Automated module tracking system for communications networks

1. A system for tracking reliability data for each of a plurality of modules in a network, comprising:

a plurality of service history recording arrangements, wherein:

each service history recording arrangement is associated with a module, and each service history recording arrangement is configured to store data relating to its associated module;

a data storage arrangement configured to acquire and store data relating to each of the plurality of modules;

a network monitoring arrangement configured to access each of the service history recording arrangements and to access the data storage arrangement;

a field tool configured to read and write data to and from a selected service history recording arrangement when the selected service history recording arrangement and its associated module are disconnected from the network; and

a processor configured to:

receive data from the data storage arrangement, and

process the data to produce reliability statistics by performing analyses on the plurality of modules based on classes, specific types, manufacturers, locations, and operation conditions of the plurality of modules in the network, and using the information recorded on the plurality of service history recording arrangements, wherein the reliability statistics comprise at least one selection from a group of reliability statistical categories consisting of:

a distribution of times for failed modules to return to inventory,

a distribution of times for each type of module to fail,

a distribution of times for modules to remain in inventory,

a distribution of ages for modules in the network,

frequency of failure modes for each module type, and

a distribution of module upgrades.

2. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the service history recording arrangement is integral to the module.

3. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the service history recording arrangement includes nonvolatile memory.

4. The system as recited in claim 3 , wherein the nonvolatile memory is selected from the group consisting of static random access memory (SRAM), electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), a combination of SRAM and EEPROM, Flash random access memory (Flash RAM), or ferroelectric nonvolatile random access memory (FRAM).

5. The system as recite in claim 1 , wherein the system includes more than one network module and wherein the data storage arrangement includes a database that stores information relating to the more than one network module.

6. The system as in claim 1 , wherein reliability statistics for modules in the network are calculated from information relating to the network module comprising at least three selections from a group of data categories consisting of:

when the network modules were manufactured,

when the network modules were received by a customer,

when the network modules were placed into service,

when the network modules were repaired in the field,

when the network modules were returned by the manufacturer,

when new software modifications were made to the network modules,

when new hardware modifications were made to the network modules,

the conditions under which the network modules operated,

the demand placed on the network modules,

when the network modules were placed in inventory,

when the network modules were removed from inventory, and

when the network modules were relocated within the network.

7. The system as in claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to produce real-time status information associated with the network.

8. A method of tracking reliability data for each of a plurality of modules in a network, comprising:

recording information on a plurality of service history recording arrangements, wherein

each service history recording arrangement is associated with a module, and

each service history recording arrangement is configured to store information relating to its associated module;

causing the information to be transmitted to, received from, and stored on a data storage arrangement;

processing the information on a processor to produce reliability statistics by performing analyses on the plurality of modules based on classes, specific types, manufacturers, locations and operation conditions of the plurality of modules in the network, and using the information recorded on the plurality of service history recording arrangements; and

using a field tool to modify the information on a selected service history recording arrangement when the selected service history recording arrangement and its associated module are disconnected from a network.

9. The method as recited in claim 8 , wherein the service history recording arrangement is integral to the module.

10. The method as recited in claim 9 , wherein the service history recording arrangement includes nonvolatile memory.

11. The method as recited in claim 10 , wherein the nonvolatile memory is selected from the group consisting of static random access memory (SRAM), electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), a combination of SRAM and EEPROM, Flash random access memory (Flash RAM), or ferroelectric nonvolatile random access memory (FRAM).

12. The method as recited in claim 8 , wherein the data storage arrangement includes a database system.

13. The method as recited in claim 8 , wherein the analyzed information is made available over the Internet.

14. The method as recited in claim 8 , wherein the analyzed information is made available over a private network.