Abstract:
When planning and maintaining a network, it may be very difficult for a network provider to organize variations of equipment rack installations at several different sites. Present methods of planning installation configurations in a network involve planning the same equipment installation configuration at all sites, planning a limited number of variations, or planning multiple variations but, with difficulty, tracking and changing configurations. A method or corresponding apparatus in an example embodiment of the present invention provides a tool for simplifying the planning of multiple network element installation configurations at multiple sites within a network. The benefits include fewer required truck rolls, resulting in reduced costs before and after deployment of installation configurations. In one embodiment, the disclosed planning tool allows users to access and change generic installation configurations according to customizable options to allow users to produce and store customized templates of multiple network element installation configurations.

Description:
RELATED INVENTION 
       [0001]    This application is related to U.S. application Ser. No. 11/354,705, filed on Feb. 14, 2006; and Attorney Docket Nos. 2376.2253-000, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Designing Any-To-Any Optical Signal-to-Noise Ratio in Optical Networks;” 2376.2254-000, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Reducing Cost of an Optical Amplification in a Network;” and 2376.2255-000, entitled “Method and Apparatus For Displaying and Identifying Available Wavelength Paths Across a Network;” each of which is being filed concurrently. The entire teachings of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    An optical network, such as a ring network, mesh network, or hybrid ring/mesh network, may contain several sites or nodes with optical network elements, such as optical add/drop multiplexers, optical cross-connects, amplifiers, regenerators, transponders, filters, routers, wavelength switches, wavelength converters, and wavelength selectors. Network providers must manage several optical network elements within an optical network. Many network elements may be designed for various configurations. Each network site may have a different network element installation configuration based on power, space, traffic flow, network demand, and other constraints or user preferences. 
         [0003]    Planning, deploying, tracking, and updating multiple installation configurations at each of these sites may be a difficult, expensive, and time consuming proposition. Network providers need to correctly anticipate customer demand while building reliable networks as inexpensively as possible. In addition, network providers must also anticipate future technological developments, such as increased data rates, to simplify network upgrades. Some network providers may attempt to minimize cost of additional truck rolls and reduce network complexity by pre-planning network element installation configurations prior to deployment of the installation configurations. 
         [0004]    It is also difficult to standardize the order management process to keep pace accurately with a network provider&#39;s equipment order changes for different network elements and shipment of the ordered equipment. Further, if the equipment is grouped by ordering codes, it becomes more problematic to keep track of the various network element installation configuration combinations in order to generate an accurate bill of materials (BoM). 
         [0005]    At present, many network providers choose to standardize the network element installation configurations at all network sites to simplify the planning and tracking process rather than customizing the configurations on a per site basis. Other network providers attempt to maintain multiple network element installation configurations where one or more installation configurations differs from site to site. However, this approach falls short when there is no method or apparatus to plan or keep track of these differing installation configurations. 
         [0006]    Further, network providers have different network element installation configuration preferences. These preferences may be based on power, space, cable run locations, or other types of constraints or user preferences. For example, some network providers prefer equipment (e.g. port cards and controllers) on different shelves whereas others prefer all the equipment on a single shelf. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    A method or corresponding apparatus in an example embodiment of the present invention provides a procedure to enable users to simplify planning of multiple network element installation configurations in specific sites within a network. An example embodiment of the procedure enables users to access generic installation configurations of a network element. After accessing the generic installation configurations, the procedure may display the customizable templates to a user that include the generic installation configurations and customizable options within the generic installation configurations which allows the user to select or customize a customizable template. Next, the user is allowed to produce customized templates of multiple network element installation configurations by changing the customizable options of the generic installation configurations. After the user finishes making changes to the customizable user options in a generic installation configuration of a network element, the customized templates may be stored. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The foregoing will be apparent from the following more particular description of example embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a diagram of a user planning deployment of optical regeneration locations in an optical network. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a diagram of a user planning deployment of optical amplification locations in an optical network. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3A  is a diagram of a user planning the installation configurations of optical network elements in an optical ring network using an example embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3B  is a schematic view of a user planning the installation configurations of optical network elements in the optical mesh network using an example embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 4A-B  are example embodiments of customizable templates in tabular format containing generic installation configurations of an optical network element with customizable options. 
