What is CM? Configuration Management

Description

Configuration Management (CM) is a cornerstone of the Operation, Administration, and Maintenance (OAM) framework within 3GPP networks. It encompasses a set of functions responsible for the planning, installation, commissioning, operation, and ongoing administration of all configurable parameters within network elements (NEs) and the network as a whole. This includes the management of hardware, software, and logical configurations. CM functions are executed by management systems, such as the Element Management System (EMS) or Network Management System (NMS), which interact with managed NEs via standardized interfaces like Itf-N.

The architecture of CM is hierarchical and distributed. At the lowest level, each NE contains a Management Information Base (MIB), which is a virtual database representing all manageable objects within that element, such as software versions, board configurations, transmission parameters, and neighbor cell lists. The management system uses protocols like Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA) or Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) to perform CM operations on these objects. Key operations include GET (to retrieve current configuration data), SET (to modify configuration), CREATE, and DELETE. These operations allow for the provisioning of new services, software updates, fault recovery reconfigurations, and capacity expansions.

CM's role extends across the entire network lifecycle. During network rollout, CM is used for the initial installation and commissioning of NEs, setting their fundamental operating parameters. In daily operations, it supports activation/deactivation of features, software upgrades, and dynamic reconfiguration for optimization or load balancing. For instance, in the Radio Access Network (RAN), CM manages critical parameters like cell identities, frequency carriers, scrambling codes, handover thresholds, and antenna tilt settings. In the core network, it manages Mobile Switching Centre (MSC) capacities, Home Location Register (HLR) subscriber capacities, and Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) access point names (APNs).

A critical aspect of CM is maintaining consistency and integrity. Management systems often employ configuration audits and synchronization functions to detect and correct discrepancies between the intended configuration (stored in the management system's database) and the actual configuration running on the NE. Furthermore, CM supports backup and restore functionalities, allowing network operators to save known-good configurations and rapidly recover from failures. This comprehensive control over the network's 'blueprint' is fundamental for ensuring service availability, performance, and the introduction of new technologies without service disruption.

Purpose & Motivation

Configuration Management exists to address the immense complexity and scale of modern telecommunications networks. As networks evolved from simple voice systems to complex, multi-vendor, multi-technology ecosystems supporting voice, data, and IoT, manually configuring thousands of network elements became impossible. The purpose of CM is to automate, standardize, and centralize the control of network parameters, enabling efficient deployment, reliable operation, and rapid service introduction.

Historically, without automated CM, network provisioning was error-prone, slow, and inconsistent, leading to prolonged service outages and difficult troubleshooting. The 3GPP standardized CM to solve these problems by defining a common set of managed objects and operations. This allows operators to use unified management systems to control equipment from different vendors, ensuring interoperability and reducing operational costs. It addresses the critical need for reproducibility, auditability, and control over the network state, which is vital for meeting service level agreements (SLAs) and regulatory requirements.

Furthermore, CM is the enabler for advanced network automation and Self-Organizing Networks (SON). By providing the programmatic interface to read and modify network configurations, CM forms the foundational layer upon which SON functions like Automatic Neighbor Relation (ANR) management, Mobility Load Balancing (MLB), and Capacity and Coverage Optimization (CCO) are built. It solves the problem of network agility, allowing operators to respond dynamically to traffic patterns, failures, and the introduction of new network slices in 5G systems.

Detected Changes Across Releases

from 3GPP Change Requests

Specific changes extracted from the „Change history“ tables of 3GPP specifications (95 CRs across 6 releases). Complements the general historical overview above with the evidence-based evolution of this function.

Rel-15 13 changes

In Release 15, Configuration Management was enhanced to support new network functions, including the management of EN-DC (E-UTRAN-NR Dual Connectivity) and ng-eNB nodes. It introduced requirements for managing 5G interworking on the EPC side and updated the EPC Solution Set definitions accordingly. Furthermore, support for SON (Self-Organizing Network) attributes for AAS (Active Antenna System) deployment management was added.

