Abstract:
In the invention, a system and method providing maintenance functions for an electronic device is provided. The system and method utilize configurable software tools to provide executable routines for a maintenance function related to the electronic device. The system and method employ a scripting module for building a script from a selection of tools utilizing a graphical user interface and for initiating activation of tools in the selection from selectable triggering events via the graphical user interface. The system and method utilize a script display module for generating a graphical representation of a script illustrating the selection of tools, relationships relating to triggering events of tools within the selection and a flow of execution of the scripts in the selection.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates to a system and method for implementing maintenance functions, such as component upgrades and software and firmware element upgrades, for a communication device, such as a switch. 
   BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
   In a communication network, a communication switch receives, processes and forwards data traffic to and from other switches and communication devices. A communication switch is a complex system, comprising many modules embodied in separate hardware, software and firmware elements which act in concert to provide the functionality of the switch. The hardware elements comprise CPUs, volatile and non-volatile memory devices, specialized data processing and other devices. Volatile memory devices include RAM. Non-volatile memory devices include EEPROMs, EPROMs, FPGAs, PLDs and PGAs. Software elements typically provide a functional program executed by a CPU. They are frequently stored in stored non-volatile memory, but execute from volatile memory. Firmware elements are programs that are encoded into programmable non-volatile memory devices. In a large-scale switch, such as an ATM switch, there may be dozens of software and firmware elements that are installed on various hardware elements on the switch. 
   During the operational life of a switch, it will likely undergo one or more upgrades. For a given upgrade, software and firmware elements are almost invariably upgraded. To successfully complete an installation of a given upgrade, the revised software and firmware elements must be installed into their associated volatile and non-volatile memory devices via downloading the elements from a library source to the devices. As the number of software and firmware elements can be large for a switch, the task of upgrading these elements is non-trivial. 
   The process of installing updates of software and firmware elements for a switch is typically controlled at a terminal connected to the switch via commands manually entered by an operator through a Command Line Interface (CLI) on the terminal. Before upgrading a software element, it is good practice to evaluate the compatibility of the software element with any existing associated hardware element. Prior art systems have CLI comments to report on release levels of hardware elements. If the hardware element is not compatible, the software element may not function. If the hardware element is compatible, the upgraded software element may be downloaded to its appropriate storage location in the switch by again, by entering an appropriate command via the CLI. 
   This process must be repeated for each upgraded software and firmware element. While CLI commands may be grouped together in a batch command, prior art batch commands lack programmability and execution flow control. Also, prior art batch files cannot be used at different terminals for different hardware configurations of the switch. 
   Accordingly, there is a need for a system and method for upgrading firmware and software downloads for a switch that provides more flexibility and functionality than the prior art. 
   SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
   In a first aspect, a system for providing maintenance functions for an electronic device is provided. The system utilizes configurable software tools, with each tool providing an executable routine for a maintenance function related to the device. The system has a scripting module for building a script from a selection of tools utilizing a graphical user interface and for initiating activation of tools within the selection of tools from selectable triggering events via the graphical user interface. 
   The system may further have a script display module for generating a graphical representation of the script illustrating the selection of tools, relationships relating to the triggering events of those tools and a flow of execution of those. 
   The system may be used where the electronic device is a communication switch and the system operates on a computer associated with the switch. 
   The system may further have a script execution module providing a graphical representation of a script session. The session may comprise the script and another script operating on the electronic device. The execution module may also provide a graphical representation of the status of operation of the script and the another script. 
   The system may have the script execution module providing selectable activation and termination of the script and the another script via another graphical user interface. 
   The system may have each tool associated with a first file providing programmable parameters of operation and a second file providing limits on the parameters. Further, the scripting module may utilize the first and the second file to list scripting options to a user of the system. 
   In the system, one function may be an upgrade function for a software element. Therein, the script utilizes tools to evaluate hardware requirements of the communication device for the software element, download the software element to an appropriate storage location, activate operation of the software element and evaluate performance of the software element. 
   The system may have each tool operating in a UNIX environment on the computer. 
