Software Engineering Methodology for Development of APIs for Network Management using the MEF LSO Framework

Standardized open APIs are a cornerstone of successful automation of intra- and inter-carrier telecommunication networks. MEF 55 defines an agile methodology that, with support of proper tool chaining, can deliver open APIs from an information model in an automated fashion. This methodology is an example of a spiral approach with feedback loops that enable quick rework cycles at each step of the process and help to maintain integrity between all artifacts that are produced. By using the MEF life cycle service orchestration (LSO) PRESTO reference point and MEF PRESTO network resource provisioning (NRP) API as a running example, we discuss the steps of the LSO engineering methodology and propose a tool chain that enables process automation.