Abstract:
This invention uses a computer program to mine preexisting hardware equipment configuration data located in a variety of preexisting source hardware equipment configuration databases. The computer program either creates a new hardware equipment configuration database from parts of existing hardware equipment configuration databases or modifies an existing hardware equipment configuration database. The computer program replaces the current system&#39;s reliance upon manual data entry by data engineers to configure the operation of a new telecommunication switch or replace the software in a telecommunication switch that was damaged or requires a new hardware equipment configuration data configuration. This invention provides accurate and timely customer information, significantly decreases the time interval for engineering a new database, decreases the research and data entry time, decreases the interval for lab planning and project management, improves hardware equipment configuration database integrity, provides a cleaner hardware equipment configuration database, reuses existing hardware equipment configuration data eliminating double data entry, reuses some existing software code, and uses preexisting office data administration tools and provides a platform for future growth and expandability. By accomplishing these tasks, the telecommunication switch manufacturer or telecommunication switch operator saves time, money and decreases time-to-market product and service schedules.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a computer program that can create new hardware equipment configuration databases from all or parts of one or more existing hardware equipment configuration databases containing data information for the operation of data and voice audio telecommunication switches. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     The configuration of telecommunication switches usually occurs in at least three environments. First, during the testing of switch hardware and software, a laboratory switch is configured to the requirements established for the test. Second, when a switch is sold to a customer, the switch is configured to the customer&#39;s specifications. Third, when a switch experiences a full failure, it often requires reconfiguration of the databases supporting the failed switch or configuration of new databases for an emergency backup switch or replacement switch. Normally, the configuration of telecommunication switches during these three environments requires the manual input of thousands and possibly millions of records of information. This process is extremely time consuming and can take weeks or months to complete. 
     In the first environment, telecommunication companies continually test new versions of switch software, peripheral devices and other hardware devices during the life of a telecommunication switch. When testing software or hardware, switch engineers design different operating environments to establish operating parameters of the new software or hardware. Data engineers manually input data to configure the operation of the switch for the designed test. Usually, the configuration of the testing environment is performed on a data build machine (computer). The configuration of the switch to simulate the desired testing operational conditions often involves retesting archived configurations or modified archived configurations. Otherwise, the testing configuration is accomplished by manual data entry. 
     In the second environment, telecommunication switches sold to customers are configured based on the customer&#39;s intended operational conditions and requirements. Usually, the configurations for new switches are manually built new data configurations without relying on existing database configurations. However, the configuration of the features, switching software and hardware is often adopted from other existing configurations. 
     The third operational environment is recovery of the switch after the switch has experienced a failure. These failures can result from equipment failure to natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes or fires. Recovery of the failed switch sometimes requires the installation of an emergency backup switch. The emergency backup switch requires database configurations that replicate the databases in the damaged switch. Normally, the configuration of the emergency backup switch requires manual, time consuming input of data that will support specific customer features and routing of calls on the emergency backup switch. Having the ability to configure the telecommunication switch by transferring existing data information data from known databases into new databases by automating the manual tasks of data entry would save considerable time, money and significantly improve productivity. In addition, instant access to many different switching systems is a critical task that currently requires many hours or days of research and manual browsing. A need exists for a robust process to automatically replace the current manual method data entry to configure hardware equipment data for telecommunications switches. 
     SUMMARY 
     In order to automate the current manual data entry process of engineering hardware equipment configuration databases, the computer program of this invention establishes a new database structure and mines source databases to load source database hardware equipment data into the new hardware equipment database structure. The computer program is capable of searching for the desired data and automates many of the tasks for configuring a new hardware equipment database from the source databases. This eliminates the requirement for manual data entry for configuring new hardware equipment databases for telecommunication switches. 
     This computer program is multifunctional allowing for the browsing of all hardware equipment databases prior to the configuration. Once the target source hardware equipment databases are determined, the computer program creates a new data directory structure and selectively copies all or part ofthe data from the source hardware equipment databases into the new database. 
     The computer program selects the source databases, the user identifies and selects the switching equipment in the source databases and their configurations, creates an index of desired data elements and converts the desired data elements from binary into ASCII format. The hardware equipment data is configured for the new database and the hardware equipment is reengineered for the new database. The data is extracted and converted to the same release and loaded into the new hardware equipment data directory structure. 
