Telecommunications Information Networking Architecture Research Articles

A Novel Strategy for Load Balancing of Distributed Medical Applications

Current trends in medicine, specifically in the electronic handling of medical applications, ranging from digital imaging, paperless hospital administration and electronic medical records, telemedicine, to computer-aided diagnosis, creates a burden on the network. Distributed Service Architectures, such as Intelligent Network (IN), Telecommunication Information Networking Architecture (TINA) and Open Service Access (OSA), are able to meet this new challenge. Distribution enables computational tasks to be spread among multiple processors; hence, performance is an important issue. This paper proposes a novel approach in load balancing, the Random Sender Initiated Algorithm, for distribution of tasks among several nodes sharing the same computational object (CO) instances in Distributed Service Architectures. Simulations illustrate that the proposed algorithm produces better network performance than the benchmark load balancing algorithms-the Random Node Selection Algorithm and the Shortest Queue Algorithm, especially under medium and heavily loaded conditions.

Extending TINA with Secure On-Line Accounting Services

Concepts and principles of TINA (Telecommunications Information Networking Architecture) are introduced with the objective of correcting problems of the current centralized service control and service data model in an IN (Intelligent Network). It is becoming increasingly clear that the future sophisticated telecommunication services, e.g., multimedia, and multi-party conferencing, breaking away from the traditional telephony call model will need the solutions for rapid and efficient introduction, deployment, operations, and management. In this paper, we discuss accounting features and requirements, as well as security services in the TINA management context. We will introduce and present an implementation of a model for a security management, based on secure objects, cryptography and certificate distribution. In order to provide secure services, secure objects that have security functionality, such as authentication and access control, have been defined. Secure objects in our model are CORBA objects. The security domain is also called SBS (Security Base Server), provides security services and has an SMIB (Security Management Information Base) that contains security policies, cryptographic algorithms, and other relevant information. A prototype has been implemented and some experimental results are presented.

Service-centric networks

At present, competition and the latest network technologies threaten the profit margins of telecommunications providers. New services, however, represent an important prospect for increased revenue. To capitalize on this opportunity, new services must appeal to users and be capable of rapid introduction and scaling to meet demand. Moreover, cost-effective service introduction requires independence from the underlying access technology. This paper discusses today's service delivery methodology and introduces the theme of service-centric networks — the uncoupling of services from access networks. It also delineates an architecture approach for implementing service networks and describes our experiences with the Telecommunications Information Networking Architecture (TINA), which employs this approach.

A generic architecture for management and control of end-to-end quality of service over multiple domains

Currently, service providers and network operators are exploring new business opportunities that can be found in offering packages of advanced highly customized services to both residential and corporate subscribers. The semantics of these services will be more sophisticated, their access will be better controlled, their usage will be more flexible in time (scheduled) and space (mobile access), and their delivery will be possible with different grades of Quality of Service (QoS). Multimedia services such as video conferencing, distance learning, tele surgery, or dynamic and scheduled trunk provisioning, subject to certain Subject Level Agreements (e.g. corporate VPNs), are just a few examples of services with higher semantics. Although these services could have a high market potential, their implementation and delivery are hampered by the lack of an efficient, flexible and integrated network and service management system. Particularly, in the network management domain we encounter the following three problems. First, the setup of multimedia streams with end-to-end QoS over multiple administrative business domains is impossible without adequate federating mechanisms between network management systems. Secondly, dynamic and flexible interworking mechanisms between different technology domains is ubiquitous for the automatic provisioning of trails over a set of heterogeneous networked systems (e.g. from ATM in the access to IP in the core, from MPLS to DWDM, or from Frame Relay to ATM). Third, management of end-to-end QoS is not only a matter of network QoS. Management of QoS in end terminals and end devices or at a web server is an integral part of the global QoS delivery process. The Telecommunications Information Networking Architecture (TINA) has defined a distributed and integrated computational platform for the management and delivery of QoS based services. This paper starts from a state of the art TINA system and elaborates potential enhancements and extensions in order to bring a solution for each of the three previous issues.