Add SON for AAS management attributes TS 28.629CR0014
Add requirement to support EN-DC management TS 28.657CR0006
Add requirement to support ng-eNB management TS 28.657CR0008
Adding attribute of IOC EUtranGenericCell to support SON for AAS deployment management TS 28.659CR0021
Update E-UTRAN SS definitions to support ng-eNB management TS 28.659CR0025
Add requirements to support management of EN-DC and 5G interworking in EPC side TS 28.707CR0003

+ 7 more changes

Rel-16 21 changes

In Release 16, key Configuration Management enhancements included the formal introduction of management services based on the ZSM framework and expanded support for management in multi-tenant environments. The release added specific management capabilities for new radio functions, such as Automatic Neighbour Relation (ANR) management for NR and EN-DC, and introduced management for Remote Interference Management (RIM) and Cross-link Interference. Furthermore, it introduced support for NF Profile management and enhanced coordination with the NWDAF for management data analytics.

Add 3GPP Management Service deployment based on ZSM Framework TS 28.533CR0028
Add description for management capability support in multiple tenant environment TS 28.533CR0044
Add the RIM monitoring parameters for remote interference management TS 28.541CR0202
Management of NR ANR, Stage 2 TS 28.541CR0222
Management of NR ANR, Stage 3 TS 28.541CR0223
Add the RIM parameters for remote interference management TS 28.541CR0245

+ 15 more changes

Rel-17 5 changes

In Release 17, the Configuration Management (CM) function introduced clarifications and corrections to several key management areas. These included refining the capability description for Management Data Analytics and correcting state management procedures for Network Slice Instances (NSI) and Network Slice Subnet Instances (NSSI). The release also addressed inconsistencies in the definitions used for network slice management and streamlined the discovery process for management services by removing unnecessary procedural details.

Remove unnecessary stage 2 details for discovery of management services TS 28.533CR0086
Correct NRM fragment for DMRO Management TS 28.541CR0649
Correct the Management Data Analytics Capability Description TS 28.533CR0102
Correction to NSI and NSSI state management TS 28.541CR0467
Correct inconsistencies in definitions around network slice management TS 28.541CR0510

Rel-18 25 changes

In Release 18, the Configuration Management (CM) function introduced new NRM (Network Resource Model) support for Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) management, Bandwidth Part (BWP) Set configuration, and IoT-NTN management. Enhancements were also made to the NWDAFFunction Information Object Class (IOC) to better support management and control purposes. Furthermore, the release updated the usage of CRUD operations and NRM fragments to support management capabilities in SBMA (Service Based Management Architecture).

Add example of RAN domain management capabilities mapped with ZSM TS 28.533CR0120
Using Management Services to support multiple players interoperability TS 28.533CR0121
Rel-18 CR TS 28.533 Update Annex F Usage of CRUD operations and NRM fragments to support management capabilities in SBMA TS 28.533CR0124
Access specific GST configuration TS 28.541CR0711
Add BWP Set configuration support in NRM (stage 2) TS 28.541CR0755
Add BWP Set configuration support in NRM (stage 3, YANG) TS 28.541CR0756

+ 19 more changes

Rel-19 22 changes

In Release 19, the Configuration Management function introduced new capabilities for managing next-generation network features, specifically adding support for RedCap, Ambient IoT, and Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) time-based configurations. It also enhanced the Network Resource Model (NRM) to support cell coverage configuration for CCO, UPF capabilities, and configurations for Indirect Network Sharing. Furthermore, the release expanded management service exposure and updated the architecture reference model to support Service-Based Management Architecture (SBMA).

Rel-19 CR TS 28.533 Update Annex F to include the management capabilities related to data management TS 28.533CR0164
Rel-19 CR TS 28.533 Management services exposure TS 28.533CR0169
Rel-19 CR TS 28.541 add cell coverage configuration to support CCO TS 28.541CR1362
Rel-19 CR TS 28.541 Enhance NR NRM to support management of RedCap feature TS 28.541CR1460
Rel-19 CR TS 28.541 Enhance NR NRM to support management of RedCap BWP feature TS 28.541CR1469
Rel-19 CR 28.541 Add NTN time-based configuration support TS 28.541CR1479

+ 16 more changes

Rel-20 9 changes

In Release 20, the Configuration Management function introduced new management support for dynamic traffic characteristics updates, policy control enhancements for multi-modality flows, and UE power saving for XRM services. It also added capabilities to deliver media-related information for encrypted traffic and enhanced ATSSS management to align with SA2 definitions. Furthermore, the release included additional AIoT NRM configurations and finalized the stage 3 management support for XRM.

