OSS BSS an Overview1

7/21/2019 OSS BSS an Overview1

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Network (WAN) Services such as SONET, Layer 2 WAN services such as

Service Assurance- Fault & Troule !a"a#e$e"t, Network

%eror$a"ce !a"a#e$e"t, To'olo#y & o"i#uratio" !a"a#e$e"t,%la""i"# & Testi"#

!a"a#e Services such as stora#e, security a" "etwork services, We Site

*osti"#, etc+

*osti"# usto$ A''licatio" E"viro"$e"ts, isaster .ecov This article

'rovies a" overview o so$e o the core re/

Order Fulfillment Orer !a"a#e$e"t, Service %rovisio"i"# a" 0"ve"tory

!a"a#e$e"t

areas i" OSS a" 1SS such as Orer Fulill$e"t, Service Assura"ce a"

1illi"# syste$s+ The ollowi"# 1SSOSS

o$$u"icatio"s 'rouctsservices coul ra"#e ro$ 3oice services to 0% a"

ata services to *osti"# a" %E services+ So$e o the was reali4e that

$a"y o these activities coul e re'lace y co$'uters+ 0" the "e5t ew

years, a "u$er o co$'uter syste$s a" sotware a''licatio"s were

create to auto$ate these activities+ E5a$'les i"clue T0.6S, .!AS, SES,

etc+ Thus ca$e the ter$ O'eratio"s Su''ort Syste$s (OSS)+

OSS are 7"etwork syste$s8 eali"# with the e5a$'les o co$$u"icatio"s

'rouctsservices are/

3oice 1asic tele'ho"y, lo"# ista"ce, toll-ree, 3oice over 0% (3o0%),

o"tact e"ter, Local Access, etc+
http://ravisharda.blogspot.com/2010/03/telecom-ossbss-overview.html#assurancehttp://ravisharda.blogspot.com/2010/03/telecom-ossbss-overview.html#fulfillmenthttp://ravisharda.blogspot.com/2010/03/telecom-ossbss-overview.html#fulfillmenthttp://ravisharda.blogspot.com/2010/03/telecom-ossbss-overview.html#assurance


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Orer Fulill$e"t u"ctio"s are a critical set o activities 'eror$e i" orer

to ulill custo$er orers or services i" a o$$u"icatio"s Service %rovier

(S%) e"viro"$e"t+

The ollowi"# i#ure shows a very hi#h-level view o activities 'eror$e i" a

ty'ical S% e"viro"$e"t+

Ater orer e"try, valiatio" a" su$issio", orers are eco$'ose a"

se"t or 'rovisio"i"#+ 9'o" ulilli"# the eco$'ose orers a" a''ro'riate

testi"# o the circuits, the orers are 'ut i"to i"ve"tory+ The ollowi"# su-

sectio"s e5'lai" the Orer Fulill$e"t relate u"ctio"s a" OSS1SS

syste$s+

2.1.1 Order Management

Orer !a"a#e$e"t syste$s are co$'le5 syste$s that allow custo$er or

custo$er service re'rese"tatives to ca'ture a" 'rocess "ew orers, $oiy

e5isti"# orers, 'rocess custo$er $oves a" cha"#es, 'rice :uotes a"

orers, valiate orers, etc+, while su''orti"# $ulti'le cha""els such as

We, Orer te$'late ocu$e"ts a" 'art"er a''licatio"s as well as $ulti'leli"es o usi"esses+

Orer !a"a#e$e"t i"clues the ollowi"# areas/

Telecom OSS/BSS: An Overview
http://ravisharda.blogspot.com/2010/03/telecom-ossbss-overview.htmlhttp://ravisharda.blogspot.com/2010/03/telecom-ossbss-overview.html


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;+ 0"trouctio"

1eore the i"itial ;s, $ost o the su''ort activities i" a tele'ho"e

"ewer ter$ a" ty'ically reers to 7usi"ess syste$s8 eali"# with

custo$ers a" su''ort 'rocesses such as taki"# orers, 'rocessi"# ills,

collecti"# 'ay$e"ts, sales a" $arketi"#, su''orti"# custo$er care a#e"ts

i" res'o"se to service re:uests, troule re'orti"# a" illi"# i":uiries, etc+

OSS a" 1SS syste$s to#ether are ote" areviate as 1SSOSS or 1OSS+

The ter$ OSS was historically use to i"clue oth "etwork a" usi"ess

syste$s+ So$e i"ustry a"alysts, syste$ i"te#rators a" service 'roviers

still use the ter$ OSS to i"clue oth "etwork a" usi"ess syste$s, which

so$eti$es causes co"usio"+

The article e5'lai"s so$e o the asic u"ctio"s o these syste$s+ *owever,

this article oes"?t i"te" to 'rovie e5te"sive etails+ For a" e5te"sive

overview o usi"ess activities, usi"ess 'rocess a" u"ctio"s, reer to

sta"ars such as eTO! a" TA! at htt'/www+t$oru$+or#+

2+ The .eal$ o OSS1SS i" Orer

Fulill$e"t, Assura"ce a" 1illi"#

2+; Orer Fulill$e"t

o$$u"icatio"s 'rouctsservices coul ra"#e ro$ 3oice services to 0% a"

ata services to *osti"# a" %E services+ So$e o the e5a$'les oco$$u"icatio"s 'rouctsservices are/

