Patent ID: 7870251
Filing Date: 2011-01-11
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A network element device, the network element device being configured to deliver network element resource capacity information, the network element device comprising: a controller, wherein the controller comprises a processor and memory, the controller being configured to deliver network element resource availability information to at least one network management system; and a network interface in communication with the controller, the network interface being configured to employ a data routing protocol and a network element capacity management protocol in order to receive and transmit information; wherein the network element resource availability information, configured to be delivered by the controller, comprises a total number of resources, a total number of the resources that are in use, and a total number of the resources that are available; wherein the network element resource availability information comprises a status for each of the resources and the status for each of the resources includes occupied, released, added, and deleted; where in the event that there is a change in an operational state of a network element resource the network element device will deliver updated network element resource availability information to the at least one network management system; and wherein the controller is configured to periodically deliver a keep-alive signal to the at least one network management system in order to alert the at least one network management system of the presence of the network element device.