Provision 5 Product Overview

Product Overview

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Table of Contents INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................... 5

PROVISION HERITAGE ............................................................................................ 7 EXPERT KNOWLEDGE AT HAND ............................................................................... 7 NETWORK MANAGEMENT INTEGRATION ................................................................... 7 DEVICE SUPPORT ................................................................................................... 8

PROVISION PLATFORM......................................................................................... 9 PLATFORM REQUIREMENTS..................................................................................... 9 NODES SUPPORTED ............................................................................................. 10

PROVISION CLIENTS ........................................................................................... 11 USER INTERFACE ACCESS .................................................................................... 11

CORE FUNCTIONALITY ....................................................................................... 13 USER SECURITY ................................................................................................... 13 HIERARCHAL NETWORK DEPLOYMENT ................................................................... 15 FLAT MAP DISPLAY............................................................................................... 15 FLAT MAP DISPLAY............................................................................................... 16 SERVICE MANAGEMENT ........................................................................................ 16 EVENT MANAGEMENT ........................................................................................... 18 PRE-FILTERING .................................................................................................... 20 PERFORMANCE LOGGING...................................................................................... 21 TEMPORARY HALT ALL EVENTS - SLEEP ................................................................ 21

INTELLIGENT REPORTING.................................................................................. 23 EVENT SCOREBOARDS.......................................................................................... 23 TREND ANALYSIS.................................................................................................. 23 EVENT NOTIFICATION............................................................................................ 23

CONFIGURATION / CONTROL ............................................................................ 25 STRATEX PRODUCT CRAFT TOOLS ........................................................................ 25 THIRD PARTY MANAGEMENT ................................................................................. 25

ADMINISTRATION................................................................................................. 27 ADVANCED FEATURES....................................................................................... 29

ROLLOUT ASSISTANT ............................................................................................ 29 AS-BUILT REPORT ................................................................................................ 30 INVENTORY MANAGEMENT AND REPORTING........................................................... 30 FAULT REPORT..................................................................................................... 31 PERFORMANCE REPORT ....................................................................................... 31 ADVANCED EVENT MANAGEMENT .......................................................................... 31

Page 3 of 35 Revision 1.2, 4 October 2004

Product Overview

CIRCUIT MONITORING........................................................................................... 32 PROVISION FEATURE SUMMARY...................................................................... 33

DEVICE SUPPORT................................................................................................. 33 PLATFORM AND CLIENTS....................................................................................... 33 CORE PRODUCT FUNCTIONS................................................................................. 33 ADVANCED FUNCTIONS......................................................................................... 34

STRATEX NETWORKS DETAILS ........................................................................ 35 WARNING!............................................................................................................ 35

1 Introduction Hassle Free Network Management For wireless transmission operators who are passionate about maximizing system availability and who want to take control of their operating costs, Stratex has engineered with the help of its customers a new generation Element Management System (EMS), ProVision 5.

While ProVision 5 supports all Stratex Networks products, it provides many new and unique features when used with Eclipse, our new network-node based radio.

ProVision 5 gives users real power and control; it provides intuitive knowledge on the network, built on our expert understanding of Stratex products.

Here is what our customers have been saying about ProVision 5:

after upgrading to the new ProVision 5 platform I was amazed how great the new platform was this is exactly what I have been after, hassle free

network management

no maintenance or administration required, the system automatically takes care of it for me, all without the need for specialist administration staff.

In no time my team of Technicians became proficient with ProVision 5 Graphical User Interface. They were especially impressed by the brand new

XP4 craft tool application that allows complete configuration control over all XP4 parameters including all RF parameters.

Neil Bayliss, Senior Technical Officer, Communications Division, Dept of Home Affairs, Isle of Man Government

"ProVision 5.... is a refreshing step forward in network management systems, finally a system for users not Engineers"

... is faster and easier to use than any other product we have used on our microwave network"

... installation and configuration was as easy as Microsoft Office"

... ease of use approach, will save us money on our training of our operations staff with its ease" P. Ayappan, Manager - DiGi Telecommunications SDH BHD


Product Overview

Figure 1: ProVision delivers true Network Intelligence

From speeding network rollout through to pre-empting costly network events, ProVision 5 adds new management insight, which translates to reduced business costs.