3oice 1asic tele'ho"y, lo"# ista"ce, toll-ree, 3oice over 0% (3o0%),

o"tact e"ter, Local Access, etc+
http://www.tmforum.org/http://www.tmforum.org/


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0"ter"et %rotocol (0%) 0"ter"et Access, 3%N, o"tact e"ter, 3o0%,

.e$ote Access, etc+

ata Layer ; Wie Area Network (WAN) Services such as SONET,

Layer 2 WAN services such as AT!, Fra$e .elay, %rivate Li"es, Layer 2

3%N a" !etro Ether"et, etc+

*osti"# usto$ A''licatio" E"viro"$e"ts, isaster .ecovery,

!a"a#e Services such as stora#e, security a" "etwork services, We

Site *osti"#, etc+

Orer Fulill$e"t u"ctio"s are a critical set o activities 'eror$e i" orer

to ulill custo$er orers or services i" a o$$u"icatio"s Service %rovier(S%) e"viro"$e"t+

The ollowi"# i#ure shows a very hi#h-level view o activities 'eror$e i" a

ty'ical S% e"viro"$e"t+

Ater orer e"try, valiatio" a" su$issio", orers are eco$'ose a"

se"t or 'rovisio"i"#+ 9'o" ulilli"# the eco$'ose orers a" a''ro'riate

testi"# o the circuits, the orers are 'ut i"to i"ve"tory+ The ollowi"# su-

sectio"s e5'lai" the Orer Fulill$e"t relate u"ctio"s a" OSS1SS

syste$s+

2.1.1 Order Management


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Orer !a"a#e$e"t syste$s are co$'le5 syste$s that allow custo$er or

custo$er service re'rese"tatives to ca'ture a" 'rocess "ew orers, $oiy

e5isti"# orers, 'rocess custo$er $oves a" cha"#es, 'rice :uotes a"

orers, valiate orers, etc+, while su''orti"# $ulti'le cha""els such as

We, Orer te$'late ocu$e"ts a" 'art"er a''licatio"s as well as $ulti'le

li"es o usi"esses+

Orer !a"a#e$e"t i"clues the ollowi"# areas/

Order Entry and validation The Orer E"try 'rocess ca'tures

orer etails such as 'acka#e or 'la", service aress, service etails,

custo$er accou"ts, releva"t co"tacts a" a''licale co"tracts+ ata

e"tere uri"# Orer E"try is also valiate a#ai"st 'reeter$i"e

rules+

Orers ca" e valiate as the ata is e"tere a"or valiatio" ater

all the ata has ee" e"tere+ %rouctssolutio"s that valiate orer

ata as they are e"tere a" walk the user throu#h the 'rouct

co"i#uratio" 'rocess are k"ow" as 7%rouct o"i#urators8+ O"e o

such tools availale i" the $arket is Selectica O"i#urator+

Order Decomposition A si"#le custo$er orer ca" e eco$'osei"to o"e or $ore service re:uests, ty'ically ase o" service ty'es or

:ua"tities, i" orer to e ale to ulill a" orer+

For e5a$'le, i a custo$er orer co"tai"s oth a 3o0% orer a" a

'ho"e li"e orer, two service re:uests woul e create, o"e each or

3o0% a" the 'ho"e li"e, each o which woul e se"t to the

a''ro'riate 'rovisio"i"# syste$s+

O"e o the $a@or 'role$s service 'roviers ote" #ra''le with is that, as"ew services are ae to the oeri"#s, le y iere"t usi"ess u"its, the

lack o le5ile orer $a"a#e$e"t 'lator$ results i" 'rouctservice s'eciic

OSS1SS a''licatio"s+ These i" tur" result i" hi#her ti$e-to-$arket as well

as i"crease costs o $ai"tai"i"# $a"y iere"t a''licatio"s a" syste$s+

%rouct catalo# ase Orer !a"a#e$e"t solutio"s atte$'t to solve these


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'role$s y stori"# a" 'rocessi"# :ualiicatio" rules or services ase o"

custo$er 'roiles, oreri"# cha""els, service locatio"s, 'rouct

i"tere'e"e"cies, availaility, custo$er eli#iility a" other usi"ess

co"strai"ts+

2.1.2 Service Provisioning

Service %rovisio"i"# syste$s are syste$s use to setu' 'rouctsservices

or the custo$er ater a" orer or the services has ee" create a"

acce'te y the S%+

Service 'rovisio"i"# activities i"clue s'eciyi"# the 'ieces o e:ui'$e"t a"

'arts o the "etwork to ulill the service, co"i#uri"# the custo$ers routi"#

'ath, allocatio" o a"with i" the tra"s'ort "etwork, setti"# u' o wiri"#

a" tra"s$issio", etc+

So$e o the syste$s that co"stitute 'rovisio"i"# syste$s are/ ircuit esi#"

