ACTERNA NETOPTIMIZE CAPACITY MANAGEROPTIMIZING NETWORK PERFORMANCE

NETOPTIMIZE™ OSS sUITE

COLLECTION, PROCESSING, ASSURANCE

THE NETOPTIMIZE CAPACITY MANAGER ADVANTAGE

ACTERNA

Effective network traffic monitoring, forecasting, data collection,and network performance are vital requirements in an industry whose dramatic

growth demands only the most responsive of systems. Service providers need to effec-

tively monitor traffic loads, patterns, and network utilization to maximize their revenue

and their return on capital investments in equipment. Engineering decisions regarding

network performance must be timely and accurate because compromised service—such

as blocked calls, frequent busy signals, and network congestion—ultimately results in

lost customers.

Accurate Traffic Management

To enhance, speed, and simplify the complex steps involved in accurate traffic

management, Acterna offers NetOptimize Capacity Manager, a carrier-class operations

support system (OSS). NetOptimize Capacity Manager is a complete, customer-proven

data collection and engineering system that centralizes traffic data monitoring, data

collection, sizing, and forecasting functions. But it is much more than simply a network

auditing product—it is a full-function, next generation traffic analysis and capacity

planning solution derived from more than 20 years’ experience in providing traffic

engineering systems to service providers.

Effortless Traffic Access

With NetOptimize Capacity Manager, multiple organizations can effortlessly access

network traffic data for traffic administration, traffic planning, network equipment provi-

sioning, or accounting for regulatory and revenue issues. NetOptimize Capacity Manager

helps customers decrease operating costs through efficient network utilization and the

application of the latest Internet technologies; boost revenue by reducing network

blockage; and substantially improve network efficiency and service quality.

Precise Capacity Planning and ForecastingNetOptimize Capacity Manager is aleading integrated solution for thecentralized collection and analysis ofcritical performance indicators—fromanywhere in the organization.

Improved ProductivityAutomated collection and reporting ofperformance data lets traffic engineersspend more time analyzing thenetwork—and less time gatheringand preparing data.

Support for Existing and EmergingTechnologiesSwitch-technology independence enablesdata collection from current and evolvingsystems. Because NetOptimize CapacityManager is not dependent on one systemor technology, it supports a broad reper-toire of devices and will continue tosupport emerging technologies.

Enhanced Quality of Service (QoS)NetOptimize Capacity Manager helpsservice providers identify network per-formance objectives, maximize networkutilization, avoid network congestion, andalso assists in negotiating service levelagreements (SLAs).

Extensive Service Assurance ReportingCapabilityScheduled or on-demand report genera-tion means that NetOptimize CapacityManager has everything service providersneed to address engineering or reportrequirements.

Web-Enabled Browser InterfaceAn easy-to-use GUI minimizes desktoprequirements, reduces training costs,and operates on virtually any desktop inthe organization.

Highlights

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THE VALUE OF TRAFFIC MONITORING

Technical AttributesVendor- and Switch-Technology IndependentNetOptimize Capacity Manager supports all switching technologies with a single, cen-tralized data collection system and user-defined storage. Using a flexible, rules-basedarchitecture, it provides equipment servicing, trunk forecasting, load balancing, tollseparations, and marketing studies. NetOptimize Capacity Manager supports service-level exception functions for virtually any device type, including digital central office,ATM, and frame relay switches; private branch exchanges; and SS7 network nodes.These device types represent all major manufacturers, including Alcatel, DSC, Ericsson,Lucent, Nortel, and Siemens.

Designed For ScalabilityNetOptimize Capacity Manager easily grows with your network. Its proven, scalablearchitecture is currently installed on small networks with only a few elements as wellas on large networks with thousands of elements. It also supports databases rangingfrom megabytes to terabytes, and data collection rates from every five minutes toevery week.

Configurable, Integrated Report GeneratorNetOptimize Capacity Manager provides an advanced report generator embeddedin its common interface. It employs innovative engineering techniques forbusy-hour and busy-season analysis, user-defined data summaries, and standardor user-defined formulas or tables.

Flexible Forecasting and Trending ComponentsBy projecting historical trends, potential traffic capacity problems are easilyidentified. NetOptimize Capacity Manager also provides support for linear- andgrowth-stimuli-based trends, enabling precise tailoring of forecasting.

Data Validation and Exception ReportingNear-real-time validation maintains accuracy and delivers immediate notification ofservice-affecting conditions, providing the highest level of data reliability and reducingtraffic administration and network operation costs via user-defined thresholds.

Open Access to Traffic DataNetOptimize Capacity Manager normalizes traffic data in an open, third-partyrelational database, to enhance forecasting, summary, and detail report generation.

