Patent Abstract:
A method for provisioning a service on a communication network includes receiving a service order comprising a service request. The service request relates to a service provided on a communication network. The method includes analyzing the service order to determine a plurality of network elements to provision to complete the service request and one or more network resources of the communication network required to complete the service request. The method includes retrieving a configuration profile for each of the plurality of network elements and reserving the one or more network resources of the communication network required to complete the service request. The method also includes preparing a service template for each of the plurality of network elements using the configuration profile for each of the plurality of network elements. The service templates are capable of being delivered to respective network elements for execution. The method also includes delivering each service template to a respective network element for execution to fulfill the service order.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to communication networks and, more particularly, to a method and system for provisioning services on a communication network.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Communication networks are used to provide a number of different types of communication services to subscribers. Providers of these services utilize communication networks of varying size and complexity, many of which include a plurality of different types of network elements that cooperate to provide the communication services. Many such network elements include their own management system for configuration, alteration and basic management of the network element.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The present invention provides a method and system for provisioning a service on a communication network that substantially eliminates or reduces at least some of the disadvantages and problems associated with previous methods and systems.  
         [0004]     In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention, a method for provisioning a service on a communication network includes receiving a service order comprising a service request. The service request relates to a service provided on a communication network. The method includes analyzing the service order to determine a plurality of network elements to provision to complete the service request and one or more network resources of the communication network required to complete the service request. The method includes retrieving a configuration profile for each of the plurality of network elements and reserving the one or more network resources of the communication network required to complete the service request. The method also includes preparing a service template for each of the plurality of network elements using the configuration profile for each of the plurality of network elements. The service templates are capable of being delivered to respective network elements for execution. The method also includes delivering each service template to a respective network element for execution to fulfill the service order.  
         [0005]     Preparing the service template for each of the plurality of network elements may comprise correlating service parameters of the service request, the configuration profile for each of the plurality of network elements and the reserved one or more network resources; and populating each service template with task primitives associated with a respective network element. The method may also include analyzing the service order to determine whether the service order relates to a legitimate service and updating a database of available network resources as the reserved one or more network resources are utilized. Delivering each service template to a respective network element for execution may comprise delivering each service template to a respective network element according to one or more schedule parameters. At least two of the plurality of network elements may utilize unique management systems requiring different types of task primitives to configure, alter or manage the network elements. The service request may comprise a subscriber request to provision a new service for the subscriber on the communication network, a subscriber request to alter a current service provisioned on the communication network for the subscriber or a subscriber request to resolve a problem for the subscriber with a current service provisioned on the communication network.  
         [0006]     In accordance with another embodiment, a system for provisioning a service on a communication network includes an interface operable to receive a service order comprising a service request. The service request relates to a service provided on a communication network. The system includes a service provisioning manager coupled to the interface. The service provisioning manager is operable to analyze the service order to determine a plurality of network elements to provision to complete the service request and one or more network resources of the communication network required to complete the service request. The service provisioning manager is also operable to retrieve a configuration profile for each of the plurality of network elements, reserve the one or more network resources of the communication network required to complete the service request and prepare a service template for each of the plurality of network elements using the configuration profile for each of the plurality of network elements. The service templates are capable of being delivered to respective network elements for execution. The system also includes a delivery manager coupled to the service provisioning manager, the delivery manager operable to deliver each service template to a respective network element for execution to fulfill the service order.  
         [0007]     Technical advantages of particular embodiments of the present invention include a Universal Element Management Framework (UEMF) which isolates multiple element management systems from the service management layer of a telecommunication provider&#39;s Operational Support System (OSS). As such, a telecommunication provider can make changes in network elements and such changes may become transparent to the service management layer.  
         [0008]     Particular embodiments include an element management system that may receive a service order relating to a service request for a communication network, analyze the service order and configure, provision or otherwise manage the appropriate network elements to fulfill the service order. The element management system is able to provision network elements of various vendors and types, even if such network elements have their own management systems requiring a particular type of task primitives. Accordingly, operational costs and labor associated with the fulfillment of service orders requiring provisioning of various types of network elements are reduced.  
