Patent ID: 7266819
Filing Date: 2007-09-04
Classification: G06F,H04Q

Abstract:
1. A method for installing or upgrading new software in network elements in a telecommunication system, where network elements implement routing, switching, and transport functions to establish communication between two or more network entities, the method comprising an automated process including the following sequential steps: (a) validating a hardware configuration of the network elements to assure that the new software is loadable in the hardware configuration; (b) performing a first validation of a software configuration of the network elements prior to activation of the new software to assure that the new software and the existing software are compatible; (c) performing a first condition check of the network elements prior to activation of the new software including checking to ensure that a status is as required for the activation of the new software and checking a current load of each of the network elements to determine a desirability of installing or upgrading the new software at the current load of that network element; (d) providing a certain workstation with exclusive network management access to the network elements; (e) activating the new software on the network elements and providing an OK value if carried through successfully and a NOK value if not; (f) releasing the exclusive network management access of the certain workstation; (g) performing a second validation of the software configuration of the network elements after activation of the new software to assure that the new software has been installed correctly and providing an OK value if carried through successfully and a NOK value if not; (h) performing a second condition check of the network elements after activation of the new software including checking to ensure that a status is as desired; and (i) cleaning up temporary files that may have been temporarily stored during installation or upgrade, wherein if the current load is determined to be too high for one of the network elements in step (c), then suspending the method for that network element.