Patent ID: 8364801
Filing Date: 2013-01-29
Classification: G06Q,H04L,H04M,H04N,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method for managing a network element inventory for a video and data network comprising: receiving, at a computer system, before deployment of new equipment is completed, a planned network inventory of the video and data network, wherein the video and data network comprises both a plurality of customer networks and a shared network in communication with the plurality of customer networks; self-discovering a physical network inventory of physical network elements of the video and data network after deployment of new equipment is completed; self discovering a logical network inventory of logical network elements of the video and data network after deployment of new equipment is completed; loading, at a computer system, the physical network inventory, logical network inventory, and planned network inventory into the network element inventory; parsing the physical network inventory and the logical network inventory to normalize data received from different network elements that manage and send data in different formats; synchronizing the physical network inventory, logical network inventory, and planned network inventory in the network element inventory to determine any difference between (i) the physical network inventory or the logical network inventory, and (ii) the planned network inventory; identifying an overlap between (i) the physical network inventory or the logical network inventory, and (ii) the planned network inventory; determining, based on the overlap, whether the video and data network, after deployment of new equipment is completed, matches the planned network inventory received before deployment of new equipment is completed; receiving, at the computer system, a request for a view of the network element inventory; updating the physical network inventory and the logical network inventory, after receiving the request; and providing, from the computer system, the view using an updated physical network inventory, an updated logical network inventory, and the planned network inventory.