Cellular network management goals and data-centric solutions

We elaborate on the management goals of next-generation cellular networks and describe how data-centric solutions can meet these goals. In a data-centric solution, operator applications act on a database representation of the cellular network. Network operations are invoked as a consequence to database changes, and the network, in turn, feeds the database with data such as network event notifications. The data-centric approach allows a focus on data as it is specified by the business needs of network management. This approach is augmented with data independence to assure consistent and flexible access of the data environment through the use of a common data interface. The data-centric design is contrasted with an application-centric design, and we conclude by providing suggestions on how application interface components can augment a data-centric network management solution.