         [0009]     Particular embodiments support end-to-end management oversight of multiple network elements from various vendors. This supports the measurement and maintenance of service level agreements for the service orders provisioned on the various types of network elements positioned at the access, metro transport, edge and core of the telecommunication provider&#39;s network.  
         [0010]     Particular embodiments support flow-thru provisioning in a single element management system, in which configuration templates (as opposed to operating system software blades) are used to automate provisioning. The template approach allows a user to make configuration template changes, as opposed to requiring a new “blade” whenever additional functionality is released for a particular network element. Thus, particular embodiments provide a universal, multi-vendor element management system that is user-configurable which, as a result, may decrease support and development costs for providing communication services.  
         [0011]     Other technical advantages will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions and claims. Moreover, while specific advantages have been enumerated above, various embodiments may include all, some or none of the enumerated advantages.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]     For a more complete understanding of particular embodiments of the invention and their advantages, reference is now made to the following descriptions, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  illustrates a system for providing subscriber communication services with an element management system, in accordance with a particular embodiment;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  illustrates the element management system of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with a particular embodiment; and  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  illustrates a process flow diagram for provisioning a service on a communication network, in accordance with a particular embodiment.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0016]      FIG. 1  illustrates a system  10  for providing subscriber communication services, in accordance with a particular embodiment. System  10  may be administered, operated and managed by one or more organizations providing communication services to subscribers through one or more communication networks. Provided communication services may include, for example, optical ethernet services, including but not limited to point-to-point (E-Line services); point to multipoint (E-LAN services); managed L2 services, such as Frame Relay or ATM service interworking with Ethernet services and PWE3 aggregation services and managed IP services, such as managed security services, managed VPN services and Virtual Private LAN services (VPLS). In the illustrated embodiment, system  10  includes a service management layer (SML)  12 , a network management layer (NML)  14 , an element management system (EMS)  16  and network elements  20 .  
         [0017]     SML  12  manages service attributes for a particular service to ensure the service meets a service level agreement. For example, a service provider may provide a T 1  frame relay service or an E-line service with a specific committed information rate (CIR) as part of a Service Level Agreement. SML  12  monitors the service rate to ensure that the customer is receiving the appropriate service level.  
         [0018]     NML  14  manages one or more network domains being utilized in the provision of a service. NML  14  may comprise a “manager of managers” (MOM) that enables the creation of topological maps of network architectures. For example, NML  14  may indicate, in graphical or non-graphical form, the occurrence of various network events, such as when network elements are inoperable and when links are down. In particular embodiments, NML  14  may comprise a MOM, such as HP Open View (HPOV) or Netcool.  
         [0019]     EMS  16  interacts with, provisions and otherwise manages network elements  20  to provide communication services to subscribers of system  10 . Particular functions of EMS  16  are discussed in further detail below with respect to  FIG. 2 .  
         [0020]     Network elements  20  comprise various elements and components of the communication network being utilized, such as Core Routers, Edge Routers, Multiservice Provisioning Platforms (MSPP), Multiservice switches, Optical Ethernet switches, Optical Add/Drop Multiplexers (OADMs) and Wave Division Multiplexing platforms (DWDM or CWDM platforms). In some cases, network elements  20  may be manufactured by different vendors and thus may be operated or managed by different, vendor-specific management systems. For example, network element  20   a  manufactured be Vendor A may be managed by a Vendor A management system unique from that used to manage network element  20   b  manufactured by Vendor B. The different management systems may require different types of primitives to configure, alter and/or otherwise manage the respective network elements. The integration of each such management system into system  10  can be difficult and expensive, as a service provider using these network elements may have to maintain various software and hardware applications of different vendors and a separate middleware and workflow management product to support the integration of these different vendor management systems into a seamless OSS architecture.  
         [0021]     Particular embodiments provide an element management system that may receive a service order relating to a service request for a communication network, analyze the service order and configure, provision or otherwise manager the appropriate network elements to fulfill the service order. The element management system is able to provision network elements of various vendors and types, even if such network elements have their own management systems requiring particular types of task primitives. Accordingly, costs and labor associated with the fulfillment of service orders requiring provisioning of various types of network elements is reduced.  
