TMN Xcoop interface specification for pan-European SDH networks and ATM networks

The article describes a full specification set for the cooperative management interface between network operators, called Xcoop, applied to the domains of the international SDH (synchronous digital hierarchy) transport network and the international ATM (asynchronous transfer mode) transport network. The results presented were achieved in the Eurescom project P408 called the "Pan-European TMN experiments and Field Trial Support". A number of European network operators participated in the TMN specification tasks. Before describing the Xcoop interface specifications we present the context and the objectives of the task in the project, as well as the methodology used: the ensemble concept from the Network Management Forum (NMF). We then give a separate overview of the SDH and ATM specifications. In the SDH case, the specification set is composed of an information model, an ensemble for path provisioning and another ensemble for fault management. The information model contains object classes from X.721 and object classes inherited from the interim ETSI standard 300 653 (NA4/GOM). In the ATM case, the specification set is composed of an information model and an ensemble for fault management. The information model contains object classes from X.721 and object classes from the ATM pilot issue 1.2++ configuration information model. We focus on an assessment of the methodology carried out in terms of both usability (for specifiers) and applicability (for implementors). We also outline the subsequent activities inside this project and inside other Eurescom projects.