Arrangements for maintenance, administration or management of data switching networks, e.g. of packet switching networks

administration keeping track of resources in the network and how they are assigned. It includes all the "housekeeping" that is necessary to keep the network under control. agent agents a software module that performs management functions requested by a manager. maintenance performing repairs and upgrades—for example, when equipment must be replaced, when a router needs a patch for an operating system image, when a new switch is added to a network. Maintenance also involves corrective and preventive measures to make the managed network run "better", such as adjusting device configuration parameters. network element network elements manageable logical entity uniting one or more physical devices which are networked. Network elements usually have management agents responsible for interfacing with the network manager. They can be any type of device, including, but not limited to: nodes, routers, switches, bridges, hubs, network Interface controller (NIC) hosts, gateways, servers, modem, IP telephones, IP video cameras, data-centres, computer hosts and printers. A network element can also comprise virtual components and can be partially or completely virtualised. network function, NF; Virtual NF, VNF; Physical NF, PNF network function network functions NF functional blocks within a network infrastructure with external interfaces which can be implemented as a virtual network function, VNF or a physical network function, PNF. network management, NM network management NM methods, systems, procedures and tools that pertain to the operation, administration, maintenance, provisioning, analysis and troubleshooting of networked systems. network management functions network management function functions that are performed as part of network management including fault management, configuration, accounting, performance, security management (FCAPS). For virtualised network functions in networked systems NM functions comprise management and orchestration functions for these virtualised network functions. network management system, orchestrator network management system network management systems orchestrator orchestrators entity that acts in a network manager role for performing network management functions. operation operations keeping the network up and running smoothly. provisioning configuring resources in the network to support a given service. For example, this might include setting up the network so that a new customer can receive the requested service. quality of service quality measurement or description of the performance of a service, the quality measurement relating to specific network parameters of the network packets related to the service which describe the treatment experienced by the packets while passing through the network, e.g. packet loss, bit errors, bit rate, throughput, goodput, delay, availability or jitter. service level agreement part of a service contract where the level of service between a service provider and a service user is formally defined. troubleshooting maintenance carried out as a result of fault or failure determination, and may result in emergency workarounds until a permanent fix can be carried out.