Abstract

The paper presents a network management system developed for integrating the SSPON into the core network management plane. SSPON is a last mile access network that brings high-speed Internet connection to the end users. According to SSPON requirements the network management system should operate on the low-intelligence devices and the essential information should be accessible via SNMP. The straight use of SNMP on the user-end device requires considerable increase of the device complexity. We suggest an alternative solution that is based on two layers network management. The first layer is the standard SNMP-based management system used by operator in the core network. Allocation of the appropriate MIB branch is only what is needed on this layer. The second layer is SSPON proprietary management system that consists of low-level information exchange protocol and management databases specific for each type of devices. Information for the management database is obtained directly from the device registers. Direct use of the device registers decreases processing delay of the management information that is essential to meet requirements specified for the high-speed networks. The exchange protocol takes care of transferring the new information between the device and SSPON access router. The third component of the suggested system is management gateway installed on the SSPON access router. The gateway implements all intelligence of the system’s second layer and provides connection between the system layers. Settings of the management gateway define a share of the SSPON network management that is delegated to the central management station. The management information exchange policy can also be configured individually for each SSPON connected to the operator core network. The network management structure suggested in the paper can also be used in the other types of access networks, for example in mobile networks. It can be seen as a step towards less operator- dependent network, while it still provides the operator with a filling of decent network management and control. The network management becoming more flexible and it is based on a compromise of the operator and customers concerns. The additional advantage of the suggested approach is better scalability than of the original SNMP management system.

© 2005 Optical Society of America