Network-path search

If a new network path is to be searched for, the network-path search offers a convenient routine for the fully automatic search for and connecting of network paths. The network-path search can be started at different points in the program. The network-path search can be configured in various ways. After performing the network-path search, the results can be evaluated and the found paths can be adjusted. Once the desired result has been achieved, the network path can be connected.

Start

The network-path search can be started from several locations.
With the “Network search” button in the “Work order” group in the “NET” tab:

In the switching point form as a menu entry:

In the FO/TP terminator and FO/TP closure forms in the “Network exploration” menu:

The network-path search can also be started in the Workflow Explorer for TP and FO workflows.

Configuration

After starting the network-path search, the configurations can be created on the left-hand side:

Starting point	The starting point of the network-path search can be a switching point, a terminator or a closure. The starting point can be selected by from the graphic or by from the database (here only switching points). If the network-path search was opened using the form for a switching point, terminator or closure, then this point is automatically selected as the starting point. (1)
Intermediate destinations	Add intermediate destinations and points to avoid to the search—these can be switching points, terminators and/or closures. An intermediate destination is a point that must be present in the network path. A point to be avoided is excluded from use. The specific selection of the intermediate destination or of the point to be avoided can be made by from the graphic or by from the database (here only switching points). removes an intermediate destination or a point to be avoided from the search. The “Keep order” option determines whether the intermediate destinations may occur in the network path in any order or only in the order of their list position. The positions of intermediate destinations within the list can be changed by drag and drop. (2)
Service	A service can be selected to which a redundant path is to be found. (3)
Destination point	The destination point of the search——this can be a switching point, terminator or closure. The destination point can be selected by from the graphic or by from the database (here only switching points). (4)
Settings FO	The settings for the network-path search: (5) a) The number of network paths to be connected. If several network paths are searched, only fibers with a consecutive fiber numbers that are located in the same fiber bundle are used for this. b) This restricts the search to elements that have the selected network status. All or no clients can be selected. c) If the checkmark is set, the network-path search ignores breakdowns on the network path. d) Here, you can enter the desired number of fibers without service that are still to be available in each cable section of the network paths found. e) This restricts the search to fibers that correspond to the desired fiber type. f) If the checkmark is set, only connectors with angled-physical-contact connectors are permitted. g) If the checkmark is set, new splices can be created to make network paths possible. Splicing can always take place at start and destination points, regardless of the selected setting. h) If the checkmark is set, existing splices can be broken open if one of the fibers at the splices does not run in the path. This allows new network paths to be made possible. i) This restricts the search to elements that are assigned to the selected client(s). If no client has been selected, no restriction applies to the search. j) All or no clients can be selected. k) A work order can be set. l) If the checkmark is set, switching points can be avoided. m) For a larger number of searched network paths (see 5a), it is also possible to search across bundles.
Settings TP	The settings for the network-path search: (6) a) The number of network paths to be connected. If several network paths are searched for, only wires with a consecutive wire number are used for this purpose. b) This restricts the search to elements that have the selected network status. c) Any or no network status can be selected. d) If the checkmark is set, the network-path search ignores breakdowns on the network path. e) Here, you can enter the desired number of wires without service that should still be available in each cable section of the network paths found. f) This restricts the search to wires that correspond to the desired wire type. g) If the checkmark is set, new splices can be created in order to make network paths possible. Splicing can always take place at start and destination points, regardless of the selected setting. h) If the checkmark is set, existing splices can be broken open if one of the fibers at the splices does not run in the path. This allows new network paths to be made possible. i) This restricts the search to elements that are assigned to the selected client(s). If no client has been selected, no restriction applies to the search. j) All or no clients can be selected. k) A work order can be set. l) If the checkmark is set, switching points can be avoided.
Start search	This starts the search with the selected settings. (7)

Note
The network-path search only uses fibers, splices, connectors and patches without service that are not assigned to a work order!

Evaluation/result

When a network-path search is started, it can take some time to find a path. There may be no path found with the configurations. As long as the search is active, the magnifying glass moves above the “Start search” button, which now bears the label “Cancel search”. You can end the search prematurely by clicking on it. No changes can be made to the configurations of the search while the search is active.

1. A path found by the network-path search. This can be opened by clicking on the arrow to further customize it, even while the search continues.
2. Characteristics and metrics of the paths found:

3. Clicking on highlights the selected path in the graphic, removes the path from the network-path search display. The path can be applied via , which opens a new window for creating the network paths.
4. Clicking on the “Delete all” button removes all found paths of the network search from the display.
5. A new path whose display is still loading.

Customizing paths

1. A terminator or a closure of the path (switching points are only mentioned in the title of the associated terminators/closures and are not listed individually). If it is a terminator, then there are usable connector/pin groups available for the user to choose from. In this case, “incoming” or “outgoing” means that fibers/wires of the preceding or following cable are placed on these connectors/pins, respectively. In addition, in terminators that are not start or destination points, the “Create splices” option is available, which splices fibers/wires without connectors/pins. If “Create splices” is selected between two terminators, then a patch fiber is applied when the path is applied.

2. A cable of the path. The “occupancy” shows the ratio of the number of connected fibers/wires to the number of fibers/wires in the cable section. The selection box contains all usable fiber/wire groups of the cable that the user can choose from. The type of connection of the fibers/wires of the fiber/wire group is shown in parentheses in the preceding/following point. For each of the two types of connection, the following cases can occur independently of one another (for simplification, “nearest point” is used for “preceding point” or “following point”):

3. Changes made to the network path can be undone and redone with and .
4. A technician needs to change something at this point (create a splice or patch).
5. This element (cable/terminator/closure/switching point) has a malfunction (breakdown).

A context menu is opened by right-clicking on a cable/terminator/closure. Here, the form for the element can be opened or the element can be highlighted in the network display.

Note
If the user changes the selection of the connector/pin or fiber/wire groups, the elements connected to them are automatically selected in other cables/points.

Apply path / connect network path

If the network-path search has produced the desired results, the network path can be switched using the button.

1. A work order must be selected for the new network paths. If necessary, a new work order can be created with .
2. A service must be selected. If necessary, a new service can be created with .
3. If the start and/or destination point of the network-path search is a terminator and connectors/pins are used, then patches can be created at the port there. The designation of the port can be specified in the text-input field.
4. The summary once again shows the information about the network path, which was also displayed in the path overview.
5. Splices and patches of the new network paths are assigned to the work order by clicking on . All elements of the network paths are connected with the specified service. This will remove all search results from the display.