Patent ID: 7475126

Claim:
An apparatus for automating system lineup and testing (SLAT) for a network element, the apparatus comprising: a SLAT server component in communication with the network element, the SLAT server component automatically determining and coordinating the performance of SLAT tasks in a SLAT session to complete the SLAT tasks in proper sequence based on default system information provided to the server component and a status of SLAT tasks performed in the SLAT session; and a SLAT graphical user interface component to receive and display a current SLAT task identification and status information to a user, and to guide the user through the SLAT tasks in an automated manner including, in response to a user selecting a SLAT task for completion, providing a warning indication when performance of the selected SLAT task is outside the proper sequence determined by the server component, and providing instructions for the selected SLAT task when the selected SLAT task is in the proper sequence.