# US 7,467,193 B2 · Management of virtual and physical network inventories

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- Number: US 7,467,193 B2
- Document ID: US7467193B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 09/921,282
- Filed: 2001-08-01
- Published: 2002-07-25
- Granted: 2008-12-16
- Earliest claimed: 2000-08-01
- Assignees: Qwest Communications International Inc.
- Inventors: Richard S. Cerami; Timothy Figueroa; Roxanna Storaasli
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7467193B2

## CPC

- G06Q 10/087: Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
- H04L 12/66: Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
- H04L 41/0631: using root cause analysis; using analysis of correlation between notifications, alarms or events based on decision criteria, e.g. hierarchy, tree or time analysis
- H04L 41/0896: Bandwidth or capacity management, i.e. automatically increasing or decreasing capacities (flow or congestion control using dynamic resource allocation, e.g. in-call renegotiation, H04L47/76)
- H04L 41/12: Discovery or management of network topologies
- H04L 41/32: {Specific management aspects for broadband networks}
- H04L 41/5009: Determining service level performance parameters or violations of service level contracts, e.g. violations of agreed response time or mean time between failures [MTBF]
- H04L 41/5025: by proactively reacting to service quality change, e.g. by reconfiguration after service quality degradation or upgrade
- H04L 41/5061: characterised by the interaction between service providers and their network customers, e.g. customer relationship management
- H04L 41/5067: Customer-centric QoS measurements
- H04L 41/5074: Handling of user complaints or trouble tickets
- H04L 41/509: {wherein the managed service relates to media content delivery, e.g. audio, video or TV}
- H04L 43/00: Arrangements for monitoring or testing data switching networks
- H04L 43/091: Measuring contribution of individual network components to actual service level
- H04L 43/16: Threshold monitoring
- H04L 43/50: Testing arrangements
- H04L 69/40: for recovering from a failure of a protocol instance or entity, e.g. service redundancy protocols, protocol state redundancy or protocol service redirection (management of faults, events, alarms or notifications in data switching networks H04L41/06)
- H04M 11/062: {using different frequency bands for speech and other data}
- H04N 21/6125: {involving transmission via Internet (transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82)}
- H04N 21/6473: {Monitoring network processes errors (for recovering from a failure of a protocol instance or entity H04L69/40)}
- H04N 21/64738: {Monitoring network characteristics, e.g. bandwidth, congestion level (data switched network analysis H04L41/14; monitoring functioning in data switched networks H04L43/0817; flow control in packet networks H04L47/10)}
- H04L 41/06: Management of faults, events, alarms or notifications
- H04L 41/0654: using network fault recovery (ring fault isolation or reconfiguration in loop networks without recovery actions by a network management system H04L12/437)
- H04L 41/40: using virtualisation of network functions or resources, e.g. SDN or NFV entities
- H04L 41/5003: Managing SLA; Interaction between SLA and QoS
- H04L 41/5032: {Generating service level reports}
- H04L 41/507: Filtering out customers affected by service problems
- H04L 43/0811: by checking connectivity
- H04L 43/0817: by checking functioning
- H04L 43/0823: Errors, e.g. transmission errors
- H04L 43/0882: Utilisation of link capacity
- H04L 43/10: Active monitoring, e.g. heartbeat, ping or trace-route
- H04L 43/20: the monitoring system or the monitored elements being virtualised, abstracted or software-defined entities, e.g. SDN or NFV
- Y10S 707/99931: Database or file accessing
- G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M)
- H04M: TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION (circuits for controlling other apparatus via a telephone cable and not involving telephone switching apparatus G08)
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

