Managing audit tables that track switch transactions in a communications-networking environment
View Patent ↗A method and data structure for monitoring the progression of a configuration transaction through a communications network is provided. The method includes creating an audit trail associated with the switch-transaction progression, iteratively updating the audit trail incident to an occurrence of a designated transaction-processing substep without overwriting previously stored data, and processing the audit trail so that it is available for access via a user interface. Historical data tracking the configuration transaction's process is preserved rather than overwritten.
1. One or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media having computer-useable instructions embodied thereon to be processed by a computing device to perform a method of tracking the progression of a switch transaction through one or more communications components, the method comprising:
creating an audit trail associated with the switch-transaction progression;
iteratively updating the audit trail incident to an occurrence of one or more designated transaction-processing substeps without overwriting previously stored data; and
processing the audit trail whereby it is available for access via a user interface.
2. The media of claim 1 , wherein creating the audit trail comprises:
storing a set of transaction-independent data in a first table;
storing a set of transaction-dependent data in a second table; and
linking the first table to the second table.
3. The media of claim 2 , wherein linking the first table to the second table includes commonly storing a transaction identifier in both the first table and the second table.
4. The media of claim 2 , wherein transaction-independent data is data that does not change as the switch transaction progresses toward completion.
5. The media of claim 4 , wherein transaction-dependent data is data that changes as a switch transaction progresses toward completion.
6. The media of claim 5 , wherein data that changes as a switch transaction progresses toward completion includes a switch-transaction-status identifier that describes a status of the switch transaction at a particular time or interval.
7. The media of claim 6 , wherein iteratively updating the audit trail includes updating the switch-transaction-status identifier.
8. A computer-implemented method of tracking the progression of a switch transaction through one or more communications components, the method comprising:
creating an audit trail associated with the switch-transaction progression;
iteratively updating the audit trail incident to an occurrence of one or more designated transaction-processing substeps without overwriting previously stored data; and
processing the audit trail whereby it is available for access via a user interface.
9. The computer-implemented method of claim 8 , wherein creating the audit trail comprises:
storing a set of transaction-independent data in a first table;
storing a set of transaction-dependent data in a second table; and
linking the first table to the second table.
10. The computer-implemented method of claim 9 , wherein linking the first table to the second table includes commonly storing a transaction identifier in both the first table and the second table.
11. The computer-implemented method of claim 9 , wherein transaction-independent data is data that does not change as the switch transaction progresses toward completion.
12. The computer-implemented method of claim 11 , wherein transaction-dependent data is data that changes as a switch transaction progresses toward completion.
13. The computer-implemented method of claim 12 , wherein data that changes as a switch transaction progresses toward completion includes a switch-transaction-status identifier that describes a status of the switch transaction at a particular time or interval.
14. The computer-implemented method of claim 13 , wherein iteratively updating the audit trail includes updating the switch-transaction-status identifier.
15. A computer system having a processor and one or more memories, wherein the processor is configured to execute a method of tracking the progression of a switch transaction through one or more communications components, the method comprising:
creating, by the processor, an audit trail associated with the switch-transaction progression in a request-audit table;
iteratively updating, by the processor, the audit trail incident to an occurrence of one or more designated transaction-processing substeps without overwriting previously stored data in the one or more memories; and
formatting, by the processor, the audit trail whereby it is available for access via a user interface.
16. The computer system of claim 15 , wherein creating the audit trail comprises:
storing a set of transaction-independent data in a first table;
storing a set of transaction-dependent data in a second table; and
linking the first table to the second table.
17. The computer system of claim 16 , wherein linking the first table to the second table includes commonly storing a transaction identifier in both the first table and the second table.
18. The computer system of claim 16 , wherein transaction-independent data is data that does not change as the switch transaction progresses toward completion.
19. The computer system of claim 18 , wherein transaction-dependent data is data that changes as a switch transaction progresses toward completion.
20. The computer system of claim 19 , wherein data that changes as a switch transaction progresses toward completion includes a switch-transaction-status identifier that describes a status of the switch transaction at a particular time or interval.
21. The computer system of claim 20 , wherein iteratively updating the audit trail includes updating the switch-transaction-status identifier.