IMT-2000 wireless terminal mobility over object-oriented distributed platforms

The international mobile telecommunications systems 2000 (IMT-2000) system is being developed as a solution to the rapid growth and the diversity of mobile services. Concurrently, the telecommunication information networking architecture (TINA) service framework is providing a general software architecture for future telecommunication networks and services, based on the use of distributed object-oriented technology. The TINA service framework appears to complement the IMT-2000 system, by providing an integrated communication and computing infrastructure. Both the IMT-2000 and TINA principles are considered to be determinant for the provision of future services. However, the TINA service framework does not actually incorporate wireless networks. Similarly, the use of object-oriented distributed platforms in TINA, which is seen as a fundamental basis for future service, has not been studied in IMT-2000. This paper first summarizes the principles of the IMT-2000 system and the TINA service framework. It then presents the design and engineering issues of an IMT-2000 terminal mobility service that uses the TINA service framework. It terminates with an initial specification of a mobile object service, and scenarios for the re-use of existing standards. Although, the support of mobility on TINA is still under study in various fora and projects, the technical contents of this paper reflects the original evaluation and synthesis carried out by the authors to provide IMT-2000 wireless mobility on object-oriented distributed platforms such as CORBA and that conforms to the TINA principles.

Personal mobility aspects in service architectures: extensions to TINA

Telecommunications Information Networking Architecture (TINA) is a proposal elaborated in the period 1993–97 by major corporate organisations worldwide, in the fields of both telecommunications and information technology, towards standardisation of software interfaces and components for control and management of telecommunications services. Among these, particular relevance is played by personal mobility applications that should provide users with the capability to access services from any terminal in any place. However, full support of personal mobility requires enhancements to the TINA concepts and models. In this paper, an approach is presented towards full incorporation, in TINA, of personal mobility requirements laid down in the ITU-T UPT standards. Specifically, we discuss how personal mobility requirements can be reflected on the TINA Business Model and the TINA Service Architecture. In particular, a new business role and the concept of “Retailer Federation” are presented as the means to obtain ubiquitous worldwide service provisioning to roaming users in a multi-provider environment.

Tina: Its achievements and its future directions

The telecommunications information networking architecture (TINA) has reached a mature state and TINA solutions are now appearing in the market. This article presents a brief sketch of TINA's past and the overall objectives as they are seen today. It further describes the current technological state of the architecture with its business model, the computing environment requirements, the session model, the networking resource model, and its impact on the network technology evolution. Eventually, the path TINA will take into the future is indicated by outlining the TINA Trial project and the workgroup activities; the driving forces during TINA's current phase.

Implementation of a pan-European TINA-compliant service management platform

The Telecommunications Information Networking Architecture (TINA) Consortium is designing a common software architecture which allows providers to build, deliver and manage new multimedia services quickly and easily. The article concentrates on the task carried out by a European project of implementing a pan-European TINA-based service management platform. While simple services were created at the beginning of the project, more advanced multimedia services are now being implemented, such as audio/video conferencing. The status of the implementation and interoperability issues are presented.

Corba for network and service management in the TINA framework

The Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA) specification defines interfaces and services to support interoperability and distribution transparencies for building distributed applications. The Telecommunications Information Networking Architecture (TINA) defines a framework for development of service and network management applications which relies on the use of a distributed processing platform such as CORBA. This approach is presented in the article, which discusses also the interoperation with the current TMN infrastructure.

TINA — A Distributed Approach to Service Management

The Telecommunications Information Networking Architecture Consortium (TINA-C) was formed 5 years ago to develop an architecture to address the radical business and technological changes then envisaged in the future telecommunications world. Central to the proposed solution is an infrastructure known as the TINA distributed processing environment (DPE). The TINA service architecture, which defines a set of concepts and rules for the management of a wide range of services, is of particular interest here. This paper outlines the current status and output of the TINA Consortium and goes on to describe a collaborative implementation project which uses many of the TINA concepts and specifications to build a pan-European service platform. An important vision within TINA is that of open interfaces and interoperability in a heterogeneous environment. The extent to which this goal has been achieved is discussed in the light of experience.

