Achieving information models for management and control of next-generation transport networks

1. Achieving information models for management and control of next-generation transport networks Bela BerdeAlcatel CIT Håkon LønsethagenTelenor R&D Broadband Networks for All – FP6 IST Workshop at NOC 2004

2. Outline • Introduction & Background • Requirements and goals • Information Models and their point of view • Modelling issues an proposals • Modelling management features of control plane entities and capabilities • Policy-based Management and Information Model • Concluding remarks Broadband Networks for All – FP6 IST WS at NOC-04 2

3. Overall Approach in NOBEL (WP4) Servicevision from Operators WP4 Equipment vision from Manufacturers Inputs from collaborations with external projects Broadband Networks for All – FP6 IST WS at NOC-04 3

4. Next-generation transport network Broadband Networks for All – FP6 IST WS at NOC-04 4

5. Next-generation transport network • Reduced OPEX • Efficient resource usage • Decentralized, IP-based control • New services • Customisation • Ubiquitous, distributed, standardized control plane • Multi-technology, multi-vendor, and multi-domain environment • Service production: Control plane – Management plane Integration based on a consistent IM Broadband Networks for All – FP6 IST WS at NOC-04 5

6. Requirements and goals • Topology and network infrastructure construction • Call and connection set up, modification, and release • VPN set up, modification, and release • Survivability and fault handling of both the TP as well as the data communication network (DCN) • Performance monitoring and management • Traffic engineering (TE) also taking into account off-line TE capabilities • A control node can be physical separated from the TP • Supporting CP internal vertical interaction, considering also hierarchical CP solutions • Unified CP where a control node can control several transport network elements, typically being confined within the same location Broadband Networks for All – FP6 IST WS at NOC-04 6

7. Control nodes andCP-TP separation NMI-A NMI-T Broadband Networks for All – FP6 IST WS at NOC-04 7

8. Information Models and Point of View Broadband Networks for All – FP6 IST WS at NOC-04 8

9. CPA IM – IM for NMI-A (1) CPC IM • IM of the managed entities representing the control plane (CP) itself, its components and capabilities,as perceived from a control node • To allow the MP to perform mgmt actions on the control node and to receive notifications • CPC IM refers to a unique control plane instance • “Control Node” is the main managed entity, a “Managed Element” containing other managed entities related to CP functionality • Management related to TE, Topology, Routing, Call/Connection control, CAC, DCN, logical control channels Broadband Networks for All – FP6 IST WS at NOC-04 9

10. CPA IM – IM for NMI-A (2) CPT IM • IM representing managed entities associated with and derived from the transport plane (TP), its resources and the corresponding management functionality, as presented to the MP trough the CP • CPT IM refers to a unique control plane instance • The traditional network level information models could be the starting point for the development of this model • Entities like: Subnetwork, (TE) Link, SNPPs, Connections, etc. • Multi-layer switching capable entities and switching capability layer (SCL) entities Broadband Networks for All – FP6 IST WS at NOC-04 10

11. MP IM – IM inside the MP (1) MPC IM • IM derived inside the MP (e.g. interface from Sub-NMS to General NMS) representing managed entities of the CP itself • Derived from the synthesised and coordinated view across several NMI-As (i.e. across several Control Nodes). • “Control Plane Network” is the main managed entity representing a network level CP instance • Supporting coordinated management by policies for the CP as perceived by the operator (NMS user) Broadband Networks for All – FP6 IST WS at NOC-04 11

12. MP IM – IM inside the MP (2) MPT IM • IM inside the MP (e.g. from Sub-NMS to General NMS) representing managed entities associated with the synthesised and coordinated view of the TP • Integrated model based on • Information from and interaction with NMI-As • Information from and interaction with (indirectly) NMI-T • Important in various migration and integration scenarios involving legacy solutions • Multi-layer switching capable entities and switching capability layer (SCL) entities Broadband Networks for All – FP6 IST WS at NOC-04 12

13. CPi IM – IM inside CP CPi IM • IM inside the CP – Two different cases: • When there is a hierarchy of control planes, e.g. multiple instances • Hierarchy of a control plane • Example: Two CP instances for • PWE3 (Martini) and • GMPLS on the same node • Hierarchical routing and path selection • IM for interaction between hierarchical levels (similar to PNNI) PWE3 Interlayer GMPLS Broadband Networks for All – FP6 IST WS at NOC-04 13

14. CPA IM Broadband Networks for All – FP6 IST WS at NOC-04 14

15. CPA IM • Signalling Mgr • Specific per Switching Capability Layer (SCL) • CAC • Enable the MP to control/handle the CAC behaviour - by policy • control (CAC specified in RFC 2745/2750) • Dependent on resource availability of the SCL • Signalling for e.g. light paths • Enable the MP to control/handle the signalling behaviour • e.g. Label proposition and selection Broadband Networks for All – FP6 IST WS at NOC-04 15

16. CPA IM • Topology&Resource Mgr • Providing topology and resource handling functionality • Mgmt of Link bundling and related policies • Mgmt of SNPP configuration and assignment, and related policies Broadband Networks for All – FP6 IST WS at NOC-04 16

17. Policy-based management for managing the CP . . . including managing the TP via the CP PBM advantages • Configurable policies provide flexibility and extensibility • Powerful mgmt operations • Local as well as global decision making • Contributing to efficient resource allocation and optimisation PBM challenges • Several implementation technologies • Complicates implementations and interoperability • Policy Information Models Broadband Networks for All – FP6 IST WS at NOC-04 17

18. IM Application: Layered Policy Model for Impacting the Behavior of the CP • A 3-layer hierarchical model includes: • Low-level protocol (controller) configuration and management: RSVP-TE Refresh interval etc. • Management of control node internal functionality: E.g. CAC, Signaling, and Traffic Engineering controllers • LSP-life cycle management: LSP (and also TE Link, FA) Broadband Networks for All – FP6 IST WS at NOC-04 18

19. Policy Information Modelling issues Protocol specific solutions – What is suitable for NMI-A? • COPS and PIBs • SNMP and (policy) MIBs • Other . . . IETF PCIM/PCIMe (Policy Core Information Model) • Protocol neutral • Configuration of interfaces – QoS, Security TMF Policy model • Extends the PCIMe model – e.g. with explicit • PolicyEvent • PolicyStatements An ASTN PIM should be developed • Level of abstraction – e.g. domain wide TE Broadband Networks for All – FP6 IST WS at NOC-04 19

20. Concluding remarks Issues, alternatives, and innovative proposals • IMs for NMI-A, for the MP, and for the CP • TP and CP separation for the IMs • Multi-layer and SCL level entities • Hierarchical - vertical and horizontal integration of CP • Applicable for all connection-oriented layers • Prepare for management by policies NOBEL WP4 will progress this further • Specification • Implementation, experiments Broadband Networks for All – FP6 IST WS at NOC-04 20