Inheritance control method of network control data between transmission apparatuses and transmission apparatus using the same

To provide a transmission apparatus capable of setting the same control data to the entire child transmission apparatuses instantaneously at a time, thereby leading to improved maintenance operation and bringing about efficient maintenance and system stability. The transmission apparatus receives from a maintenance operator a designation of a parent apparatus having the control data set in advance. That control data is to be inherited to a child apparatus. The transmission apparatus determines whether any transmission apparatus has already been registered as parent apparatus in the child apparatus, and also determines whether the designated parent apparatus has already been registered as a child apparatus in the child apparatus. The transmission apparatus then requests the designated parent apparatus to transfer the control data in the designated parent apparatus to the child apparatus, when the designated parent apparatus is not registered in the child apparatus.