Patent ID: 8775597

Claim:
A method of managing a communication network using a multi-layer management system having at least two management layers, each layer comprising one or more network elements, said network elements serving as managing entities and/or managed objects, the method comprising: selecting a management layer for simulating effects of at least one desired change in the selected management layer; performing simulation of operation while affecting the at least one desired change at the selected management layer and, during a period of time at which said simulation is being carried out, discontinuing exchange of management data between one or more network elements belonging to the selected management layer and one or more network elements belonging to another of the at least two management layers, whereas, during the period of carrying out the simulation, users' traffic is being conveyed in the communication network at a same way as before the simulation has begun; based on obtained simulation results, providing information that relates to expected communication network operation in case the at least one desired change is affected; and affecting the at least one desired change in one or more network elements belonging to said multi-layer management system, wherein the simulation step includes introducing a simulation flag to commands being forwarded by a managing element belonging to a hierarchically upper management layer to inform network elements belonging to a hierarchically underlying management layer that the simulation is about to be carried out and ordering said network elements that belong to the hierarchically underlying management layer to discontinue their management communication with network elements that belong to a lower management layer.