scope:

A telecommunications network is a complex network which can be described in a number of different ways depending on the particular purpose of the description. This Recommendation describes the network as a transport network from the viewpoint of the information transfer capability. More specifically, the functional and structural architecture of transport networks are described independently of networking technology.

This Recommendation describes the functional architecture of transport networks in a technology independent way. The generic functional architecture of transport networks should be taken as the basis for a harmonized set of functional architecture Recommendations for ATM, SDH, PDH networks, and a corresponding set of Recommendations for management, performance analysis and equipment specification.