cation normally utilizes a specific telecommunication management network. This could be illustrated by means of the telecommunication man- agement network model in Figure 16.5. Datacom: Within the IP environment a flat management structure was used, based on the SNMP protocol for agent-manager communication. No intermediate hierarchical levels were devised. The communication was based on the TCP/IP protocol suite with FTP (file transfer protocol) for file transfer. IP standards based on inherent network topology learning capabilities became a main tool that gave relief to the network administrators. Much of the traffic routing activi- ties then became autonomously handled by the network elements by means of dynamic configuration. A rather interesting paradox is that TM network technologies (data communication network, servers, etc.) strongly evolve towards IP, while the system structure becomes closer to the hierarchical TMN (OMCs and NMC) mainly due to the increasing size and diversity of managed networks. A short summary of terms associated with both approaches on management is given below: Enablers and terminology TMN - Telecommunications Management Network NMS - network management system NMC - network management centre OMC - operation and maintenance centre TMN Telecommunications management network Data communication network Network Network Network Network Network element element element element element Telecommunication network Figure 16.5 An illustration of the TMN model (OSS: operation support system) Understanding Changing Telecommunications - Building a Successful Telecom Business OSS - operations support system NE - network element Q3 interface MO - managed objects SMI - structure of management information MIT - management information tree CMIP - common management information protocol FTAM - file transfer, access and management 'Internet' standards NEs, managed objects and MIT (as for TMN, but Q3 interface usually not mentioned) SNMP - simple network management protocol Web protocols - HTTP (hyper text 