Customer link diversity monitoring

A system having a data retriever and a database manager is provided. The data retriever retrieves router configurations from data stores for routers. The database manager parses the router configurations to determine port data for each port on each router, and integrates the port data with customer data to create an integrated database. The database manager also determines a customer link diversity based on the integrated database and displays the customer link diversity. The database manager can recommend reassignment of a customer link when the customer link diversity is less than a corresponding target customer link diversity. The database manager can also determine the customer link diversity when adding a card and determine the customer link diversity when adding a customer link.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application includes subject matter related to the following application, which is hereby incorporated by reference: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/551,704, filed Oct. 21, 2006, entitled “Integrated Network and Customer Database,” by Jose Gonzalez, et al.

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND

When a customer requests connection to a network, a network connectivity service provider can assign network devices to the customer on the basis of network diversity. Network diversity is based on the concept of reducing the number of common network connections to any network device. For example, if a large number of network connections in a geographic region are to a single router, the failure of only one router can cause a large number of connections to fail for that region. However, after connecting the customer to the network, a network connectivity service provider cannot monitor the network to determine if a technician has decreased network diversity by reassigning a link from one router to another router. Additionally, the network connectivity service provider cannot access the network to determine how network diversity can be increased due to the addition of more routers to the network.

SUMMARY

Some method embodiments provide customer link diversity monitoring by parsing router configurations to determine port data for each port on each router. The port data is integrated with customer data to create an integrated database. A customer link diversity is determined based on the integrated database. The customer link diversity is displayed.

In some system embodiments, a system having a data retriever and a database manager is provided. The data retriever retrieves router configurations from data stores for routers. The database manager parses the router configurations to determine port data for each port on each router, and integrates the port data with customer data to create an integrated database. The database manager also determines a customer link diversity based on the integrated database and displays the customer link diversity.

In some method embodiments, an integrated database is accessed. A customer link diversity is determined based on the integrated database. Reassignment of a customer link is recommended when the customer link diversity is less than a corresponding target customer link diversity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It should be understood at the outset that although implementations of various embodiments of the present disclosure are described below, the present system may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or in existence. The present disclosure should in no way be limited to the implementations, drawings, and techniques described below, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.

A customer link diversity monitoring system is provided to reduce the likelihood that the failure of one network device will cause a large number of customer connections to fail. A customer link is the collection of all the circuits and ports that are required to terminate on the same router and card in order to provide service to a customer. For many instances, a customer link is a single circuit and a single port. However, some network services offer a bundle of two or more smaller circuits to create a larger virtual circuit. These bundles can be two or more ports. All of the ports providing a bundled service are terminated on the same card. The customer link diversity monitoring system determines which ports provide a bundled service and treats those ports accordingly. The monitoring system allocates every port into customer links and determines the customer link diversity.

Customer link diversity measures the distribution of network links, or connections, from network devices to a customer. For example, customer link diversity can indicate if a large percentage of connections for a customer are to any specific router, such that the failure of only one router can cause a large number of connections to fail for the customer. The system retrieves router configurations to create an integrated database. The system accesses information in router configurations instead of directly accessing routers, thus eliminating the possibility of interfering with router operation. The system calculates customer link diversity based on the integrated database and displays the customer link diversity. Each customer can specify a target level of customer link diversity, and the system can recommend reassignment of a customer link to increase customer link diversity when any customer link diversity is less than its corresponding target customer link diversity. Each time that a card is added or a customer link is added, the system can recalculate any customer link diversity, which facilitates the continual maintenance of each customer link diversity above its corresponding target customer link diversity. Maintaining each customer link diversity above its target results in greater network reliability for customers and increased market shares for the network service provider that monitors customer link diversity.

Turning now toFIG. 1, an illustrative customer link diversity monitoring system100is depicted. The numbers of each type of component in the system100are depicted inFIG. 1for the purpose of an illustrative example only, as the system100can include any number of each component type. The system100includes a user interface102and a database server104. The user interface102enables a user to interface with an integrated network and customer database on the database server104. The user can input customer data into the integrated database through the user interface102to the database server104.