Figure 2: ProVision drives the cost out of your network

ProVision

ProVision Heritage ProVision is synonymous with network management of Stratex devices. As the new-generation ProVision, ProVision 5 builds on our expertise, experience and user feedback to provide a quantum leap forward in functionality and ease of use.

A large part of this superior performance is due to incorporation of a new Stratex engine, which is optimized for management of microwave centric networks and associated devices, such as the Stratex Networks ADM.

All references to ProVision in this document refer to ProVision 5.

Figure 3: ProVision is a new generation element management system

Expert Knowledge at Hand ProVision features expert-knowledge direction. By providing a probable cause and repair action for each event, it does more than simply collect and present network data. It groups related events, looks at historical events, and informs on how to restore or improve network availability by prioritizing network resources and any remedial action.

The intuitive operation of ProVision means minimal system administration and user training is required, and upgrades can be operator installed, remotely or online.

ProVision provides a hardware-independent solution with Server operation on Windows 2000 Pro, Windows XP Pro, Windows 2003 Server, or Solaris 9.

The tools used in building ProVision are platform independent and interchangeable, and the MySQL database can be exchanged for Oracle, if required.

Network Management Integration ProVision allows integration of NMS solutions such as TeMIP, Netcool, HP-OpenView, Remedy, Metrica, and Concorde. It also supports solutions with infrastructure vendors such as Nokia, Ericsson, Alcatel, Nortel, Motorola, and Huawei. This is especially relevant to next generation mobile and wire-line networks, where the number of network elements is expected to grow exponentially, bringing greater pressure on service activation and support.

A network-wide inventory manager supports tracking of network assets including in-service network elements, spare capacity and spares holdings.


Product Overview

Device Support ProVision provides support for all Stratex Networks products and third party products:

Eclipse XP4 Altium, Altium MX, & ADR DXR TNET Devices (with TNET Proxy-Server and Terminal Servers) SPII SNMP* DART* Velox Non Stratex Devices

* Not currently available

Figure 4: ProVision provides support for all Stratex products

ProVision

2

ProVision Platform

Platform Requirements

Operating System Table 1 lists Operating Systems supported:

Operating system PV V Server PV V Client Windows 2000 Pro Windows XP Pro Windows 2003 Server - Solaris 9 Not supported

Table 1: Operating Systems Supported

Hardware Table 2 defines the minimum hardware requirements:

Platform Min. Server specification Min. Client specification PC Separate Server and Client platform.

1 GHz processor 512 MB RAM 2 GB HD space to install and operate Ethernet LAN card

1 GHz processor 512 MB RAM 2 GB HD space to install and operate Ethernet LAN card 17 monitor Min. display resolution 1024 x 768

PC Server and Client on same platform.

2 GHz processor 1,024 MB RAM 4 GB HD space to install and operate Ethernet LAN card 17 monitor Min. display resolution 1024 x 768

Not applicable.

Sun / Solaris Ultra 60 with minimum 1GByte RAM

SunBlade 150 with minimum 1GByte RAM

SunFire 280R with minimum 1GByte RAM

Not Supported, UNIX ProVision Server is compatible with a Windows Client.

Table 2: Supported Hardware


Product Overview

Databases Table 3 lists the databases supported:

Component Version MySQL 3.23.49-max Oracle Not yet

Table 3: Databases Supported

Nodes Supported ProVision supports in excess of 10,000 nodes. Where support for more than 5,000 nodes is required, please contact Stratex for additional information.

ProVision

3 ProVision Clients Access to Provision is supported through NOC Client, Web (remote client) and Mobile (remote client) interfaces.

User Interface Access

NOC Client The NOC client is the default ProVision client interface. It provides access to all ProVision functionality as well as to Eclipse Portal and other integrated craft tools.

Web Remote * The web interface provides remote users with a limited subset of ProVision. By using a standard web browser access is enabled on different platforms and locations.

Mobile Remote * This interface provides limited access to the fault, inventory, and performance features of ProVision. Users can receive notifications on a wireless device and use a mobile web browser to conduct remote troubleshooting.

