Ontology Based Model for the Itu-T Recommendation G.805: Towards the Self-Management of Transport Networks

Abstract

This paper describes an ontology model (conceptual model) based on the ITU-T Recommendation G.805 for transport network architectures. The goal is to take a step forward to the autonomic applications for transport network operation and management. Besides the conceptual model description and explanation, including its main elements (classes, properties and constraints), this paper also includes the description of the G.805 recommendation main concepts characteristics. Furthermore, the paper elaborates on the advantages of using an ontological model, as well as the technologies used for ontology conceptual modelling and ontology implementation.Finally, this paper presents a case study using a simple OTN unidirectional network, in which automated inferences could be verified. In conclusion, the methodology and reference conceptual model of transport networks presented here constitutes a contribution towards autonomic network applications.

Ontological evaluation of the ITU-T Recommendation G.805

“…Section III is the main section of this work, presenting the analysis of the G.805 Recommendation and pointing to its identified deficiencies. Moreover, the section also presents cases of problematic definitions identified in the standard and demonstrates how these problems have been eliminated in the reference model proposed in [9]. Finally, in section IV, conclusions and are presented.…”

“…As consequence, those implementations serve different purposes than supporting the proper analyzes of semantic problems in those standards. In a previous article [9], we present an Ontology-Based Reference Conceptual Model for the ITU-T Recommendation G.805. The article presents the modeling of the recommendation main concepts, properties, relationships and constraints.…”

“…As an additional benefit of employing rigorous ontology techniques in the construction of the model in [9], we managed to identify a number of deficiencies (e.g., imprecision, semantic ambiguity, incompleteness) in the G.805 specification. One of goals of this article is to report on these findings.…”

“…As the models make explicit, these entity types belong to different ontological categories: while the Link is an existentially dependent intrinsic feature of an object (a mode, the physical link is a kind, persistent over time and with its own independent identity [7,9]; while the former represents , an LC representation in the topological view, the latter is a physical component of the network where, indeed, the data transmission takes place. Moreover, a Physical Link cannot be inferred from the existence of an LC (like other links) and it is not part of the network topological view.…”