Nokia-NetAct-15-Product-Description.pdf

NetAct 15

Product description Approval date 26.09.2014

Disclaimer

Document title

The information in this document applies solely to the hardware/software product (“Product”) specified herein, and only as specified herein. This document is intended for use by Nokia Solutions and Networks' customers (“You”) only, and it may not be used except for the purposes defined in the agreement between You and Nokia Solutions and Networks (“Agreement”) under which this document is distributed. No part of this document may be used, copied, reproduced, modified or transmitted in any form or means without the prior written permission of Nokia Solutions and Networks. If you have not entered into an Agreement applicable to the Product, or if that Agreement has expired or has been terminated, You may not use this document in any manner and You are obliged to return it to Nokia Solutions and Networks and destroy or delete any copies thereof. The document has been prepared to be used by professional and properly trained personnel, and You assume full responsibility when using it. Nokia Solutions and Networks welcome Your comments as part of the process of continuous development and improvement of the documentation. This document and its contents are provided as a convenience to You. Any information or statements concerning the suitability, capacity, fitness for purpose or performance of the Product are given solely on an “as is” and “as available” basis in this document, and Nokia Solutions and Networks reserves the right to change any such information and statements without notice. Nokia Solutions Networks has made all reasonable efforts to ensure that the content of this document is adequate and free of material errors and omissions, and Nokia Solutions and Networks will correct errors that You identify in this document. But, Nokia Solutions and Networks' total liability for any errors in the document is strictly limited to the correction of such error(s). Nokia Solutions and Networks does not warrant that the use of the software in the Product will be uninterrupted or error-free. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY WARRANTY OF AVAILABILITY, ACCURACY, RELIABILITY, TITLE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, IS MADE IN RELATION TO THE CONTENT OF THIS DOCUMENT. IN NO EVENT WILL NOKIA SOLUTIONS AND NETWORKS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO SPECIAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL OR ANY LOSSES, SUCH AS BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOSS OF PROFIT, REVENUE, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY OR DATA THAT MAY ARISE FROM THE USE OF THIS DOCUMENT OR THE INFORMATION IN IT, EVEN IN THE CASE OF ERRORS IN OR OMISSIONS FROM THIS DOCUMENT OR ITS CONTENT. This document is Nokia Solutions and Networks’ proprietary and confidential information, which may not be distributed or disclosed to any third parties without the prior written consent of Nokia Solutions and Networks. Nokia is a registered trademark of Nokia Corporation. Other product names mentioned in this document may be trademarks of their respective owners, and they are mentioned for identification purposes only. Copyright © 2014 Nokia Solutions and Networks. All rights reserved. Important Notice on Product Safety This product may present safety risks due to laser, electricity, heat, and other sources of danger. Only trained and qualified personnel may install, operate, maintain or otherwise handle this product and only after having carefully read the safety information applicable to this product. The safety information is provided in the Safety Information section in the “Legal, Safety and Environmental Information” part of this document or documentation set.

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Table of Contents

Table of Contents This document has 54 pages.

1

Introduction ..................................................................................................... 5

1.1

System-wide changes and improvements ....................................................... 5

1.2

Application-specific changes and improvements ............................................. 6

2

NetAct overview .............................................................................................. 8

3

NetAct software architecture ........................................................................... 9

4

Virtualization ................................................................................................. 11

4.1

Benefits of virtualization in NetAct ................................................................. 12

4.2

Scalability in virtualized infrastructure ........................................................... 12

5

System availability, reliability and disaster avoidance.................................... 14

5.1

System availability......................................................................................... 14

5.2

System reliability ........................................................................................... 15

5.3

High Availability (HA) .................................................................................... 15

5.4

Backup solutions ........................................................................................... 16

5.5

Disaster Recovery ......................................................................................... 17

5.5.1

Functionality .................................................................................................. 17

5.5.2

NetAct Stretched Cluster ............................................................................... 18

6

NetAct security .............................................................................................. 20

6.1

User security ................................................................................................. 20

6.2

Data security ................................................................................................. 21

6.3

Software security .......................................................................................... 22

6.4

Network security ........................................................................................... 22

7

NetAct applications ....................................................................................... 23

7.1

NetAct Monitor .............................................................................................. 23

7.1.1

Functionality changes and improvements ..................................................... 24

7.1.2

Overview of NetAct Monitor capabilities ........................................................ 24

7.1.3

Dynamic alarm suppression .......................................................................... 25

7.2

NetAct Performance Manager ....................................................................... 25

7.2.1

Functionality changes and improvements ..................................................... 26

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7.2.2

Overview of NetAct Performance Manager capabilities ................................. 27

7.3

Administration of Measurements ................................................................... 30

7.3.1

Functionality changes and improvements ..................................................... 30

7.4

NetAct Reporting Suites ................................................................................ 30

7.5

NetAct Configurator....................................................................................... 34

7.5.1

Functionality changes and improvements ..................................................... 35

7.5.2

Overview of NetAct Configurator capabilities................................................. 36

7.5.3

Hardware Management ................................................................................. 38

7.6

NetAct Optimizer ........................................................................................... 38

7.6.1

Functionality changes between OSS5 and NetAct 15 ................................... 38

7.6.2

Overview of NetAct Optimizer capabilities ..................................................... 39

7.7

NetAct TraceViewer ...................................................................................... 40

7.8

NetAct Software Manager and Network Element Backup and Restore.......... 41

7.8.1

Functionality changes and improvements ..................................................... 41

7.8.2

Overview of NetAct Software Manager and Network Element Backup and Restore capabilities ....................................................................................... 42

7.9

License Manager .......................................................................................... 43

8

Interfaces ...................................................................................................... 46

8.1

Northbound interfaces ................................................................................... 46

8.2

Southbound interfaces .................................................................................. 47

9

User assistance ............................................................................................ 49

9.1

Functionality changes and improvements ..................................................... 49

9.2

Overview of NetAct user assistance capabilities ........................................... 50

10

Related products ........................................................................................... 51

10.1

NetAct Audit Trail .......................................................................................... 51

10.2

Multi-vendor support with NetAct and OSS products ..................................... 51

10.3

Multi-vendor support with NetAct Advanced Monitor and NetAct Advanced Configurator .................................................................................................. 52

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1

Introduction

Introduction This document first gives a summary of changes between NetAct OSS5 and NetAct 15. It goes on to present a high-level overview of Nokia Solutions and Networks NetAct and its functionality. For more information on the different NetAct applications, refer to the respective operating documentation related to the applications.

1.1

System-wide changes and improvements Virtualization With NetAct 8 architecture renewal, NetAct moves into a virtualized environment. This means •

Zero downtime HW maintenance during live operations

•

Near zero downtime upgrades: after the first NetAct 8 generation release is installed in the operator environment, upgrades to consequent releases happen faster and easier

•

Additional possibilities in building disaster avoidance and disaster recovery functionality

Security and User management changes: Main changes: •

User interfaces in user management applications have been enhanced.