The database server104also stores data retrieved by a data retriever accessing a network106. The data retriever retrieves network data from network devices, such as a first router108, a second router110, and a third router112that communicate with the network106. The network data can include data that identifies which routers, cards, and ports are connected to which customers at which locations. One network can include thousands of routers108-112for routing messages between computers. The routers108-112are depicted inFIG. 1as external to the network106for illustration purposes, but can be components within the network106. Each router forwards data packets across the network106toward their destinations. For example, the first router108sends and receives data packets for an invoicing computer114, a collections computer116, and a retail analysis computer118, the second router110sends and receives data packets for a treasury computer120and a cell track computer122, and the third router112sends and receives data packets for a service computer124. The invoicing computer114and the collections computer116are located at a billing center126, the retail analysis computer118and the treasury computer120are located at a sales center128, and both the cell track computer122and the service computer124are located at a customer care center130. The database server104stores the network data with customer data to create an integrated database. The network data can include data for multiple networks, with each network including any number of routers and data for each of the routers. The network data can be compiled from router configuration data that is stored off-line in a data store as a recovery file to enable a router to recover after power outages or router maintenance.

Turning now toFIG. 2A, a block diagram of the illustrative customer link diversity monitoring system100is depicted. The numbers of each type of each component in the system100are depicted inFIG. 2Afor the purpose of an illustrative example only, as the system100can include any number of each component type. The network106includes the first router108, which includes a first card202and a second card204, the second router110, which includes a third card206, and the third router112, which includes a fourth card208. Each card can include multiple ports that each link with a customer computer. For example, the first card202includes a first port210and a second port212, the second card204includes a third port214and a fourth port216, the third card206includes a fifth port218and a sixth port220, and the fourth card208includes a seventh port222and an eight port224. One customer can have multiple customer computers that link to the network106through the routers108-112. The billing center126for the customer includes the invoicing computer114linked to the first port210on the first card202on the first router108and the collections computer116linked to the second port212on the first card202on the first router108. Additionally, the sales center128for the customer includes the retail analysis computer118linked to the fourth port216on the second card204on the first router108and the treasury computer120linked to the fifth port218on the third card206on the second router110. Furthermore, the customer care center130for the customer includes the cell track computer122linked to the sixth port220on the third card206on the second router110and the service computer124linked to the seventh port222on the fourth card208on the third router112.

Turning now toFIG. 2B, another block diagram of the illustrative customer link diversity monitoring system100is depicted according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The numbers of each type of each component in the system100are depicted inFIG. 2Bfor the purpose of an illustrative example only, as the system100can include any number of each component type. The database server104can include a database manager226that integrates network data228with customer data230to create an integrated database232. The network data228includes the port data for individual ports. The database manager226can receive input from a user through the user interface102and display the network data228and the customer data230from the integrated database232on the user interface102. A data retriever234retrieves the network data228from the network106to provide to the database manager226to store in the integrated database232. Although depicted as retrieving the network data228from only one network, the network106, the data retriever234can retrieve the network data228from any number of networks. Likewise, the database manager226can integrate the network data228from any number of networks with the customer data230to create the integrated database232.

The network106can store router configuration information off-line in a backup data store for each router to enable each router to reconfigure properly following the interruption of router power, such as power outages or router maintenance. The network data228is compiled from the router configuration information that includes which customer computer is linked to which port on which card for which router. The router configuration information for the first router108can be stored in a file in non-volatile memory in a first router configuration236. The first router configuration236can be an off-line backup data store on board the router. Similarly, the router configuration information for the second router110can be stored in a file in non-volatile memory in a second router configuration238. Likewise, the router configuration information for the third router112can be stored in a file in non-volatile memory in a third router configuration240. By accessing router configuration information in the first router configuration236, the second router configuration238, and the third router configuration240, the data retriever234has the option of not directly accessing the first router108, the second router110, or the third router112. Not directly accessing routers eliminates the possibility of interfering with router operation.