         [0022]      FIG. 2  illustrates element management system  16 , in accordance with a particular embodiment. EMS  16  comprises a service oriented architecture enabling a service provider to manage, change and provision network elements and their configurations without having to worry about manual integration of various management systems and without having to impact operations at the service management and network management layers. EMS  16  supports flow-thru provisioning in a single element management system, in which configuration templates (as opposed to operating system software blades) are used to automate provisioning. The template approach allows a user to make configuration template changes, as opposed to requiring a new “blade” whenever additional functionality is released for a specific network element when providing communication services.  
         [0023]     EMS  16  includes service provisioning manager  32 , resource manager/controller  34 , service order API  36 , resource controller API  38  and configuration delivery manager  40  connected to a gateway  42 . EMS  16  additionally includes OSS applications  44 , service order GUI  46 , resource/admin GUI  48 , admin API  50 , security server  52  and log server  54 . Particular components of EMS  16  may be connected to a bus  56 , which may comprise a CORBA or XML bus in particular embodiments. In particular embodiments, components of EMS  16  may provide functionality through an API defined in, for example, CORBA IDL, SOAP or XML.  
         [0024]     Service order API  36  receives service orders for provisioning through EMS  16 . Service order API  36  provides a northbound programming interface for the addition, deletion, modification and query of services provided to a subscriber through a communication network. Service orders may also relate to resolving problems with the current provisioning of services.  
         [0025]     Service provisioning manager  32  enables service provisioning on specified network elements. The process is highly customizable for the rollout of new services, supporting the customization of network element configuration through templates. The framework of service provisioning manager  32  enables the dynamic plug in of network element task primitives at runtime without having to recompile the system. Service provisioning manager  32  provides a common and flexible framework for various provisioning solutions to process service requests in a consistent manner. Service provisioning manager  32  includes service request manager  60 , profile analyzer  62 , profile manager  64 , task manager  66 , profiles  68 , task primitives  70  and service templates  72 .  
         [0026]     Service request manager  60  manages a service request as it arrives through a service order. Once a service request is received, service request manager  60  determines whether it is a valid service for the particular network and infrastructure associated with the subscriber or service, as network architectures of different geographic regions, for example, may offer different services. Service request manager  60  allows a service provider to create business rules concerning the type of service requests the provider is willing to provision on a particular communication network.  
         [0027]     Profile analyzer  62  analyzes a service order received across service order API  36  to determine the network elements the service order is likely to touch or impact. This enables EMS  16  to determine the task primitives that may need to be used to create a configuration profile for those particular network elements.  
         [0028]     Profile manager  64  maintains profiles  68  of the network elements that are needed to provide a defined service. As indicated above, the various network elements needed may utilize different, vendor-specific management systems. Profile manager  64  enables the creation of configuration templates operable for each of the network elements. A configuration template includes configuration parameters that need to be adjusted in the specific management system of a network element to make the necessary changes to network components to fulfill a service order. Profile manager  64  may match the configuration templates of particular devices to a service order for which the devices may be provisioned.  
         [0029]     Task manager  66  fills in templates with appropriate task primitives  70  to complete a service template capable for dropping onto a network element for execution. Task primitives  70  are the actual commands used to configure, alter and/or manage network elements. As indicated above, various network elements may understand different types of task primitives. The task manager ensures that the required resources for the service to be provisioned are available before generating configuration files. For example, if required resources (such as IP addresses, VLANs, ports, etc.) are not available, then task manager  66  will return an error. When resource or configuration data is changed due to a service request, the profile for that service will invoke the proper task primitive for update in the resource repository of resource manager  34 , further discussed below, and in the configuration of the involved network elements.  
         [0030]     Service templates  72  comprise comma delimited files with the network element management system commands needed to configure the network elements for the provision of a particular service. Service templates  72  comprise task primitives necessary to configure, modify or otherwise provision one or more network elements to fulfill a service order.  