•

Security hardening improvements with new 3rd party OEM software:

•

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o

Operating System

o

http server

o

WebSphere.

Simplified web-based NetAct user account management

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Introduction

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•

NetAct network element user management with web-based Network Element Access Control

•

Simplified, automatic activation of Centralized Network User Management

•

Security Alarming (e.g. after failed login)

•

Automatic security hardening

Customizable workspaces Highly interworking tools enable users to create own workflows easily. In addition, customizing own workspaces make it possible for users to select the applications they use most, and add own content so that both tools and content are easily accessible. Workspaces can also be shared among users having a similar role in network management.

1.2

Application-specific changes and improvements NetAct Performance Manager All new NetAct Performance Manager helps operators in improving service quality and optimize network performance through real-time performance management and monitoring. Powerful performance management reaches not only the operator network, but also covers NetAct self monitoring. Performance management workflows and reports span from troubleshooting to executive / management type of reporting. The new NetAct Performance Manager solution is scalable to suit even for the largest networks. Also data storage times are longer which facilitate trend reporting.

NetAct Monitor NetAct Monitor brings centralized network monitoring for all technologies, spanning from element management to operational management. NetAct Monitor supports user-specific workflows and enables the operator to keep up to speed with the growing operational landscape with powerful filtering and correlation of alarms leading to fast root cause identification. NetAct Monitor facilitates fast integration of new network resources and services. The new alarm pipe is built with Java and is more robust than the old alarm pipe in use in the OSS5.X releases.

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Document title

Introduction

NetAct License Manager License management has been renewed, and improvements done to the management of NetAct’s own license keys, as well as viewing NetAct licensed features status. For network element licenses, it is now possible to audit a network element against a template and manage network element features from the topology view. NetAct SW Asset Monitoring supports feature usage reporting for both network elements and NetAct itself.

NetAct Configurator Hardware Manager is now a part of NetAct Configurator, which means that HW configuration upload and view are integrated to Configurator. In addition, existing CM features are reused, such as single and mass hardware configuration export in CSV and XML file format, searching and CM History.

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NetAct overview

2

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NetAct overview NOKIA NetAct offers a uniform set of tools for radio, core and transport network management. Based on industry standards and open architecture, NetAct enables the operator to manage multi-technology and multivendor networks with one single system. This means reduced administration, maintenance and system integration cost. NetAct ensures a smooth evolution from existing to future network technologies as it is highly scalable and can handle not only technology lifecycle requirements, but also network growth and changes in service offering. With NetAct, the operator can protect hardware and software investment, as well as retain existing processes and manage the network with same amount of personnel, when upgrading the network, for example, from WCDMA to LTE. NetAct also supports customer-specific extensions and thus can adapt to operator-specific business processes and needs.

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3

NetAct software architecture

NetAct software architecture NetAct software architecture is three-tiered: the tiers are •

Presentation tier

•

Business logic tier and

•

Data tier.

Business logic and Data tiers are separated from Presentation tier by firewalls and reside inside the secure domain. Presentation tier hosts client applications. The client applications access Business logic tier and reside typically on a user workstation, for example, a laptop or a desktop computer. The recommended workstation is an office PC with either Windows or Linux operating system. Business logic tier hosts the business logic and data access specific for NetAct. Data tier hosts Netact data storages, that is, the database and directory servers. Both Business logic tier and Data tier utilize virtual machines running on one or more host servers dedicated to NetAct. NetAct comprises a common computing platform, an adaptation and mediation layer and an application layer.

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•

NetAct computing platform provides preconfigured 3rd party hardware and software to support the operation of the upper layers. 3rd party software includes components for virtualization infrastructure.

•

Adaptation and mediation layer provides the interface through which data originating from network elements enters NetAct and can be handled by NetAct applications. It also provides the application layer with services which are not specific to any network management operation, for instance access control and logging.

•

Application layer contains the applications for common management tasks, such as fault management, configuration management, performance management and network optimization. Applications are accessible via user workstations.

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NetAct software architecture

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Depending on the operator’s installation, the tools allow management of part or all of the network domains. NetAct consolidates the views and services available to the network management personnel by moving from a network- and resource-centric approach towards a customer-centric approach. This improves the user experience and ultimately improves quality and saves costs in network management operations.

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4

Virtualization

Virtualization From the NetAct ct 8 generation onwards, NetAct is running in a virtualized environment. Virtualization means that SW is set up in a way that it can operate independently from the underlying hardware. The physical HW is shared across the whole infrastructure as a resource resourc pool and is divided into smaller units, so called virtual machines each of which has its own allocate virtual CPU and memory. The virtualization layer, i.e. the HW virtualization capability, is provided by the VMware hypervisor. Additional servers simpl simply y add I/O, CPU and RAM computing resources to the HW pool and virtualization provides a logical view of data, computing power, storage capacity and other resources.

Figure 1.. Physical vs virtual environment

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Virtualization

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Compared to the previous NetAct releases, there are no longer dedicated hardware roles. Instead, NetAct applications, mediations, and services run on a number of virtual machines, which, in turn, are powered by a hardware resource pool. Each virtual machine is dimensioned and optimized for the service/s running in it. This way, the same NetAct functions can be provided as previously, but with improved availability and scalability options.

4.1

Benefits of virtualization in NetAct Virtualization in NetAct brings the following benefits:

4.2

•

Near zero downtime upgrade: Upgrade can be performed by cloning the system within the virtualized infrastructure. Upgrades are performed on the clone side and then after upgrade testing, the clone system becomes the live system.

•

Zero downtime hardware maintenance and capacity can be added without business impact.

•

Improved utilization ratio of HW resources: No more physical standby nodes.

•

Increased elasticity, in other words, scalability in a virtual environment.

•

Efficient high availability and disaster avoidance solutions by using shared redundancy resources.

•

Eventual decoupling NetAct and 3rd party HW/SW makes HW planning more flexible.

•

Improved HW utilization continues to improve, and the future possibility to co-locate NOKIA products.

Scalability in virtualized infrastructure Scalability is an important feature of the virtual NetAct environment since there are software components that can be located on more than one VM, and one VM can contain more than one software component. If the load increases beyond a virtual machine’s capabilities, the software component and/or virtual machine must be scaled to cope with the increased load. However, not all software components scale in a similar way: •

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Software components can scale horizontally, which means that additional virtual machines need to be provisioned in order to enable the software component to distribute its load. Horizontal

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Virtualization

scalability is enabled by placing software components behind load balancers. •

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Software components can scale vertically, which means that additional resources (CPU and memory) need to be allocated to the virtual machine where the software component is hosted.

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System availability, reliability and disaster avoidance

5

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System availability, reliability and disaster avoidance System reliability refers to all features included in NetAct platform that facilitate high availability and disaster avoidance of the NetAct system. The following sections explain the concepts and solutions in more detail.