Turning now toFIG. 3, a schema for an illustrative integrated database208is depicted according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The integrated database232includes the customer data230and the network data228. The customer data230is related to customer accounts302, a customer database that includes business information, such as billing plans, billing information, and customer names lists304.

Each of the customer names lists304includes a list of each customer name used by a specific customer. For example, “Acme Corp.” and “Acme Homes” are customer names used by the customer Acme Homes Corporation. In contrast, “Acme Elevators” is a customer name used by a customer that is unrelated to Acme Homes Corporation. The integrated database232uses the customer names lists304to integrate the network data228to the corresponding customer in the customer data230. For example, the network data228for “Acme Corp.” and “Acme Homes” are integrated with the customer data230for the customer Acme Homes Corporation, but the network data228for “Acme Elevator” is integrated with the customer data230for a different customer. The integrated database232can present customer names from the customer names lists304to a user through the user interface102to enable the user to select which customer names in the customer names lists304correspond to which customers.

The network data228includes router data306, which includes network information, such as card data308for a specific router. The network data228can include data for multiple networks, with each network including any number of routers and data for each of the routers. The router data306can be based on router configuration data that is stored off-line in a data store as a recovery file to enable a router to recover after power outages or router maintenance.

The router data306includes the card data308, and the card data308includes the port data310, which can include connectivity information that specifies which specific ports located on specific cards are connected to which customer locations. The data retriever234retrieves the router data306, which the database server104parses to determine the card data308and port data310related to the card data308. Only one instance of the port data310is depicted for the purpose of an illustrative example only, as each card can include multiple ports and the card data308can be related to instances of the port data310for each port.

The port data310includes a customer name312, a customer location314, and a customer link316. The integrated database232uses the customer name312for a specific port with the customer names lists304to determine to which customer the specific port corresponds. By determining which specific ports correspond to which customers, the database server104can respond to a selection through the user interface102of a specific customer listed in the customer names list304by displaying the port data310for each port that corresponds to the specific customer.

The customer location314can include a geographic location for a specific router, such as New York, Chicago, or Atlanta. The customer location314can also include the street address for a customer linked to a specific router. By relating the customer location314for each router to a customer, the integrated database232can display the router data306for each router related to the customer that is at a general or specific location selected through the user interface102. For example, if a user selects Atlanta as a general location and Acme Homes Corporation as a customer, the integrated database232displays the router data306for each of Acme Home Corporation's routers that are located in Atlanta. Because a customer can communicate through multiple networks from the same location, the integrated database232can display the name of the corresponding network along with the router data306for each router.

The database manager226parses multiple instances of the router data306to determine a customer link diversity318based on the integrated database232. Examples of the customer link diversity318include router diversity320, card diversity322, customer locations router diversity324, and customer locations card diversity326. The integrated database232can also include target customer link diversities328, which can include a corresponding value for each of the determined customer link diversities. The target customer link diversities328can be assigned by a customer or by the user of the customer link diversity monitoring system100based on the needs of each customer.

The router diversity320is based on a number of customer links on each router. For example,FIG. 2Adepicts that “Acme Corp.” has total of six customer links connecting customer computers to routers, one customer link between the routers108-112and each of the invoicing computer114, the collections computer116, the retail analysis computer118, the treasury computer120, the cell track computer122, and the service computer124.