         [0031]     Resource manager  34  maintains an inventory of equipment and resources necessary to provision services defined by service request manager  32 . For example, a particular service may require a carrier VLAN and a certain amount of STS1s on a particular optical carrier to be provisioned. The inventory of resource manager  34  includes the network elements that need to be utilized to provide this service. Resource manager  34  is accessed by service provisioning manager  32  to determine availability of particular resources required to fulfill a service order. Resource manager  34  provides the capability to create, allocate, modify and delete resource and data elements. Resource manager  34  may be controlled by resource controller API  38 . In addition, as the fulfillment of service orders changes availability of resources and equipment for future service provisioning, resource manager  34  automatically updates its data records to reflect such change in availability.  
         [0032]     Configuration delivery manager  40  transmits completed service templates to gateway  42  for dropping onto network elements  20  for execution. In particular embodiments, configuration delivery manager  40  may transmit service templates to gateway  42  at particular times, such as at a particular time of the day. Thus, manager  40  allows a service provider to build specific business rules into when and how service templates are executed by network elements. These business rules may also account for customer preferences as to when and how service templates are executed. For example, a customer may prefer that changes be implemented between 2:00 and 3:00 AM. Configuration deliver manager  40  can then schedule transmission of service templates to network elements for execution at this time.  
         [0033]     Configuration delivery manager  40  is connected to gateway  42 , which may determine whether a comma delimited service template file needs to be converted to another format. If such a conversion is required, then gateway  42  may make the conversion. In particular embodiments, gateway  42  may support, for example, conversion to Telnet, SSH and XML, depending on the technology a particular network element craft port may understand. Gateway  42  may also detect syntax and parser errors during download to a network element and may return error messages. Gateway  42  may be integrated within EMS  16  or another system or deployed on a stand alone appliance, for example, a 1U Linux appliance. From gateway  42 , the service templates are dropped onto network elements for execution.  
         [0034]     Resource/Administrator GUI  48  provides a user-friendly graphical user interface for creation and management of resources pertaining to element, network and provisioning services. Thus, resource/administrator GUI  48  allows an operator of EMS  16  to make modifications to the system. The modifications may be made in case the system does not automatically detect changes in various parameters of a network through which services are provided (such as detecting when network elements are added to a network). Such modifications may include modifications to service request manager  60 , such as adding or deleting services providing on a particular network; modifications to profile manager  62 , such as adding or deleting configuration templates; and modifications to resource manager  34 , such as adding or deleting resources available on the network. Resource/Administrator GUI  48  may provide multiple views of resources available in the system, each view representing a logical grouping or physical containment captured by EMS  16 . In particular embodiments, the GUI may comprise a web browser GUI client and a Java Servlet-based GUI server.  
         [0035]     Service order GUI  46  comprises a GUI that allows a customer service representative or other operator of EMS  16  to enter information to populate service orders for fulfillment by the system.  
         [0036]     OSS applications  44  provides an API for integration of legacy Operational Support System software applications into bus  56 . Particular applications which may be integrated may include legacy applications providing for the entry of service order information.  
         [0037]     Log server  54  provides functions for creation of log records for audit trails. Log server  54  may receive messages generated by other servers or client programs and store them in an EMS  16  database. Log server  54  may then generate from the messages log records of transactions across EMS  16  for audit trails. In particular embodiments, the audit trails may be viewed through any suitable text editor, such as vi or emacs.  
         [0038]     Security server  52  provides user authentication for security of EMS  16 . Security server  52  may secure and authenticate any interaction from any user across bus  56 , whether through resource/administrator GUI  48 , service order GUI  46  or another application.  
         [0039]     Administrator API  50  is used by an administrator of EMS  16  to set specific user rights for various users of EMS  16  and its components, such as customer service representatives populating service orders and technical representatives modifying network resources or profile information through resource/administrator GUI  48 . As an example, an administrator may desire to give some users the ability to view available resources, services and/or templates and to give other users the ability to make modifications to EMS  16  and its components.  