           [0014]      FIGS. 5A-C  are example embodiments of customizable templates in graphical format containing generic installation configurations of an optical network element with customizable options. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 6A-B  are example embodiments of customizable templates in graphical format containing generic installation configurations of an optical network element with customizable user options. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is an example embodiment of a customizable template in pictorial format containing generic installation configurations of an optical network element with customizable user options. 
           [0017]      FIGS. 8 ,  9 ,  10 ,  11 , and  12  are flow charts representative of example methods of planning multiple network element installation configurations. 
           [0018]    FIGS.  13  and  14 A-B are block diagrams of example embodiments of a network element installation planning apparatus. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    A method or corresponding apparatus in an example embodiment of the present invention enables users such as network providers to visualize and plan how optical network element equipment is placed and configured on racks at specific sites within an optical network. Advanced network planning using an example embodiment of this invention enables network providers to reduce equipment deployment and configuration costs by minimizing the number of truck rolls and service calls required to make post-deployment changes to network element installation configurations. Further, some embodiments of this invention allow users to manage and track post-deployment configuration changes conveniently on a single user workstation or application. 
         [0020]    Example embodiments of this invention allow users to create and store customized templates produced from configuring customizable user options of generic installation configurations. Customizable templates allow users to configure the installation configurations of multiple network elements within a given network on a site-by-site basis to suit users&#39; specific needs. Customizable templates also allow users to replicate installation configurations easily from one site to another and keep configurations up-to-date. Additionally, example embodiments of this invention allow users to associate the customized templates with equipment ordering codes and discounts to simplify the order management and deployment process and track the configurations on a site by site basis. 
         [0021]    Example embodiments of the present invention provide a method or apparatus for planning and tracking multiple network element installation configurations in metropolitan wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) networks. 
         [0022]    A description of the forgoing and other example embodiments of the invention follows. 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  is a diagram of a user  102  planning deployment of an optical ring network  120  using an example embodiment of a network planning tool  100 . To use the example planning tool  100 , the user  102  enters characteristics of the proposed optical network via a user interface  104 , such as a workstation  106 . Typical characteristics of a planned optical network include network topology, number and distribution of nodes, and number, distribution and type of optical network elements, including transponders, optical amplifiers, and optical regenerators. 
         [0024]    The optical ring network  120  being planned included multiple optical network elements  1 - n.  It is these elements  1 - n  that can have different configurations, and it is these different configurations that various embodiments of the network planning tool  100  can be effective in assisting the user  102  to plan or track over time. 
         [0025]    A method or corresponding apparatus in an example embodiment of the present invention begins with selecting a network element in a specific site of a given network topology to access generic installation configurations. The network topology may contain multiple network elements and traffic flow patterns. The generic installation configurations may be based on optical modeling of traffic flow patterns in a network. The example method allows the user to change multiple network element installation configurations while maintaining the integrity of the traffic flow patterns. 
         [0026]    Next, example embodiments of the procedure enable users to access generic installation configurations of a network element. After accessing the generic installation configurations, the procedure may display the customizable templates to a user that include the generic installation configurations and customizable options within the generic installation configurations which allows the user to select or customize a customizable template. In some embodiments, the customizable templates may be displayed to the user in tabular format, graphical format, pictorial format, or a combination of these formats. 
         [0027]    The user is then allowed to produce customized templates of multiple network element installation configurations by changing the customizable options of the generic installation configurations. The tool maintains the integrity of the traffic flow patterns by accounting for, for example, amplification or regeneration of optical signals within the traffic flow patterns and allows the user to change and apply the customized templates consistent with maintaining the integrity of the traffic flow patterns. The tool may also allow the user to change the generic installation configurations according to user preferences, such as power, space, network demand and other constraints or user preferences. 
