Network management system and method of management control in a communication system

摘要

A telecommunications network system (10), formed of multiple interconnected nodes (16-22, 26-34, 50-58), is shown in FIG. 1. At least some of the nodes are provided with application spaces (DPASs, 70-94) into which specific programs can be downloaded and run. The application space (DPASs, 70-94), realised by control logic and memory, takes control of managing specific programs and reporting results arising from execution of the specific programs. The application spaces support specific functionality dependent upon the functionality of the node, and support real-time downloading and running of code. Resultant data acquired from running the specific programs is correlated between nodes to produce highly pertinent management data that is communicated to a management device, such as an OMC (48), for analysis and fault identification/performance optimisation. Execution of code at specific nodes, followed by shuffling of the code to interconnected nodes, allows operational assessment of successive nodes and interconnecting paths, with correlation of results limiting management data communicated to the management device. Another embodiment provides for the shuffling of test code between nodes, with any inability either to execute code or to generate a predetermined response considered to be indicative of a fault at either that node or at a connection path coupled thereto.