Network element management architecture for the 7 R/E™ Trunk Access Gateway

Abstract

The rapid growth and complexity of integrated broadband networks has engendered a broad repertoire of sophisticated network management systems. Network management is the process of initializing, configuring, monitoring, and modifying the operations of complex service provider and enterprise networks to maximize their efficiency and productivity. Element management, a part of network management, focuses on proper operation of individual network elements or a collection of network elements. Due to the element management system's close association with individual network elements, its design, functionality, and architecture are heavily influenced by underlying networking technologies. Lucent Technologies' 7 R/E™ Trunk Access Gateway (TAG), previously known as the PacketStar™ Voice Gateway, integrates the functionality and features of traditional circuit switching with advanced packet switching techniques to provide end-to-end converged multimedia solutions. Accordingly, the TAG Element Management System (EMS) must satisfy the operational requirements of both voice and data service providers. This paper discusses the various functional requirements and standardized technologies and the implementation architecture of element management, focusing on the 7 R/E TAG EMS. It describes the challenges of managing an integrated gateway element and explains how the flexibility and efficiency of the TAG EMS help to support service provider operations.