5.1

System availability NetAct system product availability is based on the TL9000 standard. System availability is designed to meet customer needs in diverse failure situations and in such situations, to ensure FCAPS functionality and performance. Generic product availability can be enhanced with additional features and services aiming to, for example, reduce planned downtime. To secure customer attributable availability, NetAct administration competencies and capabilities have to be in place. NetAct system product availability architecture covers component-specific availability requirements including hardware and software products. Availability type

Definition

Internal product availability

Product implementation and product quality ensure that product availability requirements are met. Excluded: maintenance breaks and upgrades as well as 3rd party components.

System product availability

Product implementation, as well as the implementation of 3rd party components, and product quality, as well as the quality of 3rd party components, ensure that product availability requirements are met. Excluded: maintenance breaks and

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System availability, reliability and disaster avoidance

Availability type

Definition upgrades.

Generic product availability

All of the above, and product implementation ensures that during upgrade and maintenance breaks, downtime requirements are met. Including: maintenance breaks and upgrades.

Service attributable availability

All of the above and the provided services are executed in a way that availability requirements are met.

Customer attributable availability

All of the above and the product and its services are implemented in a way that customer can take responsibility of system operation meeting system availability targets.

External product attributable availability

All of the above, and the product is implemented in a way that it meets the availability requirements independent of the behavior of the external products.

Total availability (external attributable availability)

All of the above and the product is implemented in a way that the product meets the availability requirements independent of the external attributable issues such as power failures, DCN failures and natural disasters.

Table 1. Types and definitions of availability

5.2

System reliability System reliability covers topics such as disaster avoidance, backup and recovery, high-availability features and load balancing.

5.3

High Availability (HA) High availability aims to eliminate single points of failure (power supply, disk space, CPU, software or connectivity) by introducing redundancy of in software and hardware components.

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System availability, reliability and disaster avoidance

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Connections between any two servers and inside the storage system are built to incorporate redundancy, that is, there always are two independent paths between any two components in a virtualized cluster. The same principle applies also to routers and firewalls. High availability guarantees that critical resources are available for NetAct operations even in failover situations. Load balancing concerns other server configurations than single server configuration. In multi-server configuration, load balancing ensures that server load is distributed among the servers in an application server cluster. Automatic load balancing is not used on the data tier, but balances traffic on the application.

The following lists the high availability mechanisms in use in NetAct:

5.4

•

Virtual Infrastructure Manager oversees virtual machine availability (VM/guest)

•

Watchdog monitors service availability on guest system

•

WebSphere cluster guarantees the availability of the J2EE application

•

Failed applications/virtual machines are automatically restarted if application or guest fails.

•

Priorities and VM startup order

•

Redundant HW components: Running NetAct node (VM) can be relocated to another physical server online

Backup solutions NetAct offers both an online backup and an offline disk-based backup of the file system and databases. Online backups are taken while the system is up and running and are automatically scheduled. Offline backup is taken when the database is not running, typically after the installation of the database or when changes requiring a shutdown have been performed, also before an upgrade. The backup disk can either be part of the online disk storage or located on separate backup disk storage. The open interface offered by NetAct enables operators to build their own or use a third-party backup solution. However, this requires that the 3rd party/custom-made solution is compatible with the other software components installed on the NetAct cluster. Furthermore, it must be ensured that there is enough processing capability and data storage available for the chose backup solution.

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5.5

System availability, reliability and disaster avoidance

Disaster Recovery NetAct Disaster Recovery improves system reliability and availability and is based on virtualization. Operators want to ensure business continuity in case of man-made or natural disasters, such as earthquakes, sabotages or human error. If a system failure due to above reasons occurs, or even a planned outage, NetAct Disaster Recovery (DR) ensures that network management operations are restarted with minimum interruption to business. DR also enables simpler deployment and contributes to faster upgrades as well as reduces the dependency on underlying HW. NetAct Disaster Recovery keeps operator data safe by replicating it continuously from the primary site to the recovery site. Replicated data consists of database content, all user data and LDAP data In case of emergency, one single command from primary site or from recovery site moves all network management functionality over in less than 30 minutes to recovery site to ensure business continuity It is possible to include several primary NetAct systems to one redundant site.

5.5.1 Functionality Four types of operations are provided in the Disaster Recovery solution:

Switchover This operation is performed mainly for testing or maintenance reasons. It switches the production process from the active site (SITE-A) to the standby site (SITE-B) without triggering a failure or disaster. It can be used when only a part of NetAct system is not operational, a maintenance task is needed to be performed, or a verification that the Disaster Recovery functions properly. Whether to perform the Switchover operation depends on various factors, such as temporary outage, or the regulating repair. The decision to perform this operation is made by the operator.

Switchback This operation is performed after the Switchover operation is performed. When SITE-A is available to work, the current active site, SITE-B, can be switched back to be the standby site again. After the Switchback, SITE-A takes over all the production process and resumes all the operations.

Failover This operation is performed for acknowledging the standby site when a severe failure occurs on the active site. It switches the data, services, and operations from SITE-A to SITE-B when SITEA cannot be restored within a reasonable time interval. The decision to perform this operation is made by the operator.

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System availability, reliability and disaster avoidance

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Failback This operation is performed to restore the system back to the active site from a failure site. After a Failover, all the operations, data, services, and Switchover, switchback, failover and failback are the common functionalities of DR. N:1 functionality means one Standby Site can support the DR functionality in multiple Active Sites at the same time.

Feature

Disaster Recovery

Failover

Manual

Communication link

Asynchronous, WAN

Distance

Unlimited

Release upgrade support – Near zero downtime

Not supported

N:1 support

Supported

System availability

Failover time target 30 minutes

Live migration (vMotion)

Not supported

Table 2. NetAct Disaster Recovery features

5.5.2

NetAct Stretched Cluster The NetAct Stretched Cluster is an optional functionality. The solution is targeted for disaster avoidance, protection against fire or site failures, as well as NetAct system full cloning by using the hardware capacity provided by NetAct Stretched Cluster. NetAct Stretched Cluster is based on NetAct 15 regional cluster architecture, VMware virtualization infrastructure and the EMC VPLEX Metro storage solution. By utilizing the NetAct Stretched Cluster solution, the operator benefits not only by improved business continuity in case of disasters, but also better utilization of hardware resources, such as:

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•

Active/active use of data centers

•

Improved load balancing between data centers by dividing services for best availability

•

Increased availability for the applications: no single points of storage failure, auto-restart

•

Fully automatic failure handling

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System availability, reliability and disaster avoidance

•

Efficient operations during planned data center maintenance when resources can be easily transferred to another site and NetAct system performance is not compromised

•

Storage for NetAct System Backup can be located in the same physical storage system with primary storage and replicated between sites. Only one storage system/site is required.

