Optimization for network utilization

A system for creating a preferred network use configuration, the system comprising:

• a processor;
• a display, in communication with the processor;
• a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor, the instructions comprising:
• receiving node information for a plurality of nodes comprising at least a portion of a communications network;
• receiving linkage information for the plurality of nodes;
• receiving price information associated with the communications network;
• receiving current usage information, wherein the current usage information comprises data detailing current use of the communications network by a customer;
• receiving previous usage information for the communications network;
• receiving geographic location information for switches within the communications network:
• receiving geographic location information for customer facilities within the communications network;
• determining a preferred network use configuration for the customer using the node, linkage, price, current usage information and previous usage information as components of an optimization, wherein the optimization minimizes price, wherein determining the preferred network use configuration includes determining fees associated with a communications network use configuration based on the geographic locations of switches relative to customer facilities within the communications network;
• displaying a configuration interface on the display, the configuration interface configured to detail a plurality of elements comprising the preferred network use configuration;
• and
• displaying a detail interface on the display, the detail interface configured to show the details of an element of the preferred network use configuration, wherein the element of the preferred network use configuration comprises at least one of:
• a logical ring, wherein the logical ring identifies at least three nodes, or a circuit, wherein the circuit identifies two nodes.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium for storing instructions for determining a customer's preferred network use configuration, wherein the instructions, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform:

• modeling a telecommunications network, wherein elements of the telecommunications network are individually described, the elements including a switch, an interface, and a circuit;
• receiving price information associated with use of the telecommunications network;
• receiving customer-specific information, including information about a customer premise, to supplement the telecommunications network model;
• receiving customer-specific telecommunications network use information;
• receiving customer-specific previous network use information to further supplement the telecommunications network model;
• receiving geographic location information for switches within the telecommunications network;
• receiving geographic location information for customer facilities within the telecommunications network;
• performing an optimization on the telecommunications network model using the price information, customer-specific information including information about a customer premise, customer-specific current network use information, and customer-specific previous network use information to determine a preferred network use configuration for the customer, the optimization minimizing price to the customer, and the optimization including determining fees associated with a telecommunications network use configuration based on the geographic locations of switches relative to customer facilities within the telecommunications network;
• displaying a configuration interface on a display, the configuration interface configured to detail a plurality of elements comprising the preferred network use configuration;
• and
• displaying a detail interface on the display, the detail interface configured to show the details of an element of the preferred network use configuration, wherein the element of the preferred network use configuration comprises at least one of:
• a logical ring, wherein the logical ring identifies at least three nodes, or a circuit, wherein the circuit identifies two nodes.