ABSTRACT: Issue 3 of GR-2869-CORE, Generic Requirements for Operations Based on the Telecommunications Management Network (TMN) Architecture, replaces Issue 2.

The Telecommunications Management Network (TMN) provides an architectural framework for the management of telecommunications networks and services. The TMN architecture continues to show increasing applicability and importance to the management of packet data networks that provide voice, data, and other more complex services. It describes the TMN Functional architecture framework based on a matrix of the TMN logical layers: Network Element Layer (NEL), the Element Management Layer (EML), the Network Management Layer (NML), the Service Management Layer (SML), and the Business Management Layer (BML), and five Management Functional Areas (MFAs): Performance Management, Fault Management, Configuration Management, Accounting Management, and Security Management.

This document, by describing the currently understood set of functions for the TMN functional architecture framework, provides a common frame of reference and standard vocabulary for discussion and an improvement in understanding between key industry stakeholders. This is necessary in order to communicate along the value chain, where the end results are TMN deployments that provide competitive advantage to their service provider owners/users.

This document identifies and provides descriptions of TMN functions and, through the use of example scenarios, identifies and characterizes interactions between those functions. The functions and interactions described in the body of this document are not intended to be technology- or supplier-specific, i.e., they are applicable to the management of different network technologies and are applicable to different technologies employed in the implementation of TMN applications.

Issue 3 of GR-2869-CORE provides the following changes, enhancements, and new material:

• Updating TMN principles based on evolving TMN standards (M.3010, revised in 2000, M.3013, issued in 2000, M.3400, revised in 2000).
• Revising EML MAF descriptions to restrict them to a nodal view of the NEs that they manage, in accordance with revised M.3010. Reference to any knowledge of connectivity between NEs was removed from all EML MAFs.
• Clarifying usage of TMN architectures throughout Requirements, Analysis, Design, Development of TMN implementations.
• Updating common support services needed for TMN functions based on current developments within the industry.
• Adding new material on Requirements, Analysis, and Design methodologies that are converging within the computer and communications industries.
• Adding new material on Unified Modeling Language and its constructs that are becoming more widely used to support Requirements, Analysis, and Design methodologies.