Patent ID: 7693966

Claim:
A method for setting electronic network configuration data, said configuration data including communications and operating parameters, said network including at least one network component, said method including: connecting a configuration unit to said network; determining an initial topology of said network; determining configuration data set into said network component to control at least communications and operating parameters for said network; storing said configuration data; determining, by the configuration unit, a current topology of said network; comparing, by the configuration unit, said initial topology and said current topology to locate a replaced network component; and automating said configuration unit to be able to transmit stored configuration data from said configuration unit to said replaced network component to configure said replaced network component into said network; using said configuration unit to determine separate configuration data for each of at least two network terminals and for each of at least two network components, each of said network components separately being connected to each of said at least two network terminals; and storing said determined configuration data for each of said at least two network terminals and network components to provide current topology; displaying said determined configuration data on said graphic display; inputting data to said configuration unit to provide changed configuration data; and, transmitting said changed configuration data from said configuration unit to said network terminal to reconfigure said network terminal in said network.