     This invention provides accurate and timely customer information, significantly decreases the time interval for engineering a new equipment hardware database, decreases the research and data entry time, decreases the interval for lab planning and project management, improves equipment hardware database integrity, provides a cleaner equipment hardware database, reuses existing data eliminating double data entry, reuses some existing software code, can use preexisting tools, and provides a platform for future growth and expandability. By accomplishing these tasks, the telecommunication switch manufacturer or telecommunication switch operator saves time, money and decreases time-to-market product and service schedules. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The summary of the invention, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are included by way of example, and not by way of limitation with regard to the claimed invention. 
     FIG. 1 is a functional flow chart illustrating the logical operations of the main menu of the computer program. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates the various hardware components and database types used in conjunction with the computer program. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates the operation of the computer program as it builds a new database from parts of other databases. 
     FIG. 4 is a flow chart of the overall features exercised in the operation of the computer program. 
     FIG. 5 is a flow chart of the logical operation of the computer program. 
     FIG. 6 is a flow chart of the browse feature of the computer program. 
     FIG. 7 is a flow chart of the dialing plan feature configuration of the computer program. 
     FIG. 8 is a flow chart of the build database feature configuration of the computer program. 
     FIG. 9 is a flow chart of the build database feature of the computer program. 
     FIG. 10 is a flow chart of the hardware engineering configuration of the computer program. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The following applications are filed concurrently and are also incorporated by reference: 
     1. Method and Apparatus for Creating and Modifying Similar and Dissimilar Databases (U.S. Ser. No. 09/053,957). 
     2. Method for Creating and Modifying Similar and Dissimilar Databases for use in Dialing Plan Configurations for Telecommunication Systems (U.S. Ser. No. 09/054,094). 
     3. Method for Creating and Modifying Similar and Dissimilar Databases for use in Network Configurations for Telecommunication Systems (U.S. Ser. No. 09/054,961 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,055,227). 
     4. Method for Creating and Modifying Similar and Dissimilar Databases for use in Operator Services Configurations for Telecommunication Systems (U.S. Ser. No. 09/054,206). 
     5. Method for Creating and Modifying Similar and Dissimilar Databases for use in Private Branch Exchange Configurations for Telecommunication Systems (U.S. Ser. No. 09/054,193 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,028,464). 
     6. Method for Creating and Modifying Similar and Dissimilar Databases for use in Intelligent Network Configurations for Telecommunication Systems (U.S. Ser. No. 09/054,329). 
     7. Method for Creating and Modifying Similar and Dissimilar Databases for use in GSM Wireless Network Configurations for Telecommunication Systems (U.S. Ser. No. 09/054,324). 
     FIG. 1 illustrates the logical operation of the main menu of the user interface for the Simple Environment Engineering System (“SEES”) computer program. If the SEES program is wrongly selected as the application of choice by the user, the main menu display  10  allows the user to exit  11  the computer program without choosing any of the functions. If SEES is selected as the program of choice by the user, from the main menu display  10 , the user can select from one of seven operations. 
     These operations include: about SEES  12 , peripheral interface data bus/ peripheral interface control bus (PIDB/PICB)  13 , browse feature  14 , lab configuration document reports  16 , query by unit  18 , create a new database  22 , or engineer an existing database  24 . About SEES  12  is documentation about the computer program and the operations and features that a user can implement. Peripheral interface data bus (PIDB)/peripheral interface control bus (PICB)  13  allows a user to examine the peripheral units in the switching modules as they are connected to the interface control and data buses. 
     The browse feature  14  allows users to view the location and type of data in other databases. This feature allows the user to search for and find the desired data prior to generating new data from scratch. The lab configuration document reports  16  provide data on all the hardware for a given lab or for a customer&#39;s switch. Query by unit  18  identifies hardware items, features, signaling types, or other elements of the switch across many databases containing information on lab switches, manufacturers&#39; switches, and/or customers&#39; switches. Query by unit  18  also specifies and conforms targeting specific software releases to common versions. 
     The last two operations, create a new database and modify an existing database, have a guard dog or authorization screen  20  that prevents entry by unauthorized users into the program. Entry by unauthorized users beyond the browse feature impact existing source databases and source data resources. Allowing unauthorized users to create and modify existing source databases and source data resources can have severe effects on other operations due to the unintended destruction of valuable data. The computer program will query the user or the user&#39;s computer for authorization to gain access to those features of the program that allow for the creation or modification of hardware equipment databases or data resources. Typical authorized users are data engineers. Once the screening process is complete, access is permitted, and another text or graphical user interface menu is displayed that allows the user to select features other than browse. From all six of these operations, a user can exit  11  the program. 
