The Generic Network Model - an ITU Approach for Interoperability

Network interoperability may be achieved by a number of different means. This paper addresses the usage of management mechanisms to realize this goal. Where interoperability by means of management systems is concerned, standardization bodies like ITU are frequently associated with standardized network element (NE) models. This paper presents another option, interoperability on the network level. The network level view is more abstract and comprises fewer details, simplifying many management tasks considerably. A natural consequence of the proposal is the relaxation of the requirements for standardized NE models. The generic network model defined in the G.85x series is the core element of the proposal. The functionality of the current version as well as the planned extensions (access networks, connection-less networks including IP) are described and so are the underlying mechanisms, the generic network architecture defined in G.805, the Logical Layered Architecture in M.3010 and the enhanced Reference Model for Open Distributed Processing (RM-ODP) in G.851.1.