Techniques for resolving heterogeneity and masking complexity in TMN systems

The authors present some of the results of ADVANCE, a project whose aim is to generate innovative solutions to the problems associated with the design and implementation of network and customer administration systems (NCASs) for IBCNs (integrated broadband communications networks). In particular, they focus on application level interfaces and argue that they can be used to resolve heterogeneity and shield the complexity of the network from the user. The use of advanced information processing (AIP) techniques in implementing these interfaces is also discussed and explained. Results from experiments which deal with four possible interfaces are outlined. Their goals were the design and provision of: facilities for transparent access to heterogeneous data sources; an object oriented network model with an associated query language; an object oriented interface which handles diverse NM systems in a unified manner; and transparent network communications access