ISO/IEC 10742:1994/Amd 3:1996

Overview

ISO/IEC 10742:1994/Amd 3:1996 is an important amendment to the international standard ISO/IEC 10742:1994, focusing on information technology and telecommunications. Specifically, it addresses the management information related to the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) Data Link Layer standards. This third amendment introduces new counter attributes to enhance the management capabilities for OSI Data Link Layer entities, based on requirements from the ITU-T SG 7 working group.

The amendment specifies additional attributes for tracking communication performance metrics related to the LAPB (Link Access Procedure, Balanced) Data Link Entity. These additions improve monitoring and diagnostic functions essential for network communications management and troubleshooting.

Key Topics

• OSI Data Link Layer Management: Extends ISO/IEC 10742 with new attributes tailored to OSI Data Link Layer objects.
• Counter Attributes: Introduces three specific counters:
  • mlpFramesReceived: Counts the total number of MLP frames received.
  • mlpFramesSent: Counts the total number of MLP frames sent.
  • mlpFramesOutsideWindowGuard: Counts MLP frames received outside the window guard, highlighting potentially problematic transmissions.
• LAPB Data Link Entity Enhancements: These attributes are integrated into the LAPB Data Link Entity management objects, expanding monitoring accuracy and scope.
• Compliance with ITU-T SG 7 Requirements: Reflects coordination with international telecommunication standards body ITU-T, ensuring interoperability.
• Object Identifier (OID) Allocation: Defines unique OIDs for the new attributes to maintain consistency in management information structure.

Applications

This amendment is crucial in several practical contexts:

• Network Management Systems (NMS): Enables network administrators to monitor OSI Data Link Layer performance with finer granularity using enhanced counters.
• Telecommunication Equipment Vendors: Helps manufacturers implement standardized management interfaces that comply with international standards.
• OSI Data Link Layer Troubleshooting: Supports diagnostics by tracking frame reception and transmission issues, including anomalies such as frames received outside the transmission window.
• Protocol Performance Analysis: Facilitates detailed statistics collection for the LAPB protocol, improving quality of service (QoS) management on telecommunications networks.
• Interoperability Assurance: Ensures consistency across multi-vendor network components through adherence to an internationally recognized specification.

Related Standards

• ISO/IEC 10742:1994: The base standard defining management information for OSI Data Link Layer.
• ITU-T SG 7 Recommendations: Provides underlying requirements and guidance for telecommunications management information.
• ISO/IEC 9595: Covers telecommunications management network (TMN) concepts and architecture, complementing management interface standards.
• OSI Reference Model Standards (ISO/IEC 7498 series): Foundation for open systems interconnection, contextualizing the Data Link Layer.
• ISO/IEC 10164: Management functions and services for OSI, related to comprehensive network management.

By implementing ISO/IEC 10742:1994/Amd 3:1996, organizations benefit from enhanced network monitoring capabilities that facilitate improved communication reliability, easier fault localization, and alignment with global telecommunications management standards. This amendment supports ongoing evolution in information exchange and management for the OSI Data Link Layer within modern network infrastructures.