Management Architecture for ATM Over ADSL-Based Access Networks

ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) is a new key technology for offering broadband services to home users and small businesses. ADSL technology is ready to take off. Management discussions aim at achieving an ADSL broadband service architecture are still taking place, however. In order to support multiple services over widely spread networks incorporating various transmission techniques, a cost-effective network operation requires an end-to-end network management architecture. We describe here how to integrate ADSL equipment into the existing telecommunications management network. Alternative protocols and information models are also discussed. The overall network management architecture gives the motivation for the management concept applied to our Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (DSLAM). The design of such a network element covers all management functionality that is required to multiplex ATM connections being transferred over the ADSL system and to integrate the network element into any telecommunications network. We have chosen a flexible approach to adapt the DSLAM management to different usage environments.