Telecommunication systems+ have a unique set of characteristics which call for a specialised approach towards configuration management (CM). In this paper, we introduce PVC-M, a process-oriented version and configuration control model which is suitable for the evolution of communications software, Recognizing the diversity of requirements by software developers, not to mention design methodologies that they follow, PVC-M gives the client a generic model which can be customised to suit individual needs. Most traditional CM tools are either data-driven, or purely process-oriented. Few attempt to integrate these two somewhat orthogonal concepts into one, thereby failing to accurately represent the software development (and maintenance) process. Both the data and process viewpoints are essential. PVC-M envelopes both concerns. Although aimed at communications software, PVC-M is easily adaptable to hardware CM, and in particular, VLSI design. We identify communications software as one area which badly needs suitable CM tools. Communications software systems are some of the most difficult to design and vrtlidate. Traditionally, communication systems are complex, with a typical voice switching system, for example, serving several thousand telephones. A deviation from the tradition is the advent of value-added services which has only aggravated the complexity of telecom systems. In [Ochu90b], we discuss peculiaritiesin telecoms in great detail, mention existing solutions (and problems with them), and finally make our own proposals. The result of this work is a process-oriented version and configuration control model, PVC-M, which is summarised in this paper.In the next section, we introduce the model. We discuss its implementation status in section 3, related systems in section 4, and future research projections in section 5.Two simple examples to illustrate how PVC-M works are given in the Appendix. A complete discussion of PVC-M can be found in [Ochu90c].
PVC-MThe very complex nature of communications systems and the crucial role they play in a society (or organisation) calls for thoroughly researched and well planned administrative data and network management. At best, design and maintenance of communications software is a team effort, *e mail. shern@minster york.ac.uk '~this paper, we use the term "communiestions" (e.g. systems, software, etc.) to refer to telecommunications. In partictdar, PVC-M is targeted at telecommunications "software". In future, It might be adapted for teleeom hardware too.Permission to copy without fee rdt or part of this material is granted provided that rtre copies are not made or distributed for direct commercial advantage, the ACM copyright notice and the titte of the publication and its date appear, and notice is given that copying is by permission of the Association for Computing Machinery. To copy otherwise, or to retmblish, requires a fee and/or speeitic permission. @ 1991 ACM 089791-429-5/91/0005/0109 $1.50
