Technology interoperation in ATM networks: The REFORM system

This article addresses the applicability and interoperation of standards an d emerging technologies for the operation and management of ATM networks. T he issue is tackled from a practical perspective based on experiences gaine d through the design, realization, and experimentation of a system develope d by the ACTS AC208 REFORM project. Assuming an ATM-based network infrastru cture offering a range of services with distinct QoS guarantees, the REFORM system encompasses the required functions for ensuring cost-effective netw ork survivability and availability; fast-responding reliable fault detectio n and self-healing mechanisms, distributed dynamic routing functions with i nherent load balancing capabilities, efficient VP layer design, and dynamic network reconfiguration functions. A number of standards and emerging tech nologies were used for designing and realizing the wide spectrum of functio nality incorporated within the REFORM system, including ITU-T OAM 1.610 and Q.2931, ATM Forum UNI 3.0 and PNNI v. 1, OMG CORBA and Component Model, TI NA NRA and ISO/OSI, and ITU-T TMN. Based on the experience gained, the arti cle discusses and draws conclusions on the applicability, coexistence, and interoperation of the adopted technologies. It is shown that these technolo gies can coexist, through careful design, to the benefit of network design and operation.