In this example, the invoicing computer114, the collections computer116, and the retail analysis computer118are all connected by customer links to the first router108, resulting in a total of three customer links to the first router108. Only one of the three customer links connected to the first router108is determined to be diverse because ideally each of these three customer links should be connected to a different router, not the same router, which results in a determined diversity of one customer link for the first router108. Continuing this example, the treasury computer120and the cell track computer122are both connected by customer links to the second router110, resulting in a total of two customer links to the second router110. Only one of the two customer links connected to the second router110is determined to be diverse because ideally both of these two customer links should be connected to a different router, not the same router, which results in a determined diversity of one customer link for the second router110. Further to this example, the service computer124is connected by a customer link to the third router112, resulting in a total of one customer link to the third router112. The only customer link connected to the second router110is determined to be diverse because the only customer link is connected to one router, which results in a determined diversity of one customer link for the third router112.

The router diversity320equals the total number of customer links determined to be diverse for the routers divided by the total number of customer links for the routers. For example, one customer link is determined to be diverse for the first router108, one customer link is determined to be diverse for the second router110, and one customer link is determined to be diverse for the third router112, which results in a total of three customer links determined to be diverse for the routers. Because “Acme Corp.” has a total of three customer links determined to be diverse for the routers and a total of six customer links for the routers, three diverse links divided by six total links results in the router diversity320of 50%.

The card diversity322is based on a number of customer links on each card. Multiple customer links terminate on the same router for customers with a large number of customer links. Therefore, the card diversity322can improve through connecting customer links on different cards in the same router. For example,FIG. 2Adepicts that “Acme Corp.” has total of six customer links connecting customer computers to cards, one customer link between the cards202-208and each of the invoicing computer114, the collections computer116, the retail analysis computer118, the treasury computer120, the cell track computer122, and the service computer124.

In this example, the invoicing computer114and the collections computer116are connected by customer links to the first card202, resulting in a total of two customer links to the first card202. Only one of the two customer links connected to the first card202is determined to be diverse because ideally both of these customer links should be connected to a different card, not the same card, which results in a determined diversity of one customer link for the first card202. Continuing this example, the retail analysis computer118is connected by a customer link to the second card204, resulting in a total of one customer link to the second card204. The only customer link connected to the second card204is determined to be diverse because the only customer link is connected to one card, which results in a determined diversity of one customer link for the second card204.

Further to this example, the treasury computer120and the cell track computer122are both connected by customer links to the third card206, resulting in a total of two customer links to the third card206. Only one of the two customer links connected to the third card206is determined to be diverse because ideally both of these two customer links should be connected to a different card, not the same card, which results in a determined diversity of one customer link for the third card206. Continuing this example, the service computer124is connected by a customer link to the fourth card208, resulting in a total of one customer link to the fourth card208. The only customer link connected to the fourth card208is determined to be diverse because the only customer link is connected to one card, which results in a determined diversity of one customer link for the fourth card208.

The card diversity322equals the total number of customer links determined to be diverse for the cards divided by the total number of customer links for the cards. For example, one customer link is determined to be diverse for the first card202, one customer link is determined to be diverse for the second card204, one customer link is determined to be diverse for the third card206, and one customer link is determined to be diverse for the fourth card208, which results in a total of four customer links determined to be diverse for the cards. Because “Acme Corp.” has a total of four customer links determined to be diverse for the cards and a total of six customer links for the cards, four diverse links for the cards divided by six total links for the cards results in the card diversity320of 66.6%.

The customer locations router diversity324is based on a number of customer links on each router to each specific location. By identifying the street addresses for the customer location314, the database manager226can determine that a customer has more than one specific customer location in a city. A single specific customer location can have more than one customer link in an effort to improve reliability, i.e., to insure the customer location retains at least one customer link if any of the other customer location links fail. This effort may be for naught if all of the customer links for a specific customer location connect to the same router, because the failure of one router can cause the failure of multiple customer links. For example, because the billing center126is connected by two links to the first router108, only one of the billing center126links is diverse. Because the sales center128is connected by two links to different routers, the first router108and the second router110, both of the sales center128links are diverse. Because the customer care center130is connected by two links to different routers, the second router110and the third router112, both of the customer care center130links are diverse.

