AU6174699A

AU6174699A - Method, validation module, server, control module, and storage means for validating configuration data for telecommunications systems

Info

Publication number: AU6174699A
Application number: AU61746/99A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Georg Hemzal
Original assignee: Alcatel CIT SA; Alcatel SA
Current assignee: Alcatel Lucent SAS
Priority date: 1998-11-27
Filing date: 1999-11-26
Publication date: 2000-06-01
Also published as: DE59914907D1; EP1005216A2; EP1005216B1; JP4394225B2; JP2000216854A; ATE415044T1; EP1005216A3

Abstract

The method involves detecting the configuration data (KD); determining, reading in and evaluating a validation rule set (VR1,VR2); checking the configuration data according to the specification of the validation rule set; and outputting a signalling message (MSG) with information about the check results. Independent claims are also included for a server, control module and memory device.

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE

SPECIFICATION

STANDARD PATENT *r C SC CC.

Invention Title: 'Method, validation module, server, control module, and storage means for validating configuration data for telecommunications systems' The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: FHPSi YnARNATPM12nAm91f)(2 CE\99329018.0 2 Method, Validation Module, Server, Control Module, and Storage Means for Validating Configuration Data for Telecommunications Systems Field of the invention This invention relates to a method of validating configuration data as performance parameters of telecommunications systems and to a validation module a server a control* module, and a storage means for carrying out this method.

Background of the invention Telecommunications systems, such as switching centers, access systems, crosseonnects, 10 network management systems, computer networks, etc., are generally adapted to specific requirements, which are determined by the respective field of application, by means of configuration data selectable within certain limits. Based on such preselected configuration data, control software contained in a telecommunications system can control the telecommunications system in the respective field of application. System configuration options to be specified for a present-day digital switching center, for example, are, among other things, the subscriber terminals to be served by the switching center, the respective numbers assigned to these subscriber terminals, and the telecommunications services that are made available.'to the respective subscriber terminals. The configuration data of such a subscriber terminal must S'comply with predefined rules. A number of a subscriber terminal, for example, may contain 20 only numeric characters and no letter characters, and must consist of a predetermined number of.

numeric characters. Furthermore, it is generally possible to assign a telecommunications service to a subscriber terminal only if the number of the latter belongs to a group of numbers assigned to the respective telecommunications service. For example, services defined for an ISDN telecommunications network (Integrated Services Digital Network) can be provided to the full extent only for an ISDN-capable terminal station. Thus, the requirements to be met in the creation of configuration data for just a single subscriber terminal are very extensive and complicated. Since, however, mutual relations exist between individual subscriber terminals of a switching center in terms of configuration data, because several subscriber terminals are connected to a common subscriber module, the requirements resulting from the mutual relations must also be met in the creation of the configuration data. Since control software of a telecommunications system can work correctly only if the configuration data specified as CE\99329018.0 ,i 3 performance parameters are correct and consistent per se, the configuration data must be checked before being entered into the telecommunications system. Such a process is called "validation".

Configuration data can be checked by the telecommunications system itself. Since, however, as indicated in the above example, the amount of configuration data for a.

telecommunications system is generally very large and the configuration data must meet complicated requirements, extensive "checking software" would be necessary in the telecommunications system. This checking software would require resources more urgently needed in the telecommunications system for other purposes, such as storage space. Therefore, such configuration data are created with the aid of a configuration system that is suited for configuration data of one telecommunications system or of one type of telecommunications system. A typical example of such a configuration system is presented in European Patent Application EP 0 678 817 Al. There, configuration data are captured by a computer with the aid of a graphical user interface and then subjected to a consistency check, a validation, by means of a program module. Only then are the configuration data written into a data base and' subsequently processed into a state in which they can be loaded into a telecommunications system referred to as a "target system". Both the graphical user interface and the program Smodule for validating the configuration data and the validation rules contained in th validation i program module are as is customary provided and programmed specifically for the configuration data to be captured, the user interface and the program module being designed in Sthe programming language "Omnis Such a "fixed"-programmed graphical user interface and a likewise "fixed"-programmed associated validation program module are optimized and suited only for the creation of configuration data for a particular target system, so that a specific configuration system must be created and used for each target system or for each type of target system.