Feature

Stretched Cluster

Failover

Automated

Communication link

Synchronous

Distance

5 ms rtt latency (~100 km)

Upgrade support with minimum downtime

Supported (with upgrades from existing NetAct 8 based environments)

System availability

Automated failover for maximum availability

Live migration

Supported

Table 3. NetAct Stretched Cluster features

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NetAct security

6

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NetAct security Security helps keeping the data contained in NetAct confidential, ensures data integrity as well as availability. Security features help keeping information safe: Data is only available for authorized users/parties, and it is accurate and consistent. NetAct security solution covers all aspects of safe safe-keeping keeping the data. The security solution is based on Nokia Solutions and Networks’ security policy and guidelines, covering customer requirements and international security standards.

Figure 2.. NetAct security solutions

6.1

User security User security controls and keeps logs of system access. Users are authenticated upon logging into the system and authorization ensures that a certain user can only access applications and perform tasks which he is authorized to according to his user profile and user role permissions. NetAct

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NetAct security

Audit Trail and NetAct Monitor are used for monitoring user access and actions performed by the users in the system. Permission management, that is, the allocation of user access rights to specific NetAct applications and NE authorizations (if CNUM is utilized), is handled with Group Explorer, Role Explorer, Scope Editor and Network View Scope Editor. These tools provide functions such as creating and deleting user groups, assigning / removing roles to/from a group, creating new roles or configuring permissions for a selected role. Area

OSS5 tool / solution

NetAct 8 tool / solution

Managing users

- Complex IBM Tivoli Identity Manager

- NOKIA user management tool: efficient and secure tool for managing users

- TMF 615

- TMF 615 Managing roles and permissions

- Permission Manager with a large number of non-industry standard roles

- Permission Manager with industry standard roles

Managing services (=network credentials)

- Service User Manager

- Network element access control

Table 4. Differences in user management between OSS5.X and NetAct 8

6.2

Data security NetAct data security refers to all actions taken to protect the data in the file system and databases. Data security is protected by user access control, data encryption as well as various data integrity protection methods. Data encryption is used for ciphering the most sensitive information, for example, user account and user permissions, certificates, and event logs. Passwords are encrypted with hash functions and the encryption keys are stored to secure key storage. Integrity protection mechanisms, for example, checksums, are in place to ensure that data content and structure remain intact.

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NetAct security

6.3

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Software security NetAct software security verifies that the operating system and 3rd party software updates as well as the related processes do not interfere with system functionality. Recommended methods to prevent software errors in NetAct are, among others, virus protection, integrity checks and signing of Java files.

6.4

Network security Network security includes traffic access control, encryption, integrity protection, separation and filtering. Data traffic is protected by using different encryption protocols that can be enabled through security hardening. The use of encryption protocols such as SSL/TLS, IPsec and SSHv2, traffic separation, filtering and the use of firewalls is recommended methods to ensure network security.

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7

NetAct applications

NetAct applications The following chapter gives an overview of NetAct applications.

7.1

NetAct Monitor NetAct Monitor offers end end-to-end end network monitoring functionality on a single screen.

Figure 3.. NetAct Monitor user interface

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NetAct applications

7.1.1

Document title

Functionality changes and improvements Main changes: •

Robust alarm pipe: The new alarm pipe is built with Java and is more robust than the old OSS5.X alarm pipe.

•

Rich Java based UI compared to Motif UI – context-sensitive monitoring tools, all available in single centralized view and interacting seamlessly

•

More powerful alarm correlation and filtering support

•

OSS/J Trouble Ticket Client integrated with Monitor for trouble ticket operations

•

Working sets, maintenance regions to provide focused monitoring

•

Editable, context-sensitive alarm man pages

A detailed description of functionality changes is available in NetAct operating documentation.

7.1.2

Overview of NetAct Monitor capabilities Alarm filtering and correlation: NetAct Monitor comes with comprehensive filtering options and correlation rules to reduce the overall number of alarms and the amount of manual work needed. Alarm enrichment: Alarm enrichment enables root cause analysis in fault situations by collecting additional information, for example, the geographical location of the network element which is sending alarms. Alarm Flow Supervision monitors and reports any connectivity problems with the network elements. Advanced usability features: Support for quick buttons, context-sensitive and seamless interworking of the tools and drag-and-drop functionality. NetAct Monitor views are easy to adjust to different monitoring needs, ranging from network-wide views down to the single element, or technology-specific expert monitoring. Reporting features: Fault management reports on a specific time frame or a specific network element. Alarm trigger: Alarm trigger offers automation of fault correction processes based on specific alarms. Certain alarms can, for example, initiate an automatic network element reset or network element lockdown. Triggering rules are defined by the operator. Integration to external systems: trouble ticketing or workflow management systems via the OSS/J Trouble Ticket Client interface. Alarms can also be

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Document title

NetAct applications

distributed to external tools for remote access for further processing of offline analysis or forwarded to e-mail. For deeper analysis of problems closer to the Network Element, NetAct Monitor supports context-sensitive launch of Element Managers. Furthermore, alarm inflow related statistics can be gathered in a scheduled manner with the Alarm Reports Dashboard application for post processing.

7.1.3 Dynamic alarm suppression Dynamic Alarm Suppression correlates alarms intelligently based on the runtime data present in the alarms rather than statically keying the values beforehand. Dynamic Alarm Suppression rule provides the capability to detect the root cause alarm and suppress the secondary alarms. Alarms can also be correlated by defining the relationship between then rather than on static attributes. As an example, the X2 link alarms contain information in the diagnostic information attribute, which can be used to match patterns and create generic rules that reduce alarms significantly. This correlation infrastructure is generic and domain / technology independent.

7.2

NetAct Performance Manager NetAct Performance Manager offers the operator a full reporting environment in which it is possible to create and run ad-hoc and pre-defined reports. As the application is web-based, there is no need for client-side software installations and updates, which reduces configuration mismatch probability and enables the use of bookmarks for accessing and running reports. NetAct Performance Manager processes the raw performance data into meaningful information on the network performance. Reports containing this meaningful information (e.g. KPI), can be visualized in graphical and textual format. NetAct Performance Manager provides a wide range of functionalities and reporting tools that address the needs of all user groups.

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NetAct applications

Document title

Figure 4. NetAct Performance Manager user interface

7.2.1

Functionality changes and improvements Main changes:

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•

From five different applications in OSS5; Report Builder, Report Explorer, Reporting Suites, Thresholder & Profiler, SelfMonitoring reporting; to one unified reporting application, NetAct Performance Manager, providing a single and powerful UI for adhoc and pre-defined reports.

•

Web-based architecture means no need for client-side SW installations, configurations and updates, thus reducing the OPEX

•

Promotes the usage of bookmarks to directly access and run reports

•

Centralized management of KPIs and reports.

•

Centralized resource and service reporting for multi-technology and multi-domain networks

•

User definable reporting workflows and a personal space for own KPIs and reports.

•

Time overlay reporting

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Document title

NetAct applications

•

Export of charts to MS excel, which can be further edited

•

Framework that enables a fast and easy way to support new NE types.