Figure 5: ProVision methods of user interface access

*Web and mobile clients are not currently available.


Product Overview


ProVision

4 Core Functionality Functionality described in this section is currently available unless otherwise specified.

User Security Pre-configured user profiles simplify user account creation and management

Figure 6: ProVision login and user profiles

Access Control ProVision defines three default security groups: NOC Operator, NOC Engineer and Administrator. Main function access for each group is listed in the table below:

Function NOC Operator

NOC Engineer

Admin

Launch Craft Tool / WMT / Eclipse Portal 9 9 9 Acknowledge events 9 9 9 Customise event browsers and scoreboards 9 9 9

View probable cause 9 9 9 View inventory 9 9 9 Deploy objects 9 9 Commission/decommission objects 9 9 Clear network events 9 9 Configure event log pre-filtering 9 9 View diagnostics 9 9 Configure radios 9 9 Perform software changes 9 9 Design and configure radio IP network 9 9 Enable performance monitoring 9 9 Administer radio security 9 Administer ProVision security 9 Table 4: Default Security Groups


Product Overview

Communications Secure Socket Layer (SSL) authentication and encryption is supported between the ProVision Client and Server.

Database All security related data held by ProVision (including user account, access control and licensing data) is accessible only to personnel who are logged onto the server as an administrator.

Password information is encrypted.

ProVision

Hierarchal Network Deployment ProVision provides a hierarchal network view to assist rapid drill-down on network events.

Figure 7: ProVision provides a complete view of the network

Explorer tree status and navigation of network elements

Map view window

Network Event Log Window

Link And Node Base Information Reporting The default map view provides an efficient method for link or node information reporting. For example, an event browser can be created from a single node or

accessed with a single mouse click.

Figure 8: ProVision pinstant link node informlink and can be

rovides and ation


Product Overview

Flat Map Display ProVision provides a flat map view, in which all network elements are displayed in a single map window. This view allows users to shift immediately from a traditional hierarchal view showing regions, sites, and elements, to an all network element view. It is as simple as toggling between the persisting tabs, hierarchical and flat, within the GUI.

Flat map views can be displayed from any hierarchal location within the network. A flat map view selected at the root container displays all the network elements. A flat map view selected for a region or site displays all the network elements grouped under the container selected

This alternative view is invaluable when the user wishes to maintain the logical structure of regions/sites and view the status of all network elements at a single glance.

Figure 9: A Flat Map view displays all network elements

Service Management Network elements that share a common purpose can now be grouped together to form a service. This grouping allows them to be monitored, managed, and viewed independent of the main network and at the same time they continue to be viewed as part of the wider network. An example of a service might be:

The grouping of high capacity, high priority trunking radios. To allow the user to quickly and easily differentiate between high and low impact failures and to respond accordingly.

To group all radios carrying traffic for specific customers, in order to generate customized availability reports for each customer.

To improve response times for radios carrying traffic for important events. To improve callout response times for radios carrying traffic for emergency

services.

A single network element may participate in more than one service. It may be carrying traffic for more than one customer, event, or emergency service.

ProVision

All configured services are displayed in the service pane using a tree view, similar to the physical tree view. This tree view also supports severity propagation, where the service container takes on the highest severity of its elements.

Figure 10: Network elements can be managed separately to form services

In addition to the tree view, services are monitored using the flat map view. This view displays all service elements, and the service elements can be linked to represent traffic connections that exist between the elements.

Service management allows ProVision to generate individual reports for each service and prioritise incoming events that are associated with essential services.


Product Overview

Event Management Events collected are presented in the event browser. The listings include event status, severity, type, object and a date and time. To assist clarity, filter options allow unwanted information to be removed (hidden) from the display. Multiple displays of the events can be created, each with a different filter setting. Sorting allows event grouping by field types. An event log can also be saved or printed.

Event Browser

Figure 11: Event browser presents event information

severity countsseverity counts

A color-coded severity count tab indicates the number of events of that severity. By clicking on one of the count tabs, an event browser can be opened to display only the events of the selected severity.

