TMN-based broadband ATM network management

ATM has rapidly transitioned from a standards and prototyping concept to become the next-generation switching technology used in products available on the market. With the rapid introduction of ATM switches into networks, there is an urgent need to manage them. The article discusses the telecommunication management network (TMN) interfaces being defined for management systems to communicate with ATM network elements (NEs) and other management systems. ATM management systems will have to communicate with ATM NEs in their jurisdiction using TMN interfaces. Networks will usually contain equipment from different suppliers. Thus, it is vital that there be standard management interfaces so that these different NEs can be managed. Some standard interfaces for ATM networks are defined, while others are being defined. The status of these interfaces is reviewed in the article. Communication between different networks is also needed, both between public networks and between public and private networks. Management personnel of one network need to exchange information with other networks for certain functions (e.g., initial service provisioning), and so management systems of different networks will exchange information through a combination of mechanized and manual interfaces. The status of these interfaces is also reviewed in the article