•

Advanced visualization capabilities: Dashboards, GIS, multi-tech KPIs and reports, data availability reporting and alarms, Open URL (all part of an optional package)

•

Real-time Performance Monitoring for One-NDS, NT-HLR, IMS, Flexi NG and PCS-5000 (optional)

•

Long Term reporting (optional)

•

CM parameter support in reports (optional)

•

KPI Thresholding and Profiling, including multi-spiking (optional)

A detailed description of functionality changes is available in NetAct operating documentation.

7.2.2

Overview of NetAct Performance Manager capabilities Open interfaces: NetAct Performance Manager offers open interfaces which facilitate exporting measurement data and integrating data post-processing tools. Raw PM data can be exported through a file-based interface: OMeS2.1 and OMes2.3.

Also export to MS Excel is available, and enhanced from OSS5: one sheet contains the reports details including KPI descriptions and formulas, another sheet contains KPI values. Charts can also be exported and further manipulated in MS Excel. COTS adaptation and content reduce the time-to-market for new technologies.

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Figure 5.. NetAct Performance Manager functionality at a glance

With KPI Creator, key performance indicators are created and managed. With KPI Creator, it is also possible to manage access to performance data. KPI Publisher enables sharing KPIs with other users.

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Figure 6. Report dashboard (Dashboards and GIS support are optional)

Report Creator enables reporting on counters, KPIs, basic configuration management attributes and filters. Visualization options help in tailoring the report according to the users’ needs. Through Report Publisher, readymade reports can be shared, browsed, further modified/configured or reused by running the report again from the navigation menu. Reports offer the possibility to drill down to the level of individual cells thus facilitating faster analysis. The reports along with the relevant information can be published to chosen users/user groups. In addition, all reports can be scheduled with Scheduler. With NetAct Performance Manager Administration Toolkit, administrators can configure the storage period for each measurement (raw or aggregated) after which the database tables are automatically cleaned up. With the Toolkit, administrators can also verify if all raw data is inserted in the database or drill down to network element details and find network elements that are not sending correct measurement data to NetAct Performance Manager. There are also optional features like Dashboards, GIS support, Multi-tech reports, open interface for third party integration (also known as open URL), data availability alarms, long term storage and reporting, KPI thresholding and profiling, CM parameters support in reports. More detailed descriptions can be found in the respective sales features documents.

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Document title

7.3 Administration of Measurements Administration of Measurements enables the operator to launch and stop several measurements in various network elements as one operation. Thus the data in Administration of Measurements is synchronized with the network performance management data configuration. Administration of Measurements offers an easy-to-use set of features for processing measurement configuration data residing in a central storage. Functionality includes, for example, plan management, manual upload of measurement configurations per network element to NetAct and status check of measurement types in supported network elements via network overview. Templates can be used to pre-define some standard parameters, which can then be used as a starting point for faster creation of plans. Measurement plans can be defined for multiple network element types, for example RNC and BSC, making it possible to create a single plan for, for example, all elements of the core network.

7.3.1 Functionality changes and improvements Main changes are:

7.4

•

Network overview enhanced with summary row and intelligent scrolling

•

Templates concept introduced to decrease the time taken to create new measurement plans

•

Non-blocking upload progress indication

•

Upload overview window

•

Multiple NE types in a single plan (applicable also to upload).

•

Active plan modification

NetAct Reporting Suites Reporting Suite delivers a set of comprehensive off-the-shelf reports and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that meet the most common CSP needs. Pre-defined reports for the different network technological domains can be integrated into the NetAct framework and run in NetAct Performance Manager to support with needed information on traffic, mobility, resources, quality, charging, and Quality of Service. With Reporting Suites, CSPs can immediately analyze the radio and core networks’ performance and capacity and drill into further detail on time level,

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report level, and on KPI level. Reporting Suites cover all major network technologies and can be used for example, in network dimensioning and optimization, troubleshooting, traffic trend analysis or service usage. Advanced use cases are also possible through the combination of existing pre-defined reports (e.g. Cross Technology) or through the daily workflow configuration (reporting drill flow, dashboards…) The following technologies are covered: •

Radio LTE

•

Radio WCDMA

•

Radio GSM

•

Radio I-HSPA (Flexi Direct)

•

PS Core SGSN/ MME (FlexiNS)

•

PS Core GGSN/SAE-GW(FlexiNG)

•

Cs Core Mobile Voice/R4

•

SDM

•

IMS

•

IP support via NetAct IP Assurance

•

Cisco

•

Juniper

•

Tellabs

Reporting Suite plug-in architecture enables smooth upgrades meaning reduced time-back-to operation and faster network alignment. Pre-defined reports can be customized via NetAct Performance Manager reporting tool set (Report Creator) to fit customer specific needs.

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Document title

Figure 7. Pre-defined defined Reporting Suite

LTE Reporting Suites LTE Reporting Suite can help the operator manage his LTE network efficiently by enabling reporting on: on

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Network benchmarking: Monitor network performance for example per vendor, plan network rollout in an optimal fashion or to see if network performance deviates from norm.

•

Capacity utilization: Plan capacity, follow utilization and address capacity issues.

•

Data usage and analytics: identify identify data usage and impact on network resources, identify congestion and throughput issues

•

Traffic management: management Manage congestion, and improve customer experience by understanding actual throughput delivered per QoS class.

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•

Interoperability: Measure performance in multi-radio access scenarios, understand voice call handling/management in data networks

•

Mobility and control plane: Manage network accessibility and retainability, KPIs for LTE network.

Figure 8. LTE Suite

LTE Advanced Pack This advanced reporting suite enables the users to get an end-to-end LTE network overview in the same dashboard. It also comprises a wide range of reports addressing Quality of Service, service differentiation, as well as a mixed radio and core dashboard (for example, Mobility, Traffic Management, CS fallback).

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Figure 9. Advanced Reporting Suite: LTE Advanced Pack

The network analysis is greatly simplified through a combined network hierarchy that comprises both radio and core elements. With the creation of the new hierarchy levels, users can create own customized KPIs in NetAct Performance Manager’s KPI Creator tool by just dragging and dropping counters from different LTE related network elements.

GIS & Network Health Check The GIS & Network Health Check Reporting Suite is designed to provide important insights for Service and Network Planning, Service Creation, Service and Network Monitoring and Business Management.

7.5

NetAct Configurator NetAct Configurator offers comprehensive functionality for configuration management with common processes and data storage in multi-technology radio and core networks. Automated network planning and network consistency checking actions can be carried out with easy-to-use tools. NetAct Configurator enables flexible and automatic workflows for fast network roll-out and expansions as well as controlling the related processes.

