Patent ID: 9182997
Filing Date: 2015-11-10
Classification: G06F,H04L

Abstract:
1. A network management process comprising: transferring, via a set of repeating automatic file transfer routines, binary network element (NE) control files between a network management system (NMS) server and NEs, with the NE control files representing contents of segments within memory spaces of the NEs associated therewith, and whereby a given one of the NEs copies its respective NE control files from the NMS server to a control register segment within its memory spaces; and performing, by the given NE, a set of NE-side actions for network management operations associated with a given one of its respective NE control files, with such NE-side actions performed i) based on binary contents of the given NE control file indicating a set of intended network management actions to be completed and ii) automatically by hardware without software involvement, at least when the contents of the given NE control file does not contain a value that causes software to reboot the NE; wherein said NE-side actions for network management operations associated with the given NE control file comprise configuring, through contents of the control register segment within the NE memory spaces, how the NE hardware, automatically without software involvement, is to function, wherein said contents of the control register segment are direct copies of the binary contents of the given NE control file, and wherein the NE-side actions performed automatically by hardware without software involvement include producing a set of NE status parameters, with such producing comprising: forming NE alarm indicators based at least in part on NE defect bits and alarm enable bits, wherein values of the alarm enable bits are based on the contents of the given NE control file, and wherein the set of NE status parameters include: a defect indicator, an intermediary level alarm indicator, or a top level alarm indicator for the NE.