If the requirements to be met by the configuration data change, because new control software of a telecommunications system requires configuration data of a different form or to a different extent or because new data types for configuring new service features are additionally contained in configuration data, a new validation program module suitable for the new configuration data must be created or an existing validation program module must be reprogrammed, at least in part, and subsequently compiled. On the one hand, the creation of a new validation program module is time-consuming and possible only with programming tools.

CE\9932901 4 On the other hand, errors can easily occur during such reprogramming, which must be detected by testing the new or modified validation program module and subsequently be corrected.

Summary of the invention It is an object of the invention to validate configuration data of a telecommunications system in an efficient manner according to validation rules necessary for the respective telecommunications system using the configuration data.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of validating configuration data (KD) as performance parameters of telecommunications systems by means of a validation module (VM) according to validation rules (VR1, VR2), comprising 10 the steps of: capturing the configuration data; determining a set of validation rules (VR2) comprising at least one validation rule for validating the configuration data; reading the set of validation rules; 15 interpreting the set of validation rules; checking the configuration data according to the set of validation rules; and outputting a message (MSG) containing information about the result of the check.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided validation module for validating configuration data as performance parameters of telecommunications systems according to validation rules, the validation module comprising a functional receiving unit designed to enable the validation module to capture the configuration data, wherein the validation module further comprises a functional determination unit designed to enable the validation module to determine a set of validation rules comprising at least one validation rule for validating the configuration data, and the validation module further comprises a functional read unit designed to enable the validation module to read the set of validation rules, and the validation module further comprises a functional interpretation unit designed to enable the validation module to interpret the set of validation rules, and the validation module further comprises a functional checking unit designed to enable to validation module to check the configuration data in accordance with the set of validation rules, and wherein the validation module further comprises a functional output unit designed to enable the validation module to output a message containing information about the result of the check.

CE\99329018.0 According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a Server for validating configuration data as performance parameters of telecommunications systems according to validation rules, the server comprising receiving means designed to enable the' server to capture the configuration data, wherein the server further comprises determination means designed to enable the server to determine a set of validation rules comprising at least one validation rule for determining the configuration data, and the server further comprises read means designed to enable the server to read the set of validation rules, and the server further comprises interpretation means designed to enable the server to interpret the set of evaluation rules, and the server further comprises checking means designed to enable the server to check the configuration data in accordance with the set of validation rules, and wherein the server further comprises output means designed to enable the server to output a message containing information about the result of the check.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a control module on which a validation module is stored and which is designed to carry out the method claimed 15 in claim 1 in conjunction with a processor.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a storage means, ee wherein a validation module as described above is stored thereon.

The idea underlying the invention is to design a validation module, a pr6gram module executable on a computer, in such a way that validation rules that are necessary to validate 20 configuration data of a telecommunications system and are stored as a set of validation.rules are determined by the validation module prior to the validation proper. The validation module then reads a set of validation rules so determined from a memory and checks the configuration data according to the validation rules contained in the set of validation rules. Thus, according to an embodiment of the invention, the validation rules are not contained in the validation module itself but are read in depending on the configuration data to be checked, and validated by the validation module.

According to one advantageous aspect of the invention, the validation module reads control data in which the set of validation rules belonging to the configuration data is defined.

According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, the validation module, determines the set of validation rules to be used for checking the configuration data based on an identifier contained in the configuration data to be checked. In a variant of the invention, the validation.

rules of a set of validation rules are expressed in an interpretive language and are~interpreted by CE\99329018.0 6 the validation module during the checking of the configuration data. It is also possible, however, to express the validation rules in a language executable by a processor, so that they can be incorporated by the validation module directly into the checking process as so-called functions.

Brief description of the drawings The invention and its advantages will become more apparent by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a highly schematic example of an arrangement for carrying out the method 10 according to the invention with a validation module (VM) according to the invention, sets of

:I

o validation rules (VR1, VR2), configuration data (KD) to be validated, and a message (MSG); Fig. 2 shows another schematic arrangement for carrying out the method according to o* the invention with configuration data in two subsets (TAB1, TAB2) and with three different validation rules (VRA1, VRA2, and VRB); 15 Fig. 3 is a flowchart of a validation module (VM)according to the invention; and Fig. 4 shows a server (SER) according to the invention for carrying out the method according to the invention.

