scope:

This standard specifies the application protocol and the use of the layer 1-3 protocols at the ISDN user-network interface¹⁾ to provide management capabilities. The protocols defined in this standard are suitable for management interactions involving transactiontype information exchanges.

Specifically, this standard defines

a) the layer services for layers 1-3 and the application layer;

b) the protocols for layers 1-3 and the application layer;

c) the convergence function required to allow the application layer to interface directly with layer 3;

d) the conformance requirements to be met by a system claiming to implement the management protocol profile for the ISDN user-network interface.

This standard does not

a) define the structure or meaning of the management information that is transmitted by means of these protocols;

b) specify the manner in which management is accomplished as a result of the protocol exchanges;

c) define the nature of any interactions that result in the use of the application layer protocol;

d) define the nature of any implementation intended to provide the ISDN management function.

Purpose

This standard is one of a series of standards describing the management capabilities, protocol profile, and messages to support management and maintenance functions to be provided at the ISDN user-network interface.

This standard describes the protocol profile employed in providing management information transfer capabilities at the ISDN user-network interface. This standard is technically and generally editorially aligned with CCITT Recommendation Q.941,²⁾except for the two technical differences identified in annex A. The overall management architecture, communications paths, and service requirements are specified in CCITT Recommendation Q.940. These protocols can be used on the Dchannel of both the basic and primary rate interface structures and across both reference points S and T, and are based on DSS1 messages. Because these messages are transferred between a network node and the directly connected users, these protocols only have local significance at the user-network interface. The protocol only supports services between entities directly connected by DSS1 signaling as discussed above. These services may be invoked by remote means (e.g., the TMN), but such remote invocation is beyond the scope of the standard.

Other standards in this series specify the procedures and protocol associated with specific management functions that are provided at the ISDN user-network interface.

The protocols and procedures described in these standards provide the means to support management functions at the ISDN user-network interface. In particular, these management functions provided by the ISDN user-network interface should support requirements such as those expressed in ANSI T1.216 - T1.219 (maintenance of layers 1-3 of ISDN Basic and Primary Rate interfaces). These protocols make the local control of these management functions possible, e.g., the control of loopbacks and diagnostic tests, and the initiation and termination of event reports.

1) The main application of this protocol profile is to the interface between the network and the customer. However, this protocol profile is also applicable to any other interface consisting of a single DSS1 link, such as a primary rate interface between two PBXs.

2) CCITT is now known as ITU-T.