Network management support for OAM functionality and method therefore

Abstract

A method and apparatus for network management support of OAM functionality in a communication network is presented. The network manager receives OAM configuration information for a segment that includes a plurality of path points. For each path point of the plurality of path points, the network manager determines, based on the configuration of the network, if the path point is to serve as an OAM source or sink for the desired OAM functional path. Based on this determination, the network manager generates OAM configuration commands for the selected path points that are to serve as OAM sources and sinks. These OAM configuration commands are then provided to the corresponding path points such that the appropriate OAM sources and sinks are established.

1 . A method for displaying a representation of dataflow for in a communication network that includes a plurality of nodes, comprising: 
 displaying a plurality of node icons corresponding to the plurality of nodes;    displaying a dataflow source icon proximal to a first node of the plurality of nodes, wherein the first node initiates the dataflow, wherein the dataflow source icon indicates direction of dataflow; and    displaying a dataflow sink icon to a second node of the plurality of nodes, wherein the second node terminates the dataflow, wherein the dataflow sink icon indicates the direction of dataflow.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprises displaying at least one dataflow intermediate node icon proximal to at least one intermediate node of the plurality of nodes, wherein the at least one intermediate node is between the first and second nodes with respect to the dataflow, wherein each intermediate node icon indicates the direction of dataflow.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein different colored icons are used to distinguish between different types of cell traffic in the dataflow.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the dataflow includes diagnostics cells.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the dataflow includes asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) Operation and Management (OAM) cells.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the OAM cells are continuity checking OAM cells.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the OAM cells are performance monitoring OAM cells.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the source icon and sink icon correspond to dataflow in a first direction, wherein the source icon and the sink icon are positioned above the plurality of node icons, wherein the method further comprises displaying additional icons corresponding to data flow in a second direction below the plurality of node icons.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein displaying further comprises displaying to a portion of a display window, wherein the display window includes a scroll bar for scrolling between which portion of the plurality of nodes is displayed within a visible portion of the display window.