& Assi#"$e"t Tools, Activatio" syste$s, a" Fiel Service !a"a#e$e"t

syste$s+

ircuit esi#" reers to s'eciyi"# whether acilities e5ist to 'rovie the

service a" which 'ieces o the "etwork e:ui'$e"t a" routes the service

shall utili4e+

O"e o the $ost wiely use syste$s 'rovii"# ircuit esi#" acility is

Telcoria T0.6S+ A'art ro$ ircuit esi#" su''ort, it also 'rovies circuit

orer co"trol, i"ve"tory recor $ai"te"a"ce, selectio" a" assi#"$e"t o

co$'o"e"ts ro$ i"ve"tory, a" 're'aratio" a" istriutio" o circuit work

orers+ The orer co"trol $oule i" T0.6S works with a circuit 'rovisio"i"#

syste$ a" o'erates i" co"@u"ctio" with other T0.6S co$'o"e"ts to assi#"

acility a" e:ui'$e"t i"or$atio" or circuit orers a" esi#" circuits+

T0.6S ca" the" 'rovie auto$ate esi#" criteria or certai" circuit orers+

The circuit esi#" #e"erate i" T0.6S is the" co$$u"icate to iel


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o'eratio"s or auto$ate activatio" syste$s or i$'le$e"tatio"+

ircuit esi#" a" Assi#"$e"t tools these ays ote" have #ra'hical tools

that allow a user to create services o" a "etwork $a' usi"# $ouse clicks

a" ra#-a"-ro' rather tha" rawi"# $a's y ha" or usi"# a" astract

set o e:ui'$e"t ie"tiiers is'laye i" a tale+

Ater a service is esi#"e ase o" the e5isti"# e:ui'$e"t a" circuit

i"ve"tory, it is reay to e activate+ 0 "ew e:ui'$e"t or li"es "ee to e

co"i#ure $a"ually, a Fiel Service !a"a#e$e"t (FS!) syste$ is "otiie

which i" tur" is'atches tech"icia"s+

!oreover, certai" activatio"s ca" e 'eror$e auto$atically+ For e5a$'le,

issui"# co$$a"s to AT! or circuit switches to 'rovisio" circuits, to SONET

ter$i"als to allocate a"with, a" to a wie array o access evices such

as SLA!S, i#ital Loo' arriers (L), or cale $oe$s+ For such

activatio"s, Service Activatio" syste$s 'ass the evice s'eciic co$$a"s

2.3 Inventory Management

Tracki"# i"ve"tory i"volves tracki"# e:ui'$e"t, acilities a" circuits+

So$e e5a$'les o i"or$atio" tracke are/ the locatio" a" :ua"tities o the

e:ui'$e"t, how a 'iece o e:ui'$e"t is co"i#ure a" its status, etc+

0"ve"tory !a"a#e$e"t Syste$s track oth the 'hysical "etwork assets

(such as e:ui'$e"t a" evices) as well as 7lo#ical8 i"ve"tory (such as

active 'orts, circuit is, 0% aresses, etc+), althou#h "ot all su''ort oth+

1y relati"# usa#e o "etwork assets to s'eciic custo$ers a" services, a"

i"ve"tory syste$ ca" hel' "etwork o'eratio"s eter$i"e the "etwork usa#e

a" availale ca'acity as well as e"ale auto$ate "etwork esi#" a"

'la""i"#+ 0"ve"tory !a"a#e$e"t Syste$s also e"ale Service Assura"ce

syste$s to i" the i$'act o a "etwork ault o" the custo$ers circuits+


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So$e tools also have 7auto-iscovery8 eatures to auto$atically check

'hysical "etwork assets a" $atch the results with the i"or$atio" hel i"

the i"ve"tory+ *owever, these work o"ly with so$e o the "ewer i"telli#e"t

"etwork ele$e"ts+

2+2 Service Assura"ce

o$$u"icatio"s service 'roviers (S%) strive to iere"tiate the$selves

ro$ their co$'etitors y i$'le$e"ti"# attractive Service Level A#ree$e"ts

(SLA)+ SLAs are or$al co"tracts where the level o service elivere y the

S% to his custo$er is sti'ulate+ A" SLA $ay s'eciy levels o service

availaility, 'eror$a"ce, o'eratio", etc+ as well as 'e"alties u'o" violatio"

o the SLA+

Oeri"# SLAs i$'lies that the service 'rovier has the aility to $o"itor, act

a" re'ort the level o service, i" orer to assure the :uality o services

elivere to the custo$ers+ Service Assura"ce reers to all the activities

'eror$e or such a" assura"ce+ The #oal o Service Assura"ce is to

'rovie a" o'ti$al custo$er e5'erie"ce, that hel's retai" e5isti"#

custo$ers, attract "ew custo$ers a" 'reve"t 'e"alties arisi"# out oviolatio" o SLAs+

The ollowi"# su-sectio"s i"trouce so$e o the co$$o" service Assura"ce

syste$s+

2.2.1 Fault and Trouble Management

Fault !a"a#e$e"t Syste$s are esi#"e or etectio", isolatio" a"correctio" o $alu"ctio"s i" a co$$u"icatio"s "etwork+ They $o"itor a"

'rocess "etwork alar$s #e"erate y "etwork ele$e"ts (routers, switches,

#ateways, etc+)+ A" alar$B is a 'ersiste"t i"icatio" o a ault that is cleare

o"ly whe" the tri##eri"# co"itio" is resolve+


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E5a$'les o troule or ault i" a "etwork are a$a#e to a" o'tical ier li"e,

switch ailure, etc+ Such a 'role$ i" the "etwork ca" result i" a chai"

reactio" where $a"y "etwork ele$e"ts i" a certai" 'ath 'rouce alar$sB+

Fault !a"a#e$e"t Syste$s $ay e either a co$'o"e"t withi" Network

!a"a#e$e"t Syste$s or as a sta"alo"e set o syste$ a" a''licatio"