Detailed description of the embodiments Fig. 1 shows a highly schematic example of an arrangement for carrying out the method according to one embodiment of the invention. The arrangement comprises a validation module VM according to an embodiment of the invention, which is executable as a program module on a computer, a personal computer or a workstation, and can validate configuration data,.

exemplified by configuration data KD, universally for different kinds of telecommunications systems. One example of a telecommunications system is shown in Fig. 1 in the form of a target system TS. The target system TS can be configured using configuration data KD. The target system TS may for instance be a switching center or a network management system. The configuration data KD contain, for example, data about connections that can be switched by the.

target system TS, or data that define subscriber terminals served by the target system TS. The target system TS may also be a telecontrol tributary station, for example. In that case, the configuration data KD contain, for example, measured data and instructions that the tributary station is to capture and output, respectively.

CE\99329018.0 7 Components of a computer for executing the validation module VM are shown in Fig. 4 as a server SER. The server SER includes a control means CPU, a processor, for executing machine-readable instructions, instructions for executing the validation module VM.

Furthermore, the server SER comprises a memory MEM in which the validation module VM can be stored. The server SER has input and output means in the form of a keyboard, KEY and a display device DIS, for sending data to the validation module VM and outputting data generated by the validation module VM, respectively. The server SER further includes an interface device IF, through which it can exchange data with the target system TSof Fig. 1. The components of the server SER are interconnected, the connections being not shown in Fig. 4.

An operating system, UNIX or DOS (Disk Operating System), manages the resources of the server SER and controls, among other things, the execution of the validation module VM.

The invention will be further represented by reverting to Fig. 1, reference being also made to components of the server SER shown in Fig. 4.

9 The validation module VM can validate the configuration data KD according to one or more validation rules of a set of validation rules. Examples of such sets of validation rules are shown in Fig. 1 in the form of a set of validation rules VR1 and a set of validation rules VR2.

The" sets of validation rules VR 1 and VR2 exemplify further sets of validation rules (not shown in Fig. 1) and are stored in the memory MEM. The configuration data KD are sent from the target system TS to the validation module VM or are captured by a program module,(not shown in Fig. an editor or a graphical user interface, or read in via the interface device IF.

S Then, the configuration data KD are transferred to the validation module VM, in the form.

of a' file that is stored in the memory MEM, or by means of messages. The transfer is indicated in Fig. 1 by an arrow.

After the validation module VM has captured the configuration data KD, it' determines the validation rules according to which the configuration data KD have to be checked. To do this, the validation module VM uses control data VCONF which specify the set of validation rules in which the necessary validation rules are contained. The control data may, for instance, be stored in the form of a control table in which an assignment of configuration data to a set of validation rules is defined. In such a control table it may be established, for example, that a particular type of target system needs configuration data that have to be checked according to the set of validation rules VR1, while another type of target system requires configuration data that must comply with the set of validation rules VR2. In the example of Fig. 1, itis specified.in the control data VCONF that the configuration data KD have to be checked according to the set CE\99329018.0 8 of validation rules VR2. The validation module VM reads the set of validation rules VR2 from the memory MEM and checks the configuration data KD according to the set of validation rules VR2. The result of the check is signaled by the validation module VM with a message MSG, a message in the form of an output to the display device DIS or a printer. With the aid of.

the message MSG, errors detected during the check can also be indicated in detail. If the configuration data KD checked by the validation module VM have stood the check, if they are consistent, they can, for instance, be loaded via the interface device IF into the target system TS and be used by the latter as performance parameters.

If the requirements to be met by the configuration data KD for correct operation of the target system TS have changed, it suffices to replace the set of validation rules VR2 or to modify it in such a way that the validation rules contained in the new or modified set of validation rules VR2 ensure a complete validation adapted to the new requirements 6f the target V system TS. The validation module VM itself need not be modified. In this manner it is also readily possible to insert further validation rules into a set of validation rules or to remove validation rules that are no longer needed from a set of validation rules. If the validation module VM is to validate configuration data that can be validated neither with the set of validation rules SVR 1 nor with the set of validation rules VR2, a new set of validation rules with which the new S configuration data can be validated can be added to the sets of validation rules VR1 and.VR2 at any time.

