XML based robust client-server communication for a distributed telecommunication management system

Our distributed telecommunication management system (DTMS) uses an object-oriented model to describe the networked voice communication system (VCS) to be managed. In order to allow for robust system evolution and maintenance, strong coherence of concern is achieved by strict encapsulation of the VCS model. All other components have either to be VCS-independent or to be generated from the VCS model. To provide the necessary generic and flexible interfaces, we decided to use the eXtensible Markup Language (XML) as data interchange format between the client and the server and also for semi-structured persistence in a relational database. As the model also contains most constraints, an XML schema is generated from the model and is used by client and server for validation purposes. The new DTMS series is currently in the integration and test phase and will be delivered by the end of 2002. Although there are some drawbacks, the results are promising and we expect XML and its associated standards and tools to become a versatile and flexible instrument in modern software engineering practice.