sotware+

The ollowi"# i#ure illustrates how ault $a"a#e$e"t works+

a" co"i#uratio" cha"#es to the "etwork ele$e"ts, Ele$e"t !a"a#e$e"t

Syste$s (E!S), Network !a"a#e$e"t Syste$s (N!S) or a''licatio" hosts+

E!Ss are esi#"e to receive a" e5ecute co$$a"s se"t y activatio"

syste$s o" the evices+ E!Ss ca" also ee e:ui'$e"t status ata ack to

"etwork a" troule $a"a#e$e"t syste$s+ E!Ss use 'rotocols such as

o$$o" !a"a#e$e"t 0"or$atio" 'rotocol (!0%) or Tra"sactio" La"#ua#e

(TL) or Si$'le Network !a"a#e$e"t %rotocol (SN!%) to co$$u"icate with

activatio" a" other syste$s+

Activatio" syste$s ote" co$'rise a lirary o aa'ters to various "etwork

syste$s+ They usually also su''ort tra"sactio" co"trol, i+e+ the ca'aility to

roll-ack o'eratio"s alreay 'eror$e, i" case a" error occurs+

0t shoul e "ote that %rovisio"i"# syste$s i"teract with the 0"ve"tory

syste$s, oth to veriy that the re:uire "etwork ele$e"ts a" other

acilities are availale, a" o"ce the resources are 'rovisio"e - to relect the

cha"#e o"-li"e co"i#uratio" o the acilities+ Thereore, 'rovisio"i"#

syste$s have close cha""els with i"ve"tory syste$s+ As a result, so$e

ve"ors have co$i"e worklow ca'ailities with i"ve"tory $a"a#e$e"t


10/21

ca'ailities i" their 'roucts+

Network Ele$e"ts are esi#"e to 'rovie various levels o sel-ia#"osis+

Oler Network Ele$e"ts $i#ht si$'ly se" a" alar$ "otiyi"# a 'role$

while "ewer Network Ele$e"ts ca" 'rovie $ore 'recise a" etaile

$essa#es+ Fault !a"a#e$e"t Syste$s $ay collect alar$s via SN!% tra's,

!0% eve"ts or 'ro'rietary a#e"ts, via E!S+ They use co$'le5 ilteri"#

syste$s to assi#" alar$s to s'eciic severity levels a" correlate iere"t

alar$s to locate the source a" cause o a 'role$+

Ater a 'role$ is ie"tiie, the F!S the" "otiies a''ro'riate "etwork

o'erators as well as 'ass the 'role$ i"or$atio" to a Troule !a"a#e$e"t

Syste$ that i" tur" lo#s the 'role$ a" issues a troule ticket to start the

re'air 'rocess+

The Troule !a"a#e$e"t Syste$ the" se"s co$$a"s to a''ro'riate

syste$s such as Fiel Service !a"a#e$e"t to scheule a" is'atch

tech"icia"s to re'air the e:ui'$e"t a"or to E!S to reroute "etwork traic

arou" the 'role$ areas+

Troule !a"a#e$e"t syste$s also ha"le auto$atic escalatio", such as

'ro#ressio" o a ticket ro$ $i"or to $a@or or $a@or to critical, etc+, a"

su''ort a variety o "otiicatio" $ethos such as 'a#i"#, e$ails, sy"thesis


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voice ial-out+

Fault !a"a#e$e"t syste$s usually 'rovie #ra'hical "etwork is'lays which

are 'ro@ecte o" lar#e scree"s at the Network O'eratio"s e"tres (NO)+

NO o'erators ca" see role-ase views o" their co"soles, shortcuts to

o'eratio"s they 'eror$ the $ost as well as tools to :uickly $ake

co""ectio"s to E!S to 'eror$ a"y testi"# or ia#"ostic o'eratio"+

2.2.2 Networ Per!ormance Management

%eror$a"ce !a"a#e$e"t co$'o"e"ts i" N!S a" other Alar$ *a"lers

$o"itor a''licatio"s a" syste$s a" collect 'eror$a"ce variales o

i"terest at s'eciie i"tervals+ %eror$a"ce variales o i"terest $ay e

service 'rovier "etwork e#e availaility, custo$er 're$ises availaility,

res'o"se ti$es, 'acket elivery rate, 'acket losses, late"cies, @itters a" out

o se:ue"ce 'acket reorer, etc+, to "a$e a ew+

O"e way to ca'ture 'eror$a"ce $etrics is collecti"# eve"t lo#s, .s a"

other 'eror$a"ce ata such as cou"ters or ti$ers that the "etwork a"