   In a second aspect, a method for providing maintenance functions for an electronic device is provided. The method utilizes configurable software tools to provide executable routines for a maintenance function related to the device, utilizes a graphic-based scripting module operating on a computer associated with the device to build a script from a selection of tools and to initiate activation of tools of the selection from selectable triggering events. 
   The method may further utilize a graphic-based script display module operating on the computer to generate a graphical representation of the script illustrating the selection, relationships relating to the triggering events of the tools within the selection and a flow of execution of the tools in the selection. 
   The method may further utilize a script execution module operating on the computer to generate a graphical representation of a script session comprising the script and another script operating on the electronic device. The graphical representation may further indicate a status of operation of the script and the another script. 
   The method may have each tool accessing a first file providing a set of programmable parameters of operation and a second file providing limits on the set of programmable parameters of operation. Further, the scripting module may utilizes the first file and the second file to list scripting options to a user of the system. 
   In other aspects of the invention, various combinations and subset of the above aspects are provided. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The foregoing and other aspects of the invention will become more apparent from the following description of specific embodiments thereof and the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example only, the principles of the invention. In the drawings, where like elements feature like reference numerals (and wherein individual elements bear unique alphabetical suffixes): 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a communication network comprising a switch upon which an embodiment of the invention operates; 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram of elements of the switch of  FIG. 1 , including line cards, switching core, control complex and a terminal upon which an embodiment operates; 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram of hardware elements of a line card of the switch of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram of modules of a software system embodying the invention which operates on the switch of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram of elements of the software system of  FIG. 4  with related files and related graphical user interface (GUI) displays; 
       FIG. 6A  is a representative diagram of a GUI window generated by the software system of  FIG. 4  upon initiation of the software system; 
       FIG. 6B  is a representative diagram of a GUI window generated by the software system of  FIG. 4  upon initiation of a data file command from the GUI window of  FIG. 6A ; 
       FIG. 6C  is a representative diagram of a GUI window generated by the software system of  FIG. 4  upon initiation of a node configuration command from the GUI window of  FIG. 6A ; 
     FIG.  6 D(i) is a representative diagram of a GUI window generated by the software system of  FIG. 4  upon initiation of a script build command from the GUI window of  FIG. 6A ; 
     FIG.  6 D(ii) is a representative diagram of a partially completed GUI window generated by the software system of  FIG. 4  of the script build command of FIG.  6 D(i); 
       FIG. 6E  is a representative diagram of a GUI window generated by the software system of  FIG. 4  upon initiation of a script display command from the GUI window of FIG.  6 D(i); 
       FIG. 6F  is a representative diagram of a GUI window generated by the software system of  FIG. 4  upon initiation of a script edit command from the GUI window of  FIG. 6A ; 
       FIG. 7  is a representative diagram of a GUI window generated by the software system of  FIG. 4  upon initiation of a phase manager command from the system shell; 
       FIG. 8  is a representation of a StatisticsCollector GUI generated by the software system of  FIG. 4  upon initiation of a StatisticsCollector tool; and 
       FIG. 9  is a representation of a Status Window GUI generated by the software system of  FIG. 4  upon initialization of a View Status command from  FIG. 6A . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
   The description that follows, and the embodiments described therein, are provided by way of illustration of an example, or examples, of particular embodiments of the principles of the present invention. These examples are provided for the purposes of explanation, and not limitation, of those principles and of the invention. In the description that follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification and the drawings with the same respective reference numerals. 
   Background Elements 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , communication network  100  is shown. Communication network  100  comprises a series of switches  102 . Each switch  102  is connected with another switch via a communication link  104 . Switches  102  and links  104  are enabled to carry data traffic to locations inside communication network  100  and to elements connected to communication network  100 . In carrying data traffic, switches  102  utilize any one of a number of communication protocols, including, ATM, frame relay, IP and other protocols, to encrypt and transmit the data traffic. Communication network  100  also provides connections to external devices, such as customer premises equipment (CPE)  106 A and CPE  106 B. Accordingly, CPE  106 A can transmit data traffic to CPE  106 B through communication network  100 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , further detail of a switch  102  is shown. Generally, switch  102  comprises sets of the following operating modules: ingress line cards  