     The computer program uses all current data environments and employs functions to ensure that different versions of various software databases are converted to a common version. SEES provides accurate configuration information to customers on all environments to the switch module. SEES uses an office data administration tool called “init-office” to insure a clean initial database structure. SEES automatically updates the newest office data administration tool issues and environments. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates the various hardware components used in conjunction with a telecommunications switch  33 . A data build machine  26  is used to create the data information used in the operation of a telecommunications switch  33 . The data build machine  26  usually contains or has access to the source databases such the office dependant database  28 , the equipment configuration database  30 , the office data administration tools  32 , and other configuration databases  35 . The SEES computer program located on the data build machine  26  relies on various tools or routines to help in the execution of its operation. 
     Also connected to the data build machine  26  are a variety of personal computers or work stations  27 . The data build machine  26  is also connected to a switch interface processor  25 . The switch interface processor  25  is capable of connecting to other data build machines or communication switches  33 . The connection  56  between the switch interface processor  25  and other communication switches  33  or data build machines can be a physical link such as a communication line (fiber, coaxial cable, twisted pair, etc.) or a nonphysical link such as transferring tapes or disks containing the data. Other communication links include radio frequency (RF) links by satellite transmission of data or wireless transmission of data. 
     Many telecommunication switches  33  have redundant administration modules represented by a zero side  34  and a one side  36 . The redundant administrative modules  34  and  36  operate such that one of the modules is operating while the other one is on standby. If the operating administrative module fails, the administrative module on standby starts operating without causing a loss of services. This is also true for the redundant communication modules which have a zero side  38  and a one side  40 . The administration modules  34  and  36  and the communication modules  38  and  40  are crossed linked by communication links  42 . The cross linking of administration modules  34  and  36  with communication modules  38  and  40  minimizes the interruption of service should one of these modules fail. Connected via communication link  44  to the communication modules  38  and  40  are switch modules  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52  and  54 . Each telecommunication switch  33  has at least one switch module (SM). The Lucent Technologies&#39; 5ESS Switch can currently support up to  192  switch modules connected to the administrative modules  34  and  36  and communication modules  38  and  40 . 
     The equipment configuration database  30  contains information regarding the administration modules  34  and  36  and part of the communication modules  38  and  40  (encompassing items corresponding to bracket  58  in FIG.  2 ). The equipment configuration database  30  keeps track of all the equipment hardware associated with the telecommunication switch  33  including the various equipment types of the hardware such as tape units, circuit packs, administration module links and disks containing the software versions used in conjunction with the hardware and all associated resources. 
     The office dependent database  28  contains information regarding part of the communication modules  38  and  40  and the switch modules  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52  and  54  (encompassing items corresponding to bracket  60  in FIG.  2 ). The office dependent database  28  is loaded on the memory disk in the administration modules  34  and  36  and is pumped or downloaded into the switch module memory. The office dependent database  28  provides call set up, functional feature capability of the switch modules, and defines all switch module hardware configuration information. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates the operation of the Simple Environment Engineering System as it builds a new database from parts of other databases. In a typical setting, DB-1  62  contains information regarding features such as rate and routing information. DB-2  64  contains dialing information such as specific switch module configurations and networking rate and routing information. DB-3  66  contains hardware platform information such as additional switch module configurations. DB-n  68  are other databases in the data warehouse  70  containing information such as additional features or hardware. SEES identification routines browse the data warehouse  70  looking for desired components for reuse. In the database section modifier  72 , SEES pulls new components from the various databases in the data warehouse  70  and with some modification such as altering the hardware designations for the software data, SEES creates a new database  74 . 
     FIG. 4 illustrates the overall features of SEES. “SEES calls”  100  is a routine that calls other components of the program such as the make menu user interface (mkmenu) routine  110 . SEES&#39; user interface allows a user to incorporate a variety of utilities including UNIX, web based languages, directories, databases, office data administration tools, DOS, and other applications. The make menu (mkmenu) routine  110  can be set up to use menu driven utilities employing streamlined commands, shortcuts, object menus, pictures or icons. 
     From the user interface screen  110 , the user can call function  11  that implements the various configuration features of the computer program. The browse feature  124  restricts users to a read only environment but because of this restriction, allows many more unsophisticated users to use SEES to view the various databases used in the operation of a telecommunication switch  33 . For more sophisticated users who have authorization to get past the guard dog  20 , the computer program queries as to whether a new database will be created  153  or whether an existing database will be modified  155 . Either choice allows the user to select the seven configuration scheme features of SEES. 
