OAM mechanisms for BISDN UNI and access networks

Abstract

This paper clarifies operation and maintenance (OAM) requirements for broadband integrated services digital network (BISDN) customer access systems including user-network interface (UNI), and proposes basic OAM mechanisms. Access networks employ a logical networking architecture based on the asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) virtual path (VP) concept to provide all services efficiently, economically. Services are independent of the network's physical configuration. Thus, OAM functions for the access network are required to support physical and ATM layer capabilities. UNI physical performance and failure information flows to ensure user service quality are described. A fault localization mechanism is introduced that determines whether the failure lies on the network provider side or customer side. It uses failure information flows and loop back testing at the network terminator 1 (NT1). As connection-related virtual path connection (VPC) availability indication is necessary for user-to-network applications and user-to-user applications, two alternative VPC-related availability indication mechanisms are studied. Furthermore, basic performance monitoring mechanisms for ATM layer are described.