Event Details

The following information is available for all events collected:

Severity icon (critical, major, minor, warning, information) Active status (cleared or active) Acknowledged status (acknowledged or unacknowledged) Event name (description) Object type (Altium, Altium MX, Eclipse etc) Date/time of event Object path Object name Severity text Category (communications, quality of service, processing error,

equipment, environmental)

User name Probable cause Event History

ProVision

Browser Configuration

Menus allow configuration of the event browser to display sorting on selected fields, or simple field-click sort.

Figure 12: Browser Configuration

Event Filters / Sort

The event log can be filtered and sorted according to the following criteria:

Status - select to view events with any combination of status including cleared, acknowledged or active.

Severity - select to view any combination of severity including critical, major, minor, warning and information.

Category select to view any combination of event category. Date and Time - choose to view events between a start date and

time and an end date and time, or all events before a date and time, or all events after a date and time.

Object type select to filter events from specific types of objects. Containment - select to view events for a specific radio or

container.

User name - choose to see all events attributable to a particular user(s).


Product Overview

Probable Cause

Probable cause information and recommended repair action are detailed for each event, along with the history of prior occurrences of this alarm.

Figure 13: Probable cause information can be displayed

Other Event Browser Details: The current view of the event log (including the current filters and

any sorting) can be saved.

The number of latest events to appear in the event browser can be specified. The maximum number is 15000.

Pre-Filtering ProVision can pre-filter events. Selected events can be blocked from appearing in the main event log.

Figure 14: ProVision can easily Pre-filter events

ProVision

Performance Logging Performance collection can be enabled for RSL and G.826 data.

Eclipse also offers native recording of performance data to enable retrieval of historical data for devices that were not data-log enabled.

All Eclipse radios store one weeks worth of 15-minute data bins, and one months worth of daily data, so when selected for data logging this data is automatically loaded into the ProVision performance log for viewing.

Figure 15: Daily and 15-minute performance can be enabled

ry Halt All Events - Sleep ture enables a temporary halt on all event logging, for any selected xample, this feature can be used to avoid generation of unnecessary service personnel are on site. TemporaThe sleep feadevice. For ealarms while Page 21 of 35 Revision 1.2, 4 October 2004

Product Overview


ProVision

5 Intelligent Reporting Event Scoreboards Event Scoreboards provide an ability to visually summarize network event information. They can be displayed as pie or bar graphs and the visual indication makes it easy to interpret the health of the monitored area.

Scoreboards can be grouped together in scoreboard groups and saved for use at a later date.

Figure 16: Event Scoreboards present event information in a graphical format

Trend Analysis Collected data can be presented in graphical or tabular form.

Raw data can also be exported for analysis using other tools.

Event Notification Events can be automatically advertised by using one of the following means:

Audible notification Pop-up notification User programmable script

The user programmable script is easily configured to send notifications via e-mail, SMS, or pager.


Product Overview


ProVision

6 Configuration / Control ProVision provides two methods for configuration and control of managed elements:

Stratex Product Craft Tools ProVision provides integrated support for the following Stratex Networks craft tools.

Eclipse Portal Altium WMT ADR WMT DXRNet XP Web

XP Web is a network wide craft tool for the XP4 and is fully integrated into ProVision. It provides full FCAPS functionality:

Fault Configuration Accounting Performance Security

XP Web is a welcome addition for XP4 users.

Third Party Management Third party devices are deployed as generic objects within ProVision and they are continually presence polled. ProVision represents loss of comms events the same as all other devices and they can be configured by:

Launching a TelNet session, or Launching a Web browser

The example on the following page demonstrates how even a network printer can be managed.


Product Overview

Figure 17: Third party device management

ProVision

7 Administration ProVision seeks to minimize administration overheads. Most tasks are automated or require minimal IT skills.

Data purging and back-ups are automated and can be configured via a simple menu.

Figure 18: Data purging and back ups are made easy


Product Overview


ProVision

8 Advanced Features ProVision has many advanced features, which will be introduced in planned releases during 2004/2005. In particular, features specific to Eclipse will provide a unique platform/management synergy.

ProVision is based on expert knowledge. Rather than leaving an operator to figure out what to do with collected data, it provides probable cause/repair action for each event, is smart enough to group current related events, and to look at related historical events. Network fault reports also assist work prioritization and resource scheduling for a rapid return of service.

