about said second configuration state of the network in the form of the said generated difference information;
• whereby the cumulative volume of data represented by the first management information and the difference information is reduced relative to the volume of data which would be required to store management information for the first and second configuration states using only the first format.