In a network, such as a convergent network, a single network fault (e.g. an entity under management is not performing at service level as expected by network operator) may result in the generation of multiple alarms from affected entities over times and spread over a wide geographical area. It is imperative that the network operator, the receiver of all the generated alarms, be able to evaluate the received alarms to identify the entity having the network fault. Rapid and accurate determination of faulty entity will shorten the time to repair, and thus have direct positive impact in OPEX reduction and indirectly, facilitate the support of service contracts, between operators (providers of service) and service consumers. It is noted that alarm correlation and alarm root cause are considered as important features of convergent network management, see [6]. The objectives of this study are:

1. Identify and define the management services offered by alarm correlation (AC) process and alarm root cause analysis (ARCA) process;
2. Identify the benefits of the AC process and ARCA process from views of network operators.
3. Identify the possible locations of the AC and ARCA processes within the IRP framework.
4. Identify possible IRP standard solutions, including enhancement of existing IRP standard solutions, that can offered the services identified in bullet 1.

The present document:

• defines the management services offered by Alarm Correlation (AC) process and alarm root cause analysis (ARCA) process;
• Identifies the benefits of the AC process and ARCA process from views of network operators;
• Identifies the possible locations of the AC and ARCA processes within the IRP framework.
• Identifies possible IRP standard solutions, including enhancement of existing IRP standard solutions.