Patterns for constructing CSCW applications in TINA

There is a convergence between the idea of design patterns and the goal to achieve reuse of component design in the telecommunications information networking architecture (TINA). Patterns can be specified using graphical and syntactical notations proposed by the TINA consortium (TINA-C) for the information and computational viewpoint languages of the open distributed processing reference model (ODP-RM). In this article, design patterns are proposed that efficiently support computer supported collaborative work (CSCW) applications in TINA: multi-party stream binding, connectivity integrity criteria, voting, floor control, role management and group integrity criteria. These design patterns can be specialized such, that they suit a large variety of collaborative activities. An implementation of the patterns should become part of an object-oriented framework for CSCW applications in TINA.

Implementation of TINA-based high-quality multimedia networks

Telecommunications Information Networking Architecture (TINA) is aiming at reusability and interoperability of software by use of location/fault transparency of objects based on distributed processing and object orientation technologies. Currently many attempts to realize TINA commercial systems are ongoing all over the world. As the first step of those attempts, the TINA Trial (TTT) is scheduled to be realized in 1998. To achieve the quality to be used for the commercial systems, quality study not only of software but also of hardware platforms becomes key. This paper intends to clarify the requirements of TINA-based high-quality multimedia networks and possible solutions by considering the TTT system which the authors are developing. The requirements from the perspective of quality are effective usage of system processing capability by effective multiprocessing without any processing overhead and improvement of system stability by fault management achieving autonomous system reconfiguration. This paper shows the desirability of applying stream-oriented data-driven processor to the TINA system so as to satisfy these requirements. © 1998 Scripta Technica. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 1, 81(8): 51–58, 1998

CORBA for network and service management in the TINA framework

The Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA) specification defines interfaces and services to support interoperability and distribution transparencies for building distributed applications. The Telecommunications Information Networking Architecture (TINA) defines a framework for development of service and network management applications which relies on the use of a distributed processing platform such as CORBA. This approach is presented in the article, which discusses also the interoperation with the current TMN infrastructure.

TINA Network Resource Information Model

The TINA (Telecommunications Information Networking Architecture) Network Resource Information Model (NRIM) is a technology-independent network level resource model that provides the foundation for the management and control of networks envisioned in the TINA architecture. Such networks are capable of supporting multimedia and multipoint communication sessions and may consist of network elements based on different technologies. Different portions of such networks will be under the control of different network administrations. NRIM describes such a network abstractly in terms of network elements, aggregations of network elements, the topological relationship between the elements, transport entities, and endpoints of transport entities. In addition, NRIM defines management support objects for alarm surveillance, resource configuration, and accounting. NRIM is independent of the architecture of the individual management functions. Further, the model is described abstractly in terms of objects and relationships and it is independent of the protocols used for communication between management functions. Information models for the management of specific network technologies can be derived from the generic model defined by the NRIM. This paper presents an overview of the NRIM emphasizing the recent advances made in the NRIM specification.

Personal communications services through the evolution of fixed and mobile communications and the intelligent network concept

New telecommunications services tend to consider fixed network subscribers' requirements as well as mobile network subscribers' requirements. On one hand, subscribers of fixed networks would like to benefit from the mobility offered in mobile networks. On the other hand, mobile subscribers would like to access to services inherent in fixed networks. Personal communications services (PCS) meet this trend while allowing fixed and mobile convergence. In this environment, the application of intelligent networks (INs) to fixed and mobile networks is very convenient to realize PCS. Thus, the natural advancement of telecommunications systems (fixed and mobile) consists in the definition of new telecommunications architectures which take into account technologies from both fixed and mobile environments. This article studies how the IN is used to support mobility and interworking for PCS. Although mobility management already exists in cellular networks like GSM, it is desirable to use the IN concept to introduce flexibility. In addition, the IN allows the introduction of new supplementary services in PCS. Furthermore, the IN concept can be utilized to provide necessary networking functions for the integration of fixed and mobile networks. This article also highlights the involvement of IN in the definition of the global communications systems such as Telecommunication Information Networking Architecture (TINA), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), and International Mobile Telecommunications in the year 2000 (IMT2000).

