deploying and managing ip over wdm networks - Index of

26 Deploying and Managing IP over WDM Networks
other competitors. Having an adequate management infrastructure is of crucial
importance for network and service providers in order to keep a predominant
position in such a competitive environment.
This management infrastructure must cover all of the functional areas
(fault, configuration, performance, security, and accounting) and address all levels
of management (network-element, network, service, and business levels).
Besides, networks are becoming more complicated, shifting from public
switched telephone networks (PSTNs) to hybrid networks that must interwork
properly. Thus, the management infrastructure must also cover all of the technologies
in use, providing a common view to network and service providers.
Some of the most important areas in which management systems can be
useful for network and service providers to reach and maintain an advantageous
position in the telecommunication market are:
• Revenue increase. One of the most important problems network and
service providers must face to maximize profit is revenue increase. Management
systems can help to achieve this goal in several ways:
1. Maximizing the usage of existing products. To do so, network and
service providers can increase the average usage of the service of
existing customers and acquire new customers. In order to make
customers perceive a differentiation in the services offered, network
operators must provide higher quality. This will result in a bigger
market share. Managing service quality is therefore an essential
activity for all network and service providers.
2. Charging higher prices. Service providers can charge higher rates for
services that require a high degree of quality. For these kinds of
services, higher prices are acceptable but they must comply with
SLAs. Therefore, monitoring of SLAs is required. As a consequence,
service providers need tools to manage and measure network
quality and performance so they can provide some evidence
of the quality of service offered.
3. Introducing new services. Basic services (e.g., voice traffic and bandwidth)
tend to become undifferentiated standard products
4.
(commodities). Service providers need to introduce new services
that yield greater added value and profit margins, as customers are
willing to pay more for them. Multiservice networks that need
an adequate management support these complex services. Furthermore,
service development and life cycles are continuously
shortening.
Integration. Network management must integrate in a unique system
the operation of networks provided by different manufacturers