An implementation of a TMN-based SDH management system in Japan

Synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH) equipment based on fiber optics, SDH interfaces, and supporting operation systems (OSs) was introduced into Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT)´s transmission-line networks beginning in 1989. One of the major problems in the first phase was less intelligent proprietary interfaces between network elements (NEs) and OSs, which caused limited connectivity among different types of NEs and OSs. A second problem was the lack of reusability of software modules for a specific type of equipment for other types of equipment. At the beginning of the second phase, the principles of the telecommunications management network (TMN) were adopted to provide good tools for defining standard interfaces and object oriented modeling. The article describes problems encountered in the first phase SDH network management system and summarizes advantages expected from making use of TMN-related standards available at the design stage of the second phase SDH network management system. It outlines the new SDH network management system, followed by results from the application of the TMN-related standards to real networks