3 GPRS Network Management

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 3.1 NOKIA NetAct..................................................................................3
3.2 NOKIA's interface to the platforms (1/4) ..........................................4
3.2 NOKIA's interface to the platforms (2/4) ..........................................5
3.2 NOKIA's interface to the platforms (3/4) ..........................................6
3.2 NOKIA's interface to the platforms (4/4) ..........................................7
3.3 NetAct Management Tasks .............................................................8
3.4 Network Element Monitoring & Management (1/4)..........................9
3.4 Network Element Monitoring & Management (2/4)........................10
3.4 Network Element Monitoring & Management (3/4)........................11
3.4 Network Element Monitoring & Management (4/4)........................12
3.5 DX200i Local Management (1/5)...................................................13
3.5 DX200i Local Management (2/5)...................................................14
3.5 DX200i Local Management (3/5)...................................................15
3.5 DX200i Local Management (4/5)...................................................16
3.5 DX200i Local Management (5/5)...................................................17
3.6 CG / FlexiServer Local management (1/2) ....................................18
3.6 CG / FlexiServer Local management (2/2) ....................................19
3.7 IPSO Local management (1/3) ......................................................20
3.7 IPSO Local management (2/3) ......................................................21
3.7 IPSO Local management (3/3) ......................................................22
3.8 NOKIA Online Service (NOLS)......................................................23

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3.1 NOKIA NetAct

The NOKIA solution to support the operation of a network is known as the NOKIA NetAct. It
is the NOKIA product name for a Network Management System (NMS) or an Operation
Support System (OSS). Its structure is not built around the technology to be controlled but
according to the functions and processes that an operator has to perform to ensure a proper
technical operation for a successful business.
NOKIA launch the NetAct Framework to support the transition from 2G to 2.5G (in particular
GPRS) and subsequently to 3G. It also extends the multi-vendor integration capability of
NOKIA’s former Network Management System (NMS2000).

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3.2 NOKIA's interface to the platforms (1/4)

NOKIA provides a couple of interfaces for the network elements that can be accessed
through the Internet. These service applications provide intuitive GUIs, which are suitable for
non-specialists. Most of the usual service tasks can be carried out by common service
technicians without explicit knowledge of man-machine communication languages.

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3.2 NOKIA's interface to the platforms (2/4)

Besides the GUI offered by the NMS, local access is also available, either directly on site or
remotely via TELNET session.

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3.2 NOKIA's interface to the platforms (3/4)

This local interface to the DX200 elements is a text based line editor using a hierarchical
structure with four letters and, depending on the command given, a number of parameter
values to be entered. A help function is included for each parameter, thus access and system
handling is relatively easy even for field personnel with basic knowledge levels.

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3.2 NOKIA's interface to the platforms (4/4)

For efficient management, a single interface is used to perform network management

functions for all network elements simultaneously. For example, a single alarm monitor is
used to monitor faults generated by network elements.

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3.3 NetAct Management Tasks

NetAct's advanced monitoring functions mean the management tasks carried out on site are
kept to a minimum. NOKIA NetAct incorporates a full range of functions from fault,
performance and configuration management to transmission, trouble and security
management.

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3.4 Network Element Monitoring & Management (1/4)

All NOKIA GPRS network elements have a management function which takes care of
monitoring and managing the element in question. The operator can access these
management functions via a graphical user interface.

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3.4 Network Element Monitoring & Management (2/4)

The NOKIA network elements themselves provide the necessary functions for
commissioning, setting up, or troubleshooting the individual equipment.

NOKIA NetAct - sitting above the managed network elements - provides tools for making
large-scale modifications at the network level.

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3.4 Network Element Monitoring & Management (3/4)

NOKIA NMS for GPRS builds on the NOKIA NetAct solution (based on HP UNIX
workstations and servers). All network elements can be seamlessly accessed from the same
terminal, allowing for combined GSM and GPRS management.

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3.4 Network Element Monitoring & Management (4/4)

Management tasks, like alarm transfer use different protocols for different platforms. Legacy
DX200i platforms communicate with NetAct using the Q3 protocol whereas the IPSO
platform components and the FlexiServer use Small Network Management Protocol (SNMP)
messages.

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3.5 DX200i Local Management (1/5)

In addition to the NetAct operation and maintenance functions, local tools are available for
on-site management of NOKIA’s GPRS network elements. DX200i-based network elements
provide the Man-Machine Interface (MMI).

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3.5 DX200i Local Management (2/5)

DX200i MMI consists of software and peripherals, e.g., a notebook or desktop PC and
printer, a special Man-Machine Language (MML) with an input / output syntax following ITU
recommendations and so-called Dialogs which are the MML sessions established between
operator and the system.

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3.5 DX200i Local Management (3/5)

DX200i MML consist of a 3-level command hierarchy to unambiguously describe dialog

between the user and the DX200i network element. A command is composed of ASCI signs
representing a command class, a command group and the particular command.

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3.5 DX200i Local Management (4/5)

Let have a look at an example. To receive information about a BSCi’s functional units a
certain string has to be keyed in. The string ”Z?” as a main level command provides a list of
sub-ordinate command class level input possibilities. The “U” for unit administration is the
proper command for the intended action.

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3.5 DX200i Local Management (5/5)

“ZU” now presents the command group list possibilities, in our case we would need the “S”
to retrieve the intended information “ZUS” provides a list of command possibilities with the
“I” being the right letter, in our case we would need the “S” to retrieve the information about
the functional units. “ZUSI”, finally, presents the requested list of functional BSC units .

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3.6 CG / FlexiServer Local management (1/2)

The Charging Gateway / FlexiServer platform provides user interfaces for local
management operations. The different platform components can easily be addressed to
modify system configuration or perform fault clearance tasks. An intuitive Web-based GUI
provides system access to modify settings. Single management tasks can be configured as
can periodic activities, e.g., maintenance scripts executed to clean up directories, e.g., for log
files or queuing files.

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3.6 CG / FlexiServer Local management (2/2)

In some cases, an ASCI-based command line interface can be useful. CG / FlexiServer

provides this man-machine interface as well, to access the platform elements or to retrieve
key performance indicators. CLI provides an easy way to perform crucial actions on the
system, e.g., Database backup, Database recovery, Process supervision and Alarm interface
configuration.

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3.7 IPSO Local management (1/3)

The IPSO platform product offers the same two-fold local management interfaces as the CG
/ FlexiServer: an intuitive Web-based GUI called “Voyager” and the command line interface
shell (CLISH).

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3.7 IPSO Local management (2/3)

Voyager supports a variety of basic maintenance task, e.g., IPv4 interface configuration,
Database management including physical disk mirroring, license handling and system time
settings using the NTP (Network Time Protocol). Network access and services can be
defined using the Hyper-text Transfer Protocol or File Transfer Protocol, Secure Socket
Layer for Voyager Web Access or the Small Network Management Protocol NMP interface
with the NetAct Network Management System.

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3.7 IPSO Local management (3/3)

Finally, basic fault management is supported by Voyager including various possibilities for
alarm display, alarm log files and alarm filtering. For those who prefer local management
using a legacy MMI the IPSO CLISH (Command Line Interface Shell) provides the same
functionality as the GUI-based Voyager tool.

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3.8 NOKIA Online Service (NOLS)

To also support the GPRS network elements, NOKIA offers personalized access to product
and technical documentation, e.g., technical notes and change notes through the Internet.

NOLS is an integral part of the various NOKIA platform solutions. Additionally, the
component-related offline information tool, the NOKIA Electronic Documentation (NED), can
be accessed in a centralized way through NOLS.

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