         [0028]    If the user decides to change the customizable options of a generic installation configuration and create a customized network element installation configuration template, codes may be associated with the equipment contained in the customized template. In some embodiments, a discount may apply to certain customized templates. If a discount applies to a customized template or templates, the tool may indicate to the user that the discount applies to the particular template configuration. 
         [0029]    The tool then enables the user to order network element installation configurations or equipment using the codes associated with the templates. Next, the tool may associate a bill of materials with the codes. 
         [0030]    After the user finishes making changes to the customizable user options in a generic installation configuration of a network element, the customized templates may be stored. 
         [0031]    To update a previously customized template, the tool enables the user to access the stored customized template. After the user selects a stored customized template to update, the tool enables the user to update the customized template. Next, the tool may store the updated customized template after the user indicates that he or she has completed making changes to the template. 
         [0032]    The tool enables the user to access stored customized templates and associate the customized templates of network element installation configurations with one or multiple sites in a network representation. The tool then stores the associations of the network representations associated with the network element installation configurations. 
         [0033]    Some embodiments of the tool enable the user to access stored customized templates and delete these templates. 
         [0034]    Continuing to refer to  FIG. 1 , one application for which the network planning tool  100  may be used is to plan deployment of optical regeneration locations in the optical ring network  120 . The user  102  may also enter an expected or measured loss between nodes, or the planning tool  100  may estimate the loss based on distance between nodes  125 , optical fiber type, and other parameters, such as optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) and chromatic dispersion (CD). Once the user  102  finishes creating the model of the optical network  120 , the planning tool  100  may compute an OSNR margin table  108  based on loss between nodes and characteristics of the optical regenerators to be deployed. After calculating the OSNR margin table  108 , the planning tool  100  iterates through different arrangements of optical regeneration locations  11 - 14  in the model optical network  120 . Once the planning tool  100  completes the iterations, it reports indications of the final model to the user  102  via a display, such a graphical user interface  104 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 2  is a diagram of a user  202  planning the deployment of optical amplification locations  215   a - c  in an optical network using an example embodiment  200  of the referenced planning tool. As in  FIG. 1 , to use the example planning tool  200 , the user  202  enters characteristics of the proposed optical network, such as nodes  20   a - j , optical fiber links  25 , and optical amplifiers (not shown) via a user interface  204 , such as a workstation  206 . As in  FIG. 1 , once the user finishes creating the model of the optical network  210 , the planning tool  200  computes an OSNR margin table  208  based on loss between nodes and characteristics of the optical amplifiers to be deployed. After calculating the OSNR margin table  208 , the planning tool  200  iterates through different arrangements of optical amplification locations  215   a - c  in the model optical network. Once the planning tools completes the iterations, it reports indications of the final model to the user  102  via a display such a graphical user interface  204 . 
         [0036]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are diagrams of a user  302  planning the installation configuration  31 - 39 ,  311 - 319  of optical network elements in an optical ring network  320  and an optical mesh network  330  using an example embodiment  300  of the disclosed network planning tool. To use an example embodiment of the network planning tool  300 , a user adds sites  1 - 19  to the network planning tool  300  via a user interface  304  on a workstation  306  and connects the sites with fiber optic links  325  to create a model network topology. Sites  1 - 19  may contain one node or multiple nodes and no network elements or multiple network elements. Some nodes in the network may not require equipment. Each network element or node may contain multiple pieces of equipment that may be configured or installed in several different ways. 
         [0037]    In some embodiments, different icons within a site may represent different network elements or different equipment within a network element. For the sites that contain equipment, templates may be used to specify how the equipment is configured at the site. After creating the model topology of a network, the user  302  may change the installation configuration of specific network elements by either clicking on an installation configuration link  31 - 39 ,  311 - 319  associated with a specific site, clicking on a network element within a site, or clicking on the site  1 - 19  via a user interface  304 , such as a workstation  306 . In another embodiment, the user  302  may change the installation configuration of a specific network element by selecting a specific site listed in a navigation tree format. The user  306  is then be able to select and configure a specific network element within a specific site of the network by creating a new customizable network element installation configuration template or updating an existing customizable template. 