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BenefitsReduces Engineering EffortNetOptimize Capacity Manager empowers technicians with a time-saving tool thatembodies the rules and produces the data they need to proactively manage networkresources and perform their jobs with more proficiency. NetOptimize Capacity Managersubstantially reduces administration time associated with system turn-up and continuedoperation. In addition, NetOptimize Capacity Manager's database remains automaticallysynchronized as network element equipment is added or removed.

Lowers Total Cost of OwnershipNetOptimize Capacity Manager provides an interoperable open architecture—supportedby commercial off-the-shelf products—that decreases total cost of ownership. It accom-modates all sizes of networks to meet immediate needs and to provide expansionopportunities as networks grow.

Improves Quality of PerformanceCapacity decisions can be made quickly and easily when they are based on critical per-formance information, avoiding the over- or under-utilization of network resources.

Increases RevenueBy using network resources efficiently, NetOptimize Capacity Manager significantlyreduces both network blockage and operating expenses. It arms sales and marketingassociates with value-added, customer-specific traffic studies, providing anotherpotential revenue stream.

Enhances Customer ServiceWith NetOptimize Capacity Manager, service providers meet service level objectiveswhile minimizing capital expenditures. By monitoring traffic measurements and apply-ing exception thresholds to alert technicians of service degradation, deterioratingservice is detected before it affects customers—ensuring consistently better QoS.

Maximizes Return on InvestmentService providers get the most from their investments when NetOptimize CapacityManager facilitates the process of tracking and predicting traffic loads and equipmentquantities.

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SAS Reporting Engine Turn raw traffic data into useful information by combining NetOptimize CapacityManager’s comprehensive data collection capabilities with the capabilities of SAS, theworld’s leading information delivery system from SAS Institute, Inc.

CAPACITY MANAGER IN ACTION

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Trending and Forecasting ReportsPredict capacity problems before they affect service.Use straight-line or more complex projections withuser-selected growth stimuli for accuracy.

Service-Level ThresholdsDetect service-affecting conditions on the networkusing user-defined thresholds.

Exception ReportsIdentify service-level problems in near-real-time bymonitoring and using exception threshold trafficdata. Track specific performance indicators andenable proactive network administration. Exceptionscan be forwarded to external systems, stored onlinefor browsing, or e-mailed automatically to appropri-ate recipients.

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Traffic and Performance ReportsEnsure optimal service levels are met and increase customer satisfaction withimproved network performance

Engineering ReportsIdentify the profitability of special customer network facilities and avoid costlyover-engineering

Division of Revenue ReportsVerify potential revenue collection sources by identifying toll-call volumes betweenservice providers

Specialized Customer ReportsProvide network usage answers for customers, improve customer satisfaction, andincrease revenue potential based on usage data

Switch and Network Performance ReportsDeliver the flexibility needed to meet changes in regulatory requirements and identifynetwork blockages or overflows

Traffic Interest ReportsSupport forecasting demands and capital expenditures by planning for specificcustomer service loads and accurate equipment deployment

Exception ReportsProvide required notification when collected or summarized data exceeds presetthresholds

Historical ReportsApply flexible engineeringtechniques for busy-hour andbusy-season analysis usingstandard formulas and tech-niques, Poisson, user-definedtables, or historical data togenerate scheduled or on-demand reports.

Tailored Reports Offer a Solution for Virtually Every Customer Need

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AN OVERVIEWOF THE NETOPTIMIZE OSS SUITE

Together with Acterna NetAnalyst™ Test Management Software, the NetOptimize OSSSuite provides a complete platform that enables service providers to plan,create, and maintain circuit and packet-switched bandwidth services.

NetOptimize Capacity ManagerNetOptimize Capacity Manager is a performance management application that pro-vides vendor-independent sizing, forecasting, and monitoring of the networkswitching fabric. NetOptimize Capacity Manager enables normalized network qualityengineering, reliable network performance, and network resource optimization, lead-ing to reduced network blockage and maximized service provider profitability.

NetOptimize Service ActivatorNetOptimize Service Activator is a scalable, user-friendly provisioning applicationdesigned to enable service providers to manage their integrated multitechnologyaccess, DCS, optical, and data networks. It provides end-to-end circuit activation overmultitechnology, multidomain environments. NetOptimize Service Activator enablesconsistent, accurate, and automated flow-through network service delivery, leadingto reduced provisioning cycle times, and enhanced productivity.

THE KEY TOEFFECTIVE SERVICE MANAGEMENTService providers know that providing excellent customer service is the key to cus-tomer retention. To ensure effective service management, providers are looking toOSSs to find new ways to automate business processes and share information effi-ciently across systems. Workflow automation enables providers to more effectivelymanage networks and services by focusing on the customer, enhancing flow-throughprovisioning, and delivering the flexibility to accommodate new technologies.

Acterna’s suite of service management solutions support workflow automation formanaging communications providers’ networks and services, including DS3, DS1,DS0, SONET, frame relay, ATM, and IP. These solutions address all aspects of the net-work life cycle, from the initial network planning stage to network deployment, andultimately to service activation and service management.