The customer locations router diversity324equals the total number of customer location links determined to be diverse divided by the total number of customer location links. For example, one customer location link is determined to be diverse for the first billing center126, two customer location links are determined to be diverse for the sales center128, and two customer location links are determined to be diverse for the customer care center130, which results in a total of five customer location links determined to be diverse. Because “Acme Corp.” has a total of five customer location links determined to be diverse and a total of six customer location links, five diverse links divided by six total links results in the customer locations router diversity324of 83.3%.

The customer locations card diversity326is based on a number of customer links on each card to each specific location. For example,FIG. 2Adepicts that “Acme Corp.” has total of six customer links connecting customer computers to cards, one customer link between the cards202-208and each of the invoicing computer114, the collections computer116, the retail analysis computer118, the treasury computer120, the cell track computer122, and the service computer124.

The billing center126is connected by two links, each to the first card202. Ideally both of these two customer links from the billing center126should be connected to a different card, but both of the customer links are connected to the same card, the first card202. Only one of the customer links connected from the billing center126is determined to be diverse.

Continuing this example, the sales center128is connected by one link to the second card204and by one link to the third card206. Both of the customer links connected from the sales center128are determined to be diverse.

Further to this example, the customer care center130is connected by one link to the third card206and by one link to the fourth card208. Both of the customer links connected from the customer care center130are determined to be diverse.

The customer locations card diversity326equals the total number of customer links determined to be diverse from each specific location to the cards divided by the total number of customer links. For example, one customer link is determined to be diverse for the billing center126to the first card202, two customer links are determined to be diverse for the sales center128to the cards204-206, and two customer links are determined to be diverse for the customer care center130to the cards206-208, which results in a total of five customer links determined to be diverse from each specific location to the cards. Because “Acme Corp.” has a total of five customer links determined to be diverse from each specific location to the cards and a total of six customer links, five diverse links divided by six total links results in the customer locations card diversity324of 83.3%.

The target customer link diversities328is a set of threshold customer link diversities that correspond to each of the customer link diversities that can be determined. For example, the integrated database232can include individual target customer link diversities328that correspond to each of the router diversity320, the card diversity322, the customer locations router diversity324, and the customer locations card diversity326for “Acme Corp.” Continuing this example, “Acme Corp.” can specify a target customer link diversity of 50% for the router diversity320, a target customer link diversity of 50% for the card diversity322, a target customer link diversity of 90% for the customer locations card diversity326, and no target customer link diversity for the customer locations router diversity324. Each customer can specify their own target customer link diversities328based on requirements for the customer. The higher that a customer sets their own target customer link diversities328, the more changes may need to be made to meet the high target customer link diversities328, changes that may generate additional expenses for the customer. Each customer can decide how important each type of customer link diversity318is for the customer and how much the customer may be willing to pay for maintaining the customer link diversity318, and then set their own target customer link diversities328accordingly. Alternatively, a network service provider may evaluate each type of customer link diversity318for a customer and reassign customer links as new network devices are added to the network. The target customer link diversities328can be entered into the integrated database for each customer by the customer or by the user of the customer link diversity monitoring system100.

Turning now toFIG. 4, an illustrative integration method for customer link diversity monitoring is depicted according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Executing the integration method results in determining the customer link diversity318based on the integrated database232.

In box402, the data retriever234retrieves router configurations from data stores for routers. The data retriever234can retrieve the router configurations from off-line backup data stores for the routers so that the on-line routers are not directly accessed during normal operations. The on-line routers can store their router configurations in the off-line backup data stores periodically, such as each day when throughput is low.

In box404, the database server104parses the router configurations to determine the port data310for each port on each router. The data retriever234can retrieve the router data306and the database server104can parse the router data306to determine the port data310for each port on each router. Alternatively, the data retriever234can retrieve the router data306and parse the router data306to determine the port data310for each port on each router. For example, parsing the router data306determines the port data310that specifies the customer name312for a port is “Acme Homes” and the customer link316is between the invoicing computer114at the billing center126and the first port210on the first card202on the first router108. As another example, parsing the router data306can determine the customer location314that specifies Chicago as the geographic location for the router that contains the port and the customer link316is between the collections computer116at the billing center126and the second port212on the first card202on the first router108.