syste$ ele$e"ts $ai"tai" as 'art o their "or$al o'eratio"+ This is reerre

to as 'assive $easure$e"t+ %eror$a"ce ata is ca'ture y 'olli"# !01

usi"# SN!% or usi"# syslo#, (0 & 00), FT%, E!S ees, etc+ !ost 'assive

$easure$e"ts re'ort o" a si"#le "etwork ele$e"t+

For e5a$'le, a" Ether"et Switch $ay have a !01 which 'rovies i" a" out

ata volu$es o each 'ort, histo#ra$s o ra$e si4es, "u$er a" ty'es o

erro"eous ra$es, ce"tral 'rocessi"# u"it (%9) usy status+ Associate

.e$ote !o"itori"# (.!ON) !01-ty'e ata ca" the" list te" $ost active

users, etc+ %eror$a"ce !a"a#e$e"t tools ca" access the ata y usi"#

SN!% to 'oll the !01s at 'reei"e i"tervals+

Statistics o" 'eror$a"ce variales ca" also e ca'ture via eicate

"etwork a''lia"ces k"ow" such as 7'roes8 a" 7s"iers8 that $o"itor or


12/21

'roe custo$ers local loo' co""ectio"s, 'acket 'eror$a"ce, etc+ This or$

o 'eror$a"ce testi"# is usually reerre to as active testi"#+

%acket s"iers ty'ically $o"itor si#"ali"# 'rotocols such as S0% a" .T% y

i"s'ecti"# 'ackets o" the wireier, usi"# 'i"#s, NS, FT%, *TT% etches,

etc+ E5a$'les i"clue WireShark a" Ceo'roes+

%roes such as 1ri5 Networks 1ri5Works 3eriiers a" Tektro"i5!i"aco$ 03.

tools ty'ically e$ulate custo$er traic i" orer to test or 'roe s'eciic

'aths to $easure the :uality o the services su''orte+ %roes coul e

either 'lace i"to the "etwork or coul e uilt i"to "etwork ele$e"ts such

as i" the case o iscos 0% Service Level A#ree$e"ts tools+

Note that active $easure$e"t $easures a service, such as a''licatio"

res'o"se ti$e, i"stea o the i"ter"al o'eratio" o a "etwork ele$e"t+

A" e5a$'le o active "etwork 'eror$a"ce test is i"@ecti"# 7'i"#8 (short,

"etwork layer echo 'acket) i"to the "etwork ai$e at a re$ote 0% aress+

.ou"-tri' ti$e is $easure i the 'i"# 'acket retur"s, a" a" error cou"ter

is i"cre$e"te i it oes"t+

%eror$a"ce statistics ca'ture y 7active8 or 7'assive8 'eror$a"ce tests

are "or$ali4e a" route to relatio"al ataases a"or ata-warehouses+

A" alter"ative is to 'ass the 'eror$a"ce ata irectly to %eror$a"ce

!a"a#e$e"t tools+ For e5a$'le, o"cor e*ealth coul collect 'eror$a"ce

statistics ro$ Netcool a#e"ts via SN!% 'olls at a 're-ei"e i"terval+

%eror$a"ce statistics are i"itially a"aly4e to eter$i"e the "or$al

(aseli"e) levels+ A''ro'riate threshols are eter$i"e or each o the

i"teresti"# 'eror$a"ce variale so that e5ceei"# the threshols i"icates a

'role$+

%eror$a"ce !a"a#e$e"t tools the" $easure the 'eror$a"ce variales


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a#ai"st SLAs ei"e as threshols 'er a''licatio" or service, o" a" o"-#oi"#

asis+ 0" case o e5ce'tio"s they re'ort the$ to alar$ ha"lers+ This or$ o

'eror$a"ce $o"itori"# is reactive 'eror$a"ce $o"itori"#+ So$e tools also

su''ort 'roactive $o"itori"# y way o 'rovii"# si$ulatio" tools that hel's

"etwork o'erators 'ro@ect how #rowth i" "etwork traic will aect

'eror$a"ce $etrics a" 'la" to take 'roactive cou"ter$easures such as

i"crease ca'acity+

%eror$a"ce !a"a#e$e"t tools $ay also su''ort real-ti$e a" historical

re'orti"#+ So$e S%s have take" 'eror$a"ce statistics o the "etwork

aecti"# custo$ers circuits to their custo$er sel-service 'ortals+

2.2.3. To"ology # $on!iguration Management

Oler "etworks a" syste$s were static a" the "etwork wiri"# was i5e i"

'lace, a" so$eti$es re:uire lo"# outa#es while cha"#es to the "etwork

a" its co"i#uratio" were ei"# $ae+ A"y error or i"co"siste"cy i" the

co"i#uratio" iles o iere"t "etwork evices cause 'role$, a"

thereore these cha"#es were well co"trolle D+

Accori"# to D, with the rise o 0%-ase, y"a$ically route "etworks,

"etwork to'olo#ies starte eco$i"# y"a$ic+ The to'olo#y o the "etwork

eca$e y"a$ic ecause a ew o routers $i#ht ecie, o" their ow", to

shit routi"# 'atter"s, or ecause a "etwork o'erator #rou' $i#ht a a "ew

router or switch to the "etwork, 'ossily without everyo"e else i" the

"etwork o'eratio"s ce"ter ei"# aware o the cha"#es+ 0"stea o static

associatio"s etwee" users a" "etwork aresses (as was set i" the ol

7hosts8 ile), *% a" other tech"i:ues allowe users to a''ear, $ove, a"

isa''ear without 'rovii"# 'rior "otice to the "etwork a$i"istratio"+

!ost $a@or N!Ss thereore 'rovie ca'ailities to auto$atically iscover a

"etworks actual to'olo#y, which is critical to u"ersta" "etwork

'eror$a"ce or root cause o "etwork alar$s, etc+


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%roes are 'lace i"to the "etwork to auto$atically i" evices a" circuits+