         [0038]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are example embodiments of customizable templates of multiple generic network element installation configurations in tabular format  400 . The generic installation configurations  420  for each customizable template  405  may include non-customizable installation attributes  415 , which may not be changed by a user and customizable user options  410 , which may be changed by a user. In the example embodiments of  FIGS. 4A and 4B  example embodiments, the list of customizable templates are organized by template family  405 . Organization by template family  405  is one way to allow multiple combinations of network element installation configurations to be included for customization by a user. Each template family  405  may contain different non-customizable installation attributes  415  and customize user options  410  based on attributes that will be available for user customization. 
         [0039]    Non-customizable network element installation configurations  415  for each template family  405  may include, for example, associated hardware, maximum number of degrees, maximum number of shelves per bay, number of main shelves, number of port shelves, and number of spacer racks. The customizable user options  410  for each template family  405  may, for example, allow the user to specify if port modules are allowed on the main shelf of a certain network element, allow the user to specify if both main shelves will be in the same bay (e.g. if there are two main shelves for the system), allow the user to specify that both the shelves in a rack or bay need to be added to the bill of materials even if one of the shelves has no equipment associated with it (e.g. if the configuration has a main shelf and a port shelf in the same bay), allow the user to specify that side spacers are required in the configuration, allow the user to specify the available rack kit that may be associated in the bill of materials for the bay configurations, and allow the user to specify that the network element configuration is being designed for Network Equipment-Building System (NEBS), a standard of environmental and safety guidelines for telecommunications equipment used in the United States or European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), a standard for telecommunications in Europe. 
         [0040]    In some embodiments, the tool may have one interface in which a user may view both the non-customizable installation attributes  415  and the customizable user options  410  in tabular format. In these embodiment, the user may change the customizable installation configurations  410  directly on the tabular template to produce customized templates of a network element installation configuration  400 . 
         [0041]    In yet another embodiment, the tool may create tabular customizable templates of a network element installation configuration for each template family based on selected customizable user options  410  for that family. In another embodiment, the tool may create graphical templates of a network element installation configuration for each template family based on selected user options for that family ( FIGS. 5A-C  and  FIGS. 6A-B ). In yet another embodiment, the tool may create pictorial templates of a network element installation configuration for each template family based on selected user options for that family ( FIG. 7 ). In these embodiments, the customizable user options may be initially selected from a drop down list in a table, a list of options in navigation tree format, or some other format via which a user may choose from customizable installation configuration options. 
         [0042]    In some embodiments, the tool may set a default option for each template family  405  based on certain global options. In some example embodiments, the network planning tool may allow multiple templates to be created for each template family and allow the user to designate a default template to be used within each template family in which the tool contains at least one default template for each template family. If there is only one template for a template family, then that template may be designated as the default template. 
         [0043]    In some embodiments, users may not be allowed to delete existing template families  405  or create new template families  405 . In some embodiments of the disclosed invention, the user may not be able to create new template families  405  or generic installation configurations  405 , but may only be able to edit the customizable user options  410  within each template family  405 . 
         [0044]      FIGS. 5A-C  are example embodiments of customizable graphical templates  500  of a network element installation configuration. In some embodiments, the customizable graphical templates  500  may be generated based on previously selected user options and may be further customized in the graphical template format  500 . In some embodiments, the customizable graphical templates may be selected from a list of generic installation configurations for a specific network element and contain default configurations which may be customized in the graphical template format  500 . 