200 , switching core  202 , egress line cards  204  and control complex  206 . Line cards  200  receive and transmit data traffic from the switch  102  to an external device. Switch core  202  provides a connection matrix for the data traffic from any ingress card  200  to any egress card  204 . These components are understood to be present in line cards  200  and are not shown. Control complex  206  provides control systems for the overall operation of switch  102 . At an operating system level, control complex  206  can execute low-level routines which access individual modules and elements of the modules in switch  102 . The low-level routines can query operating parameters of the modules and elements. Higher-level routines (described later) access the low-level routines to execute necessary actions on hardware and software elements associated with the higher-level routines. Software and firmware operating on control complex  206  also generate and maintain data files containing statistics, status and configuration data on selected modules and elements in switch  102 . Internal communication links  208  each provide communication connections for the line cards  200  to the core  202 , the core  202  to the egress line cards  204  and the control complex  206  to all modules. Each external link  104  connects a line card ( 200  or  204 ) to a particular external device, such as a CPE  106  or another switch  102 . A switch  102  may be populated with different types of line cards  200  each having different data communication capabilities for different CPEs  106 . Such capabilities include processing for OCN, IP and MPLS data traffic. 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , further detail is provided on modules of line card  200 . Processing module  222  utilizes a series of hardware elements  300  to provide the bulk of its functionality. CPU  300 A is an exemplary hardware element; other hardware elements include ASIC  300 B and controlling logic  300 C. As noted earlier, for a CPU, such as CPU  300 A, a software element is associated with CPU  300 A enabling CPU  300 A to control functional aspects of line card  200 . The software element is stored in volatile memory element  302 A. In the embodiment, memory devices  302 A is RAM. Additionally, firmware elements may be stored in non-volatile memory devices  302 B in processing module  222 . In the embodiment, non-volatile memory devices  302 B may be a FPGA, EPROM, EEPROM or a PLD. Non-volatile memory devices  302 B may be associated with processing modules  222 . Other hardware elements  300  and memory devices  302  may be located in ports  220  and  224 , respectively. Logically, RAM  302 A is preferably partitioned into an active and an inactive bank. CPU  300 A accesses the current “active” memory bank for its software element. Using inactive and active banks, a version of a software element can be executed from the active bank in the memory element. Meanwhile, an upgraded software element can be downloaded into the inactive bank, while the software element is still operating on CPU  300 A. If appropriate software element download integrity tests are passed, the upgraded software element is activated by switching the status of the respective banks, namely making the current active bank inactive and the current inactive bank active. 
   Elements of Software System 
   The operation of switch  102  is configured and controlled by software system  210  operating on terminal  212 . Terminal  212  has display  214  allowing an operator to receive visual information about the operational status of switch  102 , as monitored and generated by software system  210 . Software system  210  operates via instructions executed on the CPU (not shown) of terminal  212 . Data files  216  that are required by software system  210  may be stored in local storage  218  on terminal  212 . Local storage  218  may comprise secondary level storage, such as a disk drive. 
   Referring to  FIG. 4 , software system  210  provides software routines which provide an operator with a family of tools which, collectively, allow an operator to check the configuration, check the status, upgrade, and execute statistics on various elements in the switch. Each tool, or software module, is a piece of software which can query low-level status and configuration information relating to the operation, connectivity and status of aspects of switch  102  using low-level routine calls which are known in the art. Further detail on the general operation of tools is provided below. 
   Software system  210  has a series of modules are linked together to provide an upgrade framework for targeted software elements of switch  102 . The framework executes the following steps: (i) preparing the switch for the software/firmware upgrade; (ii) evaluating the data traffic characteristics of the switch and status of elements contained within the switch; (iii) executing the upgrade; (iv) evaluating the data traffic characteristics and switch status again after the upgrade; and (v) comparing the pre- and post-traffic and status characteristics of the switch. The framework presented by software system  210  provides a consistent interface for the operator to initiate and evaluate software and firmware upgrades for a switch. The modules include hardware evaluation module  400 , switch performance evaluation module  402 , software upgrade module  404  and monitoring module  406 . 
