The present invention relates to a method for automation of software
upgrade of network elements in data and communication networks. In a
preferred embodiment of the present invention, an upgrade of network
elements in a communication system is controlled from one certain
workstation. Before the actual activation of the new software of the
network elements takes place, the hardware configuration (5) is validated
ensuring that the new software is loadable in the hardware. The software
configuration is then also validated ensuring that the new software and
the existing software are compatible. A health check is then executed
investigating whether the status of the network elements is as required.
Then, the certain workstation from which the upgrade is controlled is
assigned exclusive network administration access to the network elements.
Assuming that the above mentioned is carried through successfully, the
actual activation of the new software is executed. Thereafter, the
exclusive access which was assigned to the workstation is released, and
before cleaning up and terminating, post validation and post health
checks are executed.