In box406, the database server104integrates the port data310with the customer data230to create the integrated database232. The database server104uses the customer name312for each port on each router in combination with the customer names list304to integrate the customer data230with the network data228, which includes the port data310. For example, the port data310related to the network data228specifies that the customer name312for the first port210is “Acme Homes,” and the port data310related to the network data228specifies that the customer name312for the second port212is “Acme Corp.” For this example, the database server104integrates the port data310for the first port210and the port data310for the second port212with the customer data230for Acme Homes Corporation. The database server104stores this integrated network data228and customer data230in the integrated database232. The integrated database232can include network data228that is current data and network data228that is historical data.

In box408, the database manager226determines each customer link diversity318for each customer based on the integrated database232. For example, based on the example discussed above forFIG. 2A, the database manager226determines the customer locations card diversity326is 83.3% for “Acme Corp.”

In box410, the database manager226displays each customer link diversity318for a customer specified through the user interface102. A user can instruct the database manager226to determine a specific customer link diversity318for a specific customer. For example, the database manager226displays the customer locations card diversity326of 83.3% for “Acme Corp.” to the user of the customer link diversity monitoring system100.

In box412, the database manager226recommends a reassignment of a customer link when the customer link diversity318is less than the target customer link diversity328. For example, the customer locations card diversity326of 83.3% for “Acme Corp.” is less than the corresponding target customer link diversity328of 90% for “Acme Corp.” The database manager226may also evaluate the customer locations card diversity326for “Acme Corp.” based on potential reassignments of a customer link for “Acme Corp.”

For example, the database manager226evaluates the potential reassignment of the customer link for the collections computer116from the second port212on the first card202on the first router108to the third port214on the second card204on the first router108. Continuing this example, the customer links from the billing center126are customer links to the first card202and the second card204. Both of these customer links connected to the billing center126are now determined to be diverse because the customer links from the billing center126are each connected to a different card.

Further to this example, the potential reassignment of the customer link from the collections computer116from the second port210on the first card202on the first router108to the third port214on the second card204on the first router has no effect on the customer locations card diversity326for the sales center128or the customer care center130.

Therefore, two customer links are determined to be diverse from the billing center126to the cards202-204, two customer links are determined to be diverse for the sales center128to the cards204-206, and two customer links are determined to be diverse for the customer care center130to the cards206-208, which results in a total of six customer links determined to be diverse from each specific locations to the cards. Because “Acme Corp.” has a total of six customer links determined to be diverse from each specific location to the cards and a total of six customer links, six diverse links divided by six total links results in the customer locations card diversity324of 100.0%.

The evaluation of the potential reassignment of the customer link for the collections computer116determines that the customer locations card diversity326of 83.3% for “Acme Corp.” can be increased above the target customer link diversities328of 90% that corresponds to the customer locations card diversity326for “Acme Corp.” Therefore, the database manager226recommends a reassignment of a customer link for the collections computer116. The database manager226recommends that a technician unplug the link for the collections computer116from the second port212on the first card202on the first router108and plug the link for the collections computer116to the third port214on the second card204on the first router108. This reassignment results in each customer link diversity318for “Acme Corp.” exceeding the corresponding target customer link diversities328for “Acme Corp.”

