Cisco Technology, Inc.

Suhas Mansingh

David A Friedman

Alec Hothan

Wayne Clayton Cannon

David E La Motta

Cristopher M Shupp

John Lynde

Chris Eich

A method of automatically provisioning a network-wide function using a plurality of network elements in a service provider network and using a sub-network level approach is provided. In one specific approach, a software wizard facilitates provisioning a bi-directional line switched ring (BLSR). First user input, specifying a plurality of ring attribute values that define attributes of a bi-directional line switched ring, is received. Second user input, specifying one or more working spans for the bi-directional line switched ring, is received. Each of the network elements is automatically configured to participate in the bi-directional line switched ring based on the parameter values. Embodiments may provide a software wizard for implementing the foregoing process. In certain features, spans for a BLSR are automatically selected based on a selection of a first candidate span; only selected nodes and spans that are capable of participating in a BLSR are displayed; and port orientation for all spans in a BLSR is automatically determined based on user input defining port orientation for a first port of a first span.

Method and apparatus for automatically establishing bi-directional line-switched rings in telecommunication networks

A network management systems (NMS) queries network elements (NEs) and receives information on cross connects set up at the NEs and other circuit information. Multiple NMS systems can manage the network at the same time. If one NMS changes a cross connect on an NE, the NE will inform the other NMS systems. The cross connect information is used to provide up-to-date information on circuits set up in the network and to facilitate elimination of 'orphaned' cross connects which should have been deleted but have not been deleted due to some network failure.

Network management systems that receive cross connect and/or other circuit information from network elements

A network management systems (NMS) queries network elements (NEs) and receives information on cross connects set up at the NEs and other circuit information. Multiple NMS systems can manage the network at the same time. If one NMS changes a cross connect on an NE, the NE will inform the other NMS systems. The cross connect information is used to provide up-to-date information on circuits set up in the network and to facilitate elimination of &ldquo;orphaned&rdquo; cross connects which should have been deleted but have not been deleted due to some network failure.

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Petaluma, CA, United States of America

Suhas Mansingh