If the sets of validation rules VR1 or VR2 contain predefined information, text S: elements, for the message MSG, the validation module VM may use this information to implement the message MSG. The sets of validation rules VR1 or VR2 may define for each of the validation rules contained therein which error message must be indicated by the validation, module VM if an error is detected in a check according to the respective validation rule. Since the predefined information for the message MSG does not form part of the validation module VM. but can be read from a set of validation rules, this predefined information, like the validation rules, can be easily replaced or modified to meet current requirements. Thus, a text for an error message newly inserted into a set of validation rules may, for example, specify a cause of an error.

Using the control data VCONF, the validation module VM can also determine already prior to the reading of the configuration data KD the sets of validation rules VR1 or VR2 with CE\99329018.o 9 which the configuration data KD have to be checked, if the control data VCONF are added to the validation module VM already at the start of the module as so-called call parameters.

In addition or alternatively to the determination of a set of validation rules based on control data, it is possible for the validation module VM to determine the set of validation rules VR1 or VR2 needed to check the configuration data KD based on the configuration data KD.

To accomplish this, the validation module VM searches the configuration data KD for a feature or an identifier that uniquely identifies the configuration data KD. Such an identifier is contained in the configuration data KD in the form of an identifier ID2. The identifier ID2 may identify the configuration data KD as belonging to a particular target system, in Fig.. 1 the target system TS, and be a text element containing the information: "switching center A with control software version Based on assignments of respective ones of such identifiers to each of the :o sets of validation rules, which may be contained in an assignment table, for: example, the validation module VM can then determine which set of validation rules is to be used to check the configuration data KD. It is also possible for the validation module VM to determine the set of validation rules VR1 or VR2 necessary to validate the configuration data KD based on an identifier that must be identical to that contained in the configuration data KD. In the example Sof Fig. 1, the identifier ID2 of the configuration data KD is also given in the set of validation rules VR2; by contrast, the set of validation rules VR1 has an identifier ID1.

If no identifier is contained in the configuration data KD, because such an identifier would interfere with the processing of the configuration data KD in the target system TS, the validation module VM may also determine the set of validation rules to be used for the check based on the structure and type of the configuration data KD. If in a very simple example the configuration data KD contain only records that each begin with a number string, the validation module VM can for instance derive therefrom that the configuration data KD have to be checked according to the set of validation rules VR1. If, however, the configuration data KD contain only records that each begin with a letter string, the validation module VM can derive therefrom that the configuration data KD have to be checked according to the set of validation rules VR2.

The validation rules contained in the sets of validation rules VR1 and VR2 must conform to semantic and syntactic rules determined by the design of the validation module VM.

To comply with such rules, the validation rules must be expressed in an interpretive language whose instructions can be "interpreted", evaluated and converted to machine-readable CE\99329018.0 instructions, by the validation module VM. These instructions can then be executed by the control means CPU in a similar manner as the instruction sequences of the validation module VM. An interpretive language for validation rules may be defined specifically for the validation module VM. It is also possible, however, to use a universally applicable interpretive language.

One example of a universal interpretive language is the language PERL (Practical Extraction and Report Language), which is used in connection with the UNIX operating system. If the validation rules are expressed in PERL, the validation module VM need not necessarily interpret the validation rules itself but may charge a program module called "PERL interpreter" with the interpretation of the validation rules. A PERL interpreter commonly forms part of a UNIX operating system as supplied. The machine-readable instructions derived by the PERL interpreter from the sets of validation rules are incorporated by the validation module VM into its own instruction sequences, in the form of branches.

C...o This process of incorporating validation rules into the validation module VM is particularly simple if both the validation module VM and the validation rules to be incorporated are expressed in the same interpretive language. The validation module VM then may include a general call referring to a validation rule that bears a name specified in the call. The call, however, refers either to a validation rule in the set of validation rules VR1 or to a validation S rule in the set of validation rules VR2, depending on which of the sets of validation rules VR1 or VR2 must be used for validation. The two validation rules bear the same name but may contain different check specifications. In that case, correct branching of the instruction sequences of the validation module VM into the instruction sequences generated by interpretation of the validation rules is ensured by the interpreter module.