   The hardware evaluation module  400  comprises a set of tools which collectively identify the type of hardware and the version of the hardware installed on switch  102 . Such tools include a hardware compatibility determination tool, a node configuration tool and a node connections discovery tool. Switch performance evaluation module  402  comprises a set of tools which collectively conduct statistical analysis of the traffic throughput of components in switch  102 . Software upgrade module comprises a set of tools which collectively download the of software and firmware elements to their respective volatile and non-volatile memory devices  302  in the targeted locations in switch  102 . Some of the software upgrade tools include a statistics collection tool, a switch status reporting tool, a database backup took, a download tool, a switchbanks tool, a card reset tool, a line card reset (LCR) tool, a line card switch tool, a control switch tool and a fabric switch tool. Network monitoring module  406  comprises a set of tools which collectively monitor the status of several switches  102  in network  100 . Some of the monitoring tools include a card status reporting tool, a connectivity status reporting tool, a report viewer tool, a report analyzing tool, a load verification tool, the statistics tool and a traffic monitoring tool. 
   In step (i), tools in hardware evaluation module  400  are used to determine whether switch  102  has the necessary hardware elements, at an acceptable version, to operate the software and firmware element updates. If the necessary hardware elements are present, a download tool from the software upgrade module  404  is activated to download the software and firmware elements to the inactive bank of the target storage elements  302 . In step (ii), tools in switch performance evaluation module  402  gather statistics of events related to the throughput of data traffic for relevant components of switch  102 , namely the line cards  200 , core  202  and line cards  204 . Also in step (ii) the status of internal switch connections, cards and ports are analyzed. In step (iii), tools in software upgrade module  404  activate the downloaded software and firmware elements by switching the status of the inactive storage banks of the memory devices to “active” to install the upgraded software and firmware elements into switch  102 . In step (iv), tools in switch performance evaluation module  402  gather statistics of events measured in step (iii). Next, in step (v), statistics gathered in steps (ii) and (iv) are compared and a report is generated which identifies what performance changes have occurred since the upgrade. A network operator may then review the report and investigate potential performance issues caused by the upgrade. It will be appreciated that the modules and their arrangement in the framework may be customized and changed to operate on different switch configurations. 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , software system  210  utilizes files  216  stored in terminal  212  in a mass data storage device, such as a hard disk. Files  216  include binary (bin) files  400 , tool configuration files  402 , data files  404  and log files  406 . Bin files  400  provide the earlier noted higher-level routines which make appropriate calls to the lower-level routines to provide the functionality of commands used when downloading. In one embodiment, software system  210  and files  216  are encoded on a transportable media, preferably a CD-ROM. Accordingly, a single CD-ROM set can provide software system  210  and files  216  to different switches  102 . In other embodiments, software system  210  and files  216  may be installed on a file server connected via a network to switches  102 . In one such other embodiment, the file server may utilise ftp file download protocols. 
   Tools of Software System 
   A basic element of software system  210  is a tool. A tool is a bin file  400  which provides a series of executable commands, in software, which are processed by control elements in switch  102 . Different tools provide different functions. A tool provides the equivalent functionality of a series of commands which are provided to a CLI of a prior art system. Commands contained within a bin file follow Tcl language and library constructs. As with a CLI command, a tool may operate on provided parameters. A tool may use a static parameter or a dynamic parameter. A static parameter does not change and may be provided as fixed data in an appropriate manner, such as an explicit value provided as a static parameter entered with the tool on the CLI. For a dynamic parameter, a tool accesses a target file stored in files  216 , identified as files having an “.ATool” (for “answer” file) extension on its file name. Further, a tool may be associated with one or more target files and each target file may provide a unique set of parameters for a tool. 
   Often, for a set target files, a parameter is present in each member in the set and the value of the parameter remains fixed for each member of the set. To facilitate proper maintenance of the settings for the parameter, the embodiment provides a common generic file for storing the parameter identified with a “.generic” extension. Accordingly, when modification is made to the parameter, a single change can be made to the value in the common file, instead of making the same change to each target file. 
   Also, the software system  210  enables tools to be associated with specific destinations in the switch, using a label. A label identifies a set of destinations which are specifically associated with the tool. The contents of a label are stored in a file having a “.custom” extension. Accordingly, if a destination is not included in a label, it is excluded from the operation of the tool. This may be useful, for example, for a download tool if a download is intended to be executed on almost all OCN cards, except a particular card. An appropriate label can be generated, then used by the download tool to not download to a particular card. 
   Software system  210  can also be programmed to create and populate a report file which contains status information on the destination and statistics related to a tool. Also, each tool may generate an operational log which may be configured by the operator to log in selected levels of detail. Each execution of a tool generates a log file in data store  506  such that existing logs are not overwritten by software system  210 . 
   Further detail on aspects of the files and their constructs are provided below. The tools of software system  210  are grouped, for convenience only, into the following categories: 
   