         [0045]    In the  FIGS. 5A-C  example embodiments of a customizable template in graphical format  500 , the user is able to view the graphical layout of generic installation configurations of a specific network element and change the position and configuration of equipment within the graphical template. In some embodiments, the template contains the generic customizable template name  515  and iconic views of the different bays  510  of a generic installation configuration. For templates with multiple bays, a user may click on a specific bay icon  510  to navigate among the different bay views of a template. The bay number  505  of a specific template is also displayed on the template in some embodiments of the disclosed invention. In example embodiments, a user may select, drag and drop model representations of certain equipment from one location to different location. In some embodiments, a user may be able to edit, add or delete model representations. In some embodiments, the model representations of equipment may be in the form of a graphical or pictorial image, text box, or other similar form which may be dragged or edited by a user from one location in a template to a different location in the template. 
         [0046]    To illustrate, in the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 5A , a user may click on the Dispersion Compensation Module DCM(B), equipment used in optical networks for chromatic dispersion compensation, located in the top slot of the left middle spacer rack  525   b  and move it to a different spacer rack slot  525   a - f  in the template such as the middle slot of the left bottom spacer rack  525   c.  Alternatively, a user may click on the Optical Protection Switch Module (OPSM-1M), equipment used to split or combine optical signals, located in the middle slot of the right middle spacer rack  525   f  and move it to a different spacer rack slot  525   a - f  in the template, such as the top slot of the left bottom spacer rack  525   d.  In some embodiments, a user may select and drag equipment from a slot within a specific shelf in the main relay rack  520   a - e  to different slot in the same shelf or a different shelf within the main relay rack  520   a - e.  For example, in  FIG. 5B , a user may select a piece of equipment that is in slot  3  on the Main Shelf  1  (MS- 1 )  520   d  and drag it to slot  12  on the same shelf of MS- 1   520   d.  Alternatively, a user may select a piece of equipment that is in slot  5  on Main Shelf  15  (MS- 15 )  520   e  and drag it to slot  18  on MS- 1   520   d . A user may also select and drag certain equipment from the spacer racks  525   a - c  to the main relay racks  520   a - c  and from the main relay racks  520   a - c  to the spacer racks  525   a - c.    
         [0047]    Referring to  FIG. 5C , as another example embodiment, a user may select and drag, in a graphical user interface manner, a Subrate Multiplexer Transponder Module (SMTM), a variant of the transponder modules used on an optical DWDM network element, from slot  1  of Port Shelf  2  (PS- 2 )  520   h  to slot  6  of Port Shelf  4  (PS- 4 )  520   i.    
         [0048]      FIGS. 6A-B  are additional example embodiments of customizable graphical templates  600  of a network element installation configuration. In these example embodiments of a customizable template in graphical format  600 , a user is able to view the graphical layout of a specific network element and change the position of equipment within the network element. In these embodiments, the user may select and drag specific model representations of equipment from one location to a different location on the template. For example, in  FIG. 6A , a user may click the model representation of the Dispersion Compensation Module A (DCM(A)) in the top slot of the far left spacer rack  605   c  and drag and drop it to a different spacer rack location in the template such as the slot above DCM(B) on the far right spacer rack  605   b.  Referring to  FIG. 6B  as another example embodiment, a user may switch the position of a Reconfigurable Channel Mux Module-Patch Panel (RCMM Patch Panel)  605   d , a fiber patch panel used to handle fiber interconnections between RCMMs and transponder port modules (TPMs), with the position of a Port Shelf Patch Panel  605   e.  In some embodiments, a user may also add equipment on to the template or delete equipment from the template. 
         [0049]      FIG. 7  is an example embodiment of a customizable template of a network element installation configuration in pictorial format  700 . In this example embodiment, a user may select and drag the model representations, such as images of customizable network element equipment  705   a - b,  from one equipment location in the template to a different equipment location in the template. In some embodiments, a user may also add equipment to the template or delete equipment from the template. 
         [0050]    Some embodiments of the disclosed invention may contain a menu of equipment as a separate window within the navigation tool or on the template. In these embodiments, a user may select and drag equipment from the menu into the equipment slots on the template. Alternatively, in some embodiments a user may remove equipment from a template by either selecting and deleting a specific piece of equipment or selecting, dragging and dropping the equipment into the menu of equipment. 