The validation rules may also be contained in the sets of validation rules VR1 and VR2 in a form executable by a processor, namely as so-called functions, also called "library functions". The validation module VM can incorporate the instruction sequences of such functions directly into its own instruction sequences without previous interpretation. Such a process is also referred to as "dynamic linking". In a further variant of the invention, such functions may also be generated during the run time of the validation module VM. To accomplish this, the validation module VM translates the set of validation rules to be used for validating the configuration data KD into instruction sequences executable by a processor, or has this done by a translator module, and incorporates the validation rule instruction sequences thus generated into its own instruction sequences.

CE\99329018.0 11 Referring now to Fig. 2, the invention will be explained in more detail and a further aspect of the invention will be illustrated which is made possible by the dynamic incorporation of validation rules according to the invention. In Fig. 2, the configuration data KD to be validated (see Fig. 1) have been divided into two subsets TAB 1 and TAB2, into two data tables, which are also validated by the validation module VM of Fig. 1. The validation module VM first determines in the manner described above which of the sets of validation rules VRI and VR2 must be used to validate the configuration data KD. Then, the validation module VM performs the validation proper according to the validation rules contained in the determined set of validation rules. In Fig. 2, these validation rules are represented in the form of validation rules VRA1, VRA2, and VRB, which, following the example of Fig. 1, are contained in the set Soof validation rules VR2.

°I°•The validation module VM checks the configuration data KD in a check S i and a check S2 according to the validation rules VRA1, VRA2, and VRB, the checks SI and S2 being indicated in Fig. 2 by dotted lines. In the check S1, the subsets TAB1 and TAB2 are checked by the yalidation module VM separately, namely the subset TAB 1 according to the validation rule VRA1 and the subset TAB2 according to the validation rule VRA2. The check may determine, for example, whether the subset TAB 1 contains only records with a six-digit telephone number and a first identification, and whether the subset TAB2 contains only records each consisting of a telephone number and a second identification. If the subsets TAB I and TAB2 have stood the check S 1, if they are consistent by themselves, the validation module VM will check in the check S2 whether the subsets TAB1 and TAB2 are mutually consistent. To do this, the validation module VM applies the validation rule VRB. This validation rule specifies, for example, that each telephone number from the subset TAB 1 must also be contained in at least one record of the subset TAB2. The results of the checks S1 and S2 are signaled by the validation module VM with a message MSG as in Fig. 1.

As described in the above section, the validation module VM can apply all validation rules contained in a set of validation rules successively and completely to the configuration data KD. It is also possible, however, to instruct the validation module VM by means of control data to perform only a partial validation of the configuration data KD, to apply only part of the validation rules of a set of validation rules. For example, the validation module VM may be instructed to perform only the check Si1 according to the validation rules VRA1 and VR2. In this manner, the validation module VM can operate very efficiently, since it only needs to read and interpret the validation rules that are actually necessary for validation.

CE\99329018.0 12 To represent a further variant of the invention, it is assumed that the validation rules VRA1 and VRA2 are contained in a first set of validation rules, the set VR1, and that the validation rule VRB is contained in a second set of validation rules, the set VR2. if the validation module VM is instructed to perform only the check S1, the validation module VM will determine that only the set of validation rules VRl is necessary for this, read only the set of validation rules VR1, and check according to the validation rules of the latter. Only if both checks S1 and S2 are required will the validation module VM use both the set of validation rules VR1 and the set of validation rules VR2 for the desired validation of the; configuration data KD.

Fig. 3 shows the essential steps of the validation module VM. The validation module VM, as mentioned, consists of instruction sequences stored in a memory that are readable or directly executable by a control means, a processor, or indirectly interpretable with the aid o.

of an interpreter module. For an easy understanding of the representation, the validation module VM is shown in Fig. 3 in the form of a flowchart. Each of the individual steps stands for a single instruction or a sequence of instructions that form a functional unit, a so-called function.

