Difference between NorthBound and SouthBound Interfaces

In network management, usually SouthBound Interface refers to the interface exposed to lower layers and the NorthBound interface refers to the interface exposed to the higher layers.

For an EMS, lower layer is NE and upper layer is NMS. Similarly for NMS, lower layer is EMS and upper layer is service management or OSS. According to TMN Layer Model, the hierarchy of network management layers from bottom to top is as follows:

Network Element -> Element Management -> Network Management Layer -> Service Management -> Business Management

Let’s explain it using an example. The NMS interface exposed to communicate with Network Elements (via EMS) is considered as SouthBound Interface whereas the NMS interface exposed to Service Level Management or Operation Support System (OSS) is considered as NorthBound Interface. Below diagram depicts this very clearly:

An easy way to remember which is northbound interface and which is southbound interface is to refer the standard direction map given below:
Hope you find this information useful. Please leave your footprints in comments section below for any feedback, queries or suggestions…!!

Anonymous on August 7, 2011 at 9:40 AM said:

Here is a intresting site in NMS field, but to refer to it’s informationit’s better to mention the reference in your explanation or it’s standard.
Thanks.
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- Admin on August 7, 2011 at 6:13 PM said:
  
  Thank you for positive feedback. I will try to incorporate references as and when required. These are standards with respect to network management.
  Thank you for visiting VerticalHorizons. Please let us know for any queries
  Reply ↓
Anonymous on August 7, 2011 at 9:58 AM said:

Hi,
I have an exlpanation, NB and SB interfaces is defined for every two side block including NMS, MD. is it correct?
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Admin on August 7, 2011 at 6:15 PM said:

Well that’s right. I tried to provide an explanation for the terms used industry wide
I am sorry but I couldn’t figure out what is MD? I understand it to be mediation devices.
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technology blog on August 12, 2011 at 7:46 PM said:

good explanation but need to go into details of what these lower and higher layers are. Too generic
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- Admin on August 12, 2011 at 11:28 PM said:
  
  Thank you for visiting Vertical Horizons and giving great feedback above. I appreciate that
  For an EMS, lower layer is NE and upper layer is NMS. Similarly for NMS, lower layer is EMS and upper layer is service management or OSS. According to TMN Layer Model, the hierarchy of network management layers from bottom to top is as follows:
  Network Element -> Element Management -> Network Management Layer -> Service Management -> Business Management
  I hope this clarifies the explanation given above. Please let us know for further queries.
  Reply ↓
Admin on August 12, 2011 at 11:51 PM said:

technology blog :
good explanation but need to go into details of what these lower and higher layers are. Too generic
Updated the post as well
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Anonymous on August 15, 2011 at 1:43 PM said:

Dear Sir,
Thanks for your good information, Here I have a question, for an OPtical Network(NG-SDH) as infrastructure, it seems that it contains 3 Networs: 1-NG-SDH, 2- RFTS(Remote Fiber Test System) and 3- Router and switches. To manage these networks what should we do? I mean which caracteristic every EMS’s should or must have? and for NMS which parameter we must consider?
Thanks for your attention.
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- Admin on August 16, 2011 at 9:26 AM said:
  
  Hi,
  Thank you for positive feedback, it is good to hear such words from our readers.
  Now coming to your question, it seems to be very much specific to your environment, and it is slightly difficult for me to suggest which parameters need to be considered. However, each layer of TMN model (as described in the article above) implements FCAPS (Fault, Configuration, Administration/Account, Performance, Security). You can look here for more details about FCAPS.
  I hope that helps you to some extent. Please feel free to ask any further questions.
  Reply ↓
Anitha on October 24, 2011 at 9:53 AM said:

The information provided is simple,clear and easy to understand.
Thanks.
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- Admin on October 24, 2011 at 10:00 AM said:
  
  Thanks Anitha, we appreciate your feedback. Keep visiting Vertical Horizons… Happy Reading…!!
  Reply ↓
Santhana on November 18, 2011 at 11:59 AM said:

This website is useful for reader , to understand the concept very easily.
Thanks
Santhana
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- Admin on December 21, 2011 at 12:44 PM said:
  
  Thanks Santhana. Please do let us know if there is any other information that you are looking forward to see on Vertical Horizons. Happy Reading..!!
  Reply ↓
canute on March 20, 2012 at 3:36 PM said:

really good for quick reference … liked the posts …going to other related posts … keep updating thanks you
Reply ↓
- Admin on March 20, 2012 at 3:38 PM said:
  
  Well thank you for such a great feedback. Feel free to let us know if you are looking for any particular information. We will try our best to provide the required information.
  Reply ↓
Nagesh on May 14, 2012 at 10:01 AM said:

Thank you author, It was simple, informative and easy to understand
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- Admin on May 14, 2012 at 10:20 AM said:
  
  Thanks Nagesh for dropping by.
  Reply ↓
Omar on June 13, 2012 at 11:58 AM said:

How about if NMS interacts with BSS(Business Service)? Do we call this as well as Northbound interface or EastBound interface?
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- Admin on July 17, 2012 at 9:59 PM said:
  
  Hi Omar,
  We call it Northbound Interface. Please refer to our another post here:
  http://verticalhorizons.in/what-is-above-network-management-service-management-business-managemente-tmn-logical-model-explained/
  Reply ↓
parveen on June 20, 2012 at 11:11 AM said:

Thanks for the above information
Reply ↓
- Admin on July 17, 2012 at 9:56 PM said:
  
  Thanks Parveen for dropping by.
  Reply ↓
Naveen on July 16, 2012 at 12:08 PM said:

Thanks for the providing information on EMS.
if south bound interfaces are SNMP,TL1..etc..what about North bound interfaces..please let me know some interfaces names..how it will pass the parameters from EMS to NMS means which format.
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Ritesh on September 24, 2012 at 9:42 AM said:

Very good info.. I m new to this domain and was very confussed about these terms.. Very clearly explained. Thanks
Reply ↓

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Difference between NorthBound Interface and SouthBound Interface

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