         [0051]    Example embodiments of the invention may contain specific constraints in the customizable templates that would restrict a user from moving certain equipment to certain locations, adding equipment, or deleting equipment based on limitations of the racks or equipment within a specific template family. Such limitations may include power, space, and compatibility restrictions. 
         [0052]      FIGS. 8  is a flow chart that illustrates an example method of simplifying the planning of multiple network element installation configurations  800  according to the disclosed network planning tool. Planning begins with the user accessing generic installation configurations of a selected network element located in a specific site of a given network topology  805 . Network elements may include amplifiers, regenerators, transponders and other units used in the provisioning of network services. The generic installation configurations may be categorized by template family or other grouping format. 
         [0053]    After the user accesses the generic installation configurations, the customizable templates may be displayed to the user  810 . In some embodiments, the customizable templates may be displayed to the user in tabular format, graphical format, pictorial format, or a combination of these formats. The customizable templates contain customizable user options and non-customizable installation configuration attributes for each generic installation configuration. Next, the tool enables the user to change the customizable user options of the generic installation configurations  815 . In some embodiments, the user may change the network element installation configurations by selecting options from a list contained in a tabular, graphical, pictorial, or combination format template. In some embodiments, the user may change the network element installation configurations by selecting, dragging, and dropping equipment from one location to a different location on the customized template represented in tabular format, graphical format, pictorial format, or a combination of these formats. Once the user indicates that he or she has completed making changes to the network element installation configurations, the tool stores the customized template(s). In some embodiments, the template(s) may be stored in a database. In some embodiments, the template(s) may be stored on a server. 
         [0054]      FIG. 9  is a flow chart that illustrates a second example method of simplifying planning of multiple network element installation configurations  900  according to the disclosed planning tool. As in the example illustrated in  FIG. 8 , planning begins with selecting a network element in a specific site of a given network topology  905  to access generic installation configurations  915 . The network topology may be a ring, mesh, hybrid ring/mesh, or any other suitable topology. The network topology may contain multiple network elements and traffic flow patterns  910 . Network elements may include amplifiers, regenerators, transponders and other elements used in the provisioning of network services. The different network elements in the network model may be represented by different icons or colors. For instance, an in-line amplifier may be represented by a small triangle located in a site, which is represented by larger square. The generic installation configurations may be categorized by template family or other grouping format. The generic installation configurations may be based on optical modeling of traffic flow patterns  920  in a network. The example method allows the user to change multiple network element installation configurations while maintaining the integrity of the traffic flow patterns  940 . 
         [0055]    Next, the planning tool displays the customized templates to the user  925 . The templates may be displayed in tabular format, graphical format, pictorial format or a combination of these formats  930 . The tool then enables the user to change the customizable user options of the generic installation configurations  935 . The tool maintains the integrity of the traffic flow patterns by accounting for, for example, amplification or regeneration of optical signals within the traffic flow patterns and allows the user to change and apply the customized templates consistent with maintaining the integrity of the traffic flow patterns  940 . The tool may also allow the user to change the generic installation configurations according to user preferences, such as power, space, network demand and other constraints or user preferences. 
         [0056]    If the user decides to change the customizable options of a generic installation configuration and create a customized network element installation configuration template  945 , codes may be associated with the equipment contained in the customized template  950 . In some embodiments, a discount may apply to certain customized templates. These discounts may depend on the equipment associated with certain templates. If a discount applies to a customized template or templates  955 , the tool may indicate to the user that the discount applies  960  to the particular template configuration. 
         [0057]    The tool then enables the user to order network element installation configurations or equipment using the codes associated with the templates  965 . An example embodiment of the codes may be equipment ordering codes used to associate specific shelf rack kits to a template and then place an order via an order management system for the shelf rack kits to be delivered to a specific network site. Next, the tool may associate a bill of materials with the codes  970 , which may include any applicable discounts. Finally, the tool may store the customized template(s)  975  after the user indicates that he or she has completed making changes to the template(s). In some embodiments, the template(s) may be stored in a database or other data structure. In some embodiments, the template(s) may be stored on a server. 
