The present invention provides a method for avoiding demand forecast
errors in a network topology model having a plurality of nodes, by
monitoring and controlling the quantity of a selected port type at a
node. The method comprises determining the actual quantity of a selected
port type at a node, setting a forecast of the quantity of the port
required, setting a forecast period for the ports, wherein the forecast
period is a function of the time required to change the quantity of the
ports, and setting a threshold value to generate alerts, wherein the
threshold value is a function of the forecast period; monitoring the node
for a forecast change, if a forecast change is found then computing the
difference between the actual quantity and the forecast quantity, wherein
if the difference is greater than the threshold value, then generating an
alert and forwarding the alert to a user.