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Figure 10.. NetAct Configurator overview

7.5.1

Functionality ch changes and improvements Main changes are: •

Hardware information can be managed in easy manner with Configurator applications

•

Manage Parameters Quickly and effectively

•

Improved usability across the board, for example, easy identification of configuration data data in human readable format, easy creation of own editor views, quick navigation

•

Enabling Consistency Checking from CM Editor without launching CM Analyzer

•

Controlled access rights to CM parameters at a user group level

•

Browse historical configuration in the past

•

Old plans can be automatically automatically deleted from NetAct data database

•

Mass provisioning without a need of plan generation using Command Line Interface

NetAct Configurator Radio:

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Document title

•

Support for Multi-antenna RET devices on Flexi Multiradio

•

Intelligent configuration synchronization for LTE

•

Provisioning of subplan after partly successful validation in LTE

•

LTE Access Class Barring configuration provisioning

•

Parameter categorization for LTE

•

InterRAT and IntraLTE adjacencies management

NetAct Configurator Core

7.5.2

•

Easy to execute Interactive MML commands and Multiple session in Command Manager

•

Possible to execute and broadcast the HIT macro to several NEs

•

Enhanced support to Multipoint Configuration Assistant with Open MGW and to troubleshooting configuration parameters

•

Migration of IPA MGW configuration data to ATCA MGW configuration data

Overview of NetAct Configurator capabilities In radio access management, Configurator can be used for mass modifications of network element parameters, BTS auto configuration, adjacency management throughout radio network technologies, site planning and site re-hosting, as well as remote electric tilt management for flexible network tuning. In core network management, Configurator can be used for automatic upload of network element data, display of data with a feature-rich Table Editor, comprehensive network planning in offline mode, verification of planned modifications, auditing of actual configuration data and it offers dedicated means for spontaneous modifications. The supported core network technologies are Rel-4 Core, Packet Core, IMS and NT HLR FE.

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Figure 11.Configurator tools

With NetAct Configurator tools, the operator can handle daily configuration management tasks easily. For the majority of the operations, there is also a command line interface. NetAct Configurator is a main enabler of selforganizing network (SON) functionality.

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•

CM Editor is used for creating, editing and visualizing configuration plans and templates as well as managing and manipulating parameters (minor edit to mass modification).

•

CM Analyzer is used for checking the consistency of a plan or managed configuration against a set of rules. With CM Analyzer it is possible to created consistency and audit reports on the actual, reference or planned configuration.

•

CM Operations Manager provides visibility on what is happening and has happened with the managed data in terms of network operations. It offers the means to start and schedule all different operations supported by the system, such as export, import, upload and download.

•

CM Workflow Manager offers the means to design, start and follow up macro workflows. These are workflows which are perceived as a set of different steps, i.e. a defined sequence of tasks.

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Document title

•

7.5.3

CM Reference Configuration is a workspace for maintaining the reference configuration of a network. Deviations in the actual and reference configuration can be audited and aligned to either one.

Hardware Management Hardware inventory management is now integrated into NetAct Configurator tools. This enables easy access to hardware inventory data due to rich data browsing feature set of Configurator. A dedicated CM Editor view to view only hardware data of network elements is pre-defined. This feature allows performing: •

Hardware data upload using CM Operations Manager GUI application or CLI

•

Hardware data browser using CM Editor application

•

Hardware data export (inventory) using CM Operations Manager northbound interfaces GUI or CLI

The centralized Hardware Management facilitates operating the network more efficiently, thus achieving savings and building a reliable balance sheet of network assets.

7.6

NetAct Optimizer NetAct Optimizer offers intelligent optimization in multi-vendor and multitechnology networks. It offers the operator a holistic view of the network as well as network-wide full control of the automated optimization process. Routine tasks are automated. With the help of its in-built intelligent algorithms, NetAct Optimizer automatically creates the most efficient adjacency or frequency plans, cutting down on effort spent on optimization.

7.6.1

Functionality changes between OSS5 and NetAct 15 Main changes are:

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•

Carrier Aggregation enhancements - support for additional band and bandwidth combinations

•

Carrier Aggregation support for LTE TDD

•

Optimizer support for “Super Cells” as part of Carrier Aggregation

•

PRACH Algorithm compatibility with PUSCH masking feature in eNB

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Document title

7.6.2

NetAct applications

•

Basic support for WCDMA – LTE neighbour relations

•

Support for new NOKIA network element releases

•

Easy trial and testbed licensing with new and simple license structure

Overview of NetAct Optimizer capabilities Operators benefit from NetAct Optimizer by reduced dropped call rates, better utilization of network capacity and service quality improvement. With NetAct Optimizer the operator can perform optimization tasks across network technologies and vendors. Optimization is done based on actual measurement data collected by NetAct Reporter. Compared to prediction-based network optimization approach, using actual measurements are more accurate and produce good results in improved network performance and capacity utilization rates. With the help of its intelligent algorithms, NetAct Optimizer automatically creates the most efficient adjacency or frequency plans, cutting down on effort spent on optimization. With NetAct Optimizer, it is possible to minimize interference, handle frequency allocations. Optimizer helps plan and optimize adjacencies, cell identity codes and balance capacity – also across network technologies. The tool offers views for easy visualization and analysis of the actual network status, for example, color coding cells according to their dropped call rate. This aspect alone becomes increasingly important in ever more complex radio access networks.

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Document title

Figure 12. Optimizer user interface

The geographical view helps the operator to spot problematic areas and elements easily. Objects can be selected from the map and listed in the browser view for detailed analysis. SON support for NetAct Optimizer is available as well.

7.7

NetAct TraceViewer NetAct TraceViewer provides a system-level trace for a number of Nokia network elements and systems. Using TraceViewer the operator can manage, collect and view data from network elements related to a specific subscriber or a specific mobile phone. With TraceViewer, it is possible to:

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Analyze test calls network-wide

•

Minimize the number of site visits

• and

Analyze problems prior to an actual roll-out or introduction of services

•

Verify radio network roll-out

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NetAct TraceViewer offers limited support for multi-vendor networks. System-level tracing relates to observing the activities of either a mobile phone (IMEI trace), a subscriber (IMSI, MSISDN trace), a cell (Cell Name) or even NE (NE name) in a mobile network on a detailed level. Tracing data provides further insight into network performance, for example, a view of enduser quality of service during a call, correlation between protocol messages and radio frequency measurements or interoperability with specific mobile vendors. As opposed to reporting, tracing is an instant means of observation of a specific event, and the data provided by tracing can be used for troubleshooting and supports network optimization.

7.8

NetAct Software Manager and Network Element Backup and Restore NetAct Software Manager enables the operators to manage network element software and backup centrally across multi network domains. Software Manager is used for deploying software releases and patches, creating software backups and restoring functionality efficiently. Software Manager enables fast mass downloads to a large number of network elements to a predefined schedule and even automate the process to save time and resources. Software packages can be managed in a centralized software archive covering the entire lifecycle which provides an easy means of viewing the software configuration across the network domains. Network Element Backup and Restore helps the operator to manage backups in entire network from single application. The tool can consolidate the backup status view of different domains and contains the central repository for all backup images. For compatible network elements the Restore operation can be started.