ProVision addresses the complete life cycle of the network. At the outset, the rollout assistant reduces the time and cost of bringing links into service. Within an operational network, the inventory manager enables customers to make better use of spares and to provide input for improved purchasing decisions, and ultimately reduced CAPEX.

ProVision, through its intuitive operation also requires minimal system administration and user training. Customers will install and upgrade the software, which will eliminate the need for on-site Stratex Networks support.

Rollout Assistant The rollout assistant provides a tool suite for electronic sign off on new link installations and commissioning. It provides Field Engineers with the information required to complete an installation, to test its operation and to subsequently download as-built and performance data to the operations center for sign-off.

Figure 19: Rollout Assistant automates many tasks


Product Overview

As-Built Report The as built report provides a documented record of a link for future cross-reference. Data is read from radios during commissioning and this becomes the as-built radio/link record. This information is a reference point for subsequent faultfinding providing, for example, easy retrieval of RSL and related parameters to view any changes since commissioning.

The as-built information report is automatically generated and ProVision will persist at least 10 such reports for each radio so that a history of equipment changes can be tracked.

The report contains the following information:

Date and time of report Radio name, site name and IP address Configuration summary Performance summary Serial numbers of each unit Software versions Inventory code, RF License code, site grid location, user defined note

fields

Radio MAC address Active alarms

The information can be viewed before the report is produced and it can then be saved, or printed.

Inventory Management and Reporting Network-wide inventory management enables users to track valuable network assets including in-service network elements and spares inventory.

It gives an opportunity to share inventory such as spares holdings, and do so across boundaries, which might be organizational or geographical. In this way MTTR may be lowered and the return on the investment in spares improved. Correlation between fault management activities and inventory management may also identify the need to retain more types of a certain spare than another.

An inventory report provides detailed information on the equipment in a network. The user can select the network elements that the report is to be based on and the inventory data can be stored in the ProVision database.

The report contains the following information:

Date and time of report Radio name, site name and IP address Configuration summary Serial numbers and part numbers of each unit Capacity Software versions Date of manufacture

ProVision

Hours in service Inventory code, RF License code, site grid location, user defined note

fields

Radio MAC address The information can be viewed before the report is produced and it can then be saved, or printed.

Fault Report The fault report can be generated for the whole network or a selected group of radios. It provides information on the current status of the network/radios.

This information includes:

Date and time of report Radio name/s, site name/s and IP address/es Configuration summary Software versions Current commissioned status Active alarms and events


Performance Report The performance report is generated to ascertain the performance of radio links. The user selects 15-minute or daily performance data, and the reporting duration.

The information includes:

Date and time of report Radio names, site names and IP addresses G.826 statistics Number of seconds of demodulator not locked Severity of the highest active alarm Maximum, minimum, and mean RSSI values Active alarms and events Configuration history Software change history


Advanced Event Management Using expert knowledge, Advanced Event Management significantly improves fault detection and lowers MTTR.


Product Overview

Probable Cause Expert knowledge systems analyse the network and suggest probable event causes and proposed actions.

Automated Event Filtering ProVision supports automatic event sorting, collating and summary so that the true cause of an event or series of events is identified.

Sticky Notes The sticky notes that are usually found stuck to NMS screens are simulated electronically, enabling quick and easy sharing of information between operation centre staff. They are allocated per site, radio, radio type or event type.

Circuit Monitoring Circuit monitoring allows operators to monitor E1 and STM 1 circuits throughout an Eclipse network.

It includes an automatic, network-wide configuration capability for Eclipse cross-connects to simplify setup and reduce deployment time.

For Eclipse networks ProVision will provide a number of circuit centric features:

1. Circuit Status: reporting of a circuit status as a single alarm identity

2. Automated Circuit Trace (find): Label a tributary on a single node (circuit naming) and trace its path through the network.

3. Spare Capacity Reporting: Network view of Eclipse nodes spare capacity

BSC/RNCNode B/

BTS

BSC/RNCNode B/

BTS

Figure 20: E1 Circuit Monitoring

ProVision

9 ProVision Feature Summary Device Support All Stratex Devices including: Eclipse, Altium, XP4, DXR, ADR, DART,

Velox and legacy devices.

