User manual ALCATEL-LUCENT 5620 SERVICE AWARE MANAGER BROCHURE

[. . . ] Configuration management Control plane bearer deployment Configuration policy audits 5. Fault management Mobile and transport layer assurance EPS path visualization OAM test management Cross-layer (Mobile/IP transport) path correlation IP reachability monitoring 6. Introduction Alcatel-Lucent Ultimate Wireless Packet Core solves the investment dilemma facing mobile operators by providing a single, converged mobile packet core that supports both LTE Evolved Packet Core (EPC) and 3GPP packet core functionality. The result is a service-aware, all-IP core network that simultaneously addresses the immediate requirements of delivering 2. 5/3G services, as well as the more stringent control and data plane requirements of LTE. [. . . ] Control plane bearer deployment Figure 2 illustrates the 5620 SAM's multi-platform capabilities -- in this case, defining the behavior of S5 paths between multiple serving and PDN gateways. Figure 2. 5650 SAM control plane configuration The configuration forms shown above define global policies on the 5620 SAM that control the behavior of GTP running over S5 paths between S and P gateways. Once the definition is set, the policy is dispatched to an operator-defined set of gateway nodes and applied locally to the S5 path endpoints on the target nodes. If the operator subsequently changes one or more parameters in the global policy, this change is automatically dispatched to the network elements using this policy, updating local copies of the policy. Using policies to define configuration parameters speeds network turn-up and ensures consistent behavior across a desired set of network elements. Service-aware IP management for the Ultimate Wireless Packet Core | Application Note 3 Configuration policy audits The 5620 SAM provides a configuration policy audit capability, which allows operators to verify deployed configurations in the network against configurations defined by 5620 SAM policies. The 5620 SAM compares the master configuration rules stored in the 5620 SAM database with the configuration deployed on managed network elements, identifying discrepancies and allowing operators to correct (or accept) the discrepancy. The 5620 SAM's northbound interface allows OSS access to all configurable items of the Ultimate Wireless Packet Core elements, enabling optional flow-through provisioning. 5. Fault management The 5620 SAM provides a complete fault management solution for all network layers, including: · Intelligent alarm creation based on events generated by the MME, SGW, PGW, PCRF, the eNodeB data plane, and transport layer network elements (These alarms are stored in a central alarm log and are also associated with the `alarmed' object -- e. g. , a S5 control plane bearer -- held within the 5620 SAM, allowing operators easy access to an object's alarm state) · An alarm correlation function which relates alarms and events to transport layer and dependent Evolved Packet System (EPS) paths in the mobile service layer (EPC and e-UTRAN), allowing operators to quickly and easily understand the root cause of a fault in the network These capabilities allow operators to quickly identify in which network layer the fault occurred, isolate what physical and logical elements were affected, and determine the cause of the fault and how to resolve it. Alarms generated by the 5620 SAM are passed to OSS systems via the 5620 SAM's northbound interface. Mobile and transport layer assurance The 5620 SAM employs a multi-layer approach for mobile service and transport layer assurance. The system's assurance tools enable operators to view and test each network layer end-to-end, including inter-layer integration, allowing operators to easily understand cause and effect between network layers. This multi-layer assurance capability can be applied to both user plane and control plane bearers in the mobile layer, as well as in the underlying IP/MPLS transport layers. This latter function is described in more detail in the next section. Figure 5. 5620 SAM mobile core service topology OAM test management The 5620 SAM provides a test management capability, which -- by leveraging the capabilities of the MME, SGW, PGW, eNodeB, and the IP Transport layer network elements -- allows operators to monitor the SLA behavior of the network. These Operations, Administration, and Management (OAM) measurements can be performed on-demand or can be set up to run in the background to monitor connectivity, delay, jitter, and packet loss over the various layers of the network on an ongoing basis. Supported OAM tests include GPRS Tunneling Protocol (GTP) echo, Internet Control Messaging Protocol (ICMP) and Ethernet OAM (802. 1ag and Y. 1731). This capability allows operators to constantly monitor network behavior and provides a very powerful tool for detecting, isolating, and resolving network faults. Cross-layer (Mobile/IP transport) path correlation Used in combination with the 5650 CPAM, the 5620 SAM details the relationship between an EPS path (user or control plane) and the end-to-end underlying IP transport layer. If the level of service provided by a bearer is below the acceptable standard (as determined by the OAM test management capability described above), the 5650 CPAM and 5620 SAM can quickly isolate the root cause of the service degradation stemming from underlying IP transport layer issues. Such rapid problem resolution and correlation between two layers -- mobile and transport -- significantly improves the operational agility of a mobile operator (see Figure 6). 6 Service-aware IP management for the Ultimate Wireless Packet Core | Application Note Figure 6. 5650 CPAM IP transport layer path topology IP reachability monitoring The 5650 CPAM maintains a detailed view of the routing layer (L3) topology, which it derives from the IP network. Based on this topology view, operators can proactively monitor the reachability of a network IP subnet from any point in the network (i. e. , assess if there is an IP layer path from SGW and eNodeB). [. . . ] This certification reduces the time and cost of integrating the 5620 SAM into a mobile service provider's network environment. To find out more about the program and partners please visit our website at www. alcatel-lucent. com/osscp. 9. Conclusion Service-aware network management based on the 5620 SAM provides advanced IP assurance and provisioning capabilities designed to help operators efficiently manage the complexities of an all-IP network. From proactive troubleshooting that spans physical, routing, and service topologies to advanced provisioning tools and standards-based interfaces, the 5620 SAM provides unmatched operational flexibility and rapid, easy integration into existing operational environments and processes. [. . . ]