Type of Question

Continuation of Q9/4 (2001-2004), with revised wording. Specification of the requirements specific to the needs of the X interface.

Reasons for the Question

The telecommunications industry has recognized the benefits of TMN for the communications of management information between the Service Provider to Service Provider, Service Provider to Network Operator, and Service Provider to Service Customer, via the X interface. This Question is also responsible for the definition of the Customer Network Management service and Network-Network management, based on the TMN X-interface framework. Communications requirements need to be specified for the BML to BML, SML to SML, and NML to NML X interfaces. It is important to specify the management functionality and associated management information to be communicated across these interfaces. In particular, with the rapid introduction of Internet Protocol, many Network Operators and Service Providers are planning to shift their networks to packet-based networks. There is a need to interconnect current PDH and SDH networks with newer IP-based technologies but there are no current Recommendations to guide the management of end-to-end Quality of Service. Question 9/4 is the lead question in SG4 for tML.

Text of the Question

1) What additional TMN principles and architecture are required for the X interface to support the Service Life-cycle ?

2) What additional TMN management services, function sets, and functions, specific to the needs of the BML X interface, are required to support SLA management of hybrid circuit-switched/packet-switched networks (HCPN) ?

3) What additional TMN management services, function sets, and functions, specific to the needs of the SML X interface, are required to support Pre-Ordering, Ordering, Provisioning (including Bandwidth on Demand), Connection Management, Trouble Administration and Billing management of HCPN ?

4) What additional TMN management services, function sets, and functions, specific to the needs of the NML X interface, are required to support Performance and Maintenance management of HCPN ?

5) What are the requirements for tML to support the use of xML for communications over the TMN X-Interface ?

6) What additional communication requirements and services, including those for security, need to be specified to support the X interface in support of legal and regulatory requirements for Administrations ?

7) What information is needed to be exchanged to support the management of the GoS in HCPN-based and IP-based networks?
8) What information must be exchanged between service providers to support SLAs for end-to-end QoS ?

9) What maintenance is required for M.3320, M.1500series, X.160series, and X.171?
10) What terminology is required in each new and revised Recommendation ?

11) What service management functions and management information is necessary to exchange across the X-Interface to meet the requirement of E.106 to manage the Telecommunications for Disaster Relief for IP and HCPN networks ?

12) What are the new and additional requirements of the Customer Network Management (CNM) ? The CNM service allows customers of a public network to access management information or functions of the network to facilitate each customer's own management of his telecommunications within the framework of the TMN-X interface. What revisions or extensions to Recommendations X.160, X.161, X.162, or X.163 or new Recommendations dealing with architectural extensions are required ?

13) What are the requirements for a Network-to-Network Management interface (NNM)? The NNM service allows network operators to exchange management information or to perform management functions within the framework of the TMN-X interface. What revisions or extensions to Recommendations X.170 or X.171 or new Recommendations dealing with architectural extensions are required ?

Specific task objectives

Specify the X interface security requirements to support the interconnection needs of the SP to SP, SP to NO, and SP to SC interfaces.

Define the protocol and interconnection requirements to support the needs for interconnection across　the X-Interface.

Complete work on the X Interface requirements document, M.3320, M.3341 for QoS, and M. 3350 for TDR.

Complete work on a high level requirements document for the X interface management information　exchange to support BML, SML, and NML functions.

Maintain M.1520, M.1530, M.1532, M.1535, M.1537, and M.1539.Formulate X interface requirements in support of TMN Management Services.

Relationships

ITU-T Study Group 2: Responsible for E.QOS-VOIP, E.106ITU-T Study Group 8: cooperation with IETF in Internet facsimile subject areaITU-T Study Group 12: speech quality on IP-based NetworksITU-T Study Group 13: Lead ITU-T SG for IP AspectsITU-T Study Group 16: responsible for H.323, including VOIP, management, Lead ITU-T SG for ETS AspectsETSI: responsible for TIPHON activity in support of VOIP telephonyTM Forum: Projects on SLA/QoS Management, Shared Information/Data Model (SID), Value-Chain Market Center (VCMC)QoS Forum: educate the market and facilitate deployment of QoS-enabled IP products and services for V