Also, $ost "etwork ele$e"ts 'rovie !01s that ca" e 'olle via SN!% to

iscover the "etwork, althou#h iscoveri"# the "etwork to'olo#y i" its

e"tirety $ay "ot e #uara"tee+ 1acku' 'aths, virtual 'rivate "etworks,

!%LS, etc+, ca" $ake it very iicult to iscover actual 'aths, throu#h

$ulti'le5e li"ks, 'atch 'a"els, a" test e:ui'$e"t D+

Also, $ost To'olo#y !a"a#e$e"t Syste$s allow the "etwork o'erator to

'rovie hi"ts so that the syste$, or i"sta"ce, i" orer that the syste$ ca"

i#"ore certai" 'ortio"s o the "etwork+ This $akes it easier to iscover

releva"t 'ortio"s o the "etwork $ore accurately+

So$e service 'roviers $ay ru" "etwork iscovery routi"es o" a aily asis

to iscover a"y u"authori4e cha"#es to the "etwork to'olo#y as a result o

security i"trusio"s or u"'la""e i"sertio" o evices+

!oreover, "etwork ele$e"ts a" co$'uter syste$s have a variety o versio"

i"or$atio" associate with the$+ For e5a$'le, a workstatio" $ay have/

O'eratio" Syste$, versio" 2, Ether"et 0"terace, versio" G+H, T%0%

Sotware, versio" 2+> a" SN!% Sotware, versio" +;+ Si"ce $ulti'le

e"#i"eers"etwork o'erators work o" $aki"# cha"#es to the "etwork

e:ui'$e"t, tracki"# the cha"#es $a"ually woul e very teious a" error-

'ro"e+ o"i#uratio" !a"a#e$e"t tools hel' auto$ates the tracki"# o the

cha"#es+ o"i#uratio" !a"a#e$e"t syste$s store the co"i#uratio"s i" a

ataase or LA% server or easy access+

They also e"ale "etwork o'erators to cha"#e co"i#uratio"s o the "etwork

ele$e"ts as well as to roll ack a cha"#e to a 'revious co"i#uratio", i

re:uire+

Whe" a 'role$ i" the "etwork occurs, "etwork o'erators ote" search the

o"i#uratio" !a"a#e$e"t ataase or clues that ca" hel' solve the


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'role$+

2.2.%. Planning # Testing

Network %la""i"# solutio"s hel' eter$i"e whe" a co$$u"icatio" "etwork

"ees a" u'#rae or aitio"al e:ui'$e"t as well as to 'reict the i$'act o

cha"#es to a service 'roviers "etworks to'olo#y, co"i#uratio", traic a"

tech"olo#y+ They 'rovie si$ulatio" tools that hel' the "etwork o'erators to

'ro@ect how #rowth i" "etwork traic will aect the "etwork 'eror$a"ce+

1ase o" the results a" other 'la""i"# activities, "etwork o'erators ca"

take cou"ter$easures such as i"crease ca'acity+

Testi"# is a" i$'orta"t activity i" setti"# u' a "etwork or custo$er circuits+

For si$'licity i" u"ersta"i"# the #a$ut o testi"# activities, let us ivie

the$ i"to the ollowi"#/

;+ Testi"# o e5isti"# "etwork or a cha"#e

2+ 0"te#ratio" testi"# o services co"i#ure or the custo$er

+ E"-to-e" testi"# o services co"i#ure or the custo$er

Testi"# the e"tire "etwork 'lator$ - i"clui"# the e:ui'$e"t, services a"

call :uality is critical or assessi"# the syste$ 'rior to e'loy$e"t a" or

service assura"ce i" 'rouctio" e"viro"$e"ts DH+

Network testi"# tools usually si$ulate a 'rouctio" e"viro"$e"t a"

#e"erate sy"thetic voice, vieo a" ata traic, which hel's $easure

callata :uality, "etwork 'eror$a"ce, a" the aects o a"y cha"#es to the

"etwork or i"creasi"# traic or ai"# "ew a''licatio"s+ These tests ty'ically

i"clue tests like NS, *TT%, .T%, %i"#, etc+ Also, uri"# o"#oi"# o'eratio"s,

these testi"# tools e"ale active testi"# o acilities+

A"other or$ o testi"# is i"te#ratio" testi"# o "etwork setu' or the

custo$er, i+e+, routes, circuits, etc+ co"i#ure or a custo$er+ Network


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o'erators or iel e"#i"eers 'eror$ i"te#ratio" testi"# o services u'o"

co$'letio" o activatio"s a" other 'rovisio"i"# activities+ Fiel e"#i"eers

ty'ically use e:ui'$e"t a" "etwork ele$e"t s'eciic a''licatio"s to

'eror$ i"te#ratio" testi"#+

9'o" co$'letio" o i"te#ratio" testi"#, iel o'eratio"s tea$s are "otiie to

'eror$ e"-to-e" testi"#+ E"-to-e" testi"# i"clues testi"# o circuits,

oth withi" the S%s "etwork as well as local access circuits etwee" the

S% a" the custo$er 're$ises+ So$e service 'roviers use crat access

syste$s or the e"eit o iel tech"icia"s access to their i"ter"al syste$s

throu#h a ha" hel ter$i"al DG+ The ha" hel ter$i"al hel's the$ to

access loo' testi"# syste$ a" to view the co$'lete test su$$ary ro$

re$ote locatio"s+

2+ 1illi"#

0 DI ei"es 1illi"# as/ the 'rocessi"# a" co$'ili"# o char#es a"

e"ali"# o reve"ue collectio" or "etwork usa#e, eature tra"sactio"s, a"

access char#es o the services+!eiatio" syste$s collect "etwork usa#e ata

ro$ the "etwork ele$e"ts a" co"vert to illale statistics+The ollowi"# i#ure e'icts a si$'le 1illi"# low/


