Unified State Model for Network Element Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inconsistent state management across different network element standards leads to significant maintenance challenges and inefficiencies in displaying attributes, as each standard defines its own set of attributes, resulting in a large number of attributes that need to be maintained and updated frequently in real-time systems.
Innovation Solution
A method that coalesces common attributes from multiple standards into a unified internal state model, reducing inconsistencies by deriving attributes such as Operational State and Administrative State from various standards, and displaying them in a user-friendly interface, supporting standards like TL-1, TMF 814, and ITU X.731.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If every attribute is modeled as required by every standard, then complete information about system state is provided, but the number of attributes increases significantly requiring significant maintenance effort and information processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple standard-specific attributes into a unified state model. Instead of maintaining separate attributes for each standard (TL-1, TMF 814, ITU X.731), the invention combines them into a single coherent state representation that satisfies all standards simultaneously, reducing the total number of attributes while preserving complete state information.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified state model serves multiple functions by satisfying requirements from different standards (TL-1, TMF 814, ITU X.731) simultaneously. A single state attribute structure can be used across multiple standards and object types, eliminating the need for standard-specific attribute variations and reducing maintenance complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple standards are supported with their own attributes, then comprehensive state coverage is achieved, but inconsistencies between state attributes of different objects occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal state model that can represent objects from different standards (TL-1, TMF 814, ITU X.731) using a common attribute structure. This universal model ensures consistent state representation across all object types and standards, eliminating inconsistencies while maintaining multi-standard support.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies homogeneity by using a uniform state model structure for all objects regardless of their originating standard. All network elements (physical, logical, administrative, operational objects) use the same state attributes and relationships, ensuring consistency across the entire network management system.
3Reliability
If a large number of attributes are maintained for real-time updates, then complete state monitoring is achieved, but significant processing effort and frequent updates are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple standard-specific state attributes into a unified state model, reducing the total number of attributes that need to be monitored and updated. This merging maintains complete state information while reducing the processing burden for real-time updates and improving maintenance efficiency.
4Adaptability or versatility
If each standard defines its own state attributes, then standard-specific requirements are met, but the user interface must handle many different attribute combinations
Solution Approach 1:
The unified state model provides a universal interface that works with all standards (TL-1, TMF 814, ITU X.731) simultaneously. The user interface interacts with a single consistent state representation rather than managing multiple standard-specific attribute sets, simplifying operation while maintaining standard compliance.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, apparatus and method are described for displaying multiple attributes relative to objects in a network management program. In one embodiment, multiple attributes from a plurality of different standards are coalesced together and the coalesced attributes are displayed by a user interface. These coalesced attributes may be shown in such a manner so that inconsistencies between attributes of objects from different standards are reduced or obviated.