7.8.1 Functionality changes and improvements Main changes are:

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•

WEB based user interface which enable software and backup management

•

Compatible package view with SW package lifecycle and quality enforcement functionality

•

Remote BSC SW upgrade

•

Multi Radio Site view with “one click” SW update for Single RAN

•

Customized/flexible view of Network Elements status

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Document title

•

7.8.2

Automatic Backup limitation for MSC on external device

Overview of NetAct Software Manager Manager and Network Element Backup and Restore capabilities With NetAct SW Manager and NE Backup tool, the operator can handle daily software management tasks easily.

Figure 131. 1. NetAct SW Manager and NE Backup WEB UI

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Network Software Status implements a centralized, up-to-date up software configuration status for the network element software of the managed network. Operators can efficiently: view software configuration of network elements, upload software configuration of network elements, download software to network elements, ac activate tivate certain network elements, and create different kind of backup.

•

Network Operations is intended for monitoring the status of software management tasks. The status of each individual operation can easily be seen from the main view. Details tab includes more detailed information of each operation.

•

Software Archive implements a centralized storage for the software of network element releases and change deliveries in

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Document title

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NetAct. With this functionality you can efficiently import software to the archive, and manage the archived software. •

Backup Archive implements a centralized storage for backups transferred from network element to NetAct repository. It enables also backup management stored remotely on network element and external device.

•

Preferences enables the user to adapt application global and NE specific parameters including operations timeout, operation retry limit and notification handling. The user can also change customize the software lifecycle.

The NetAct SW Manager is a enabler of self-organizing network (SON) site creation functionality.

7.9 License Manager NetAct License Manager offers a simple way of managing license keys for multi-domain, multi-technology NOKIA networks as well as NetAct’s own license keys at a single place with clear, user-friendly interface. It provides basic support for managing Network Elements licenses keys as well as enhanced functionality to manage Pool licenses for WCDMA elements. Customized reports give a holistic overview of licensed features situation in the network and NetAct. License Manager runs as application of NetAct system and it’s part of NetAct standard software. Compared to OSS5.X, License Manager provides improved usability with moderately renewed user interface and simplicity of managing NetAct’s license keys in one place. NetAct License Manager offers: •

NetAct software license keys management.

•

Network Elements license keys management.

•

Pool license keys management.

•

Automatic license distribution.

•

Auditing Network Elements against features template.

• Notifications for license key expiration and running out of feature capacity.

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Overview of operations history.

•

Reporting for NetAct as well as Network Elements licensed features.

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Figure 14 NetAct License Manager in working environment

License Manager supports both capacity licenses and on/off licenses. Capacity licenses are considered to be incremental, that is, a new capacity license does not replace the previous license(s), but the capacity values of all the licenses for the same feature are summed up. On/off licenses cause a particular feature to be active or inactive respectively. Term licensing is supported in NetAct License Manager. Term licenses are divided into licenses that have actual expiration date, after which all licensed features are disabled (time-limited license key), and the one that has no actual expiration date, and do not expire (non-time-limited/perpetual license key). Perpetual license key is a term license with validity period equal to zero. License Manager informs about license key about to expire prior to its end time. License Manager features: •

Web UI with better usability for Network Elements license key management

•

Features focus for Network Elements license key management

•

Advanced configuration for automatic license distribution

•

NetAct’s license keys managed in one application

NetAct Release Upgrade protection secures the entire NetAct system with a Master License, which in turn enables all other NetAct license keys. Without Master License, NetAct System is not usable. NetAct hard lock is associated with validity of the license file and affects the availability of the licensed features. Hard lock is triggered for licenses which

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are expired or if license capacity is exceeded. When the hard lock is active on a capacity or term license, the licenced feature is blocked and no new network element integrations or changes to element configuration are possible (capacity license) or it is not possible to use the licensed features or application (term license). Prior to hard lock activation, the system raises an alarm. The hard lock for term licenses is released and related alarms cleared after the installation of a new valid license key.

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Interfaces

8

Document title

Interfaces NetAct offers a set of well defined interfaces based on standards to ensure easy integration with 3rd party network elements, element management systems and other upper level management systems.

8.1 Northbound interfaces Northbound interfaces provide a means to integrate NetAct to 3rd party upper level management systems. Many of the interfaces can be utilized equally well with NetAct and umbrella management system tools. The 3GPP Rel6 CORBA FM northbound interface is a 3GPP standard compliant interface used for exchanging topology and alarm information. The SNMP northbound interface provides SNMP v2c and SNMP v3 based alarm forwarding and alarm uploading functionality with filtering capabilities. Cancel and acknowledge operations of alarms can be invoked from upper level management systems. The interface supports both network alarms and NetAct internal alarms. The ASCII Alarm Forwarding interface provides the capability for continuous alarm information forwarding from NetAct to external systems in ASCII format using common TCP/IP and UNIX services. The ASCII Alarm Forwarding interface supports all alarms collected by NetAct as well as the alarms generated by the NetAct self-monitoring application. The XML (OMeS) Based Measurement Data Export interface is a solution for publishing performance management data in OMeS format for upper level management systems. OMeS is an XML based NOKIA proprietary format for specifying measurement data. The 3GPP XML Format PM Northbound interface exports raw measurement data in 3GPP formatted XML files to external systems. FTIRP is supported, and FTP or sFTP can be used for transferring performance management files. The interface is applicable for all PM supported network elements managed by NetAct.

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Document title

Interfaces

The OSS/J Trouble Ticket Client interface can be used to integrate 3rd party trouble ticket systems with NetAct. After the integration it is possible to create, modify, view or close trouble tickets from NetAct Monitor desktop. The 3GPP Rel6 BulkCM Northbound interface is a 3GPP compliant interface for configuration management data upload, download and configuration management operations. The interface supports WCDMA and LTE. The TMF615 Unified User Management interface is a standard solution for integrating NetAct to external central user management systems. It centrally facilitates management of users and their access rights for all OSS systems. The XML Based Inventory Data Export interface exports hardware inventory data in XML formatted files to be transmitted to external systems. 3GPP FTIRP is supported, and FTP or sFTP can be used for transferring inventory management files. The XML/CSV Planning Data interfaces are solutions for exporting configuration management planning data and hardware inventory data in XML/CSV formatted files. The CM Data Repository Web Service API is the SOA compliant web service solution that provides the access to NetAct Configurator data without the need for direct SQL access. The solution is independent of the CM database structure. The Email Alarm Forwarding northbound interface is an interface for forwarding alarm events to external systems in specific e-mail format.

8.2

Southbound interfaces NetAct supports a set of transport and application protocols as well as provides Integration SDK to integrate and manage 3rd party network elements and element management systems (EMS). Integration to a 3rd party network element or EMS involves the creation of mediation and adaptation. The mediation converts the interface protocol and data model exposed by the 3rd party system to the NetAct internal data model and the adaptation models the resources of the 3rd party system. The transport and application protocols supported by NetAct for integrating with 3rd party systems are UDP, SSH, FTP, SFTP, HTTP, SNMP (v1, v2c, v3), CORBA, EJB, JDBC, and SOAP. Integration SDK (Software Development Toolkit) will be provided to support SNMP integration development by NOKIA integration team or by customer themselves. Very often operator orders a multi-vendor integration project from Nokia Solutions and Networks. Some main stream vendor integrations may also be ordered off-the-shelf from NOKIA. NetAct has ready-made support for its partners: Accedian, Ceragon,

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Interfaces

Document title

Cisco, Juniper, DragonWave, InstaDef, Tellabs and Symmetricom in order to support operations end-to-end.