     
       
             
             
           
         
             
                 
             
             
               Tool Family 
               Tools 
             
             
                 
             
           
           
             
               Audit Tools 
               Hardware compatibility 
             
             
               Diagnostic Tools 
               Statistics; Traffic Monitor 
             
             
               Initialization Tools 
               NodeConfiguration; Discover Nodes 
             
             
               Profiling Tools 
               Get Connection Status; Report Analyzer; Statistics 
             
             
                 
               Collector; Status Collector 
             
             
               Switch Tools 
               Control Switch; Fabric Switch; LCR Switch 
             
             
               Upgrade Tools 
               Download; Reset Card; Switch Banks 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   The NodeConfiguration tool executes low-level routines that access control complex  206  to obtain information hardware elements in switch  102 . The information is written to a file  216  with a “.node” extension. The DiscoverNodes tool executes low-level routines that access control complex  206  to identify notes in network  100  connected to switch  102 . 
   Hardware compatibility tool executes low-level routines that identify a version of a targeted hardware element. In an embodiment, the data identifying a version of a hardware element is by control complex  206  and stored then provides a report on the operational requirements on the hardware element in view of the targeted software or firmware element upgrade. 
   ConnectionStatus tool executes low-level routines that access data files maintained by control complex  206  to determine the status of immediate nodes connected to switch  102 . StatusCollector tool executes routines that generate a report of operating status of selected line card, I/O card and a port. StatisticCollector tool is able to collect statistics relating to ports or endpoints associated with switch  102 . For a port, StatisticsCollector tool can collect a report on the number of valid cells processed, cells discarded and cells transmitted. For an endpoint, it can collect a report on the number of valid cells received, cells discarded and cells transmitted. The tool can be operated on a single port/endpoint of switch  102  or multiple ports/endpoints. StatisticsCollector tool executes SNMP protocols to collect statistics of switch  102 . As SNMP protocols are used, switch  102  must have IP connectivity. PathStatus tool execute routines which access datafiles generated by switch  102  to identify and summarize the paths configured for switch  102 . 
   Statistics tool accesses statistic datafiles generated by switch  102  to monitor traffic patterns. The TrafficMonitor tool is a script-enabled version of the Statistics tool allowing data traffic anomalies to can be detected during the execution of a script. 
   The ControlSwitch tool enables switching of control modules in switch  102  from the active module to the inactive module. The Fabric tool and LCR tool provide similar switching between active and inactive modules akin to the ControlSwitch tool except they operate on either a redundant fabric or a redundant line card. 
   The Download tool downloads an identified software or firmware element to a selected module in switch  102 . It can initiate downloads to multiple cards simultaneously. The SwitchBanks tool switches flash bank to boot from on cards within the node to the desired version of software for each card. The ResetCard tool resets non-redundant line cards. 
   Further details on the design and implementation of a tool and related files are now provided. The ToolBin is a binary file that executes for each instantiation of a tool. In the embodiment, it is spawned as separate process. In a UNIX environment, a wish process is spawned. The process, in turn, calls the associated tool. Upon activation, a ToolBin executes a Tcl procedure that initializes the communications path to the GUI process, parses command line options of the tool, fills a local structure in RAM with these options and indicates a log for the tool. Then the tool is executed. Typically, the tool is a Tcl procedure having one argument. After the tool executes, the ToolBin terminates all tool spawned processes and reports the status of execution of the tool (success or failure) to the parent that initiated the tool. 
   When a tool is started, software system  210  spawns a wish shell and passes it necessary parameters. From a wish shell, an exemplary execution line may appear as
         % exec wishx ToolBin -d display -at ToolName -aa ATool -ac FALSE -av TRUE -al LogName -as ScriptName -ao OptionFile,
 
where the options are as follows:
   -d identifies of the Unix machine where the operator is operating;   -at identifies the tool to execute;   -aa identifies the Atool file associated with the execution of the tool;   -ac identifies whether the tool was spawned from the command line or the main GUI;   -av specifies the level of event logging requested;   -al identifies the log file name associated with the tool;   -as identifies the script name, if the tool was initiated from a script;   -ao identifies the option file name.
 
Defaults for the options may also be provided in the command line.
       

   Software system  210  also provides a framework developing new tools and modifying existing tools used by software system  210 . Generally, an operator of software system  210  does not have access to the framework. As noted above, in a tool, a window in generated is which a series of questions are presented to the operator. Answers are provided by the operator via a selection from a sub-window list generated by the software system  210 . For the answers, the system provides boundaries and controlled selections to the questions in the window. The boundaries and controlled selections provide control over the information retrieved in the window, thereby limiting the possibility of data boundary errors by inappropriate answers supplied by the operator. The framework for the questions is defined by the software system developer in a question tool file (QTool) that is in turn used by software system  210 . A QTool file provides text information, data limitations, default values and mandatory value requirements for questions presented in the window. An ATool associated with the QTool provides some of the limits on the parameters of a tool. Table B illustrates an exemplary question file that may be generated by a developer: 
                   TABLE B                   {WINDOWID 1} {QUES “Please choose a Node file(s):”} {DEFAULT “”} {VAR sNodeName} {TYPE RADIO}       {DATA “PV_DataDrive PV_GetNodeFileOrPath FILE”} {MANDATORY 1} {HELP “Click here to choose a node       file.”}       {WINDOWID 1} {QUES “Found a Node file(s) in:”} {DEFAULT “PV_DataDrive PV_GetNodeFileOrPath       PATH”} {VAR “”} {TYPE LABEL} {DATA “”} {MANDATORY 0} {HELP “”}       {WINDOWID 2} {QUES “Node file(s) selected:”} {DEFAULT “@sNodeName”} {VAR sNodeName} {TYPE       LABEL} {DATA “”} {MANDATORY 0} {HELP “”}       {WINDOWID 2} {QUES “”} {DEFAULT “NMTI CPSS”} {VAR sProtocols} {TYPE INTERNAL} {DATA “”}       {MANDATORY 1} {HELP “”}                    
In the first “sentence” in Table B, the following command string is provided:
 