         [0040]     It should be understood that components of EMS  16  may be implemented in, or in connection with, any number, type or form of processors, controllers, memory modules or other components. For example, such components may be implemented in one or more suitable computing devices, logic modules or resources adapted to execute various types of computer instructions in various computer languages for implementing functions available within the system. Implementations utilizing memory (for example, to store profiles  68 , task primitives  70  and service templates  72 ) may include any form of volatile or nonvolatile memory including, without limitation, magnetic media, optical media, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), removable media or any other suitable local or remote memory component. Components of EMS  16  may be combined and/or divided for processing according to particular needs or desires within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0041]      FIG. 3  is a process flow diagram for provisioning a service on a communication network, in accordance with a particular embodiment. At step  100 , a service order is received that relates to a service provided on a communication network. Any number of types of systems may create the service order. For example, in particular embodiments a Siebel system may create the service order received at step  100 . At step  102 , the received service order flows through an API, such as service order API  36  of EMS  16  of  FIG. 2 . The service order flows to a service request manager at step  104 . At step  106 , service request manager determines whether the service order relates to a legitimate service. The determination may include, for example, whether the service that is the subject of the service order is provided by or available at the particular network to which the service order relates. If the service order does not relate to a legitimate service, then the method proceeds to step  108 , where a message indicating that the service is not available may be transmitted to an originator of the service order.  
         [0042]     If it is determined that the service order relates to a legitimate service, then the service order flows to a profile analyzer at step  110  where the service order is analyzed. The profile analyzer determines what network elements must be provisioned to fulfill the service order and what network resources must be available for such fulfillment. To determine the network elements that must be provisioned, the profile analyzer interacts with a profile manager at step  112 . The profile manager includes configuration profiles and other information and data relating to network elements of the applicable network. The profile analyzer also interacts with the resource manager at step  114  to reserve resources required to fulfill the service order. The resource manager includes a database of network resources and updates their availability as the network is used.  
         [0043]     After the profile analyzer determines the needed network elements and reserves required resources for fulfilling the service order, the process proceeds to a task manager at step  116 . The task manager interacts with task primitives at step  118  to create one or more service templates at step  120 . To create the service template, the task manager correlates service parameters of the service order, templates of the network elements that need to be utilized or provisioned and the reserved network resources. The service template comprises a final configuration template that may be executed by a network element. In some embodiments, the service template may comprise a comma delimited format.  
         [0044]     If multiple network elements must be provisioned, configured or otherwise utilized to fulfill the service order, then multiple service templates may be created such that each such network element receives a service template that it understands for execution. In particular embodiments, multiple service templates may be created to provision, configure or otherwise utilize multiple network elements of various brands or types to fulfill a particular service order according to the respective individual management systems of those network elements.  
         [0045]     The service template flows to a configuration delivery manager at step  122 . The configuration delivery manager delivers the service template based on rules that a service manager may create that govern the delivery of the service template. Such rules may be based upon, for example, time or manner of delivery of the service template. In particular embodiments, the configuration delivery manager may also perform an audit check on the service delivery to ensure legitimacy at step  122 . At step  124 , the configuration delivery manager delivers the service template to a gateway which may convert the template to an appropriate format, such as Telnet, SSH or XML. At step  126 , the gateway delivers the service template to a network element for execution. The network element&#39;s execution of the service template fulfills the service order. As indicated above, in particular embodiments a service order may require use, modification or provisioning of multiple network elements. In such instance, multiple service templates may be created for execution at respective network elements. In some embodiments, once the service template is executed, the network element performing the execution may transmit a signal back to the element management system indicating successful or unsuccessful execution. In the event of unsuccessful execution, the configuration delivery manager will execute a roll back order to the network elements which were successfully executed and send an error code back to EMS  16 .  
         [0046]     Some of the steps illustrated in  FIG. 3  may be combined, modified or deleted where appropriate, and additional steps may also be added to the diagram. Additionally, steps may be performed in any suitable order without departing from the scope of the invention.  
         [0047]     Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to particular embodiments, it should be understood that various other changes, substitutions, and alterations may be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, although the present invention has been described with reference to a number of elements included within element management system  16 , including service provisioning manager  32  and resource manager/controller  34 , these elements may be combined, rearranged or positioned in order to accommodate particular network or routing architectures or specific customer requirements. In addition, any of these elements included within element management system  16  may be provided as separate external components where appropriate. The present invention contemplates great flexibility in the arrangement of these elements as well as their internal components.  
         [0048]     Numerous other changes, substitutions, variations, alterations and modifications may be ascertained by those skilled in the art and it is intended that the present invention encompass all such changes, substitutions, variations, alterations and modifications as falling within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6