The Service Management StrategyActerna’s service management solutions deliver the tools to automate service fulfill-ment and service assurance processes. Our OSS software and systems portfoliocombines network performance management, network provisioning, service activa-tion, performance management, QoS and SLA management, remote test andmonitoring, and field problem resolution.

Acterna believes these elements form the core of effective service fulfillment andassurance. To provide complete service management, Acterna’s systems must provideopen interfaces to order management, provisioning, and trouble ticketing systems, aswell as to existing databases. That’s why we partner with other industry leaders suchas MetaSolv® Software to deliver the solutions that solve business challenges.

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Acterna partners with you to deliver testand management solutions that helpyou automate your service fulfillmentand service assurance processes soyou can focus on your customers.

NETANALYST TEST MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE

NetAnalyst is Acterna’s industry leading, carrier-class test management OSS, enablingcommunications service providers to efficiently manage testing of today’s complexcommunications networks. It provides centralized testing of private line, opticaltransport, and data services at rates from DS0 to OC-192—all from a single platform.

NetAnalyst is a highly scalable, robust testing system that supports both interactiveand automated testing. With NetAnalyst, service providers can cost-effectively improvecustomer satisfaction and accelerate revenue growth, ensure service quality, and reduceoperating expenses. Serving as a key component of service fulfillment and serviceassurance operations, NetAnalyst ensures consistent and accurate service turn-uptesting, and enables quick isolation of network troubles.

Additionally, Acterna has developed an interface between The MetaSolv Solution,™

NetOptimize Service Activator, and NetAnalyst to provide a complete flow-throughprovisioning solution that addresses the challenges service providers face from theintegration of order management, configuration, activation, and testing.

NetAnalyst also enables service providers to integrate centralized testing into anautomated service assurance strategy to help ensure optimal network performance.

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GLOBAL SERVICES AND SOLUTIONSActerna is built on a combined, century-long tradition of quality and innovation inthe communications test and manage-ment industry. Now, the excellence youhave come to expect in our productsforms the cornerstone of an integratedsuite of services and solutions developedto drive your business performance to newlevels. Our comprehensive solutions canbe tailored to meet your business require-ments for product support, servicedeployment, training, process improve-ment, program management, and customsoftware applications.

At Acterna, we use a consultativeapproach to define your exact serviceneeds. We then leverage an unmatched

depth of knowledge and experience incommunications, products, systems, andprocesses to provide solutions that solveyour unique business challenges.

From basic instrument support for thefield technician, to complex program man-agement and consulting for company-wideoperation initiatives, Acterna's serviceprofessionals are committed to exceedingyour expectations. Whatever your needs—Education Services, Program Services,Consulting Services, Product SupportServices, or Innovative SoftwareDevelopment Services—we can be a partof your solution.

Contact Acterna TodayTo learn more about how NetOptimize Capacity Manager or any of the NetOptimize OSSSuite modules and NetAnalyst will help improve your process automation, contact ustoday at 1-800-638-2049 or www.acterna.com. We look forward to partnering with you tooptimize the performance of your networks.

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Regional Sales Headquarters

Acterna is present in more than 80 countries. To find your local sales office, go to www.acterna.com

Global Headquarters20400 Observation DriveGermantown, Maryland 20876-4023 USAToll Free: 1-800-638-2049 Tel: +1-301-353-1550 Fax: +1-301-444-8468 www.acterna.com

North America20400 Observation DriveGermantown, Maryland 20876-4023 USAToll Free: 1-800-638-2049 Tel: +1-301-353-1550 Fax: +1-301-444-8468

Latin AmericaAv. Eng. Luis Carlos Berrini936 8/9. Andar04571-000 Sao Paulo, SPBrazilTel: +55 11 5503 3800 Fax: +55 11 5505 1598

Asia/Pacific42 Clarendon StreetPO Box 141South Melbourne, Victoria 3205AustraliaTel: +61 3 9690 6700 Fax: +61 3 9690 6750

Western EuropeArbachtalstrasse 672800 Eningen u.A.GermanyTel: +49 7121 86 2222 Fax: +49 7121 86 1222

Eastern Europe, Middle East & AfricaElisabethstrasse 36PO Box 132500 BadenAustriaTel: +43 2252 85 521 0 Fax: +43 2252 80 727

1st Neopalimovskiy Per. 15/7 (4th floor)119121 MoscowRussiaTel: +7 095 248 2508 Fax: +7 095 248 4189

Note: Specifications, terms, and conditions are subject to change without notice.

© Copyright 2001 Acterna, LLC. All rights reserved. Acterna, The Keepers of Communications, and its logo are trademarks of Acterna, LLC.All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.NETOPTCM/A/SS/SMS/GER/07-01