ts in the drivers to deliver new Layer 2 and 3 MPLS, VLAN and IPSec management functionality. 3. Customised management components can be created for management of spe- cific network device features. Thus, Orchestream makes it easier to add automated support for new device features and for new devices. The ability to plug in or customise in order to support new technologies reduces the growth in the number of management systems that a carrier needs to control its network. In managing VPNs, the product can configure the network so that appropriate SLA tests begin between specific sites on any given VPN. This information can be automatically shared with an InfoVista product for real-time performance report- ing in Orchestream User Interface. 24 6.9 OSS framework for Provisioning Here we describe an approach to automated provisioning. The framework outlined here was devised and is used by AdventNet, an OSS vendor. 24 Despite the push towards industry-wide standard interfaces, it is difficult for OSS vendors to resist bilateral partnerships to ensure optimal connectivity between their products and so avoid the possibility of headaches for customers who want the functionality offered by products from both vendors. OSS for Telecom Networks 6.9.1 Simplifying Service Activation Service activation, or provisioning, is an area that is widely recognised as ripe improvement. In the past, provisioning was often cumbersome, with considerable delays due to legacy systems and manual processes. Many service providers see this as a major hurdle to growing their business and reducing costs. OSS software can reduce the provisioning burden of the service provider by automating the service provisioning process. While equipment vendors make it eas- ier to automate configuration and provisioning of their equipment, OSS software seeks to integrate the diverse equipment used in the network. Unfortunately, many OSS solutions require a great deal of costly system integration work in order for it to be installed and this is widely recognised 