Patent ID: 7003559
Filing Date: 2006-02-21
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for determining paths between a start node and an end node of a communication network, the communication network being formed of sub-networks, the sub-networks having connectors and segments, the segments interconnecting various ones of the connectors, the start node corresponding to one of the connectors and the end node corresponding to another of the connectors, said method comprising: storing, in a topology database, information corresponding to connectors and segments of the communication network; receiving, from an operator, information corresponding to the start node and the end node; receiving, from the operator, information corresponding to a type of connector of interest; and in response to the information received, automatically determining a shortest path between the start node and the end node based upon the type of connector of interest by using only the information stored in the topology database; wherein, in determining a shortest path between the start node and the end node, a path with a lowest hop count between the start node and the end node is designated as the shortest path; wherein each of the sub-networks has at least one level wherein receiving information corresponding to a type of connector of interest comprises receiving information corresponding to at least one of: level wherein, when the type of connectors of interest are level identifying sub-networks associated with the start node; and determining whether the end node is associated with at least one of the identified sub-networks.