                               {WINDOWID 1} {QUES “Please choose a Node file(s):”} {DEFAULT “”} {VAR sNodeName} {TYPE       RADIO} {DATA “PV_DataDrive PV_GetNodeFileOrPath FILE”} {MANDATORY 1} {HELP “Click       here to choose a node file.”}                    
In the first sentence, commands defined by the developer are encapsulated in { } brackets. The parameters for the commands in the bracket appear in capital letters. For example, the WINDOWID parameter identifies which window in a possible series of configuration windows will this question appear. The QUES parameter provides the text for the first question. The DEFAULT parameter provides the default value of an answer to the question. The VAR parameter identifies the name of the variable associated with the answer. The TYPE parameter identifies a type of window used to display possible answers to the first question. The DATA parameter identifies the source of the data for the answer. Table C provides a summary of question parameters controlled by the question tool file identified in Table B:
 
   
     
       
             
             
           
         
             
               TABLE C 
             
             
                 
             
             
               Parameter 
               Description 
             
             
                 
             
           
           
             
               WINDOWID 
               The WINDOWID parameter has a value representing 
             
             
                 
               the window identification for the question. Example 
             
             
                 
               {WINDOWID 1} 
             
             
               QUES 
               The QUES parameter has the text of the question. 
             
             
                 
               Example {QUES “Please choose a colour.”} 
             
             
               DEFAULT 
               The DEFAULT parameter indicates a default answer 
             
             
                 
               to the question. If the question requires that a default 
             
             
                 
               answer be displayed then the data is provided here. For 
             
             
                 
               example: {DEFAULT “Blue”} 
             
             
               VAR 
               The VAR parameter saves the operator&#39;s answers to 
             
             
                 
               variable name in the answer file. Example: {VAR 
             
             
                 
               sColor} 
             
             
               TYPE 
               The TYPE parameter defines the type of answers 
             
             
                 
               available to a question. The TYPE parameter has the 
             
             
                 
               following values: ENTRY, PASSWORD, LABEL, 
             
             
                 
               CHECK, EXTENDCHECK, RADIO and INTERNAL, 
             
             
                 
               representing types of answers to questions. An 
             
             
                 
               ENTRY type allows an operator to enter an answer via 
             
             
                 
               a keyboard. A PASSWORD type allows the operator 
             
             
                 
               to enter an answer via the keyboard, while the entered 
             
             
                 
               characters are masked with “*” characters in the 
             
             
                 
               window. A LABEL type provides only displayed 
             
             
                 
               information. The CHECK type provides the operator 
             
             
                 
               with a drop down list from which the operator selects 
             
             
                 
               (by checking) one or more items from the list. An 
             
             
                 
               EXTENDCHECK type is similar to a CHECK type, 
             
             
                 
               but displays all selected items in a selection area. A 
             
             
                 
               RADIO type is similar to a CHECK type, but only one 
             
             
                 
               selection may be checked from the drop down list. An 
             
             
                 
               INTERNAL type does not display the information to 
             
             
                 
               the operator and the data will be transmitted directly 
             
             
                 
               to the tool upon execution. 
             
             
               DATA 
               The DATA parameter contains a list of acceptable 
             
             
                 
               answers to a question. Example: {DATA “Red Blue 
             
             
                 
               Orange Green”} 
             
             
               MANDATORY 
               The MANDATORY parameter indicates whether an 
             
             
                 
               answer must be provided to the question. A value of 
             
             
                 
               one means that an answer is mandatory and zero 
             
             
                 
               means that it is not. 
             
             
               HELP 
               The HELP parameter contains text providing further 
             
             
                 
               information about the question to the operator. The 
             
             
                 
               text of the HELP parameter is displayed as balloon 
             
             
                 
               help when the operator places the cursor over the 
             
             
                 
               answer field of the question. Example {HELP “Select 
             
             
                 
