Patent ID: 8082335
Filing Date: 2011-12-20
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of performing network modification in a telecommunications network, comprising: storing a database comprising a master inventory defining network resources available in a network; storing a service inventory, the service inventory being derived from the master inventory and containing information used for provisioning of services in the network; provisioning services in the network using the service inventory; performing a network modification by a process comprising: analyzing utilization of the network resources in the network, and planning changes to the network in dependence on an outcome of the analysis; and collating a plurality of change records describing modifications to the database to generate a network modification plan, the network modification plan defining a group of related network changes, and modifying the network using the network modification plan; wherein the related network changes are grouped based on a type of equipment to which each of the network changes relates and a network location at which the network change is to be performed, the network location including at least one of a city, a building complex, a building of the building complex, a floor of the building, a room of the building, and a logical grouping of the network resources; wherein analyzing and planning comprises: wherein measuring the utilization includes obtaining utilization data, the utilization data specifying an assignment of resources to services including an assignment of ports or timeslots, and the utilization data relating to data flow through given network resources; wherein planning the changes includes comparing the predicted utilization to the network resources available in the network, such that the difference determines which network resources that are unavailable in the network are to be added to the network in order to meet the predicted utilization, and from the determination of the network resources that are to be added to the network, identifying additional network resources including devices and connections needed to support the network resources to be added; wherein templates specify standard types of growth, shrinkage and change of network facilities, and the templates act to provide a constraint associated with a given set of possible change types for providing a more controlled and structured network.