Network-level information models for integrated ATM/SONET/WDM management

To sustain the ever growing demand for bandwidth in cost-effective, efficient and robust ways, it is anticipated that the next-generation transport network architecture will consist of several different technology layers. However, managing such multi-layered transport networks will be complicated and difficult, due to the scale of the networks and the correlation between different technology layers. Unfortunately, existing network management systems mainly manage a single technology, and management systems for different technologies may not interoperate. Therefore, to effectively manage the emerging multi-layered transport networks, an integrated network management system is urgently needed. In this paper, we describe work on integrated management of ATM/SONET/WDM networks from both information modeling´s and software architecture´s perspectives. We describe how the standard work on network-level information models may be used to model different transport technology layers and their inter-relationships. We will also describe how the CORBA technology may be used to realize the integrated information model so that the resulting integrated network management system is distributed and complies with TMN Logical Layered Architecture