| abstract |
A network management system performs management by constructing path information which specifies a path existing in the network. An originating network element transmits a path-trace transmission value to the next network element in the network, the path-trace transmission value having (1) an identifier of the originating network element, (2) an identifier of an originating facility, and (3) an identifier of a network element which transmits the path-trace transmission value. The network element changes the identifier in (3) above to its own identifier and transmits the path-trace transmission value to the next network element. Succeeding network elements similarly transmit a path-trace transmission value up to a network element at an end point. Each network element holds cross-connect information for specifying an incoming-side facility and an outgoing-side facility of the network element and the path-trace transmission value that has been received, and transmits them to the network management system. The network management system constructs path information using the cross-connect information and the path-trace transmission value contained in path-information constructing data that has been collected. |