OAM&P support software: current role and evolution

It is pointed out that the current OAM&P (operations, administration, maintenance, and provisioning) approach is based on the provision of software in packages, each one oriented toward the support of a certain aspect (either apparatus or functions) in the telecommunication area. Support systems are designed to solve specific problems, and issues involving several aspects, such as network traffic supervision with transmission, switching, and policies, are tackled by interconnecting several support systems in a hierarchical structure. It is argued that this vertical approach, even though it is at the moment the only technically and economically viable solution, does not solve all the issues and that a new approach is required for the future network. The new approach would be flatter, allowing the software modules (each module performing a specific function) to float on the various nodes of the network depending on the requirements of the network itself and on the organization structure of the operating company