         [0058]      FIG. 10  is a flow chart that illustrates an example method of updating customized templates  1000 . To update a previously customized template, the tool first enables the user to access the stored customized template  1005 . In some embodiments, the user may access a stored customized template by clicking on a model representation of the network element within a particular site in a network topology and selecting an edit template option. Alternatively, a user may select a particular customized template to update from a navigation tree, which may list all of the customized templates for a given network element within a particular site. After the user selects a stored customized template to update, the tool enables the user to update the customized template  1010  by the same or a similar method as described in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . Next, the tool may store the updated customized template(s)  1015  after the user indicates that he or she has completed making changes to the template(s). 
         [0059]      FIG. 11  is a flow chart that illustrates an example method of associating customized network element installation configuration templates with network representations  1100 . The tool enables the user to access stored customized templates  1105  and associate the customized templates of network element installation configurations with one or multiple sites in a network representation  1110 . Next, the tool stores the associations of the network representations associated with the network element installation configurations  1115 . In some embodiments, these associations may be stored in a database or other data structure. In some embodiments the tool automatically associates a customized template with a particular network element located at a specific site within the a given network topology. In these embodiments, the user creates or edits a customized template by clicking on a specific network element located within a site in a given network topology. After the user creates or edits a customized template and saves the template changes, the tool automatically associates that template with a specific network element located at a specific site within the a given network topology. In some embodiments, a user may apply or replicate the same customized template associated with one site to different sites in a given network topology or sites within different network topologies. 
         [0060]      FIG. 12  is a flow chart that illustrates an example method of deleting customized templates of network element installation configurations  1200 . The tool enables the user to access stored customized templates  1205  and delete these templates  1210 . In some embodiments, the customized templates may be deleted from a database or other data structure by a user. In some embodiments, the user may access a stored customized template by clicking on the model representation of a network element within a particular site in a network topology and selecting an option to delete an existing customized template. Alternatively, a user may select a particular customized template to delete from a navigation tree, which may list all of the customized templates for a given network element within a particular site. In some embodiments, the tool may warn the user that he or she will no longer be able to access the customized template from the tool after it is deleted. 
         [0061]      FIG. 13  is a block diagram that illustrates an example embodiment of a network element installation configuration planning apparatus  1300  according to the disclosed planning tool. The apparatus simplifies the planning of multiple network element installation configurations in an optical network, such as those shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . The apparatus includes an accessing unit  1305 , display unit  1310 , enabling unit  1315 , and a storage unit  1320 . The accessing  1305  unit accesses stored generic installation configurations. The display unit  1310  displays customizable templates to a user that include the generic installation configurations and customizable options within the generic installation configurations to enable the user to select or customize a template. The enabling unit  1315  enables the user to change the generic installation configurations according to the customizable options to allow the user to produce customized templates of multiple network element installation configurations. The storage unit  1320  stores the customized templates. 
         [0062]      FIGS. 14A and 14B  are block diagrams that illustrate additional example embodiments of a network element installation planning apparatus  1400  according to the disclosed planning tool. Like the example shown in  FIG. 13 , the apparatus  1400  includes accessing, display, enabling, and indicating units  1405 ,  1410 ,  1415 ,  1420 , which may be managed by a central processing unit (CPU)  1428  operating in conjunction with random access memory (RAM)  1428 . 
         [0063]    In the apparatus  1400 , the accessing unit  1405  accesses generic installation configurations  1495  of network elements. In some embodiments, these generic installation configurations  1495  may be accessed from a data structure, such as a database. 
         [0064]    The display unit  1410  displays customizable templates to a user. These customizable templates may include generic installation configurations  1495  and customizable options within the generic installation configurations  1495  to enable the user to select or customize a template. In some embodiments, the customizable templates may be displayed to the user in different display formats  1438 , such as a tabular template  1422 , graphical template  1424 , pictorial template  1426 , or combination of different formats. 
