1. A network configuration data management system comprising: (a) storage means for providing storage management facilities, said storage means storing: a current map for containing information represented as a current network configuration information, and a temporary map for containing information for the network components for which the configuration changes are expected to occur at any future time and/or information for network components for which the configuration changes occurred at any past time; and (b) means for generating network configuration information that is applicable to any time relative to a particular time later than the current time and/or relative to a particular time earlier than the current time, based on the information in said current map and the information in said temporary map.