Model-Centric Fulfillment Operations and Maintenance Automation

As networks have evolved, there has been an evolution in how they are managed as well. This evolution has seen a move from manual configuration via command line interface (CLI) to script-based automation and eventually to a template-based approach with workflow to coordinate multiple templates and scripts. The next step in this evolution is the introduction of models to provide a more dynamic capability than is in place today. This chapter will discuss three major layers of modelling that should be considered during implementation of this approach: device models focused on the configuration of the hardware itself; service models focused on the customer or network facing services that leverage the hardware level configuration; and operational models focused on people, processes, and tools involved in application of device and service models. This includes the orchestration of activities with other tools, such as operational support systems (OSS) and business support systems (BSS).