     The first feature of SEES is the hardware engineering module  156 . This module includes the equipment configuration block  160  that allows users to examine the properties of the administrative modules  34  and  36  and the communication modules  38  and  40  used in the operation of a telecommunication switch  33 . The office dependent database hardware block  162  contains information allowing the communication between the communication modules  38  and  40  and the switch modules  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52  and  54 . 
     The second feature of SEES is the dialing plan engineering module  158 . The dialing plan engineering module  158  includes the feature engineering block  164 , the signal network engineering block  166  and the dialing plan engineering block  168 . The feature engineering block  164  pulls existing features from other databases that contain feature definitions with embedded office dependant information into the new environment modified to the new database. The signal network engineering module  166  transfers data content regarding signaling information. The dialing plan engineering module  168  maps numbers that differentiate the route of the call and defines everything that is not hardware routing, trunking, lines, subscribers, and complete customer calling information. 
     The third feature of SEES is the network engineering module  170 . The network engineering module  170  includes the signaling system 7 (ss7) block  174 , the NA 7  block  176 , the ISDN user part (ISUP) block  178 , the TUP block  180  and the British Telecom 7 (BT7) block  182 . Other blocks can also be added that focus on the international standard of particular countries or particular telecommunication companies. 
     The fourth feature of SEES is the operator services feature  172 . These services include but are not limited to directory assistance, automatic call distributor/distribution, toll and assistance applications, administrator measurements-operator, automated calling card services, automated operator trainer, automatic call distribution (ACD), busy line verification, and emergency alerts. 
     The fifth feature of SEES is the private branch exchange module  159 . The private branch exchange module  159  is used to configure databases related to private branch exchange networks. 
     The sixth feature of the computer program is the intelligent network module  173 . The intelligent network module  173  includes the dialing plan module  158 , the hardware engineering module  156 , and the network engineering module  170 . These three components should be implemented prior to performing an intelligent network configuration. 
     The seventh feature of the computer program is the wireless module  171 . The wireless module  171  includes the dialing plan module  158 , the hardware engineering module  156 , and the network engineering module  170 . These three components should be implemented prior to performing a wireless configuration. 
     FIG. 5 is a flow chart of the logical operation of Simple Environment Engineering System. SEES  100  accesses variables  102  by calling the setev routine  106 , the name variable (name_vars) routine  108  and the make menu (mkmenu) routine  110 . The setev routine  106  sets the office data administration variables. The setev routine  106  also sets the office data administration environmental variables that provides a description of the functionality that setev routine  106  provides. The name variable (name_vars) routine  108  sets certain variable values. The name variables (name_vars) routine  108  defines legal values for lab, release and enviss. Lab is the total testing environment that simulates the product being sold to the customer. Release is the hardware, software options (SWOPT), equipment configuration database and the office dependant database relating to the telecommunication switch  33  being used by SEES in the creation  153  or modification  155  of a database. The enviss routine is the environment tool version that the office data administration is supporting. The make menu (mkmenu) routine  110  sets up the main menu  114  and calls a display variable (disp_vars) routine  116 , then calls any selection made by the user. 
     From the make menu (mkmenu) routine  10 , the user can access the loadc_menu routine  120  that expands the parameters or values and allows them to reset lab, release and enviss. The make menu (mkmenu) routine  110  also allows the user to access browse  124 , and the create a new database  153  or build an existing database  155 . To access either create a new database or build an existing database, the user must first pass a guard dog  20 . The guard dog  20  functions as a screen permitting only authorized users into these sensitive areas of the data build machine  26  to either create  153  or modify  155  databases. The browse feature  124  allows users to view hardware and software configurations on known telecommunication switches  33 . 
     FIG. 6 illustrates the browse feature  124 . The browse feature  124  allows the user to select the environment  132 , then calls the display equipment (dis_eq) routine  134 , the display packs (disp_paks) routine  136 , the display features (disp_feat) routine  138 , the display equipment number (disp_ens) routine  140  and the display the test user guide (disp_jug) routine  142 . The display equipment (dis_eq) routine  134  displays all switch module and unit configuration within the switch module. The dumpdf routine  135  is used on all eq* forms (equipment related data)  137  in the selected circuit packs. The display packs (disp_pak) routine  136  displays all circuit packs  144  and their locations. The display packs (disp_paks) routine  136  uses dumpdf  135  after extracting the appropriate data to view from the office data administration makefdt command  146 . The display feature (disp_feat) routine  138  displays the feature information based on specific hardcoded selections by accessing the mapped relations  148 . If the mapped relations  148  are missing or removed, a message  150  will display indicating this condition. The display equipment number (disp_ens) routine  140  displays all equipment numbers by cutting the line equipment numbers  152  out of the data structures  154  and optionally, converts them using the len 2 port command  103  under oddtools/bin  101 . The display test user guide (disp_tug) routine  142 , an optional routine, automates the test environment user guide  161 . 
