Method and system for providing intelligent network management

Abstract

A network management system and method is disclosed for providing an intelligent decision support system for assisting human operators monitor, maintain, and diagnose and solve problems with a network. According to one embodiment, a system and method is provided that uses a partial order planner and a knowledge base to implement intelligent decision support using knowledge stored as plan and goal graphs, concept graphs, and/or scripts.

1 - 23 . (canceled)  
     
     
         24 . A method for providing decision support in a network, the method comprising: 
 monitoring actions received by a network management console from a plurality of network operators;    using the actions to determine an intent of a human network operator using an inference engine coupled to a knowledge base; and    updating a network management console display based on the determined intent by using active, goal-directed planning.    
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24  wherein updating is further based on conflict detection in intentions between the plurality of network operators.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein monitoring comprises monitoring at least one of: key presses; mouse clicks; and mouse movements.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising: determining a plan for carrying out a determined intention.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein determining a plan is performed using the inference engine.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the inference engine comprises at least one of: 
 a non-monotonic truth maintenance system; and    a partial-order planner.    
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the network management console monitors a communications network, the communications network performing at least one of: data communications, voice communications, and video communications.  
     
     
         31 . A decision support system for managing a communications network, the system comprising: 
 a knowledge base including expert knowledge about communication networks;    an inference engine coupled to the knowledge base, the inference engine determining the intent of at least one network operator;    a network management system that monitors a communications network, collecting data from a plurality of network devices and network operators; and    a graphical user interface system that displays information regarding the communications network;    wherein the information displayed by the graphical user interface system is modified:    based on the determined intent of the network operator; and    by displaying information deemed most pertinent to a network operator's goals and plans.    
     
     
         32 . The decision support system of  claim 31 , further displaying notification of detected potential conflicts between one or more of the plurality of network operators.  
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the knowledge base comprises one or more plan and goal graphs.  
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the knowledge base comprises one or more concept graphs.  
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the knowledge base comprises one or more scripts, each script comprising a weakly-ordered, partially specified sequence of actions.  
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the inference engine comprises a partial order planner.  
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the inference engine detects potential conflicts in intentions between a plurality of network operators and provides notification of the detected potential conflicts to one or more of the plurality of network operators.  
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the inference engine comprises a non-monotonic truth maintenance system.  
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the communications network performs at least one of: data communications, voice communications, and video communications.  
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein the inference engine creates one or more plan instances.  
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 40 , wherein the inference engine manages life cycle states of the plan instances according to a commitment level of the partial order planner.  
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the inference engine manages monitoring of actions received by the network management system using the concept graphs according to the life cycle states of the plan instances.  
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein the inference engine determines what further processing is needed by the partial order planner based on the monitoring of actions received by the network management system.  
     
     
         44 . A network management system comprising: 
 a plurality of intelligent agents, each of the agents including:    a knowledge base including expert knowledge about communication networks;    an inference engine coupled to the knowledge base, the inference engine including a partial order planner;    a network management system that monitors a communications network, collecting data from and distributing data to a plurality of network devices and network operators; and    a graphical user interface system that displays information regarding the communications network;    wherein the information displayed by the graphical user interface system is modified:    based on a determined intent of a network operator; and    by displaying information most pertinent to network operator's goals and plans.    
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 44  wherein the information displayed is further modified by displaying notification of detected potential conflicts between one or more of the network operators.  
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 44 , wherein the knowledge base includes one or more concept graphs.  
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 46 , wherein each agent of the plurality of intelligent agents determines at least one intention of at least one user and wherein the data management system of a first agent of the plurality of intelligent agents shares data with a second agent of the plurality of intelligent agents representing the at least one determined intention of the at least one user to facilitate collaboration.  
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 47 , wherein the system uses the shared data to detect conflicts between a plurality of users.