Building TMF-Compliant APIs with FastAPI: A Step-by-Step Comparison

FastAPI has gained immense popularity due to its speed, ease of use, and automatic OpenAPI documentation generation. However, in the telecommunications sector, APIs need to follow the TM Forum (TMF) standards to ensure interoperability across different service providers. This blog explores the differences between a normal FastAPI implementation and a TMF-compliant FastAPI, providing an in-depth comparison, tested code examples, and insights into how Pysquad can help you implement TMF-compliant solutions.

Comparison: Normal FastAPI vs. TMF-Compliant FastAPI

The core difference lies in standardization. TMF-compliant FastAPI implementations must follow TMF Open API guidelines, ensuring that APIs integrate seamlessly across telecom services.

Example: Normal FastAPI vs. TMF-Compliant FastAPI

Below are two implementations showcasing the differences:

Normal FastAPI Example

A standard FastAPI application with a simple Product Catalog API.

Limitations (Not TMF-Compliant):

❌ Uses custom API paths (/products) instead of TMF’s /productCatalogManagement/v4/productOffering
❌ Lacks TMF-compliant request/response models
❌ No TMF-defined attributes like @type, @baseType, @schemaLocation, lastUpdate
❌ Lacks TMF OpenAPI compatibility

TMF-Compliant FastAPI Implementation

This follows TMF620 Product Catalog API specifications.

✅ TMF Compliance in This Version:

✔ Uses TMF620-compliant endpoint paths (/productCatalogManagement/v4/productOffering)
✔ Implements TMF attributes (@type, @baseType, @schemaLocation, lastUpdate)
✔ Uses lifecycleStatus (Active, Inactive, Deprecated, etc.)
✔ Follows TMF-defined API contracts for OpenAPI and REST

Pros of TMF-Compliant FastAPI

1. Interoperability: Ensures seamless integration with telecom services and vendors.
2. Standardized Data Models: Uses predefined schemas, reducing inconsistencies.
3. Improved Error Handling: TMF mandates specific error responses, making debugging easier.
4. Better Documentation: TMF-compliant APIs follow structured OpenAPI documentation.
5. Security: Adheres to industry-standard authentication methods.
6. Future-Proofing: Aligns with industry standards, ensuring long-term usability.

How Pysquad Can Assist in Implementation

Pysquad has deep expertise in building TMF-compliant APIs using FastAPI. Whether developing a telecom service or integrating with existing TMF solutions, Pysquad ensures your API meets industry standards.

Here’s how Pysquad can help:

1. TMF API Consultation: Our experts analyze your requirements and align them with TMF Open API standards.
2. FastAPI Development: Pysquad builds robust, high-performance FastAPI applications with TMF compliance.
3. Schema Validation: We implement TMF-defined data models to ensure seamless interoperability.
4. Security Compliance: Pysquad ensures authentication and authorization meet TMF security guidelines.
5. Performance Optimization: We optimize your FastAPI application for low latency and high scalability.
6. Automated Testing: Pysquad integrates CI/CD pipelines with automated testing to maintain quality.
7. API Gateway & Monitoring: We set up API gateways and monitoring tools for enhanced security and observability.
8. Error Handling Best Practices: Pysquad implements TMF-compliant error handling mechanisms.
9. End-to-End Deployment: Pysquad ensures a smooth transition from development to cloud deployment.
10. Ongoing Support & Maintenance: Pysquad provides long-term support for API enhancements and compliance updates.

References

1. TM Forum Open APIs
2. FastAPI Documentation
3. TMF API Security Guidelines

Conclusion

While a normal FastAPI implementation is flexible and fast, TMF-compliant FastAPI ensures industry-standard interoperability, security, and documentation. For telecom applications, following TMF guidelines is essential for seamless integration and compliance. Pysquad specializes in helping businesses implement TMF-compliant APIs, ensuring efficient and secure API development. By leveraging Pysquad’s expertise, companies can effortlessly deploy robust, scalable, and TMF-compliant FastAPI solutions.

For businesses looking to adopt TMF-compliant APIs, partnering with Pysquad guarantees expert guidance and seamless implementation. Get in touch with Pysquad today to streamline your FastAPI development journey!