Specifying planned changes to a communications network using a copy of a relevant portion of the network model

摘要

The method uses a network model representing a current configuration of the communications network. Scope information is received defining a subset of the network model to which changes are to be made. Model information relating to the defined subset of the network model is copied in accordance with the scope information, to create a partial model copy. The partial model copy is then modified to represent a planned configuration of the communications network. The partial model may be validated as consistent with the network model for the current configuration, and to reserve resources within it. Changes within the partial model may be passed to other models, including the current configuration. It allows planning to be performed using a copy of only a relevant portion of the network model, avoiding the need for maintaining and synchronizing multiple different copies of an entire network model database. Also, several planners can simultaneously work on different portions of the network (or even on the same part of the network), with each planner working on a different partial model copy. It enables planning network modifications utilizing different views in a single system.