Because the customer link diversity monitoring is ongoing, as the method is repeated periodically, each customer link diversity318is automatically updated when the network106changes, e.g., when cards are added or when new links are added or removed. The database manager226determines the customer link diversity318when adding a card and determines the customer link diversity318when adding a customer link. A user of the customer link diversity monitoring system100can instruct the database manager226to determine each customer link diversity318for each customer. For example, the database manager226determines the card diversity322for each customer when adding a card to the first router108. In another example, the database manager226determines the router diversity322for “Acme Corp.” when adding a customer link for another customer computer in the billing center126. The database manager226enables the customer link diversity monitoring system100to monitor customer link diversity318periodically, as customers add customer links and as network service providers add cards and routers to their networks. As the customer link diversity318changes for customers, the customer link diversity monitoring system100recommends reassignment of customer links when a changed customer link diversity318is below a target customer link diversity specified by a customer. The system100can output a recommendation for a reassignment of a customer link if the reassignment can increase the customer link diversity318for a customer, or output a notice that current potential reassignments would not increase the customer link diversity318for the customer.

Turning now toFIG. 5, an illustrative database server104for customer link diversity monitoring is depicted. The database server104may comprise a display interface502, a peripheral interface504, a processor506, a modem or other suitable network interface508, a memory510, an information storage device512, and a bus514. The database server104may be a bus-based computer, with the bus514interconnecting the other elements and carrying communications between them. The display interface502may take the form of a video card or other suitable display interface that accepts information from the bus514and transforms it into a form suitable for a display516, such as a display for the user interface102. Conversely, the peripheral interface504may accept signals from a keyboard518, such as a keyboard for the user interface102, and other input devices such as a pointing device520, and transform them into a form suitable for communication on the bus514. Such forms suitable for communication can include customer data230entered by a user.

The processor506gathers information from other system elements, including input data from the peripheral interface504, and program instructions and other data from the memory510, the information storage device512, or from a remote location via the network interface508. The processor506carries out the program instructions and processes the data accordingly. The program instructions may further configure the processor506to send data to other system elements, comprising information for the user which may be communicated via the display interface502and the display516, information such as a recommendation to reassign a customer link.

The network interface508enables the processor506to communicate with remote systems via a network. The memory510may serve as a low-latency temporary store of information for the processor506, and the information storage device512may serve as a long term (but higher latency) store of information, including information such as a recommendation to reassign a customer link.

The processor506, and hence the database server104as a whole, operates in accordance with one or more programs stored on the information storage device512. The processor506may copy portions of the programs into the memory510for faster access, and may switch between programs or carry out additional programs in response to user actuation of the input device. The additional programs may be retrieved from the information storage device512or may be retrieved from remote locations via the network interface508. One or more of these programs configures the database server104to carry out at least one of the customer link diversity monitoring methods disclosed herein.

The database server104is shown as a server, although any electronic device having some amount of computing power coupled to a user interface may be configured to carry out the methods disclosed herein. Among other things, personal computers, portable computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and mobile phones may be configured to carry out aspects of the disclosed integrated network and customer database methods.

The display516for the user interface102is shown inFIG. 1as a video monitor, but may take many alternative forms such as a printer, a speaker, or other means for communicating information to a user, information such as a recommendation to reassign a customer port. The input device for the user interface102is shown inFIG. 1as a the keyboard520, but may similarly take many alternative forms such as a button, a mouse, a keypad, a dial, a motion sensor, a camera, a microphone or other means for receiving information from a user, information such as customer data230entered by a user.

While several embodiments have been provided in the present disclosure, it should be understood that the disclosed systems and methods may be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. The present examples are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the intention is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents. For example, the various elements or components may be combined or integrated in another system or certain features may be omitted, or not implemented.

Also, techniques, systems, subsystems and methods described and illustrated in the various embodiments as discrete or separate may be combined or integrated with other systems, modules, techniques, or methods without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Other items shown or discussed as directly coupled or communicating with each other may be coupled through some interface or device, such that the items may no longer be considered directly coupled to each other but may still be indirectly coupled and in communication, whether electrically, mechanically, or otherwise with one another. Other examples of changes, substitutions, and alterations are ascertainable by one skilled in the art and could be made without departing from the spirit and scope disclosed herein.