The broadband call control demonstrator — a platform for ITU-T, DAVIC and TINA-C implementations

The paper firstly provides an introduction to the broadband call control demonstrator platform developed at BT Laboratories. It describes the basic connection level functionality used to give point-to-point and point-to-multipoint call demonstrations. It then describes the introduction of a Digital Audio-Visual Council (DAVIC)-conformant session control capability and how this is used as the basis of a more comprehensive demonstration. The paper also examines how future networking concepts such as object orientation and distributed processing environments are being introduced, in particular the interworking between DAVIC and Telecommunications Information Network Architecture Consortium (TINA-C) approaches. Finally, some of the evolutionary aspects of the broadband call control demonstrator platform are introduced.

The TINA Consortium

The Telecommunication Information Networking Architecture Consortium, established in 1993, has delivered architectural guidelines and sets of specifications for a common and coherent software architecture to enable the provisioning of telecommunications and information services. The article gives an overview of the structure and achievements of TINA-C so far and outlines future work items. The main concepts summarized in this article include business modeling, sessions, computing framework, distributed processing environment, service architecture, and network resource information modeling. Interworking concepts and migration strategy from existing technologies toward TINA and a short description of validation activities are delineated. The scope of the TINA-C initiative-including the provisioning of multimedia services, allowing flexibility in combining any kind of connectivity, third-party connection setup, and broadcasting, as well as multiparty involvement-can be seen as a most valuable complement to the global information infrastructure activities, providing an architectural underpinning for the global information infrastructure.

TINA – Architectural basis for future telecommunications services

Today telecommunications service provision and management is coined by international standards for Intelligent Network (IN) and Telecommunications Management Network (TMN). However, with the increasing acceptance of object-oriented software modelling techniques and Open Distributed Processing (ODP) standards, a new architecture beyond IN and TMN is gaining momentum, known as Telecommunications Information Networking Architecture (TINA). TINA is considered to be the architectural framework for the unified provision of future telecommunications and management services within a common distributed processing environment. This paper provides an overview of the basic TINA concepts with particular emphasis on the TINA service architecture, which provides the principle framework for the distributed realization of future telecommunications services.

TINA and the Software Infrastructure of the TelecomNetwork of the Future

The overall goal of the Telecommunications Information Networking Architecture (TINA) is to define and specify a software architecture for the telecommunications infrastructure which encompasses networking, network services, and operations, to handle the increasingly distributed nature of software in networks. The purpose of this paper is to describe how TINA may be positioned in the software infrastructure of future telecommunications networks, with the focus on the infrastructures of Public Telecommunication Operators (PTOs). An architecture for a new PTO network infrastructure is proposed and the needs that this architecture satisfies are discussed. The concept of the “programmable network” is introduced to satisfy the PTO need to quickly trial and deploy new services. Five aspects of this target architecture are discussed, namely: a client/server architecture, a service creation architecture, an application architecture, a PTO federation architecture, and a new management architecture. The potential role of TINA in each aspect is described, and the potential benefits of TINA to PTOs are summarized.

An Overview of the TINA ManagementArchitecture

This paper presents an overview of the Telecommunications Information Networking Architecture (TINA) management architecture, using four distinct axes: partitioning, functional, computational and life cycle. The TINA management architecture is shown to satisfy service and resource management requirements in a distributed, multi-stakeholder environment.