System for using object-oriented hierarchical representation to implement a configuration database for a layered computer network communications subsystem

• Main Authors: MOORE; DANIELLE L, SHIH; CHARLES C, KRAMER; JEFFREY C, LEE; LUCILLE C, KARUNUNGAN; KATHY L, FILIP; MICHAEL J, SYDIR; JAROSLAW J
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 09.05.1995
• Edition: 6
• Subjects: CALCULATING; COMPUTING; COUNTING; ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE; ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING; ELECTRICITY; PHYSICS; TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHICCOMMUNICATION

An object-oriented, hierarchical model of a computer network layered communications subsystem is implemented in a configuration database subsystem to create and maintain a configuration database and to provide configuration data to the layered communications subsystem. The layered communications subsystem is represented by a set of defined object classes, each object class corresponding to one or more functions defined at each of the communications subsystem layers, the object classes being related in a hierarchical relationship which preserves the functional relationship among the various functions in the various layers making up the layered communications subsystem. The configuration database subsystem provides a user interface for command and data input, a configuration support module which implements command processing, validation and object support programs which execute the input commands and allow a configuration database to be built and maintained while ensuring the integrity of the configuration data and the hierarchical relationship, and a database for storing the configuration database.