INFERRING PHYSICAL LAYER CONNECTION STATUS OF GENERIC CABLES FROM PLANNED SINGLE-END CONNECTION EVENTS

摘要

A work order is generated. The work order comprises a first work order step specifying that a port of a first network element is to be connected to a port of a second network element using a cable. The first and second network elements are configured to detect when connections are made at the specified ports of the first network element and the second network element. A management system is configured to update information it maintains to indicate that there is a connection between the specified port of the first network element and the specified port of the second network element if connections made at the specified ports of the first and second network elements are detected during a period in which the first work order step of the first work order is expected to be performed. A similar technique can be used for disconnecting a cable.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
generating a first work order comprising a first work order step specifying that a port of a first network element is to be connected to a port of a second network element using a cable; detecting, using the first network element, when a connection is made at the specified port of the first network element; detecting, using the second network element, when a connection is made at the specified port of the second network element; and if the first network element detects a connection made at the specified port of the first network element during a period in which the first work order step of the first work order was expected to be performed and the second network element detects a connection made at the specified port of the second network element during the period in which the first work order step of the first work order was expected to be performed, updating a management system to indicate that the specified port of the first network element is connected to the specified port of the second network element.