Rel-20 CR TS 28.541 Management Support for Dynamic Traffic Characteristics Update TS 28.541CR1647
Rel-20 CR TS 28.541 Management Support to Deliver Media Related Information for Encrypted Traffic Using On-path N6 Signaling Method TS 28.541CR1650
Rel-20 CR TS 28.541 Stage 3 of Management Support for XRM TS 28.541CR1651
Rel-20 CR TS 28.541 Management Support for Dynamic Traffic Characteristics Update TS 28.541CR1667
Rel-20 CR TS 28.541 Management Support for Policy Control Enhancements to Support Multi-modality Flows TS 28.541CR1668
Rel-20 CR TS 28.541 Management Support for UE Power Saving for XRM Services TS 28.541CR1669

+ 3 more changes

Explore further

Broader topics and technologies where CM plays a role.

Topics

OAM (Operations & Maintenance)SON (Self-Organizing Networks)5G NR (New Radio)Lawful Intercept IoT & MTC Management & Operations

Technologies

Defining Specifications

3GPP specifications that define or reference CM, with the latest known release. Sourced from the 3GPP document catalog — see methodology.

Specification	Title	Release
TR 21.905 vj00	3GPP Technical Terms and Definitions	Rel-19
TS 23.171 v1300	LCS Stage 2 Specification for UMTS	Rel-4
TS 23.221 vj00	3GPP System Architectural Requirements	Rel-19
TS 23.271 vj00	LCS Stage 2 Specification	Rel-19
TS 25.304 vj00	UTRA Idle Mode Procedures Specification	Rel-19
TS 25.331 vj00	UTRAN RRC Protocol Specification	Rel-19
TS 25.367 vj00	Home NodeB Mobility Procedures	Rel-19
TS 25.423 vj00	UTRAN RNSAP Specification	Rel-19
TS 25.433 vj00	Node B Application Part (NBAP) Protocol	Rel-19
TR 25.931 vj00	UTRAN Signalling Procedures Examples	Rel-19
TS 28.533 vj30	Management and orchestration; Architecture framework	Rel-19
TS 28.541 vk00	5G Network Resource Model (NRM) Stage 2/3	Rel-20
TS 28.606 vc10	CN and non-3GPP interworking NRM IRP Solution Sets	Rel-12
TS 28.616 vj00	EPC and non-3GPP access NRM IRP SS definitions	Rel-19
TS 28.621 vj00	Generic Network Resource Model (NRM) IRP Requirements	Rel-19
TS 28.624 vj00	State Management Data Definition IRP Requirements	Rel-19
TS 28.625 vj00	State Management Data Definition IRP Information Service	Rel-19
TS 28.626 vj00	State Management Data Definition IRP Solution Set	Rel-19
TS 28.629 vj00	SON Policy NRM IRP Solution Set Definitions	Rel-19
TS 28.651 vj00	UTRAN Network Resource Model Requirements	Rel-19
TS 28.653 vj00	UTRAN NRM IRP Solution Set Definition	Rel-19
TS 28.656 vj00	GERAN NRM IRP Solution Set Definitions	Rel-19
TS 28.657 vj00	E-UTRAN NRM IRP Requirements	Rel-19
TS 28.659 vj00	E-UTRAN NRM IRP Solution Set Definitions	Rel-19
TS 28.662 vj10	Generic RAN Network Resource Model (NRM) IRP IS	Rel-19
TS 28.663 vj00	Generic RAN NRM IRP Solution Set Definitions	Rel-19
TS 28.673 vj00	HNS NRM IRP Solution Set Definitions	Rel-19
TS 28.676 vj00	HeNS NRM IRP Solution Set Definitions	Rel-19
TS 28.701 vj00	Core Network NRM IRP Requirements	Rel-19
TS 28.703 vj00	Core Network NRM IRP Solution Set Definitions	Rel-19
TS 28.704 vj00	IMS NRM IRP Requirements	Rel-19
TS 28.706 vj00	IMS NRM IRP Solution Set definitions	Rel-19
TS 28.707 vj00	EPC NRM IRP Requirements	Rel-19
