Type of Question

Continuation Question 18/4 (2001-2004); text revised.

Reasons for the Question

The telecommunications management network (TMN) has established architecture and interfaces for exchanging management information between network elements and management systems and between management systems. The management applications and interfaces are influenced by new transport technologies in wireline and wireless networks introduced in the access, and core networks, convergence of voice, data and video services, and introduction of control plane in automatic switched optical networks.

These technologies and services evolution imposes requirements on both the protocol capabilities and security considerations when the management traffic is exchanged on the same networks with data traffic. In addition, it is necessary to determine how to take advantage of Distributed Object Technology and other new e-commerce based solutions in extending the protocol specifications. These solutions encompass the use of multiple Telecommunications and IT infrastructure paradigms, for communication of Network and Systems Management information between Managing and Managed Systems. 

This Question is responsible for the maintenance of OSI Systems Management and TMN Q and X interface Protocol Recommendations. These are: X.710, X.711, and Q,81x series

Close cooperation is required with other ITU Questions dealing with the development of Signaling communications plane and Management communications plane requirements as well as service features for signaling and switching control. 

Text of the Question

What new Recommendations and enhancements to existing Recommendations are required to meet the current and future protocol requirements for the management of new technologies and next generation networks ? In particular:

How do the requirements for Management Communications Network and Signaling Communications network are aligned when the same protocols are used in the network layer ? 

Are there new services and extensions required for the distributed processing support currently included in the protocol specifications for TMN

What protocol support and support services required to exchange management information adopting e-commerce based solutions as defined by tML framework in M.3030, following the requirements of Q9/4 ? 

What new TMN protocols are needed to support management of new classes of network elements, networks and services in a converged also known as next generation networks ?

What additional interworking mechanisms are required to support the integration of elements managed with special and general purpose (define in M.3017) paradigms into the TMN ?

What protocol security mechanisms are required to support management in a converged network ?

What is required to handle defects in published Recommendations, including progression of Draft Technical Corrigenda for X.710 and 711 ? The X.700 Implementor's Guide will be re-issued at each Study Group meeting as necessary.

Specific task objectives

• Develop new Baseline Security Requirements recommendations for the management plane augmenting existing Security Recommendations. Expected: 1H2004
• Revisions of Q.811 and Q.812 to address extensions to signaling and control plane requirements in G.7712. Expected: 2H2005
• Develop interworking recommendations when multiple paradigms are supported by network elements in multiple networks. Expected: 1H2006
• Revision of Q.811 and Q.812 to address protocol requirements of tML. Expected TBD
• Development of conformance proforma for protocol stacks to support tML. Expected TBD