Master of Science in Engineering - Engineering / Faults are unavoidable and cause network downtime and degradation of large and complex communication networks. The need for fault management capabilities for improving network reliability is critical to rectify these faults. Current communication networks are moving towards the distributed computing environment enabling these networks to transport heterogeneous multimedia information across end to end connections. An advanced fault management system is thus required for such communication networks. Fault Management provides information on the status of the network by locating, detecting, identifying, isolating, and correcting network problems thereby increasing network reliability. The TINA (Telecommunication Information Networking Architecture) standards define a Network Resource Architecture (NRA) that provides a framework of a transport network that is capable of transporting heterogeneous multimedia media information across heterogeneous networks. TINA also defines a Management Architecture that follows the functional area organization defined in the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) Management Framework, namely fault, configuration, accounting, performance, and security management (FCAPS). The aim of this project is to utilise the TINA NRA and Management Architecture concepts and principles to design and implement a distributed Fault Management Service for heterogeneous networks. The design presented here utilises TINA’s fault management specifi- cations, together with UML modelling tools to developed this Fault Management Service. The design incorporates the use of CORBA and SNMP to provide a distributed management functionality capable of providing fault management support across heterogeneous networks. The generic nature of the fault management service is tested on the SATINA Trial platform which consists of both an ATM network as well as an IP MPLS network. The report concludes that the Fault Management Service is applicable to any connectionoriented network that is modeled using the TINA NRA specification and principles.

Master of Science in Engineering - Engineering / The next generation telecommunication networks will offer users a range of services. These future telecommunication services are envisaged to be tailored services that are customizable in order to satisfy specific requirements of a variety of customers. Service subscribers and users should be offered some direct control in managing their services. Customization in a multi-service environment introduces the requirement for multiple service profiles for each user. Having user service profiles enable universal service access. The current telecommunication service subscription model is no longer viable for the next generation or TINA-based services. This work proposes a subscription and service information management system that is integrated into the existing TINA-structured platform in the South African TINA (SATINA) Trial. The system developed here realizes the object-oriented TINA subscription information management model. The information model defines all the information and relationships required to handle users, subscribers and the subscription life cycle. The project employs the emerging Object Database Management System (ODBMS) to manage the object oriented telecommunication subscription data. ODBMS provides a powerful and efficient way to managed these object oriented information as information and the relationships are stored as they are used in the application. The proposed subscription and service information management system is a distributed application based on the widely used three-tier architecture model. The three-tier model enables distributed access to the centrally managed subscription and service information regardless of the implementation adopted. Visual modeling technique is used to develop the application and convey the design principles. Application of the subscription and service information management system in the service provider domain is demonstrated by the domain administrator’s usage of the system’s graphical management console. The integration of the information management system and the SATINA Trial’s service platform is indicated through the usage of the TINA compliant Online Subscription service.

Master of Science in Engineering - Engineering / The next generation telecommunication networks offers traditional voice type services as well as advanced data services, typically of the multi-media based type, on top of an open resource, heterogeneous network that delivers services with a specified level of quality of service (QoS). The need for a comprehensive telecommunications service accounting management system in the such Next Generation Network is envisaged as the traditional telecommunications billing system does not meet the accounting management requirements in such network. This report present the design and implementation of a service accounting management system based on the Telecommunications Information Networking Architecture (TINA). The service accounting management in TINA service environment, which allows the users to obtain multiple service with specified network connection QoS, is emonstrated on the South Africa TINA Trial platform, which provides a next generation service environment conceived by TINA. This work shows the generation and the flow of the service and network usage accounting information in the distributed processing environment.

Thesis (M. Sc. (Computer Science)--University of Pretoria, 2007.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Louisville, 2003. / Department of Fine Arts. Vita. "May 2003." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 48-49).

Master of Science in Engineering - Engineering / This project examines the use of TINA concepts to provide the required service architecture layer for the Next Generation Network. In particular, it details how the current Internet-based e-commerce environment could be integrated as a service within the TINA NGN solution. A prototype service in the form of a virtual shopping mall provides the context for this development. The presented model allows for seamless integration with existing Internet e-commerce solutions whilst providing a number of additional value-added services.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 53-56).

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 53-56). Also available in print.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2004. / Supervisor: Charlotte Canning. Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Also available from UMI.

This purpose of this document is to examine risk as a thematic element in the practice of comedy as performed by women. Risk is evident in various ways: individual female comedic performance, the labeling of someone as "female comedic performer" and in being an individual female who strives to undertake comedy as a means of personal performance. Through an analysis of comedians Tina Fey, Kathy Griffin, Sarah Silverman and myself, this thesis recognizes an appreciation of that risk, argues for the importance of context in thinking about comedy, and ultimately calls for the further inclusion of women in the historical canon of comedic performance.