In order to efficiently conduct the complex operations of network OpSs (Operation Systems), we introduce the TMN-based Integrated Management Display System (IMD). IMD is able to control the display of windows monitoring individual operations on multiple screens such as project monitors. In this paper, we describe an implementation of the IMD and experimental results. This implementation consists of the Multi-Screen Control System (MSS), Multi-Screen Agent System (MSA) and Multi-Screen Manager System (MSM). MSA controls MSS directly via proprietary protocols. MSM manages MSA via the TMN Interface. MSA is modeled using the GDMO (Guidelines for the Definition of Managed Objects). Moreover, in order to realize cooperation with other OpSs, MSM is based on TMN. We confirm that MSM interworks with ATMOS (ATM Transport Network Operation System) and develop an alarm surveillance system for ATMOS using IMD at in an OpS-Room. Experiments verify that MSA can be controlled by MSM following the alarms emitted from the real network equipment of the ATM Transport Network. As a result, the operators can comprehend the operations information more quickly than is possible with the conventional system. By using the TMN-based Integrated Management Display System (IMD), operations such as alarm surveillance can be performed more efficiently.

Private networks are becoming globalized and more complicated through LAN-WAN interconnection. While WANs are managed by CMIP, LANs are managed by SNMP. To achieve end-to-end management, the integration of CMIP-based and SNMP-based management is important. We have developed an MI (Management Integration) platform for CMIP-based and SNMP-based management. It provides OSI SMF (Systems Management Function)-based unified basic management services to upper level applications regardless of the differences between CMIP-based and SNMP-based management. It achieves this with two modules: a management information transfer integration module that mainly covers protocol and data format differences between them, and a basic management module that covers functional differences. The translation of management information in the former module can be changed flexibly because the translation is based on an external script file. The latter module has additional SMF-like functions for the management of SNMP agents in addition to SMF manager role functions, etc. Prototype evaluation has demonstrated the feasibility of the MI platform.

As the Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) technology comes to be used widely, the Telecommunications Management Network (TMN) over ATM networks becomes an important issue. Since TMN uses the OSI protocols including the Common Management Information Protocol (CMIP), it is required to implement CMIP communication over ATM networks. In order to realize OSI over ATM, ITU-T SG13 has standardized the Service Specific Coordination Function for Connection Oriented Network Service (SSCF-CONS), Service Specific Connection Oriented Protcol (SSCOP), and the Synchronization and Coordination Function (SCF). We have developed the CMIP software over ATM networks adopting these protocols. The CMIP software is designed so that it achieves both high throughput for large data transfer and short response time for small message exchange. The software adopts the implementation mechanisms commonly applied for protocol modules to reduce the overheads for controlling OSI protocol modules, and some protocol specific mechanisms especially for protocols with heavy processing overheads, i.e. SSCOP and CMIP. The performance evaluation shows that the developed CMIP software achieves more than 200 message exchanges per second for messages whose length is 64 Byte long, and achieves about 36 Mbps throughput for transferring data whose length is more than 100 KByte.

This paper proposes a method for constructing an interface between an operations system and a workstation (OpS-WS interface) in a telecommunications management system based on TMN. To construct this interface, an appropriate communication protocol must be selected to perform management through efficient message exchange. The human machine interface provided by the WS should specify the managed objects. The interface also needs to be implemented so as to minimize the software revisions needed when the computer or its associated window system, or both, are changed. The proposed method addresses all these requirements. GUI components for realizing the HMI function are defined as Managed Objects as are communication network resources. Therefore, the communication protocol in TMN is defined as unique and it is possible to separate the HMI Interface from the OpS. CMIP is employed as the communication protocol to provide efficient message exchange. Software components that realize the human machine interface are selected so as to satisfy functional requirements specific to telecommunications management. The managed objects (MOs) and their relationships are investigated in order to represent these components appropriately. In the proposed method, the CMIP-based OpS-WS interface allows the OpS to take the manager role and the WS take the agent role. An implementation technique for MOs is also presented. The technique enables the software that implements MO behaviour to be coded easily. A prototype is built to confirm the correct operation of the proposed OpS-WS interface, and it is shown that CMIP requires fewer message exchanges to indicate alarms on the WS than other protocols. The proposed method is also advantageous because of its flexibility. That is, the WS software can be updated with little effort when the computer or its associated window system, or both, are changed.

ISO and ITU-T have developed the standard concept of the Telecommunications Management Network (TMN). This standard does not, however, specify interface implementation. The user requires an Application Programming Interface (API) that bridges user application and the TMN concept to construct a TMN-based application. This paper proposes an object oriented API (OOAPI) that is suitable for TMN-based operations system implementation. OOAPI is one interface of the Common Management Information Service Element (CMISE), and uses the Common Management Information Protocol (CMIP). OOAPI is composed of two C++ programming language constructs: Data Object and Interface object "M_User". The Data Object makes it easier for the user to access management information. The M_User provides a connection-less CMISE interface because the OOAPI handles CMIP association automatically. The M_User also provides MO location-transparency by using the OSI Directory Service. This paper compares the existing MO location-transparency schemes with the OOAPI method, and clarifies the advantages of OOAPI. This paper also indicates results from OOAPI trials, and confirms that OOAPI has sufficient performance to implement highly effective TMN operations system.