What is Telecommunication Management Network(TMN)?

The Telecommunications Management Network is a protocol model defined by ITU-T for managing open systems in a communications network.

The benefits of TMN (multivendor, interoperable, extensible, scalable, and

object-oriented) are important because they allow companies to manage complex

and dynamic networks and services, and they allow those same companies to

continue to expand services, maintain quality, and protect legacy investments.

The standard management interface of TMA is Q3.

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.

Modern telecom networks offer automated management functions and are run by operations support system (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, and detect and correct network faults

 TMN Standby Interface:

Q,F,X

 Network Element Layer(NEL):

The NEL presents the TMN−manageable information in an individual NE. Both the Qadapter, which adapts between TMN and non−TMN information, and the NE are located in the NEL. In other words, the NEL interfaces between the proprietary manageable information and the TMN infrastructure.

Element Management Layer(EML):

Manages each network element; the EML has element managers, or OSs, each of which are responsible for the TMN−manageable information in certain NEs. In general, an element manager is responsible for a subset of the NEs. An element manager manages network element data, logs, activity, etc.

Network Management Layer(NML):

The NML has visibility of the entire network, based on the NE information presented by the EML OSs. The NML manages individual NEs and all NEs as a group. In other words, the NML has the first managed view of the network. The NML coordinates all network activities and supports the demands of the SML.

Service Management Layer(SML):

Uses information presented by NML to manage contracted service to existing and potential customers; this is the basic point of contact with customers for provisioning, accounts, quality of service, and fault management. The SML is also the key point for interaction with service providers and with other administrative domains. It maintains statistical data to support quality of service.

Service Management Layer takes care of service level only. For example, as a customer I changed my 1MBPS plan to 2MBPS plan. This change occurs at SML. SML instructs NML to upgrade bandwidth. NML checks whether the present NE can support 2MBPS? If yes, then issue the upgrade commands. If not, look for another port or look for another NE where 2MBPS can be provided.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Suppose user already has a Broad Band Service, now requested for new service like IPTV. These service level changes and Accounting of these services, Quality of Services will be managed by SML.

Business Management Layer(BML):

High-level planning, budgeting, goal setting, executive decisions, business-level agreements (BLAs), etc.

So Business Management Layer is responsible managing the whole enterprise. It has a broad scope.                                                                                                                                                                                                    For example, initially Reliance and TATA were offering CDMA services, now they added GSM services to their business layer. Airtel was known as a telecom company, but now they entered into DTH market.Upgrading their networks from IPV4 to IPV6, or adding new services, these decisions are taken at the level of Business Management Layer.                                                                                                                                                  In BML, Its not goal achieving, it is goal setting and it sits on top of the TMN pyramid.