17/21

Traitio"ally, or 'ho"e calls, all etail .ecors (.) have ee" use to

recor the etails o the circuit-switche 'ho"e call+ . i"clues

i"or$atio" o" start ti$e o call, e" ti$e o call, uratio" o call, ori#i"ati"#

a" ter$i"atio" "u$ers+ .s are store u"til a illi"# cycle ru"s+ For 0%

1ase Services, a "ew sta"ar is #ai"i"# acce'ta"ce calle 0"ter"et

%rotocol etail .ecor (0%.)+ 0%. su''orts oth voice a" ata+

1illi"# syste$s use $eiatio" out'ut to eter$i"e char#es or the

custo$ers+ 0t is also use to ee other ow"strea$ a''licatio"s such as

Frau a" hur" !a"a#e$e"t+

2.3.2 &ating

.ati"# syste$s calculate the char#e or a" i"iviual call, 0% usa#e eve"t,

etc+ usi"# the .s0%.s+ .ati"# syste$s a''ly char#es ase o" 're-

co"i#ure 'rici"# rules, a''licale iscou"ts a" reates ro$ 'ro$otio"s+

This rati"# 'rocess has #row" i"creasi"#ly co$'le5 i" rece"t years+ 0" oler

ti$es, it was solely a $atter o taki"# the le"#th o the call, assi#"i"# a

'rice ase o" the $ilea#e a" (calculate y cross-reere"ci"# the 'rei5

o the ori#i"ati"# a" ter$i"ati"# "u$ers i" a tale o values), a"

assi#"i"# iscou"ts ase o" the ti$e o ay ('eak, eve"i"#, "i#ht), ay o

the week, a" holiays+

!oer" rati"# syste$s ca" assi#" iscou"ts ase o" calli"# circles, 'rovie

le5ile rati"# 'la"s ase o" si4e o accou"ts a" i"crease switchi"# costs

D2+ These serve as strate#ic $arketi"# tools ut ca" e very co$'le5 to

a$i"ister a" o'erate+

2.3.3 'illing Systems

1illi"# syste$s a##re#ate rate calls, 0%ata usa#e eve"ts, etc+ a"

calculate custo$er i"voices+ 0" the 9"ite States, illi"# is usually 'eror$e


18/21

o"ce a $o"th+

1illi"# syste$s co$i"e rate recors with 'rior ala"ce i"or$atio",

'ay$e"t recors, recurri"# char#es (such as li"e re"tals), o"e-ti$e ees

(such as i"stallatio" a" service char#es), 'ro$otio"s a" iscou"ts

associate with the custo$er accou"t, ta5es a" creits+ Over"i#ht illi"#

atch @os are a$o"# the lar#est atch e"viro"$e"t at a S%s o'erati"#

e"viro"$e"t+ Each custo$er is assi#"e a s'eciic illi"# cycle+

Accori"# to 0"si#ht D2, the holy #rails o the illi"# i"ustry are u"iie

illi"# a" co"ver#e"t illi"#+ With u"iie illi"#, a custo$er #ets a si"#le

ill or all services 'rovie (or ille) y the service 'rovier, a''ro'riately

rate, iscou"te, a" ta5e, a" a si"#le co"tact or i":uiries a"

"e#otiatio"+

2.3.%. Interconnection 'illing

0" the co$'etitive worl o co$$u"icatio"s, service 'roviers ote" tie-u'

with 'art"ers, i" orer to u"le their ow" 'roucts with their 'art"ers+ This

hel's the service 'roviers to 'rovie attractive u"les o 'roucts a"

services+ *owever, i" orer to successully settle i"terco""ect illi"#

settle$e"ts a" eective 0"terco""ectio" 1illi"# is re:uire+

0"terco""ectio" 1illi"# 'roucts su''ort i"ter-worki"# o a service 'roviers

illi"# syste$s with the corres'o"i"# syste$s o a"other service 'rovier,

ase o" i"terco""ect a#ree$e"ts a" co"tracts+

2.3.(. &evenue )ssurance

.eve"ue Assura"ce & Frau !a"a#e$e"t syste$s veriy illi"#, etect a"

ie"tiy u"authori4e usa#e o service 'rovier "etwork assets+ So$e o the

ki"s o raus are 9sa#e a" Suscri'tio"+


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9sa#e Frau $ea"s that a custo$er uses the teleco$$u"icatio"s "etwork

ille#ally+ This is acco$'lishe either y otai"i"# a service with "o i"te"t to

'ay or y otai"i"# u"authori4e access to the "etwork (i+e+ 7hacki"#8 or

7cracki"#8)+

Frau !a"a#e$e"t syste$s ty'ically etect a" 'reve"t u"authori4e

access to a co$$u"icatio"s "etwork y a"aly4i"# traic 'atter"s o" the

"etwork+ So$e e5a$'les are 'rovie i" DJ/

O"e tech"i:ue i"volves a"aly4i"# the avera#e call uratio" or the

"u$er o calls 'lace to orei#" cou"tries to eter$i"e whether the

traic 'atter"s are co"siste"t with a suscrier?s call history or

'atter"+ 0 a call is i"co"siste"t with the suscrier?s call 'atter"

