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Inventory Management
Product Whitepaper
Version
Date
Modified by
0.1
2003.01.30
Magorzata Kwatera
Document creation
0.2
2003.07.31
Magorzata Kwatera
Document update
1.0
2003.12.12
Magorzata Kwatera
1.1
2004.02.10
Magorzata Kwatera
Minor changes
1.2
2004.06.01
Magorzata Kwatera
Document update
1.3
2004.08.11
Magorzata Kwatera
Minor changes
2.0
2005.04.25
Magorzata Kwatera
Document update
2.1
2005.05.31
Magorzata Kwatera
Minor changes
3.0
2006.07.10
Micha Zajczkowski
3.1
2007.01.03
Magorzata Kwatera
Minor changes
3.2
2007.03.30
Magorzata Kwatera
Document update
Document identification
Version
Revised on
Number of pages
Status
Author
Comment
WP_030130_INV_312MKK_01
3.2
2007.03.30
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Comarch S.A.
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sales_support@comarch.pl.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.
Introduction............................................................................................................ 5
2.
Functionality ........................................................................................................... 5
2.1.
Multi-layer information model .......................................................................... 5
2.2.
History tracking ................................................................................................ 6
2.3.
Auto-discovery and reconciliation .................................................................... 6
2.4.
Network planning.............................................................................................. 7
2.5.
Inventory-Based Billing .................................................................................... 7
2.6.
Service Inventory ............................................................................................. 7
2.7.
Inventory and Console Tools ............................................................................ 7
2.8.
Wizards and templates ..................................................................................... 8
2.9.
Functional components shared with Comarch OSS Suite ...............................10
3.
Data presentation .................................................................................................11
3.1.
Inventory View ................................................................................................11
3.2.
Geographical View ...........................................................................................12
3.3.
Logical View .....................................................................................................13
3.4.
Hierarchical View .............................................................................................13
3.5.
Table View .......................................................................................................14
3.6.
Floor Plan .........................................................................................................15
3.7.
Reports and statistics ......................................................................................15
3.8.
Bookmarks .......................................................................................................16
3.9.
Common Comarch OSS Suite configuration....................................................17
3.9.1. Language......................................................................................................17
3.9.2. Themes.........................................................................................................17
4.
Administration .......................................................................................................18
4.1.
Users ................................................................................................................18
4.2.
Profiles and privileges .....................................................................................19
4.3.
Various levels of access to application............................................................19
4.4.
Configurator.....................................................................................................19
5.
Technology ............................................................................................................20
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1. Introduction
Comarch OSS Inventory Management is designed to store complete information on the
networks resources and to enable new and innovative ways of not only fully utilizing the
networks potential, but also of increasing the efficiency of network operations. Comarch OSS
Inventory Management is one of the crucial modules of Comarch OSS Suite. It constitutes the
basis for other modules that operate using data collected and stored in its database. This
modules integration with other Comarch OSS Suite components provides further functionality by
enabling the sharing and exchange of complex data.
The crucial functionality of Comarch OSS Inventory is management and planning of
telecommunication/IT network, both last-mile and backbone network. It concerns performing
operations regarding modeling links, planning and designing equipment and its configuration,
assigning and controlling addressing and numbering resources and preparing required types of
reports.
The Inventory Management supports automatic and manual data modification. Thanks
to the network reconciliation module, the Inventory Management keeps the stored information up
to date with the changes occurring in the network. The Inventory Management also enables full
visualization of a telecommunications network, and all the equipment installed within. Both
physical and logical network links can be displayed in a way that conforms to the ITU-T G.805
specification.
2. Functionality
2.1. Multi-layer information model
Inventory data is represented within multi-layer information model. The layers represent
both physical and logical information of managed network, e.g.