     FIG. 7 illustrates the dialing plan configuration (dp_config) routine. The user is prompted for the target “base&amp;control”  181 . Base&amp;control is the location where the new database is created and manipulated. If the user responds yes  183 , then the computer program calls the office data administration tool initoffice  185 . Init-office  185  builds a database structure containing no data. Init-office  185  calls an office data administration tool that confirms that the correct version of vars  108  is running. If the user responds no  187 , then the computer program searches  189  all of the office dependent databases. This function will show only one selected source environment. Then it will determine those data elements in the data elements database that are empty  191 . It will then display all data elements as a menu. The computer program then selects the data elements to load  193  and takes all choices and loads them into the new database structure  195 . As the load process continues, all messages  197  will show on the screen then the last menu will request input for ending the dialing plan configuration  199 . 
     FIG. 8 illustrates the build database feature. The user is prompted for the target “base&amp;control”  201 . From the response to the new location  203 , then the computer program calls the office data administration tool init-office  205 . The init-office routine  205  builds a database structure containing no data. The init-office routine calls  205  an office data administration tool that confirms that the correct version of vars is running. If the user responds no  207 , then the computer program searches  209  all of the office dependent databases. This function will show all features and display all switching module configurations available to load into the data elements  211 . The program will then allow the user to select those switching modules to load in the new data structure  5   213 . The program takes all the user selected choices and loads them into the new database structure  215 . As the load process continues, all messages  217  will show on the screen then the last menu will request input for ending the dialing plan configuration  219 . 
     FIG. 9 illustrates the use of SEES to engineer existing databases. In the build_database feature  156 , SEES uses the hardware configurations on the office data administration tool data elements for engineering the new database or modifying an existing database. Data will be engineered from the office data administration tool data elements directly in the selected base and control database. In block  200 , the user will be prompted to input the target database in block  202 . 
     SEES then calls the initoffice routine  204  to check for an existing target database. The user is prompted to input whether that database should be removed, or data will be added to it. The program then calls the display variable (dis_vars) routine  206  to set and display selected variables. 
     These includes the lab, office data administration tool version through the env_menu routine. This will be used to select the data from preexisting databases to be engineered into target databases. 
     The user now returns to the build_database feature  200  to obtain a list of possible hardware switch module configurations from the selected source database or “base&amp;control.” Those markets shown are dependent upon the initial settings of the computer program. SEES then shows all selected configurations from the source databases, and allows the user to select the individual switch modules manually. This information is presented to the user in a menu type screen with each of the switch module configurations dynamically identified and selectable by number. The build_database feature  200  then calls apppend_eq routine  208  and can automatically determine the keys for office data administration tool data elements and can include multivalued keys in the lines output for selecting. 
     The computer program copies or dumps the user selected switch module configurations into the target database or “base&amp;control.” All the data is error checked before the dump or copy. If this is a new database, then it effectively becomes a copy of the existing database. If the new database is an append to an existing database, then it becomes a dump to the existing data elements. Therefore ensuring that any existing data is not rewritten. However, if the keys match, the data elements are over written. 
     The computer program uses the gensm routine  210  as a reference for selecting the proper hardware office data administration tool data elements to use while transferring the data. The program uses the (filter_eq) routine  212  to use the user temporary directory USRTMP globally then the TARGETTL files to support the loading of evolved data elements. This dynamically writes an evolve script, if a pathway exists, manipulating the data. The computer program then calls the evl_form to perform any necessary evolves prior to loading of the data elements. The program then takes the user back to the build_database after the evolve/transfer of data is completed. SEES then prompts the user to quit or return to the main menu. 
