NOV-2 Operational Node Connectivity Description
NOV-2 graphically depicts the operational nodes (or organizations) with needlines between the nodes that indicate a need to exchange information.
The graphic includes:
• internal operational nodes (internal to the architecture)
• external nodes.
NOV-2 is intended to track the need to exchange information from specific operational nodes (that play a key role in the architecture) to others. It does not depict the connectivity between nodes.
An operational node is a node that performs a role or a mission. A node is a representation of an element of architecture that produces, consumes or processes data.Using Operational Nodes
To create an operational node:
1. In the NAF navigation tree, click Operational Views > NOV-2.
The operational nodes available for the operational view appear in the Root Operational Nodes folder.
2. Right-click the Root Operational Node folder and select Operational node.
3. In the dialog box that appears enter the name of the operational node.
4. Click OK.
The new operational node appears.
Operational nodes can also be initially created in the operational node structure diagram. See Creating Operational Node Structure Diagrams.Creating Operational Node Structure Diagrams
After creating your operational nodes the need for information exchange between operational nodes can be illustrated in the Operational Node Structure Diagram. This information exchange is represented by interactions created between the nodes. The diagram shows how operational nodes and interactions interact with each other.
An Operational Node Structure Diagram details the structure of an operational node. The node is composed of sub-nodes that are connected to each other through interactions.
Below is an example of an operational node structure diagram. The operational nodes are represented by yellow rectangles.
Example of an Operational Node Structure Diagram (no content displayed)
The described node establishes a context for the interactions. For this reason sub-nodes are not directly connected in the diagram.
As sub-nodes can be reused in other contexts the interactions link the intermediate objects that reference the sub-nodes and that are defined locally within the context of the node. This way you can differentiate the interactions performed in one node context from those performed in another node context. In the case of operational nodes, the intermediate objects are called Operational Components. If no name is set for an operational component, a name is automatically created from the referenced operational node.
To create an operational node structure diagram:
1. In the NAF navigation tree click Operational Views > NOV-2.
2. Right-click the operational node concerned and select New > Operational Node Structure Diagram.
The new diagram opens with a Root Operational Node positioned in it.
Adding operational nodes to the diagram
Operational nodes in the Structure diagram are referred to as operational components.
To add an operational component to the diagram:
1. Click the Operational Component icon 
in the object bar and click in the diagram.
in the object bar and click in the diagram.2. In the Add Operational node dialog box that appears, select the operational node concerned from the drop-down list.
The name of the operational component is the name of the operational node that is used for the component.3. Repeat this step to create as many operational nodes as necessary.
Adding interactions to operational nodes
After creating your operational nodes you can display the interactions between them. Interactions describe the information that can be exchanged between two nodes.
An Interaction represents a contract between entities in a specific context inside or outside a company. These entities can be organizations, activities, or processes. The content of this contract is described in a protocol.All the structure diagrams (operational node, resource architecture or artifact assembly in NSV-1) are based on the same interaction principle. For more information, see NSV-1 System Interface Description.To add an interaction to operational nodes:
1. In the objects toolbar for a diagram, click Interaction 
2. Click the entity requesting the service and draw a link to the entity providing the service.
3. In the add interaction dialog box, specify the exchange contract you wish to use.
4. Click Add.
Adding content to interactions
It is possible to add and display the content of interactions in the different structure diagrams.
Content of an interaction is described by an exchange contract.
An exchange contract is a model of a contract between organizational entities. This contract is described by exchanges between an initiator role and one or several contributor roles.In a service-oriented architecture, communication is based on service points and request points.
A service point is a point of exchange by which an agent offers a service to potential customers.A request point is a point of exchange by which an agent requests a service from potential suppliers.For more details, see Adding Service and Request Points to Operational Nodes.
Adding Service and Request Points to Operational Nodes
Interaction with an operational node can be made through interaction points. Interaction points are ports for information exchanges. When a node is used as a sub-node in an operational structure, it can interact with another node through these interaction points.
In relation to the information in his possession, the designer of the structure can describe the interactions between two sub-nodes and specify the points of these sub-nodes that the interaction uses to exchange the information.
There are two kinds of interaction points:
• service point
• request point.
Please note that service and request points and interactions deal with the information that is exchanged and not the means by which the information is exchanged. The technical means by which information is exchanged is addressed in the NSV-2 subviews by way of communication ports.Service points
The service point is used to interact with the node that is considered to be the provider of the information exchanged. In this case, the interacting item at the other end of the interaction is the requester of the information that the node is able to supply.
Request points
Request points on the other hand are used for interacting with the node that is considered to be the consumer in the interaction.
Creating Realization of Operational Nodes
An operational node may implement a capability. To describe the capabilities implemented, you must define a Realization on the operation node in question.
To describe that a operational node is implementing a capability:
1. In the NAF navigation tree, click Operational Views > NOV-2.
2. Open the property page of the operational node that interests you.
3. Select the Characteristics > Realizations page.
4. In the Composite Realization section, click New.
The selection window opens.
5. Select "Business Capability fulfillment” and click OK.
6. Chose the capability implemented.
7. Click Add.
The capability realization appears in the properties page.