SONET add/drop multiplex equipment administration using the TIRKS provisioning system

The author summarizes new features that have been added to Bellcore´s TIRKS system and FEPS (facilities and equipment planning system) carrier administration. Planners and inventory managers determine how SONET (synchronous optical network) equipment is to be planned, inventoried, and assigned. The process of assigning and connecting carrier equipment after parts are planned and inventoried is called carrier provisioning. It is noted that the FEPS and TIRKS systems also design carrier circuits, control plug-in administration, and provide downstream systems like OPS/INE (operations/intelligent network element) with all of the input necessary to interface with vendor intelligent network elements like a programmable ADM (add/drop multiple equipment)