Next Generation OSS Through Java^TM

The Next Generation OSS Through Java^TM initiative, launched in May 2000, will define Java APIs for Operations Support Systems (OSS) and Business Support Systems (BSS) for next generation networks. The initiative is being led by Sun Microsystems and partners, under the open Java Community Process^SM. It will deliver final specifications, plus associated reference implementations and test suites, within the next twelve months.

The major goals of the initiative include :

• To provide a standard set of Java-technology based APIs (primarily based on Enterprise JavaBeans^TM (EJB^TM) technology) for the components of an OSS, enabling an industry of standard components. This will improve software supply and facilitate creation of a market for off the shelf, plug and play applications and application components from multiple sources.
• To enable the rapid deployment of new services in next-generation IP networks. Such services include for example, IP billing, management of e-commerce networks, provisioning of integrated networks (ie. third generation wireless, xDSL, Voice over IP, Voice over DSL).
• To increase the product content of OSS solutions, by dramatically reducing the custom integration effort required to build an OSS solution. The EJB model of "application assembly" by simply dropping standard OSS components from an Independent Software Vendor or Network Equipment Provider into any service provider's standard OSS container is an appealing model to the Network Equipment Providers, System Integrators, Independent Software Vendors, and Service Providers.
• To use Java technologies to catalyse the development of emergent OSS systems by fully embracing IETF, W3C, OASIS and Java standards.

This initiative responds to requests from a number of companies who are already building their next generation OSS components using the Java programming language and Enterprise JavaBeans technology. The ultimate goal is to ensure OSS components built by different companies interoperate.

[ This page was updated: 22-May-00 ]