TS 28.709 vj00	EPC NRM IRP Solution Set Definitions	Rel-19
TS 28.731 vj00	TN Interface NRM IRP Requirements	Rel-19
TS 28.733 vj00	TN NRM IRP Solution Set Definitions	Rel-19
TS 28.734 vj00	STN Interface NRM IRP Requirements	Rel-19
TS 28.735 vj00	STN Interface NRM IRP Information Service	Rel-19
TS 28.736 vj00	STN Interface NRM IRP Solution Set Definitions	Rel-19
TS 28.821 vd00	UML Model Repertoire for FMC Management	Rel-13
TR 28.834 vi01	Technical Report	Rel-18
TS 28.875 vj00	Study on IAB Node Management	Rel-19
TS 32.111 vj00	Fault Management Requirements	Rel-19
TS 32.122 vj00	Advanced Alarm Management IRP Information Service	Rel-19
TS 32.123 v1900	Advanced Alarm Management IRP CORBA Solution Set	Rel-9
TS 32.125 v1930	AAM IRP XML File Format Definition	Rel-9
TS 32.126 vj00	AAM IRP Solution Set Definitions	Rel-19
TS 32.152 ve10	IRP Information Service UML Repertoire	Rel-14
TS 32.153 vj00	IRP Technology-Specific Templates Specification	Rel-19
TS 32.156 vk00	UML Modeling for Network Management Systems	Rel-20
TS 32.160 vk00	Mgmt service component spec templates	Rel-20
TS 32.300 vj00	3GPP Network Resource Naming Convention	Rel-19
TS 32.301 vj00	Notification IRP Requirements	Rel-19
TS 32.302 vj00	Notification IRP Information Service	Rel-19
TS 32.303 v900	Notification IRP CORBA Solution Set	Rel-9
TS 32.306 vj00	Configuration Management Notification IRP Solution Set	Rel-19
TS 32.307 v1920	Notification IRP SOAP Solution Set	Rel-9
TS 32.311 vj00	Generic IRP Management Requirements	Rel-19
TS 32.312 vj00	Generic IRP Management Information Service	Rel-19
TS 32.341 vj00	File Transfer IRP Requirements	Rel-19
TS 32.342 vj00	File Transfer IRP Information Service	Rel-19
TS 32.343 v1900	File Transfer IRP CORBA Solution Set	Rel-9
TS 32.346 vj00	File Transfer IRP Solution Set Definitions	Rel-19
TS 32.361 vj00	Entry Point IRP Requirements	Rel-19
TS 32.371 vj00	Security Management Concept & Requirements	Rel-19
TS 32.372 vj00	Security Service for IRP Information Service	Rel-19
TS 32.373 v1900	IRP Security Services CORBA Solution	Rel-9
TS 32.376 vj00	Security services for IRP Solution Set	Rel-19
TS 32.381 vj00	Partial Suspension of Itf-N IRP Requirements	Rel-19
TS 32.382 vj00	Partial Suspension of Itf-N IRP Information Service	Rel-19
TS 32.391 vj00	Delta Synchronization IRP Requirements	Rel-19
TS 32.392 vj00	Delta Synchronization IRP Information Service	Rel-19
TS 32.411 vj00	PM IRP Requirements	Rel-19
TS 32.412 vj00	PM IRP Information Service Specification	Rel-19
TS 32.413 v900	PM IRP: CORBA Solution Set (SS)	Rel-9
TS 32.416 vj00	PM IRP Solution Set Definitions	Rel-19
TS 32.443 v910	Trace Management IRP CORBA Solution Set	Rel-9
TS 32.446 vj00	Trace Management IRP Solution Set Definitions	Rel-19
TS 32.593 vj00	HeNB OAM&P Procedure Flows for Type 1 Interface	Rel-19
TS 32.594 vj00	Data definitions for HeNB to HeMS Type 1 interface	Rel-19
TS 32.600 vj00	3GPP Configuration Management Specification	Rel-19
TS 32.601 vj00	Basic Configuration Management IRP Requirements	Rel-19
TS 32.611 vj00	Bulk CM IRP Requirements	Rel-19
TS 32.612 vj00	Bulk Configuration Management IRP: Information Service	Rel-19