Third party devices. ProVision supports 10,000 Elements.

Platform and Clients Server support for Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 2003

Server, and Solaris 9. Client support for Windows 2000, & Windows XP.

Client support of 10 simultaneous clients: Network, Mobile and Web Clients.

Core Product Functions User security Hierarchal network deployment Map Viewer, with vector maps and bitmap backgrounds, plus find-tool

support. Flat map view that displays all network elements. Service container for alternative viewing of grouped network elements. Event browser fault manager with a user controlled two-stage event

acknowledge and clearing process, automated network event correlation, pre-filtering, scoreboards, thresholding, automated event actioning (audible, visual pop-ups, run program), help for probable cause and repair actions, network fault reports.

Eclipse Portal and other craft tool integration for device analysis and configuration

Performance management with RSL and G.826 data collection and presentation, post-process key statistics reporting.

Security management with add/delete user and user groups, default security groups, security logging and reporting, user audit trails.

Automated system administration with data purging and incremental backups.

ProVision 3.0 data migration of network topology.


Product Overview

Advanced Functions Rollout assistant, including as-built reports. Configuration management: view basic device details including RF settings,

network address settings and embedded SW versions, print/save configuration reports, view/edit all device details including address settings and configuration data, track configuration changes across the network, enable embedded SW downloads, set loopback controls.

Inventory manager Advanced reporting Circuit monitoring

ProVision

of 35 Revision 1.2, 4 October 2004

Stratex Networks Details

Warning! The Product details and features described herein are supplied for information purposes only, and in no way imply or guarantee availability. Details of product features and functionality are subject to change without notice. This is an uncontrolled document and will not be updated.

Please check with your local Stratex Networks Sales Representative or Agent for current details of product availability and features.

For more information, go to www.stratexnet.com, or contact one of the following offices:

Corporate Headquarters Americas Headquarters Stratex Networks 120 Rose Orchard Way San Jose, CA 95134

Corporate: +1.408.943.0777 North America: +1.408.944.3513 Latin America: +1.408.944.1715 Facsimile: +1.408.944.1648/9

Europe Headquarters Stratex Networks Regus Central Boulevard Blythe Valley Business Park Solihull West Midlands, B908AG United Kingdom

Phone: +44.1564.711084 Facsimile: +44.1564.711335

Middle East and Africa Headquarters Stratex Networks Sheikh Zayed Road API World Tower Suite 302 (a) P.O. Box 32423 Dubai United Arab Emirates

Phone: +9714.332.5600 Facsimile: +9714.332.5700

Asia Pacific Headquarters Stratex Networks 10 Ang Mo Kio Street 65 #03-13 Techpoint Singapore 569059

Phone: +65.6484.7780 Facsimile: +65.6484.7768

Table of ContentsIntroduction ProVision HeritageExpert Knowledge at HandNetwork Management IntegrationDevice Support

ProVision PlatformPlatform RequirementsOperating SystemHardwareDatabases

Nodes Supported

ProVision ClientsUser Interface AccessNOC ClientWeb Remote *Mobile Remote *

Core FunctionalityUser SecurityAccess ControlCommunicationsDatabase

Hierarchal Network DeploymentLink And Node Base Information Reporting

Flat Map DisplayService ManagementEvent ManagementEvent BrowserEvent DetailsBrowser ConfigurationEvent Filters / SortProbable Cause

Other Event Browser Details:

Pre-FilteringPerformance LoggingTemporary Halt All Events - Sleep

Intelligent ReportingEvent ScoreboardsTrend AnalysisEvent Notification

Configuration / ControlStratex Product Craft ToolsThird Party Management

AdministrationAdvanced FeaturesRollout AssistantAs-Built ReportInventory Management and ReportingFault ReportPerformance ReportAdvanced Event ManagementProbable CauseAutomated Event FilteringSticky Notes

Circuit Monitoring

ProVision Feature SummaryDevice SupportPlatform and ClientsCore Product FunctionsAdvanced Functions

Stratex Networks DetailsWarning!

Documents

Provision 5 Product Overview