         [0065]    Next, the enabling unit  1415  enables the user to change the customizable options of the generic installation configurations  1495  to allow the user to produce customized templates  1475  of multiple network element installation configurations. After the user indicates that he or she has completed making changes to the customizable templates, a storage unit  1420  stores the customized templates  1475 . The customized templates  1475  may be stored in a data structure such as a database, server, or any other contemplated storage unit  1420 . 
         [0066]    In the apparatus  1400 , a network representation unit  1435  ( FIG. 14B ) may represent an optical network  1425  with multiple optical network element installation configurations  1470  and traffic flow patterns  1450 . 
         [0067]    The enabling unit  1415  may include an integrity unit  1435  to identify locations about the optical network at which to place a subset of the multiple network element installation configurations  1470  while maintaining integrity of the traffic flow patterns  1450 , the subset being selected from among the customized templates  1475 . The integrity unit  1435  maintains integrity of the traffic flow patterns  1450  by accounting for amplification  1460  or regeneration  1455  of optical integrity signals within the traffic flow patterns  1450 , for example. Other signaling may also be maintained by the integrity unit  1435 . The enabling unit  1415  includes an accounting unit  1440  to account for the number of degrees  1465  associated with the network element installation configurations  1470 . The enabling unit  1415  also includes a template application unit  1445  to apply customized templates  1475  consistent with maintaining the integrity of the traffic flow patterns  1450  associated with the degrees  1465 . 
         [0068]    The enabling unit  1415  may further include a changing unit  1402  ( FIG. 14A ) to enable the user to change the generic installation configurations  1495  according to user preferences. 
         [0069]    A code associating unit  1404  is configured to associate codes, such as ordering codes, with the customized templates  1475 . The enabling unit  1415  includes an ordering unit  1406  to enable the user to order network element installation configurations using the codes  1485 . The code associating unit  1404  may be configured to associate a bill of materials  1440  with the codes  1485 . 
         [0070]    An indicating unit  1408  is configured to indicate to the user via an indicator within the customized templates  1475  that a discount  1480  may apply when ordering a network element installation configuration that includes a customized template  1475  with the indicator. 
         [0071]    The enabling unit  1415  includes a customized template accessing unit  1412  to enable the user to access stored customized templates  1475 . The enabling unit  1415  is configured to enable the user to associate the stored customized templates  1475  with representations of network element installation configurations  1470  ( FIG. 14B ) about a representation of a network  1425 . 
         [0072]    The storage unit  1420  is configured to store the association of the network representation  1425  with the customized templates  1475  representing network element installation configurations  1470  ( FIG. 14B ). 
         [0073]    The enabling unit  1415  includes a template update unit  1414  ( FIG. 14A ) to enable the user to update the customized templates  1475 . The enabling unit  1415  also includes a template deletion unit  1416  to enable the user to delete the customized templates  1475 . The enabling unit  1415  further includes an network representation update unit  1418  to enable the user to update the association of the network representation  1425  with the customized templates  1475  representing network element installation configurations  1470  ( FIG. 14B ). 
         [0074]    It should be understood that the examples presented herein may include more or fewer components, be partitioned into subunits, or be implemented in different combinations. Moreover, the flow diagrams of  FIGS. 8-12  may be implemented in hardware, firmware, or software. Any of the disclosed structures could be implemented in the form of a data structure such as a database, software written in any suitable programming language such as object oriented languages including but not limited to C++, Java, C#, .NET, and VB.NET or non-object oriented languages such as C, or any other contemplated structure or manifestation of logic. The software may be embodied on any form of computer readable medium, such as Random Access Memory (RAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), or magnetic or optical disk and loaded and executed by generic or custom processor(s). Further, these disclosed structures and manifestations of logic could be running on hardware such as servers or computers. 
         [0075]    The teachings of all patents, published applications and references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
         [0076]    While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to example embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims.