Telecommunications Management Network

The Telecommunications Management Network (TMN) is a protocol model defined by ITU-T for managing open systems in a communications network. It is part of the ITU-T recommendation series M.3000 and is based on the OSI management specifications in ITU-T recommendation series X.700.

TMN provides a framework for achieving interconnectivity and communication across heterogeneous operations systems and telecommunication networks. To achieve this, TMN defines a set of interface points for elements which perform the actual communications processing (such as a call processing switch). It also allows for management workstations, to monitor and control them. The standard interface allows elements from different manufacturers to be incorporated into a network under a single management control.

For communication between Operations Systems and NEs (Network Elements), it uses the Common management information protocol (CMIP) or Mediation devices when it uses Q3 interface.

The TMN layered organization is used as the basis for the management software of ISDN, B-ISDN, ATM, SDH/SONET and GSM networks. It is not as commonly used for purely packet-switched data networks such as GPRS.

Modern telecom networks offer automated management functions and are run by OSS software. These manage modern telecom networks and provide the data that is needed in the day-to-day running of a telecom network. OSS software is also responsible for issuing commands to the network infrastructure to activate new service offerings, commence services for new customers, detect and correct network faults.

The framework identifies four logical layers of network management:

 

· Business management – Includes the functions related to business aspects, analyzes trends and quality issues, for example, or to provide a basis for billing and other financial reports.

· Service management – Handles services in the network: definition, administration and charging of services.

· Network management – Distributes network resources, performs tasks of: configuration, control and supervision of the network.

· Element management – Handles individual network elements including alarm management, handling of information, backup, logging, and maintenance of hardware and software.

 
A network element provides agent services, mapping the physical aspects of the equipment into the TMN framework.