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Document title

9

User assistance

User assistance NetAct operating documentation is available on NetAct user workstations, and in NOKIA Online Service, both as PDF downloads and for web browsing. The online helps of NetAct applications are available in the NetAct operating documentation set. Additionally, the help topics can be launched from the NetAct applications (context-sensitive help). NetAct documentation browser is Eclipse Infocenter. Eclipse Infocenter contains the complete set of NetAct user assistance: rich media, online help topics, operating and troubleshooting workflows. Rich media enable the user to learn about NetAct functionality in a convenient manner as they can be opened in the documentation browser.

9.1 Functionality changes and improvements Main changes in NetAct User assistance are as follows:

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Eclipse Infocenter used for online documentation, all content in one browser

•

Graphics are scalable

•

Tables are sortable

•

Rich media

•

Enhanced focus on operating workflows

•

Adapation Information Browser is replaced with Object Information Browser which has measurement, counter, alarm and parameter information as well as object details. It features a fast search and supports user workflows better. Information can also be exported to spreadsheet and XML.

•

Infocenter and Object Information Browser only show relevant adaptations and network technologies.

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User assistance

Document title

Alarm severity information is available in Object Information Browser for selected object classes. Further object classes will be covered in upcoming releases.

9.2 Overview of NetAct user assistance capabilities NetAct Operating Documentation in Infocenter contains all relevant content for NetAct users. Rich media enables users to learn about NetAct functionality in an easy way as rich media is available via the same browser. Object Information Browser offers easy access to network-wide object and adaptation reference information. Via Object Information Browser, the user can search and browse information on object classes, performance measurements and counters, parameters and alarms. Object Information Browser also provides delta information on the same. Both Infocenter and Object Information Browser only show the relevant adaptations / network technologies.

Figure 15. Reference information in Object Information Browser

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Document title

Related products

10

Related products

10.1

NetAct Audit Trail NetAct Audit Trail is an optional stand-alone security application that collects log files from NetAct and network elements and offers a centralized view on the actions taken in the network. With Audit Trail, the operator can any actions in the network and see see which operations have been executed and by whom. It offers, among others, log browsing, log analysis to improve security, and short-term and long-term log storage in a secure centralized location. Additionally, Audit Trail can be used to repair the network after security problems have occurred or to identify the parts of the network which need of security improvement. Audit Trail supports multi-vendor integrations, for example, central log management via flexible Generic Log Collector. The northbound interface provides the possibility to transfer the log data from the NetAct Audit Trail database to the enterprise security system in a secure way.

10.2

Multi-vendor support with NetAct and OSS products NOKIA umbrella network management solutions, iSON, as well as service and customer experience management solutions work with any vendor’s equipment since they are developed in a vendor-agnostic manner and NOKIA networks are not treated differently from other vendors’ networks. Although integrations are implemented as a service, NOKIA also has systematically built an integration library in order to improve reusing the integrations. The tools include adaptors, libraries, content packs and multivendor integration SDKs. The portfolio of multivendor capable products are:

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Related products

Document title

•

NetAct Advanced Monitor

•

NOKIA Performance Manager

•

CEM on Demand

•

iSON Manager

•

NetAct Advanced Configurator and

•

Wi-Fi Service Management.

All products utilize FM, PM and CM integrations. Multivendor support is mainly focused in the umbrella, manager-of-managers layer in our portfolio. However, also regional NetAct has limited multivendor integration support, such as: •

Juniper, Cisco and other transport integrations as part of MBB solution support

•

WiFi support has been also offered via NetAct to customers requesting it.

•

SNMP toolkit has been provided for NetAct customers in OSS5

The OSS Interoperability Initiative further enhances our multivendor integration capabilities. With this initiative, network vendors have agreed to share proprietary interfaces to help operators take full advantage of the best available products in our industry. With OSSii, NOKIA NetAct can provide off-the-shelf, pre-tested integrations between NOKIA, Huawei and Ericsson network assurance and selected SON use cases.

10.3

Multi-vendor support with NetAct Advanced Monitor and NetAct Advanced Configurator NetAct Advanced Monitor is an umbrella assurance tool that provides centralized end-to-end monitoring workflows on a single screen. Due to its open architecture, Advanced Monitor can provide a consolidated end-to-end view of the whole installed base in complex multi-vendor and multi-technology networks. Advanced Monitor utilizes various data sources, each containing valuable information about networks and services.

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Document title

Related products

Figure 16.. NetAct Advanced Monitor

The following list provides an overview of the areas covered by the Fault Manager NetAct Base Advanced Monitor:

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Alarm Enrichment with extra information from external source through 3GPP. SNMP and NE3S.

•

A library of MVI adaptations with all the major protocols supported.

•

Optional automatic root cause analysis for IP/MPLS networks based on codebook

•

Automatic View Generation based on predefined templates.

•

Intuitive trouble ticket handling handling supported by standardized OSS/J based trouble ticket client interface.

•

Direct access to EMS/NEs allowing instantaneous analysis and fault resolution, for example Cell Reset.

•

Support for cross-domain cross domain and connectivity correlation use cases.

•

Report genera generation tion for alarms and correlation metric measurements.

•

Centralization of FM operations and processes in multi-vendor multi and multi multi-technology networks.

•

Efficient monitoring workflow acceleration with interaction of tools integrated to one desktop framework, for example Trouble Ticket tools.

•

Full set of fault management applications with high usability and full GUI customization.

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Related products

Document title

•

Fast fault detection and RCA (Root Cause Analysis) via alarm collection, filtering, processing, advanced correlation, automation and enrichment.

•

Resource mapping and modeling of connectivity between network elements

NetAct Advanced Configurator is an umbrella assurance tool offering a network-level workspace for multi-vendor configuration management tasks. With Advanced Configurator and the tools, the operator can process networkwide configuration management data and and execute network operations and plan network configuration tasks, such as consistency check, network audit or border area adjacency management. Advanced Configurator can integrate to multiple network management systems, through which the operator can access network elements and/or lower-level management systems.

NetAct Advanced Configurator contains vendor-specific data models that describe the network from a certain vendor’s perspective. The vendor-specific models offer the same adaptation content for configuration management as the lower level systems. NOKIA Performance Manager, NPM, enables operators to access and process network-wide performance data through a single tool. Advanced tools help operators get an end-to-end view of services and network performance, regardless of the network vendor. Integrating new data sources is an important building block of NPM as the number of systems providing data is increasing. NPM addresses this challenge by leveraging the MV integrations created in its own install base as well as its predecessor Global Reporter.

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