## Abstract

A method for managing a network element inventory for a video and data network is provided. The method includes self-discovering a physical network inventory of the video and data network. Additionally, a logical network inventory of the video and data network is self-discovered. Further, a planned network inventory of the video and data network is provided. Once the planned, logical, and physical network inventories are collected, the physical network inventory, logical network inventory, and planned network inventory are loaded into the network element inventory. After loading, synchronization of the physical network inventory, logical network inventory, and planned network inventory in the network element inventory is performed. A view is then provided using the synchronized physical network inventory, logical network inventory, and planned network inventory when a request for the view of the network element inventory is received.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for managing a network element inventory for a video and data network comprising:
self-discovering a physical network inventory of physical network elements using network elements of the video and data network;
self-discovering a logical network inventory of logical network elements using network elements of the video and data network;
providing a planned network inventory of the video and data network;
loading the physical network inventory, logical network inventory, and planned network inventory into the network element inventory, wherein the physical network elements and logical network elements of the video and data network change over time, wherein the physical network inventory and logical network inventory is continually self-discovered over the time period to update the physical network inventory and logical network inventory in real-time;
synchronizing the physical network inventory, logical network inventory, and planned network inventory in the network element inventory to determine any differences between the real-time updated physical network inventory and the real-time updated logical network inventory with the planned network inventory;
receiving a request for a view of the network element inventory; and
determining the view based on at least one of the synchronized physical network inventory, the synchronized logical network inventory, and planned network inventory, wherein the view is determined based on if any differences between physical network elements of the real-time updated physical network inventory and logical network elements of the real-time updated logical network inventory with physical or logical network elements of the planned network inventory are determined.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the video and data network comprises a Very high bit rate Digital Subscriber Line (VDSL) network.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the video and data network comprises a Digital Subscriber Line (xDSL) network.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the planned network inventory comprises planned virtual network inventory.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the planned network inventory comprises planned physical network inventory.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein synchronizing the physical network inventory, logical network inventory, and planned network inventory comprises comparing the planned network inventory with the self-discovered real-time updated physical and real-time updated logical network inventory.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6, further comprising creating a repair ticket if the comparison of the planned network inventory with the self-discovered real-time updated physical and real-time updated logical network inventory is not substantially equal.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein if differences between the self-discovered real-time updated physical network inventory and the self-discovered real-time updated logical network inventory with the planned network inventory are determined, determining the view comprising:
providing the view with the differences and at least one of the self-discovered real-time updated physical network inventory, self-discovered real-time updated logical network inventory, and the planned network inventory.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein if differences between the self-discovered real-time updated physical network inventory and the self-discovered real-time updated logical network inventory with the planned network inventory are determined, determining the view comprising:
selecting one of the self-discovered real-time updated physical network inventory, self-discovered real-time updated logical network inventory, and the planned network inventory for the view.

### Claim 10

A method for managing a network element inventory between one or more operation systems for a video and data network comprising:
self-discovering a physical network inventory of physical network elements using network elements of the video and data network;
self-discovering a logical network inventory of logical network elements using network elements of the video and data network;
providing a planned network inventory of the video and data network;
loading the physical network inventory, logical network inventory, and planned network inventory into the network element inventory, wherein the physical network elements and logical network elements of the video and data network change over time, wherein the physical network inventory and logical network inventory is continually self-discovered over the time period to update the physical network inventory and logical network inventory in real-time;
synchronizing the physical network inventory, logical network inventory, and planned network inventory in the network element inventory to determine any differences between the real-time updated physical network inventory and the real-time updated logical network inventory with the planned network inventory;
creating one or more views of the network element inventory using at least one of the synchronized physical network inventory, the synchronized logical network inventory, and the planned network inventory for the one or more operation systems, wherein the one or more views are created based on if any differences between physical network elements of the real-time updated physical network inventory and logical network elements of the real-time updated logical network inventory with physical or logical network elements of the planned network inventory are determined;
providing the one or more views to the one or more operation systems.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, further comprising receiving an update of self-discovered physical, self discovered logical, and planned inventory.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, further comprising re-synchronizing the physical network inventory, logical network inventory, and planned network inventory in the network element inventory with the update of self-discovered physical, self discovered logical, and planned inventory.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, further comprising creating one or more views of the re-synchronized network element inventory for the one or more operation systems.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, further comprising providing the one or more views using the re-synchronized physical network inventory, logical network inventory, and planned network inventory.

### Claim 15 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein the operation systems comprise sales, engineering, and marketing systems.

### Claim 16 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein the video and data network comprises a Very High bit rate Digital Subscriber Line (VDSL) network.

### Claim 17 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein the video and data network comprises an xDSL network.

### Claim 18 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein the planned network inventory comprises planned virtual network inventory.

### Claim 19 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein the planned network inventory comprises planned physical network inventory.

### Claim 20 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein synchronizing the physical network inventory, logical network inventory, and planned network inventory comprises comparing the planned network inventory with the self-discovered real-time updated physical and real-time updated logical network inventory.

### Claim 21 (depends on 20)

The method of claim 20, further comprising creating a repair ticket if the comparison of the planned network inventory with the self-discovered real-time updated physical and real-time updated logical network inventory is not substantially equal.

