Network element
Overview
Network element is usually referrred to as a manageable logical entity uniting one or more physical devices. This allows distributed devices to be managed in a unified way using one management system. According to Telecommunications Act of 1996, the term `network element' means a facility or equipment used in the provision of a telecommunications service. Such term also includes features, functions, and capabilities that are provided by means of such facility or equipment, including subscriber numbers, databases, signaling systems, and information sufficient for billing and collection or used in the transmission, routing, or other provision of a telecommunications service[1].
Background
With development of distributed networks, network management had became a pain in the neck for engineering stuff. It was hard to manage each device separately even if they were of the same vendor. Configuration overhead as well as misconfiguration possiblity were quite high. A provisioning process for a basic service required complex configurations of numerous devices. It was also hard to store all network devices and connections in a plain list. Network structuring approach was a natural solution.
Examples of Network Elements
With structuring and grouping, its very well seen that in any distributed network there are devices performing one complex function. At that, those devices can be placed in diffrent locations. Telephone exchange is the most typical example of such a distributed group of devices. It typically contains subscriber line units, line trunk units, switching matrix, CPU and remote hubs. A basic telephone service leans on all those units, so it's convenient for an engineer to manage a telephone exchange as one complex entity encompassing all those units inside.
Another good example of a network element is a computer cluster. A cluster can occupy a lot of space and may cannot fit one datacenter. For enterprise solutions, it's rather often to locate cluster nodes in different locations, even in different regions(settlements).
Telecommuncations Management Network
A concept of the network element as a distributed entity is widely used in TMN model which in turn is used as an standard for developing Element Management Systems.