Network Installation Configuration Template System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network providers face challenges in managing and standardizing multiple optical network element installation configurations across different sites, leading to increased costs and complexity in planning, deployment, and order management, as well as difficulties in tracking and updating configurations to accommodate varying power, space, and user preferences.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that allow users to access generic installation configurations, customize templates with options such as power and space constraints, and store these configurations for easy replication and updating, enabling site-specific customization while maintaining traffic flow integrity, and associating templates with equipment ordering codes for simplified order management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If network providers standardize network element installation configurations at all network sites, then planning and tracking complexity is reduced, but adaptability to site-specific constraints (power, space, user preferences) deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The installation configuration is segmented into standardized components that can be independently selected and combined. The system divides the configuration process into modular elements that maintain overall standardization while allowing site-specific customization through selective assembly of these segments.
Solution Approach 2:
A universal template system is implemented that can serve multiple functions across different network sites. The same template framework accommodates various site-specific requirements by allowing configuration parameters to be adjusted while maintaining the underlying standardized structure and processes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If network providers customize installation configurations on a per-site basis, then adaptability to site-specific constraints improves, but planning and tracking complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Configuration templates are prepared and standardized in advance before actual deployment. This preliminary standardization of the template structure allows for site-specific customization during implementation without creating complexity, as the framework is already established and validated.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows customization through parameter changes within standardized templates rather than creating entirely custom configurations. By modifying parameters such as power requirements, space allocations, and equipment placement within the template framework, site-specific needs are met while maintaining structural standardization.
3Productivity
If equipment is grouped by ordering codes for order management, then order processing efficiency improves, but ability to track and generate accurate bill of materials for various installation configuration combinations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms that track equipment ordering and installation configuration relationships. The bill of materials generation process receives feedback from the template configurations and ordering data to ensure accurate tracking and reconciliation of equipment deployments across different installation scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
Configuration templates serve as an intermediary layer between ordering codes and installation configurations. The templates map ordering codes to specific equipment and configuration parameters, enabling both efficient order processing through code grouping and accurate tracking of installation configuration combinations through the template structure.
Data Source
AI summary
When planning and maintaining a network, it may be very difficult for a network provider to organize variations of equipment rack installations at several different sites. Present methods of planning installation configurations in a network involve planning the same equipment installation configuration at all sites, planning a limited number of variations, or planning multiple variations but, with difficulty, tracking and changing configurations. A method or corresponding apparatus in an example embodiment of the present invention provides a tool for simplifying the planning of multiple network element installation configurations at multiple sites within a network. The benefits include fewer required truck rolls, resulting in reduced costs before and after deployment of installation configurations. In one embodiment, the disclosed planning tool allows users to access and change generic installation configurations according to customizable options to allow users to produce and store customized templates of multiple network element installation configurations.