     FIG. 10 illustrates the process of engineering a new hardware equipment configuration database or data resource from at least one source database or source data resource. The user calls and starts  1100  the computer program. The computer program can be located on one machine (a computer device) or multiple machines virtually connected via a network file share capability allowing all the virtual machines to appear as one machine and containing all existing source databases or source data resources. In the main menu of the computer program, a text or graphical user interface presents the main menu to the user allowing the user to select whether to browse existing source databases and source data resources or whether the user desires to create a new source database or engineer (modify) an existing source database from all or parts of other existing source databases or source data resources. 
     When the user selects the hardware equipment engineering feature, the user is required to select the location of the new hardware equipment database  1102 . Selecting means selecting an item from a menu or inputing information such that the computer can react to the instruction. In addition, the user can select whether the new or modified hardware equipment database should be located on the same machine (computer) or a virtual machine (computer), should the hardware equipment database be created or modified, and whether the hardware equipment database should be inclusively updated. The location of the new database  1102  is confirmed  1104  with the user and if the confirmation is not correct, the computer program allows the user to reselect a different location  1102 . 
     The computer program searches or checks the node or location where the user intends for the new or modified hardware equipment database to be located. This node check will confirm the actual location of the hardware equipment database, and whether the node is free  1106  on the desired machine (computer). The computer program confirms whether the selected location of the new database is empty of existing data  1   106 . If the response from the user is yes, the computer program creates a new hardware equipment directory structure  1108 . If the response is no, the program allows the user to delete the existing database  1110 . If the database is deleted, the program removes the database structure  1112  and creates a new hardware equipment directory structure  1108 . The hardware equipment directory structure can be created to hold similar and dissimilar size data as compared to the source databases. 
     If the existing database structure is not deleted, or the program created a new hardware equipment directory structure, the computer program then allows the user to select the qualifying source databases available for use  1114 . The source databases might have access utilities to assist the in the configuration of a new database. The computer program then selects qualifying existing source data resources using the user set criteria in input when the user was prompted to select the lab, machine (computer), site, customer name, and software release. The computer program requires the user to select and input certain elements regarding the characteristics desired in the new hardware equipment database to be created in order to search existing source databases and source data resources for existing data. For example, the user will be prompted to select the lab, the computer or machine, the site location of the new or modified hardware equipment database, the customer name, the software release, and the version of the source database or source data resource. 
     The computer program instructs the user to identify all the switching equipment in the source databases and their respective configurations  1116 . The switching equipment hardware includes message switch data, code multiplexing equipment data, time multiplexing equipment data, memory equipment data, processor data, power supply equipment data, packet handling equipment data, digital interface data, analog interface data, announcement hardware platform data, echo canceller data, and subscriber line interface data. The subscriber line interface data includes data that supports XDSL traffic (asynchronous, consumer, high-bit-rate, and very high speed), ISDN traffic and plain old telephone service (POTS) traffic. 
     The user selects the key data elements such as the message switch, code multiplexers, time division multiplexers, memory, processors, and power suppliers  1118 . The computer program creates an index  1120  of the key data elements extracted from the identification of the switching equipment in the source database. This information is then displayed to the user in a menu format. 
     The user selects  1122  the specific sets of data elements for the new database. These data elements are displayed  1124  and the user selects the switching equipment to be engineered into the new database. The computer program converts  1126  the hardware equipment data from the binary formatted data to an ASCII format and places the ASCII formatted data into memory  1128 . 
     The data is retrieved and extracted from a file or from memory  1130 . After extraction, the computer program determines if this format is the same version or release as the new database structure  1132 . This is accomplished by matching the selected criteria in the software release with the new or existing software release of the directory structure and name. If the format is not the same, the computer program determines if evolutionary pathways exist  1134 . If the evolutionary pathways do not exist, the computer program aborts  1136 . If the evolutionary pathways exist  1134 , the program calls an evolution tool  1138 , to modify the saved data so that consistency with the new location is maintained. 
     If the format is the same version or release as the new database structure  1132 , or after the evolution of data has occurred  1138 , the data is error checked  1140 . The program dynamically manipulates and modifies the data  1141 . All selected hardware equipment data that is saved is loaded  1142  or merged into a new or existing hardware equipment data resource using a platform utility that converts the data from an ASCII format to a binary format and loads the data into the database. The computer program displays  1144  all the statistics on data elements as they are being loaded into the selected location. In addition, the computer program displays errors, updates, non-updates to the selected location data resource. The computer program then allows the user to return to the main menu or quit, (exit the program)  1146 . 
     Please note that while the specification in this invention has been described in relation to certain preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is capable of alternative embodiments and that certain embodiments described in this invention can be varied considerably without departing from the basic scope and principles of the invention.