Method and apparatus for simplifying planning and tracking of multiple installation configurations

摘要

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.

主权项

1. A method of simplifying planning of multiple network element installation configurations, the method comprising:
accessing generic installation configurations of optical network elements; displaying customizable templates to a user that include the generic installation configurations and customizable options within the generic installation configurations to enable the user to select or customize a customizable template of an optical network element installation; enabling the user to change the generic installation configurations according to the customizable options to allow the user to produce customized templates of the multiple network element installation configurations including optical network element installations; representing a network with multiple network element installations and traffic flow patterns; and identifying locations about the network at which to place a subset of the multiple network element installations while maintaining integrity of the traffic flow patterns by accounting for amplification or regeneration of optical signals within the traffic flow patterns, the subset being selected from among the customized templates.