An element management system (EMS) manages one or more of a specific type of telecommunications network element (NE). Typically, the EMS manages the functions and capabilities within each NE but does not manage the traffic between different NEs in the network. To support management of the traffic between itself and other NEs, the EMS communicates upward to higher-level network management systems (NMS) as described in the telecommunications management network (TMN) layered model.

The EMS provides the foundation to implement TMN-layered operations support system (OSS) architectures that enable service providers to meet customer needs for rapid deployment of new services, as well as meeting stringent quality of service (QoS) requirements. The TeleManagement Forum„¢ common object request broker architecture (CORBA) EMS-to-NMS interface heralds a new era in OSS interoperability by making the TMN architecture a practical reality.

This tutorial provides a comprehensive understanding of the role of the EMS in the telecommunications network; the functions that are within the domain of EMSs; and trade-offs between various approaches to element management. It is hoped that this information will assist readers by enhancing their basic understanding of these multifaceted components of the evolving network.