### Claim 22 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein if differences between the self-discovered real-time updated physical network inventory and the self-discovered real-time updated logical network inventory with the planned network inventory are determined, determining the view comprising:
providing the view with the differences and at least one of the self-discovered real-time updated physical network inventory, self-discovered real-time updated logical network inventory, and the planned network inventory.

### Claim 23 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein if differences between the self-discovered real-time updated physical network inventory and the self-discovered real-time updated logical network inventory with the planned network inventory are determined, determining the view comprising:
selecting one of the self-discovered real-time updated physical network inventory, self-discovered 1 real-time updated logical network inventory, and the planned network inventory for the view.

### Claim 24

A method for managing a network element inventory for a video and data network comprising:
self-discovering a physical network inventory of physical network elements using network elements of the video and data network;
self-discovering a logical network inventory of logical network elements using network elements of the video and data network;
receiving a planned network inventory of the video and data network;
storing the physical network inventory, logical network inventory, and planned network inventory into the network element inventory, wherein the physical network elements and logical network elements of the video and data network change over time, wherein the physical network inventory and logical network inventory is continually self-discovered over the time period to update the physical network inventory and logical network inventory in real-time; and
comparing the physical network inventory, logical network inventory, and planned network inventory in the network element inventory to determine differences between the real-time updated physical network inventory and the real-time updated logical network inventory with the planned network inventory; and
determining a view of the network element inventory based on at least one of the physical network inventory, logical network inventory, planned network inventory, and the comparison between physical network elements of the real-time updated physical network inventory and logical network elements of the real-time updated logical network inventory with physical or logical network elements of the planned network inventory.

### Claim 25 (depends on 24)

The method of claim 24, wherein the planned network inventory comprises planned virtual network inventory.

### Claim 26 (depends on 24)

The method of claim 24, wherein the planned network inventory comprises planned physical network inventory.

### Claim 27 (depends on 24)

The method of claim 24, further comprising:
receiving a request for a view of the network element inventory; and
providing the view using at least one of the physical network inventory, logical network inventory, planned network inventory, and the comparison between the real-time updated physical network inventory and the real-time updated logical network inventory with the planned network inventory.

### Claim 28 (depends on 24)

The method of claim 24, further comprising if there are differences between the real-time updated physical network inventory and the real-time updated logical network inventory with the planned network inventory, selecting at least one of the real-time updated physical network inventory, the real-time updated logical network inventory, and the planned network inventory as a representation of the network element inventory.

### Claim 29 (depends on 24)

The method of claim 24, further comprising if there are differences between the real-time updated physical network inventory and the real-time updated logical network inventory with the planned network inventory, determining a representation of the network element inventory from the real-time updated physical network inventory, the real-time updated logical network inventory, and the planned network inventory.

### Claim 30 (depends on 24)

The method of claim 24, further comprising receiving an update of at least one of the self-discovered physical, self discovered logical, and planned inventory.

### Claim 31 (depends on 30)

The method of claim 30, further comprising comparing an updated physical network inventory or updated logical network inventory with an updated planned network inventory in the network element inventory to determine differences between the updated physical network inventory and the logical network inventory with the planned network inventory.

### Claim 32

An apparatus for managing a network element inventory for a video and data network, the apparatus comprising:
a self-discovered physical network inventory of physical network elements using network elements of the video and data network;
a self-discovered logical network inventory of logical network elements using network elements of the video and data network;
a planned network inventory of the video and data network;
a database for storing the physical network inventory, logical network inventory, and planned network inventory into the network element inventory, wherein the physical network elements and logical network elements of the video and data network change over time, wherein the physical network inventory and logical network inventory is continually self-discovered over the time period to update the physical network inventory and logical network inventory in real-time;
logic configured to compare the physical network inventory, logical network inventory, and planned network inventory in the network element inventory to determine differences between the real-time updated physical network inventory and the real-time updated logical network inventory with the planned network inventory; and
logic to determine a view of the network element inventory based on at least one of the physical network inventory, logical network inventory, planned network inventory, and the comparison between physical network elements of the real-time updated physical network inventory and logical network elements of the real-time updated logical network inventory with physical or logical network elements of the planned network inventory.

### Claim 33 (depends on 32)

The apparatus of claim 32, further comprising:
logic to receive a request for a view of the network element inventory; and
logic to provide the view using at least one of the real-time updated physical network inventory, real-time updated logical network inventory, and planned network inventory.

### Claim 34 (depends on 32)

The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the planned network inventory comprises planned virtual network inventory.

### Claim 35 (depends on 32)

The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the planned network inventory comprises planned physical network inventory.