ETSI - European Telecommunications Standards Institute
Latest
EG 203 341-2016
Scope
"The present document@ ""Approaches for Testing Adaptive Networks"" defines a framework of testing principles and guidelines that may be used to test networks that exhibit some form of autonomic adaptive behaviour@ which allows them to dynamically change their configuration@ structure or operational parameters. The (re)-configuration is performed in response to stimuli such as changes in workload@ operator policies that govern their operation@ context (the network is context-aware and may have a degree of self-awareness); and challenges in the environment (i.e. conditions under which the network is operating@ e.g. manifestations of faults@ errors@ failures in various parts of the network and its hardware and software components). The functionality of individual components and basic interoperability can be ensured at design time. However@ the complex interactions between various components or functions deployed in a live Adaptive Network (AN) may not be fully assessed or foreseen. Consequently@ the document addresses methodologies to test ANs towards meeting their functional targets or policies@ and ensuring a minimum trust level for autonomic operation of such networks. NOTE: In the literature@ both the terms ""autonomous"" and ""autonomic"" are being used in this context@ whereas ""autonomous"" appears to indicate a higher level of automation. As adaptive networks are@ at the time of writing@ surely a technology still at its beginnings@ ""autonomic"" may be a less ambitious and therefore more appropriate term for the time being. On the other hand@ the NGMN 5G White Paper (V1.0) uses the term combination ""autonomic/self-management functions"" which points@ clearly towards a level beyond ""autonomic"". As mobile networks are complex systems@ it is most likely that the degree of automation will increase in the course of technical evolution@ but not in an isotropic way; there will be areas with higher and others with lower levels of automation@ and sophistication of respective functions. For these reasons@ the present document will use the term ""autonomic""."
EG 203 341-2016 history
2016EG 203 341-2016 Core Network and Interoperability Testing (INT); Approaches for Testing Adaptive Networks (V1.1.1)