amdocs OSS ADVANCED IP CAPABILITIES

AMDOCS > CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE SYSTEMS INNOVATION

Introduction As service providers migrate to IP-delivered services, the challenges they face are subtly changing. The main challenges can be summed up under the following three categories: Capacity Management The ability to manage capacity in Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) networks was well understood, and rarely troubled service providers in terms of planning or fulfillment much less assurance. In the IP world, however, there are a number of ways of managing capacity some more suited to TDM-like traffic engineering, others more akin to providing insurance that capacity demands do not exceed availability. Management of packet-based technologies is all about planning, classifying and scheduling traffic, so service providers often find that their current Operations Support System (OSS) environments are not suited to this new way of operating. Configuration Management The core differences between historical service provision and next-generation network (NGN) service provision are in the processes. In the past, the process of service fulfillment entailed detailed network design and implementation. This often involved designs based on using existing free physical capacity or creating additional physical capacity as part of the process (so called one wire one service). In NGN network environments, the changes derive from the fact that service provision is, largely, disconnected from network provision. Pre-provisioning the network or creating what Amdocs call the service-ready network has implications particularly for configuration management. The ability to pre-build service capabilities in the network and, of course, capacity is a driving factor in OSS. Converged Infrastructure Delivering NGN services requires both network and IT resources, and service providers need to manage both. The convergence of these previously separate environments is leading to a marked uptake by service providers of best practice from the IT world in the form of IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL). Focus is now placed on new areas such as business continuity planning, change management, audit and compliance. Addressing these challenges is likely to substantially impact the OSS environment. For all of these IP-related challenges, Amdocs OSS can help.

AMDOCS OSS Amdocs has extended the depth and breadth of the Resource Manager model to include capabilities and features that directly support the above challenges. Amdocs recognizes that the ability to plan, fulfill and assure NGN is tightly coupled to the OSSs ability to comprehensively support IP technologies. Amdocs OSS provides excellent support for IP in a number of areas, including IP topologies and traffic-engineering, as well as IPv4, IPv6, IP/MPLS, and VPN. This is in addition to traditional ATM and Frame Relay data networks. In the wireless domain, it provides IP support for 4G/LTE, GSM and UMTS networks. Amdocs OSS also provides specific and proven support for data capacity management through its Class of Service (CoS) and resource planning capabilities. This provides the facility to not only reserve and check capacity reservation, but also allows for proactive and threshold-based planning that is part of the process to ensure consistent service delivery and a successful product launch. Amdocs OSS is also a converged platform designed to support management of converged environments that incorporate both IT and network assets. With dedicated support for modeling and managing application servers like Home Location Register (HLR), Home Subscriber Server (HSS) and Service Delivery Platforms (SDP), the Amdocs suite arguably provides the most complete off-the-shelf solution for managing NGN service delivery across all types of core and IT network. IP Modeling Amdocs Resource Manager provides a logical port model that permits accurate modeling of interfaces and sub-interfaces in IP technologies. The ability to model and manage specific traffic flows, not only in terms of routing, but also in terms of capacity, supports many IP technologies including Gigabit Ethernet, IP/MPLS and L2/3 VPNs. Modeling multicast and aggregation routing is also supported through the ability to terminate multiple traffic flows on a single IP interface. Data flows may also consume (or book) capacity directly off their terminating interface a model that is designed to work with our CoS functionality and directly aids configuring IP traffic and Quality of Service (QoS) in the engineered network. Converged Platforms As previously mentioned, the boundary between the core network and IT equipment is blurring. The requirement to manage a converged network and IT architecture from within a single platform is now even more critical for efficient service delivery. With support for complex IT resources such as clustered servers, logical partitions and software application dependencies, Amdocs provides the tools necessary to plan, build and manage a service from end to end. Additionally, a service provider who is armed with this end-to-end view is better able to assure customer service. IPv6 Migration One of the key challenges facing service providers over the next few years is the need to migrate their network to new version 6 IP addresses (IPv6). Many industry experts believe the point where IP version 4 (IPv4) addresses will be exhausted is nearly upon us, and as the exhaustion of addresses approaches, the transition to IPv6 will gain pace. As this occurs, service providers will expect and need the same management capabilities for their IPv6 traffic that they have today for their IPv4 traffic. This change will undoubtedly also impact the plan and build capability in the OSS. In essence the OSS needs to be IPv6-ready and, just as importantly, able to smoothly handle the transition from v4 to v6 numbering. It is very likely both numbering systems will need to work side by side until everything has been transitioned. In this case, the inventory can be used as the logical place to manage the transition from v4 to v6 numbering. Today Amdocs OSS provides a complete platform that is IPv6-ready. By comprehensively supporting both IPv6 and IPv4 simultaneously, Resource Manager offers a service provider the option of running the transition rules from within the single platform.

Resource Manager provides a comprehensive set of representational formats for the modeling of IPv6 address ranges, numbers and statuses, including IPv4-mapped IPv6 address and range formats. Amdocs Activation and Discovery platforms are already IPv6ready and have been certified by a number of tier 1 service providers who successfully transitioned to IPv6-based devices. Summary The ability to deliver services within an evolving network will play an increasing role in the profitability of a service provider, from revenue generation to return on network infrastructure investment. This requires a radical new approach to operations if our industry is to maintain its profitable forward momentum. Resource management is being deployed by service providers in the quest for greater network profitability. Essentially, it provides a unified way to manage complex network resources, and overcome the skills shortages which are constraining service growth. Resource management is a powerful competitive tool that helps roll out new services faster, maximizes network usage and speeds the migration of networks from older legacy systems to newer IP-based technologies.

ABOUT AMDOCS Amdocs is the market leader in customer experience systems innovation. The company combines business and operational support systems, service delivery platforms, proven services, and deep industry expertise to enable service providers and their customers to do more in the connected world. Amdocs offerings help service providers explore new business models, differentiate through personalized customer experiences, and streamline operations. A global company with revenue of $2.86 billion in fiscal 2009, Amdocs has approximately 18,000 employees and serves customers in more than 60 countries worldwide. For more information, visit Amdocs at www.amdocs.com.

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