Physical network resources
racks, shelves, slots, cards, ports, etc.,
administrative divisions,
routers, switches, etc.,
cellular networks equipment,
transmission networks equipment,
PSTN equipment,
others,
Infrastructure Layer
physical copper cables ,
fiber optic cables (they usually contain a structure of strands),
pipes,
manholes,
radio,
others,
Physical Connections Layer
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this layer is built over the Infrastructure layer and is used to represent electrical or
optical end-to-end connections set-up over strands in physical cables (optical or
electrical),
Digital transmission layers
SDH/SONET: STM-n, VC-4, VC-12, OC-n,
PDH: E1, T1,
Telephony layer
trunks, subscriber lines,
IP-related layers
Datalink: LAN segments, VLANs,
MPLS: Tunnels, VPNs,
IP: networks, VPNs, VRFs,
GSM/UMTS-related layers
ATM and FR layers
and many more.
The main idea of multi-layer data model in Inventory Management is to represent the
same equipment and connections in several layers, depending on the technology they use.
Technology specific information is always included in the dedicated layer which gives consistent
view of the network for the operator and in the same time does not provide overflow of
information. With this idea, the system can store all various levels of network information and
present only what is needed at the moment.
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Inventory Tools enable users to create and modify objects. The most important
Inventory Tools are described below.
Delete object
This tool enables removing a chosen inventory object and the user can decide which
related objects should be left or deleted.
Dictionaries
Dictionaries are structures designed for storing often used and rather constant data. To
increase usability of interface, data from dictionaries usually is presented as lists of values to be
chosen, so there is no need to introduce it manually.
Hierarchies
This tool displays master categories and corresponding subcategories (sub hierarchies).
Layers
This tool provides the user a complete list of telecommunication layers defined in the
system.
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New objects are created within object creation wizard, which enables defining all
attributes and necessary referential object, like path details for connections or detailed elements
(cards, ports) for equipment.
The same object can be created within different types of wizards, so called templates.
The user is able to define his/her own template and decide which attributes of object should be
mandatory, which will be predefined and if they should have any constant value. Within template,
it is also possible to define which sub-elements (shelves, cards, ports, etc.) can be created
together with equipment creation.
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3. Data presentation
Comarch OSS Inventory can display network elements in several different ways which
can be adjusted to meet individual requirements. Comarch OSS Inventory module is capable of
displaying network elements and/or geographical map elements in several layers. This function
allows users to freely choose appropriate layer(s) to be used for network presentation, and
provides them with a clear view that fully serves their needs. The views can be modified to meet
the users individual needs (e. g. select presentation design, define colors, choose icons and
determine the scope of information to be displayed). The user has also a possibility to switch
between the views directly (from the context menu) without the need to open other views from
the main console window.
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3.8. Bookmarks
The Bookmark term means a link to source object created by user (view, report) or to a
tool available in console. Bookmarks are organized as the Bookmark tree. The Bookmark tree is a
structure composed of tools and views defined in a system and grouped into folders.
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3.9.2. Themes
The user can choose the appearance of window display (color, motif and window style).
In the Look&Feel part the style of window display can be defined, including the icons, tool bars,
tabs, etc.
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4. Administration
4.1. Users
The Authorization Module is responsible for authenticating and authorizing the users of
Comarch OSS Suite. Each login to Comarch OSS console requires successful authentication, also
access to some parts of the system functionality requires successful authorization. Both of these
operations are processed using the Authorization Module functionality and their success depends
on it.
Administrator creates new users in a special form.
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4.4. Configurator
The Configurator component is the heart of the Comarch OSS Suite, without it system
will not work. Comarch OSS Suite is a distributed system but it requires a little centralization to
achieve some functionality. The Configuration Registry is a repository of configurations for
components and handlers for currently running components.
With the graphical interface of configurator, administrator can monitor the status of
components and configure them, using either graphical or XML editor.
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5. Technology
Comarch OSS Inventory Management System uses Oracle or Microsoft SQL database.
The architecture of the system consists of:
The processing mechanism + database (the source of data),
The modules of Comarch OSS Suite (Framework, Reporting Service, Reasoning Engine,
Administration Tools, Configurator).
All the modules use a common graphic interface, and the divisions among them are
invisible to the user.
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