'roile, the suscrier is 'rovie with a re'ort o the a"or$al call

activity+

Other $ethos or eali"# with the 'role$ o u"authori4e use

i"volve auto$atically e"yi"# or locki"# access to the "etwork whe"

a"or$al use is etecte to $i"i$i4e the suscrier?s i"a"cial loss+

Suscri'tio" rau $ea"s that a custo$er otai"s a service accou"t y#ivi"# a alse ie"tity ("a$e a"or SSN) or y #ivi"# a alse aress or

alse creit worthi"ess+

etecti"# suscri'tio" rau i"volves searchi"# rece"t orer a" e5isti"#

custo$er ata or $ulti'le orers a"or accou"ts with the sa$e custo$er

"a$e, SSN, or service aress+

o$$o" suscri'tio" rau 'atter"s i"clue/

ha"#e o illi"# aress withi" a ew weeks o o'e"i"# a" accou"t+

Susta"tial eviatio" o usa#e 'roile o a "ew user ro$ a" avera#e

"ew user+


20/21

o$$o" tech"i:ues to co"trol suscri'tio" ase rau i"clue threshol

ase a"alysis, i"ere"ce rules a"alysis, 'roile ase a"alysis such as

haitual user 'roiles a" "eural "etworks+

Frau !a"a#e$e"t Syste$s ty'ically rea a" store usa#e ata ro$ the

service 'roviers "etwork switchi"# e:ui'$e"t a" allows :ueries to e

e5ecute a#ai"st the ata that etect sus'icious usa#e 'atter"s+

They also allow o'erators to review custo$er accou"ts that have sus'icious

activity, to track their i"vesti#atio" a" recor the i"al case resolutio"+

0t shoul e "ote that rau is iere"t ro$ reve"ue leaka#e+ .eve"ue

leaka#e is characteri4e y the loss o reve"ues resulti"# ro$ o'eratio"al or

tech"ical loo'holes where the resulti"# losses are so$eti$es recoverale

a" #e"erally etecte throu#h auits or si$ilar 'roceures D;+ Frau, o"

the other ha", is characteri4e with thet y ece'tio", ty'ically

characteri4e y evie"ce o i"te"t where the resulti"# losses are ote" "ot

recoverale a" $ay e etecte y a"alysis o calli"# 'atter"s+

A"other i$'orta"t class o .eve"ue Assura"ce tools i"clues hur"

!a"a#e$e"t tools+ hur" $a"a#e$e"t is a" i$'orta"t area or service

'roviers that have suscri'tio"-ase usi"ess - ue to 'rice wars,

a##ressive $arketi"# a" 'ro$otio"s ro$ co$'eti"# service 'roviers, a"

custo$ers e5'ectatio"s relate to custo$er service+

hur" !a"a#e$e"t tools 'rovie u"ctio"s such as auto$ate ehavior

a"alysis, orecasti"# a" si$ulatio", e$'irical 'roili"#, chur" $etrics

ca'ture, that e"ale service 'roviers to lear" which custo$ers are likely to

leave a" take a''ro'riate cou"ter$easures+

+ o"clusio"

+; Su$$ary


21/21

OSS1SS syste$s a" a''licatio"s auto$ate $a"y o the ay to ay

o'eratio"s 'eror$e i" a co$$u"icatio"s service 'roviers o'erati"#

e"viro"$e"t+ They o'ti$i4e the ti$e take" to 'eror$ these o'eratio"s a"

$ake the usi"ess 'rocesses $ore eicie"t+

There are "o all-e"co$'assi"# OSS1SS syste$s that ca" e i"stalle,

i"te#rate, teste a" allow the service 'roviers to easily $oer"i4e their

e"-to-e" o'eratio"s u"ctio"s+

Service 'roviers, thereore, use all the iere"t a''roaches/ est-o-ree

i" so$e areas, o-the-shel i" so$e, a" ho$e-#row" custo$ a''licatio"s

i" the re$ai"i"# areas, to $oer"i4e a" o'ti$i4e their o'eratio"s+

!ore ote" tha" "ot, $a"y o these OSS1SS syste$s are i"te#rate with

the others i" a 'oi"t-to-'oi"t ashio", as 'art o iscrete 'ro@ects a"

'ro#ra$s, s'o"sore out o iere"t usi"ess u"its+ This leas to 'oi"t-to-

'oi"t i"te#ratio" o OSS1SS syste$s u"less the 'ro#ra$s'ro@ects are

'la""e with a strate#ic #oal+

A sie eect o the iiculty i" i"te#rati"# the various OSS1SS syste$s is

$a"y o the OSS1SS syste$s i" a service 'roviers o'erati"# e"viro"$e"t

$ay "ot e i"te#rate at all+ For e5a$'le, it is "ot u"usual to i" the

ollowi"# sce"ario/ whe" a custo$er orers a "ew tele'ho"e li"e, the

oreri"# syste$ takes the etails o a custo$ers orer, ut a $a"ual

'rocess is 'rese"t to co"i#ure the tele'ho"e e5cha"#e usi"# a switch

$a"a#e$e"t syste$+ etails o the orer e"tere i" the Orer *a"li"#

syste$ is re-keye $a"ually y the tech"icia" i"to the Switch !a"a#e$e"t

Syste$ a 'rocess ote" reerre to as 7Swivel-hair 0"te#ratio"8+

The article 'rovie a" overview o so$e o the core OSS1SS areas i"

Orer Fulill$e"t, Service Assura"ce a" 1illi"#+

Documents

OSS BSS an Overview1