scope:

The main objective of the present document is to define, iteratively, a generic, conceptual architectural reference model intended to serve as guideline for the design of the future generation networks exhibiting autonomic characteristics or capabilities. The technical content of the present document consists of a set of fundamental design principles elaborating on the functions, processes and interfaces of autonomic networks and systems.

The present document starts by analysising. The starting point of this work relies on the analysis of the existing research initiatives, autonomic architectures and standards for telecommunications network operation and management. This analysis allows to identify the gaps (or enablers to be introduced) between the current situation and the requirements and expectations expressed by the actors of the telecommunications environment.

These requirements are detailed in the GS AFI 001 [i.51] Scenarios, Use Cases and Requirements for future selfmanaging networks. In this way, the approach used to elaborate the present document is requirement-driven. In addition to these requirements, the analysis allows to list the networking functions commonly needed or employed in the current or emerging architectures, and identifying the missing functionalities.

The present document defines and describes what we call a Generic Autonomic Network Architecture (GANA) Reference Model for Autonomic Network Engineering, Cognitive Networking and Self-Management. The present document was produced by AFI WI#2 as shown on the figure below and subsequent releases of the Specification will be produced and published as the Reference Model evolves. The Generic Autonomic Network Architecture (GANA) Model is a Conceptual Architectural Reference Model for Autonomic Network Engineering, Cognition and Self- Management. Its purpose is to serve as a "blueprint model" that prescribes the design and operational principles of "autonomic decision-making manager components/elements" responsible for performing "autonomic" and "cognitive" management and adaptive control of resources. It is not an implementation architecture per se. [An elaborate definition is given in the next clauses]. Two aspects need to be distinguished as indicated on Figure 1:

1) a Generic Reference Model (specified in the present document); and

2) autonomicity-Enabled Reference Architectures that are the result of "instantiating" selected or all Functional Blocks and Reference Points defined in the Reference Model onto a target implementation-oriented standardized Reference Architecture. Clause 5 discusses the subject in detail.