Overview
ISO/IEC 10164-16:1997/Amd 1:1998 is an important amendment to the international standard related to Information Technology and Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Systems Management. This amendment extends Part 16 of the Systems Management standard, specifically addressing the Management Knowledge Management function by incorporating an extension for the General Relationship Model (GRM).
This extension enhances the formal management frameworks by defining how managed object classes and managed relationship classes are specified, maintained, and mapped within distributed application services. The amendment provides definitions, templates, and specifications for relationship classes and mappings to improve the management of complex networked systems.
Key Topics
-
General Relationship Model (GRM) Extension
Introduces the GRM framework within the management knowledge domain, enabling the specification of managed relationship classes alongside managed object classes.
-
Managed Object and Relationship Classes
Enhances the scope of management knowledge to include both managed object classes and managed relationship classes, with detailed templates and attributes.
-
Relationship Class Template Managed Object
Defines attributes such as:
- Derived from: Superclass relationships
- Behaviour: Defines the intended operational behavior
- Supports: Optional relationship management operations
- Qualified by and Role specifier: Attributes for qualifications and role definitions
-
Relationship Mapping Template Managed Object
Specifies how relationships can be mapped between managed object classes with attributes including:
- Mapped relationship class
- Role mapping specification
- Operations mapping relating relationship management to system operations
-
Updated Attribute and Template Definitions
Introduces new attribute definitions such as Mapped relationship class, Operations mapping, Qualified by, Relationship object, Role mapping specification set, Role specifier, and Supports, enhancing clarity and functionality of systems management.
-
Integration with Directory Services
Defines auxiliary class templates for inclusion in Directory entries to represent GRM relationship class and mapping specifications, supporting consistent directory-based management.
-
Specification Updates
Specifies updated references to GDMO (Guidelines for the Definition of Managed Objects), ASN.1 (Abstract Syntax Notation One), and inclusion of GRM specifications for clarity in template construction and processing.
Applications
-
Distributed Systems Management
Facilitates comprehensive management of distributed applications by clearly modeling relationships between managed objects, improving automation and policy enforcement.
-
Network Element and Service Management
Enables systematic relationship handling, crucial for telecommunications and complex network infrastructures where service components and network elements interact dynamically.
-
Directory Services Integration
Enhances directory-based management systems by standardizing relationship models, improving interoperability and information consistency.
-
Management Knowledge Repositories
Supports advanced management knowledge bases with rich templates and relationship models to assist in configuration, monitoring, and fault management.
-
Systems Interoperability
Promotes interoperable management functions through standardized models that can be implemented across diverse platforms and vendor systems.
Related Standards
-
ISO/IEC 10164 (Systems Management Overview)
The parent standard that structures the OSI Systems Management framework, under which Part 16 provides the knowledge management function.
-
ITU-T Recommendations X.700 Series
Complementary telecommunications management framework standards coordinating with ISO/IEC 10164 developments.
-
GDMO (ISO/IEC 10165 Series)
Guidelines for defining managed objects, used alongside ASN.1 for specifying managed objects and their behavior.
-
ASN.1 (ISO/IEC 8824 / 8825 Series)
Formal language for defining data structures, extensively used in specifying managed objects and GRM templates.
-
ISO/IEC JTC 1, SC 33 Distributed Application Services
The technical committee responsible for the collaborative development and maintenance of the standard and its amendments.
By implementing the ISO/IEC 10164-16:1997/Amd 1:1998 amendment, organizations can improve system and network manageability, defining clear and extensible relationship models for complex infrastructures. This fosters higher automation levels and interoperability across heterogeneous systems, key to modern IT and telecommunications management.