The number of steps in Fig. 3 and their sequence are to be considered exemplary for a solution 9**9 Sthat meets practical requirements. Starting from a start field START, at step ST1, the validation module VM captures configuration data, which are sent to it via the interface device IF or the keyboard KEY, for example. The instructions of step ST1 are combined in a functional receiving unit, a subprogram. At step ST2, the validation module VM determines the set of validation rules that is required to validate the captured configuration data KD. At step ST3, the S validation module VM reads the determined set of validation rules, and at step ST4, it interprets the first validation rule contained in this set. At step ST5, the validation module VM checks the configuration data according to the validation rule interpreted at step ST4. At step ST6, a test is made to determine whether the validation module VM, after completion of step ST5, is to interpret further validation rules. If that is the case, a branch is made back to step ST4; otherwise the validation module VM ends in a step END.

It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.

CE\99329018.0 13 The foregoing describes embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art can be made thereto, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

It should be noted that where in the specification or claims the terms "comprised" or "comprising" are used those terms should be interpreted inclusively rather than exclusively.

ego..: *o

Claims

1. A method of validating configuration data as performance parameters of telecommunications systems by means of a validation module according to validation rules comprising the steps of: capturing the configuration data; determining a set of validation rules comprising at least one validation rule for validating the configuration data; reading the set of validation rules; interpreting the set of validation rules; checking the configuration data according to the set of validation rules; and outputting a message containing information about the result of the check. ooo 9

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the validation module determines the set of validation rules from control data destined for the validation module.

3. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the set of validation rules is determined by means of an identifier contained in the configuration data

4. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the interpretation of the set of validation rules comprises determining and reading functional units with which the configuration data can be checked in accordance with the validation rules contained in the set of validation rules, and wherein the functional units are used to check the configuration data.

5. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the interpretation of the set of validation rules comprises generating from the validation rules contained in the set of validation rules functional units with which the configuration data .can be checked in accordance with the validation rules contained in the set of validation rules, and wherein the functional units are used to check the configuration data.

6. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein when outputting the message containing information about the result of the check, predefined information contained in the set of validation rules is used.

7. A validation module for validating configuration data as performance parameters of telecommunications systems according to validation rules, the validation module comprising a functional receiving unit designed to enable the validation module to capture the configuration CE99329018.0 data, wherein the validation module further comprises a functional determination unit designed to enable the validation module to determine a set of validation rules comprising at least one validation rule for validating the configuration data, and the validation module further comprises a functional read unit designed to enable the validation module to read the set of validation rules, and the validation module further comprises a functional interpretation unit designed to enable the validation module to interpret the set of validation rules, and the validation module further comprises a functional checking unit designed to enable to validation module to check the configuration data in accordance with the set of validation rules, and wherein the validation module further comprises a functional output unit designed to enable the validation module to output a message containing information about the result of the to. check.

8. A server for validating configuration data as performance parameters of :*too.o telecommunications systems according to validation rules, the server comprising receiving means designed to enable the server to capture the configuration data, wherein the server further comprises determination means designed to enable the server to determine a set of validation rules comprising at least one validation rule for determining the configuration data, S. and the server further comprises read means designed to enable the server to read the set of validation rules, and the server further comprises interpretation means designed to enable the a server to interpret the set of evaluation rules, and the server further comprises checking means designed to enable the server to check the configuration data in accordance with the set of validation rules, and wherein the server further comprises output means designed to enable the server to output a message containing information about the result of the check.

9. A control module on which a validation module is stored and which is designed to carry out the method claimed in claim 1 in conjunction with a processor.

10. A control module as claimed in claim 9 wherein the module comprises a compact disc, a floppy disk, or the like.

11. A storage means, wherein a validation module as claimed in claim 7 is stored thereon.

12. A method of validating configuration data as performance parameters of telecommunications systems substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. CE\99329018.0 16

13. A validation module for validating configuration data as performance parameters of telecommunications systems substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

14. A server for validating configuration data as performance parameters of telecommunications systems data substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A control module on which a validation module is stored substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

16. A storage means, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 26th day of November 1999 6* ALCATEL by its attorneys Freehills Patent Attorneys 66