               the colour that is your favourite.”} 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   Software system  210  provides a set of procedures which may be called by a Qtool. For example, procedure “PV_DataDrive” is shown in Table B. PV_DataDrive provides a Qtool with a function to allow the Qtool to obtain operating data which is not determined at compile time because the data is either variable or becauese it can only be determined at run time. Procedures are implemented in Tcl (Tool Command Language) and are identified with a “PV_” prefix. 
   Software system  210  stores tools in the “&lt;&lt;installbase&gt;&gt;/data/pv” directory. Accordingly, any new tools must be stored by the developer in that directory. Tools may also access procedures, which are canned sets of commands using the PV_DataDrive procedure. Names of the data files or QTool files relating to tools must be added to the central list of tools. The list is stored in the “&lt;&lt;installbase&gt;&gt;/feature/PV_Glbls.nash” file. 
   To illustrate execution of an exemplary tool, a brief description is provided of the execution of a download tool. As noted above, the download tool is called when an operator wishes to download a software element to its associated storage element. One of the functions of the download tool is to determine whether software element identified for downloading is already installed in the associated storage element. If the software element is already installed, then the download tool exits. If the download is to proceed, the download tool evaluates the selected parameters provided by the operator. Once the input parameters are parsed by the download tool, it begins execution via execution of an associated ToolBin command. For each card selected by the operator, the Download tool evaluates whether the software element should be installed in the card. As such time, the operator is prompted via a question in a GUI to determine whether or the download is to proceed. If the download is to proceed, the download tool begins to download the software element to each storage element for each card. The download tool can provide multiple downloads simultaneously. Finally, the download tool updates its log file to identify which cards are currently being updated, which cards have been updated and which cards have failed in their updating. For the download tool, the associated Qtool/Atool pair provide a template of questions presented to the user by the tool (in the Qtool file) and a corresponding set of answers from which the user may select one answer for the questions (in the Atool file). The answer selected by the user is used by the tool to initiate its action. Tools are defined globally within a PV_file structure enabling software system  210  to display through the GUI an appropriate set of tools (as defined in the Qtool file) for the function selected by the user. Once the user has selected a tool therefrom, the PV_file structure enables software system  210  to activate the appropriate function (as defined in the Atool file). 
   Scripting Module for Tools 
   While each of the tools of the embodiment is, functionally, an independent, executable command, software system  210  provides a scripting module to build a script comprising a series of tools, with each tool in the series having an execution relationship with other tools in the series. In providing the scripting module, software system  210  incorporates GUI systems and screens to facilitate use of the module. A description of aspects of the GUI system follows. 
   Referring to  FIG. 6A , upon initial activation of software system  210 , screen image  600  is generated on the connected terminal by an appropriate bin file  500 . Screen image  600  is an exemplary GUI window. At the top portion of screen image  600  is menu bar  602 , which provides a series of functions which can be selectively activated by the operator. The functions include: “File”, “Edit”, “View”, “Control”, “Build”, “Run” and “Help”. As with known GUI. displays, an operator can activate one of the functions by using an input device such as a mouse (not shown) connected to terminal  212  to move a cursor on display  214  to highlight a command and then activate the command using a button on the mouse. Activation of a function causes software system  210  to spawn either a selection submenu or a new window, depending on the context of the activated function. At the bottom portion of screen image  600  is a status bar  604  which provides the operator with text status information of various aspects of the software system  210  and switch  102 . 
   For example, referring to  FIGS. 6B and 6C , two exemplary GUI windows are generated by software system  210  during its execution. Specifically, referring to  FIG. 6B , data file window  650  is generated when the operator requires access to the list of accessible files associated with switch  102 . The list of accessible files may include files which were created through the GUI interface of software system  210 . Referring to  FIG. 6C , window  660  is generated by software system  210  when the operator needs to update administrative data associated with a node in communication network  100 . In particular window  660  displays an exemplary definition of a type of data file created using the FILE command, NEW subcommand selection available from the menu bar  602  command interface. The data file which is created may be used as an input for a tool as the user configures and/or executes the run the tool. 
   Further, as an enhancement to the “Build” function, described earlier, software system  210  uses GUI systems to enhance the of the Build function. To build a script, the operator initiates the Build command of software system  210 . Referring to FIG.  6 D(i), once the Build command is activated software system  210  generates window  622  on terminal  212 . Window  622  has tool area  624 , were a series of tools can be each inserted as rows and each tool can be selectively linked to other tools in other rows. Entries in header row  626  identify specific attributes of the inserted tools. Radio buttons in region  628  provide shortcuts for executing editing commands for the script. 
   To add a tool in window  624 , operator activates the “Add Tool” command button  628 A and the software system  210  generates a pop-up sub-window of categories and available tools (not shown). After the operator selects a desired tool, e.g., a download tool, software system  210  populates window  624  with a tool icon in column  626 A. If an answer file is to be associated with a tool, the operator activates the “Configure” button and configuration windows are generated. A configuration window may differ depending on the selected tool. The configuration file is stored as a data file  404  and a tag for the target file appears in column  626 B of window  624 . Alternatively, Atools may be associated with the tool in the script build window by defining the Atool as a parameter. 