TS 32.615 v1920	Bulk CM XML File Format Definition	Rel-9
TS 32.616 vj00	Bulk CM IRP Solution Set Definitions	Rel-19
TS 32.621 vb00	Generic Network Resources IRP Requirements	Rel-11
TS 32.625 v1900	Bulk CM XML File Format Definition	Rel-9
TS 32.626 vb20	Generic Network Resources IRP Solution Set Definitions	Rel-11
TS 32.631 vb00	Core Network Resources IRP Requirements	Rel-11
TS 32.635 v1910	Core Network Resources IRP XML Schema	Rel-9
TS 32.636 vb00	CM Core Network Resources IRP Solution Set	Rel-11
TS 32.641 vb00	UTRAN Network Resources IRP Requirements	Rel-11
TS 32.645 v930	UTRAN Bulk CM XML File Format	Rel-9
TS 32.646 vc00	UTRAN NRM IRP Solution Set Definitions	Rel-12
TS 32.651 vb00	GERAN Network Resources CM IRP Requirements	Rel-11
TS 32.655 v920	GERAN NRM Bulk CM XML File Format	Rel-9
TS 32.656 vc00	GERAN NRM IRP Solution Set Definitions	Rel-12
TS 32.661 vj00	Kernel Configuration Management IRP Requirements	Rel-19
TS 32.671 vb00	State Management IRP Requirements	Rel-11
TS 32.672 vb00	State Management IRP Information Service	Rel-11
TS 32.675 v1900	State Management IRP Bulk CM XML Format	Rel-9
TS 32.676 vc00	3GPP TS 32.676: State Management IRP Solution Set	Rel-12
TS 32.690 vj00	Inventory Management IRP Requirements	Rel-19
TS 32.691 vb00	Inventory Management IRP Requirements	Rel-11
TS 32.711 vb00	TN Interface NRM IRP Requirements	Rel-11
TS 32.715 v900	TN interface NRM IRP XML file format definition	Rel-9
TS 32.716 vb00	TN NRM IRP Solution Set Definitions	Rel-11
TS 32.721 vb00	Repeater Network Resources IRP Requirements	Rel-11
TS 32.725 v1900	Repeater Network Resources IRP Bulk CM XML	Rel-9
TS 32.726 vb00	Repeater NRM IRP Solution Set Definitions	Rel-11
TS 32.731 vb00	IMS Network Resource Model IRP Requirements	Rel-11
TS 32.735 v1910	IMS NRM IRP Bulk CM XML Format	Rel-9
TS 32.736 vb00	IMS NRM IRP Solution Set Definitions	Rel-11
TS 32.741 vb00	STN Interface NRM IRP Requirements	Rel-11
TS 32.742 vb00	STN NRM for Configuration Management	Rel-11
TS 32.745 v900	STN NRM IRP XML File Format Definition	Rel-9
TS 32.746 vb00	STN NRM IRP Solution Set Definitions	Rel-11
TS 32.751 vb00	EPC NRM IRP Requirements	Rel-11
TS 32.756 vb00	EPC NRM IRP Solution Set Definitions	Rel-11
TS 32.761 vb10	E-UTRAN NRM IRP Requirements	Rel-11
TS 32.765 v960	E-UTRAN NRM IRP XML Definitions	Rel-9
TS 32.766 vb90	E-UTRAN NRM IRP Solution Set Definitions	Rel-11
TS 32.792 vb10	Generic RAN Network Resource Model (NRM) IRP	Rel-11
TS 32.796 vc00	Generic RAN NRM IRP Solution Set Definitions	Rel-12
TS 32.832 va00	Alarm Correlation and Root Cause Analysis Study	Rel-10
TS 32.861 vd00	IRP Subset Selection for Network Management	Rel-13
TS 32.880 vf00	Simplified Itf-N IRP Solution Sets Study	Rel-15
TR 33.876 vi01	Technical Report on Certificate Management	Rel-18
TS 38.401 vj10	NG-RAN Architecture Specification	Rel-19
TS 43.318 vj00	Generic Access Network (GAN) Stage 2	Rel-19
TR 43.901 vj00	Generic Access to A/Gb Interface Feasibility Study	Rel-19
TR 43.902 vj00	GAN Enhancements Feasibility Study	Rel-19
TS 44.068 vj00	Group Call Control (GCC) Protocol for VGCS	Rel-19
TS 44.318 vj00	Generic Access Network (GAN) Interface Procedures	Rel-19