Patent ID: 8065409
Filing Date: 2011-11-22
Classification: G06F,H04L

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for generating an external correlation key value for use in correlating alarms emitted by network elements or system elements in a telecommunications network, the apparatus comprising a memory storing instructions which, when processed by one or more processors, causes: receiving an alarm message generated by a network element or system element of the telecommunications network, wherein the alarm message is generated in response to one or more alarm conditions; parsing the alarm message that is generated in response to the one or more alarm conditions to identify a particular context value in the alarm message; after receiving and parsing the alarm message, using the particular context value in the alarm message as a key to retrieve, from a table that associates context values to internal correlation key value formulas, a particular internal correlation key value formula specifying how to generate, by using two or more values contained in the alarm message, an internal correlation key value for the alarm message; after receiving and parsing the alarm message, using the particular internal correlation key value formula to generate, using information contained in the alarm message, a particular internal correlation key value for the alarm message; generating a particular external correlation key value for the alarm message based on the particular internal correlation key value; and sending both (a) data that represents the alarm message and (b) the particular external correlation key value to a network management system, wherein the external correlation key value allows the alarm message to be properly correlated.