Objective
PROSPECT aims to test the integrated end-to-end management of Integrated Broadband Communication (IBC) services, using multiple service providers in a broadband network environment. It will provide an architecture for the deployment and usage of IBC services within a TMN framework. It aims to evaluate the ability of the integrated end-to-end management systems to meet the users needs. It also aims to give the end users the power to manage their services by providing them with access to the end-to-end service management infrastructure.
As the age of the 'Open Services Market' approaches, stimulated by the ever increasing availability of broadband communication services, the need for an effective management architecture to support such services and underlying networks is evident. Such an architecture should permit the configuration, control and administration of these services in a flexible, extensible and integrated manner. In order to address such requirements Prospect has the following objectives:
To provide a management architecture for creation, deployment, co-operative provisioning and usage of Integrated Broadband Communication (IBC) services within a TMN framework.
To realise and validate, via a commercial / business end-user trial, the integrated end-to-end management of IBC services, in a multi-service provider and broadband network environment.
To gather commercial end-user and service provider requirements and experiences in using IBC services and evaluate the ability of the integrated end-to-end management system to meet their needs.
To empower the end-users to manage their services by providing user access to the end-to-end service management infrastructure.
To realise concepts which will ensure the co-existence between CORBA and TMN systems.
To provide IDL/GDMO interaction translation components and make them generally available throughout the PROSPECT trial.
Specification and demonstration of a System Model to facilitate co-operative service management in an open service environment
Specification and provision of co-operative interfaces between service providers, end-users and network operators
Design and implemention of an integrated multi-domain management system within the context of a Tele-education service solution
Specification of a management system to support operation of a Pan European PCS service
Realisation of an end-to-end management system to support end-user requirements for service operation and control
Execution, evaluation and validation of inter-domain management service trials across a European wide IBC network
Execution of first Trial in March 1997.
Expected Impact
The main impact of the project's work is to provide solutions for the design and implementation of co-operative services in a Pan European open service market. It will provide solutions on the design and implementation of management solutions to support the operation of such services. The adoption of contemporary technologies, such as, TINA and CORBA have provided significant advantages to Prospect. Prospect will provide an evaluation of these technologies when applied to the complex problem of integrated multi-domain management. Finally, the project will provide valuable insight into customer requirements for the operation and control of customer broadband services.
Technical Approach
PROSPECT intends to provide an integrated end-to-end IBC service management system supporting multiple co-existing IBC services. Although an integrated services management architecture is being developed mainly within a TMN context, it is also adapting contemporary technological developments from TINA-C, OMG (CORBA, COSS, CFA) and ISO (ODP-RM).
PROSPECT is employing modeling techniques from ODP in realising its 'System Model'. This model has also been influenced by the TINA-C service and management architecture. The PROSPECT integrated services management architecture uses CORBA as its systems integration solution technology.
The overall project aim is to set up and control:
service configuration and status monitoring of client and server systems
inter-domain management interfaces between service providers and network operators to negotiate resource and bandwidth allocations
inter-domain management interfaces between service providers and end-users to agree on service profiles and to monitor service usage and quality of service contracts.
PROSPECT's technical approach is based on the goal of executing a trial which can demonstrate and validate the management of co-operating and competing services in support of commercial / business end-users service requirements. The level of ambition and complexity of the goal is such that the project has designed a two phase approach to realisation of the trial.
Summary of Trial
End users: Business users and Educational users
Applications: The main applications developed by the project are the management applications to support operation of the tele-education service, tele-services and Value Added Services (VPN and PCS). These will be provided to the relevant actors at the appropriate interfaces
Services: The main service offered to the end-users is a broadband multi-media based tele-education service. This tele-education service integrates various tele-services (for example MMC, hypermedia information retrieval and collaborative working services ) provided by different service providers located at different centres across Europe. In addition, value added services such as Virtual Private Network (VPN) and Personal Communication Services (PCS) will also be provided to support customer service requirements
Communication: Central to the operation of the trial is the implementation of an integrated (end-to-end) multi-domain management system. This supports the end-user, service provider and network provider management systems, combining them into a coherent management framework. 'Interworking' between management systems is supported by CORBA. Communication between the four Pan-European sites is supported by an ATM backbone network infrastructure. Customer access to the tele-service is via ATM access networks
Technologies: The trial is supported by a number of technologies at different levels. At the lowest level ATM is required as part of the customer access network and the backbone network infrastructure. The management system has been developed within a TMN context. However, current developments from TINA-C, OMG (CORBA) have had a significant impact on the design and implementation.
In the first phase the emphasis of the trial has been to integrate the network, service and end-user infrastructure and the provisioning of management of a tele-education services to business end-users at the four trial sites. In phase two the trial will be extended to support mobile end-users. End-users will move between the four trial sites and this mobility will be supported by a Personal Communications Service.
Key Issues
Co-operative service management in a multiple service provider environment
Multi-service provider management model specification
Demonstration of inter-domain management supporting end-to-end service management
Integrated multi-domain service management and service integration
CORBA/TMN interworking and the integration of management systems across technological domains
Management of Personal Communication Services (PCS) in a Pan European Open Service Environment.
Fields of science
Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
CSC - Cost-sharing contractsCoordinator
2 Dublin
Ireland