TMN-Based interoperability network administration interface

Abstract

While the networks of different Telecommunications Administrations forming a global network are interconnected, their Network Management Systems (NMSs) are isolated from each other. As a result, various network management functions (e.g., configuration, fault management) necessary for managing the network resources common to the administrations require extensive manual coordination and exchange of information using telephone and facsimile. In this paper, we present a standards based interoperable interface between network management systems belonging to different administrations. The interface is based on Telecommunications Management Network (TMN) architecture and standards. It is intended to automate and standardize information exchanged between the administrations so that network maintenance and provisioning activities could be done with minimal human involvement at the far-end administration. The interface provides significant benefits in improving the quality and the cycle time of provisioning and maintenance, implementing proactive maintenance, and greater awareness of the end-to-end performance of the managed resources.