ETSI’s Industry Specification Group on Zero touch network and Service Management (ISG ZSM) is defining a future-proof, horizontal and vertical end-to-end operable architecture framework, solutions, and core technologies that enable agile, efficient, and qualitative management and automation of emerging and future networks and services.
In this context “horizontal end-to-end” refers to cross-domain, cross-technology aspects. “Vertical end-to-end” refers to cross-layer aspects, from resource-oriented up to the customer-oriented layers. The goal of ZSM is to have all operational processes (including delivery, deployment, orchestration, configuration, assurance and optimisation) executed automatically, ideally with 100 % automation.
Specifying extensions and new capabilities to support and integrate digital twin technologies with the ZSM framework reference architecture, in order to improve end-to-end zero-touch network and service management and automation.
Supporting automated and autonomous network operations, this work item examines the differences between automation and autonomy, and identifies the ZSM framework capabilities required to support autonomy.
Specifying extensions and new capabilities to support and integrate agent technologies within the ZSM framework reference architecture. This work item defines use cases involving agents for network and service management, as well as multi-agent communication use cases to derive specific requirements.
Specifying normative architectural extensions for the autonomous agent entity, enabling predictive and coordinated cross-domain network assurance within the ZSM framework.
ISG ZSM is studying end-to-end cross-domain network and service automation solutions, including considerations on sustainability and capability exposure. We are also exploring new technologies for zero-touch autonomous network and service management, and how to apply them in an open and interoperable way.
The Group acts as a central reference for end-to-end network and service automation and facilitate the coordination and cooperation between relevant standardisation bodies and open-source projects. ISG ZSM provides guidance on the implementation of management interfaces that enable integration across multiple domains as well as also providing reference solutions and architectures to achieve automated end-to-end network and service management. In addition, ZSM’s key automation technologies should be leveraged by other organizations to ensure interoperable, unified and consistent automated and cognitive operations across use cases, domains and planes.
ISG ZSM plans to accelerate the development of proof-of-concept implementations to validate interoperability frameworks and operational automation capabilities, while advancing technical features for end-to-end process autonomy. This includes cooperation with open-source communities to advance implementation of standardised interfaces for multi-vendor environments and reduce integration barriers in ZSM framework-based solutions, and fostering closer interaction with research projects focused on network autonomy and next-generation network operationalisation.
The Group also plans to further expand the ZSM framework with AI-driven agentic architectures, leveraging intent-based closed-loop automation and multi-agent collaboration. This includes embedding AI agents as core components for decision-making, policy enforcement, and cross-domain coordination, supported by standardised interoperability frameworks and sandboxed proof-of-concept deployments.
Zero-touch network and Service Management (ZSM); Study of ZSM Framework from Automation to Autonomy
Zero-touch network and Service Management (ZSM); Study on the Utilization of Agents in Autonomous Networks
Zero-touch network and Service Management (ZSM); ZSM Framework for NaaS
Zero-touch network and Service Management (ZSM); Closed-Loop Automation Security aspects
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Technology
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