   After two tools have been added to the script, software system  210  enables associations to be made between the tools. Tools may be associated with each other for sequential, parallel or event-triggered execution. Tools are associated on a one-to-one basis where a single association is made between a “parent” tool and an “offspring” tool. However, multiple one-to-one relationships may be made from a single parent to multiple offsprings. 
   To establish a relationship between two tools, software system  210  uses a GUI-based linking process to identify the parent and the offspring tools. When establishing the relationship, software system  210  first has the operator identifying the parent tool by activating the Select/Link box of the parent tool in column  626 A. Next, the offspring tool is identified by activating the Select/Link box of the offspring tool in column  626 A. As shown, the Select/Link box for the Download tool is activated first, followed by the Select/Link box for the unconfigured tool. Once the two tools have been related, the relationship is shown in status box  630 , where it indicates “ID: 1→ID: 2”. The relationship between the parent and the offspring tools is indicated in the “Condition” field  626 B field of the offspring tool. In the example, the Condition field for the unconfigured tool is a “2”, indicating that the Download tool is the parent tool, namely the tool with the ID field of “1”. 
   After an association has been established between two tools, further aspects of the association are defined. An offspring tool may be activated under one of two conditions: either the successful execution of the parent tool or the failed execution of the parent tool. If the offspring tool is to be activated upon the former condition, after the relationship between the tools is set, as indicated above, the “Connect on OK” button  628 B is activated. If the offspring tool is to be activated upon the latter condition, after the relationship between the tools is set, as indicated above, the “Connect on Error” button  628 C is activated. The status of the activation condition for the offspring is indicated in the “Condition” field  626 E, which displays either “OK” or “Error”. 
   To add an additional tool to the script, the operator activates the “Add Tool” button in field  628  and selects from a pop-up window. The additional tool will appear in the next row in area  626 . Then the operator creates an association between the Download tool and the additional tool, in a similar manner used to establish the association between the Download tool and the unconfigured tool. 
   The Build script also allows a script to be executed several times; this feature is programmed by entering an appropriate value in the “Number of times to run script” field  628 D. Also. tools may be deleted and the build may be cancelled by activating the appropriate “Delete” or “Cancel” button. Aspects of a “built” script are shown in FIG.  6 D(ii). 
   Referring to  FIG. 6F , software system  210  also generates a graphical chart of a script, showing relationships amongst the tools in the script. Image  600  illustrates a flow chart where Tool 1  is executed first (ID=1), then, if no error is present, Tool 2  is executed. Next, Tool 3  is only run upon successful completion of Tool 2 . Next, Tool 4  is executed if Tool 2  fails. Finally, Tool  5  is executed only if Tool 2  failed followed by a successful execution of Tool 4 . 
   After a script is built, it may be edited using the “Edit” command. When the Edit command is activated, the operator is provided a sub-window of available scripts for editing. After a script is selected, a window similar to  FIG. 6E  is generated by system software  210 , which is similar to a Build window. At that point, an operator may reconfigure the script by reconfiguring the triggers for the displayed tools. 
   Referring to  FIG. 7 , software system  210  provides a phase manager to execute and monitor the execution of scripts. The phase manager provides a method to execute identical scripts with the control over limited variables. Accordingly, it is possible to create one set of scripts and re-use the set on other nodes in the network by setting selected variables via the phase manager. Screen  700  illustrates a typical execution of the phase manager. Rows  702  indicate status of individual scripts being executed. Field  704  in each row  702  indicates the target associated with the script. Fields  706  indicate the status of each script on its target. Typical status include “Completed Successfully”, “Failure”, “Terminated” and “Halted.” Radio buttons in group  708  enable the operator to selectively “run”, “stop”, “suspend” or “resume” the execution of the script on the target. Radio button  710  activates the selected radio button  708 . 
   Exemplary GUI of Software System 
   As an example of the GUI of software system  210 , further detail is provided for the interface of StatisticsCollector tool. Referring to  FIG. 8 , when the StatisticsCollector tool is initiated, first, the user is presented with a window showing a set of nodes associated with the tool. The parameters of the window are defined, in part, by contents of Qtool and Atool files associated with the StatisticsCollector tool. Once a node is selected by the user, window  800  is generated. Window  800  presents a series of programmable parameters for statistics relating to the selected node, shown collectively as parameters  802 . For each parameter, a user may input a range or value for the parameter, shown collectively as values  804 . Once the tool is activated by selecting the OK button in window  800 , software system is configured to automatically start operation of the underlying tools associated with StatisticsCollector Tool. 
   Referring to  FIG. 9 , as a further example, when Status Tool is activated, window  900  is generated. Window  900  provides the operating status of tools which have been activated. The list of tools appears in column  902 . For each tool, the associated node is shown in column  904 . The status of each tool is shown in column  906 . The status may be “completed successfully”, “failure”, “terminated” or additional required statuses. Status Tool has the flexibility to provide a GUI status report on the operation of a tool or a node. 
   In view of the above description it will be readily apparent that software system  210  provides a flexible, modular and expandable component maintenance system for a communication device, where components, such as software and firmware elements, are continually being upgraded. It will further be appreciated that the component maintenance system may be implemented on other electronic devices which have similar software, firmware and hardware upgrade needs to a communication switch. 
   It is noted that those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications of detail may be made to the present embodiment, all of which would come within the scope of the invention.