Integrated Communications Management

Objective

The main objectives of the project are:

- To show that the integration of AIP technologies for TMN is possible.
- To validate selected TMN functional implementations.
- To establish an environment (testbed) which enables the validation of other TMN functional implementations and integration of additional AIP technologies.
The main objectives of the research were:
to develop a testbed laboratory where the integration of advanced information processing (AIP) technologies for telecommunications management network (TMN) systems could be tested for performance;
to define and develop TMN platforms;
to specify a representative set of management applications to be incorporated into the test laboratory; to define, design and develop the interface between the TMN and real networks;
to provide a suitable network simulator which will complement the functionality of the real networks;
to provide support for telecom services in order to show the interaction of management applications within the TMN;
to provide a structure for consensus building with respect to TMN architecture.

The key issue of the research is the conceptual and physical integration of management applications for TMN on the integrated broadband communications (IBC) network.

A firm basis has been achieved with the definition of an architecture, identification of TMN functions, and the specification of the case studies to be used to exercise the integrated communications management (ICM) system. Initial definition of platforms, simulators, network test beds and management applications have been completed.
Technical Approach

R2059 provides practical validation of some of the results of RACE I and RACE II projects by implementing selected IBC performance, configuration and maintenance management services. The implementation results in a TMN Testbed which comprises four elements : an advanced TMN Platform; Management Applications; Network Interfaces; and an ATM Simulator. The Testbed is deployed in real network environments where the TMN system is applied to management of FDDI, ATM, and PON technologies.

The testbed is developed incrementally in four phases, each with their own objectives. TMN architectures, case studies and functions are specified for each phase. Following the development process, implementation is validated through execution of relevant case study scenarios and evaluation of the results.

Application areas addressed by the project are performance, configuration and maintenance management within heterogeneous network environments, (ATM and PON). End to end management, with inter TMN co-operation, are studied within an overall VPN case study during the project's final year.

Key Issues

The key issue of the project is the conceptual and physical integration of Management Applications for TMN applied to IBC networks.

Expected Impact

ICM performs a valuable validation process, gaining practical experience implementing systems conform to existing and emerging TMN standards and practices. In addition, the testbed itself is highly geared towards the exploitation requirements of the consortium members and the RACE Programme, being applicable to use by TMN researchers, developers, integrators and operators. The main options for exploitation of the testbed and its components are :

- Evaluate and test evolving IBC network and TMN technologies.
- Aid the design, production and validation of TMN components, and of IBC network components.
- Test conformance to TMN standards.
- Provide TMN components to operational TMNs within an IBC environment.
- Support education and training in IBC and TMN concepts.
- Provide the foundations of continued research in advanced communications, especially through the provision of a sophisticated environment for the development and execution of management experiments.

Fields of science

• engineering and technology › electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering › information engineering › telecommunications
• natural sciences › computer and information sciences › data science › data processing

Programme(s)

• FP3-RACE 2 - Specific research and technological development programme (EEC) in the field of communication technologies, 1990-1994

Topic(s)

Data not available

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

Data not available

Coordinator

Cray Communications Ltd

Address

Caxton Way Watford Business Park
WD1 8XH Watford
United Kingdom

Participants (14)

ALPHA SAI

Greece

Address

3 Xanthou Str
17778 Tavros Athen

ASCOM TECH

Switzerland

Address

Freiburgstrasse 370
3018 Bern

CENTRO DE ESTUDOS DE TELECOMUNICACOES

Portugal

Address

R. Jose Ferreiro Pinto Basto
3800 Aveiro

DELTA SOFTWARE ENGINEERING

Denmark

Address

Venlighedsvej 4
2970 Horsholm

DNAC

France

Address

28 Bis Boulevard Sebastopol
75004 Paris

GN ELMI AS

Denmark

Address

Kirkebjerg Alle 90
2605 Broendby

INSTITUTE OF COMPUTER SCIENCE

Greece

Address

Science And Technology Park
71110 Heraklio

KJOBENHAVNS TELEFON AKTIESELSKAB

Denmark

Address

1 Teglholmsgade
1790 Copenhagen

NOKIA CORPORATION

Finland

Address

02101 Espoo

NTUA

Greece

Address

Heron Polytechneiou 9
15773 Zografou Athens

TECHNICAL RESEARCH CENTRE OF FINLAND

Finland

Address

Otakaari 7b
2150 Espoo

UNIPRO LIMITED

United Kingdom

Address

28 Campus Road, Listerhills Science Park
BD7 1HR Bradford

UNIVERSITY OF DURHAM

United Kingdom

Address

South Road
DH1 3LE Durham

Birkbeck College, University of London

United Kingdom

Address

Malet Street, Bloomsbury
WC1E 7HX London