CS-COMM004

a commtel case study

enabling new capabilities whilst managingcomplexities and risk within a live network

When VicTrack needed to upgrade their extensive Coriant Transport Network Management System (TNMS) platform they selected CommTel to work with them to carry out this vital and complex upgrade. CommTel applied strong project management, deep TNMS expertise, a low risk approach and a synergistic partnership style to smoothly transition VicTrack to the new TNMS environment.

Objectives• Ensure TNMS remains current and supported• Ensure no loss or interruption to the telecommunication network and services.

Solution• Project management• Virtualised server configuration• TNMS V13.2.12• Software installation and configuration• Database migration planning• Database migration• Training• System Acceptance Testing

Outcomes• Migration and cut over achieved with no loss or interruption to network services• NOC staff proficient in the operations of the updated version of TNMS.• Minimal interruption to activities that relied on the test or development environments• TNMS operating in a virtualised IT environment with single sign on providing greater efficiencies and ease of expansion.

VicTrack is the owner and operator of the crucial and extensive telecommunications network that underpins Victorian public transport and Victorian government data processing (through the intra-Government Secured Network - iGSN).

VicTrack’s network is critical to the efficient and safe operation of trains, other public transport services; if the network is disrupted so potentially are public transport services and government data processing.

At the core of the VicTrack telecommunications network are over 600 Coriant network elements including high end DWDM and SDH nodes. Central to the day-to-day operation and management of this extensive network is Coriant’s TNMS – an end to end multi-layer management system.

VicTrack wanted to upgrade TNMS to ensure it remained current and supported. They also wanted to move TNMS on to a virtualised environment to improve infrastructure efficiency and flexibility.

The ChallengeVicTrack recognised that the TNMS upgrade was challenging and complex as it involved upgrading two environments (production and laboratory) where each required:

• Relocation from physical servers to virtualised servers in a cold standby configuration.• Integrating TNMS into VicTrack’s enterprise single sign on environment.• a two-step software upgrade and a two-step database migration, while ensuring the production database remained in sync with the live network.

CommTel was awarded this complex project due to: (a) their demonstrated depth of experience with TNMS and virtualised environments; (b) their detailed understanding of the requirements and associated complexities; and (c) a sound approach which dealt effectively with the complexities and risks.

Delivering SuccessCommTel and VicTrack established effective project governance and reporting structures along with a

project team that brought together the complementary expertise and knowledge of both organisations. The CommTel Project Manager, working with members of the team, then developed a comprehensive management plan that factored in the complexities and operational constraints. The joint team carefully worked through each step, ensuring its successful completion and thorough testing prior to commencing work on any dependent activities.

CommTel being a key member of Coriant’s PartnerPlus Program has a strong and effective relationship with Coriant. This relationship played an important part in ensuring that the numerous software components were all provided correctly and on time, further de-risking and simplifying the project for VicTrack.

Cutover Planning – A Special Focus to Manage Risk Because of the risks and complexities involved, the joint project team, under CommTel’s leadership developed a comprehensive strategy and plan for cutting over the management of the live telecommunications network to the new version of TNMS. In developing the strategy and plan the team took into account: the available cutover options, their associated risks and consequences, business and technical constraints, support and rollback requirements. The strategy and plan was fundamental to the project’s success.A key element of the plan was replicating the new TNMS production environment in a new purpose built laboratory to thoroughly test it before cutting over management of the telecommunications network to the new TNMS environment.Cutover of the management of VicTrack’s crucial telecommunications network to the new version of TNMS was completed successfully with no network or service disruptions.

Account and Delivery Management – Broader EngagementWorking in the background were CommTel’s Service Delivery and Account Managers who added considerable value through their project

oversight roles. In particular, these managers assisted in the vital task of keeping the wider VicTrack stakeholder community informed on progress and actively helped in addressing any issues that arose from time to time.

Training - Tailored to RequirementsAn essential facet of the project was providing effective training for VicTrack’s Network Operations Centre (NOC) staff in the new version of TNMS. It was important for reasons of business efficiency and participant interest to develop a specific course tailored to requirements. As the NOC operators were already proficient in the existing version of TNMS it was imperative to only cover new features and aspects that had changed.

CommTel’s extensive training experience coupled with having implemented the TNMS upgrade enabled CommTel to provide VicTrack with a course ideally tailored their needs.

The Customer’s SummaryCommTel’s experience in project management and TNMS coupled with their co-operative synergistic and flexible working style plus their knowledge of VicTrack and co-operative synergistic working style ensured this vital and sensitive project was completed successfully. We are delighted to have CommTel as a long term partner in growing and supporting our critical telecommunications network. Leon Qu, Network Engineering Manager Telecommunications Group VicTrack

About CommTelCommTel Network Solutions is an Australian owned company providing turnkey communications networks, both within Australia and internationally.

As a leading international provider of communications design, supply, integration and support in the dedicated and industrial networks sector, we have unsurpassed experience and knowledge that our customers rely on.

a commtel case study

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VicTrack is the owner and operator of the crucial and extensive telecommunications network that underpins Victorian public transport and Victorian government data processing (through the intra-Government Secured Network - iGSN).

VicTrack’s network is critical to the efficient and safe operation of trains, other public transport services; if the network is disrupted so potentially are public transport services and government data processing.

At the core of the VicTrack telecommunications network are over 600 Coriant network elements including high end DWDM and SDH nodes. Central to the day-to-day operation and management of this extensive network is Coriant’s TNMS – an end to end multi-layer management system.

VicTrack wanted to upgrade TNMS to ensure it remained current and supported. They also wanted to move TNMS on to a virtualised environment to improve infrastructure efficiency and flexibility.

The ChallengeVicTrack recognised that the TNMS upgrade was challenging and complex as it involved upgrading two environments (production and laboratory) where each required:

• Relocation from physical servers to virtualised servers in a cold standby configuration.• Integrating TNMS into VicTrack’s enterprise single sign on environment.• a two-step software upgrade and a two-step database migration, while ensuring the production database remained in sync with the live network.

CommTel was awarded this complex project due to: (a) their demonstrated depth of experience with TNMS and virtualised environments; (b) their detailed understanding of the requirements and associated complexities; and (c) a sound approach which dealt effectively with the complexities and risks.

Delivering SuccessCommTel and VicTrack established effective project governance and reporting structures along with a

project team that brought together the complementary expertise and knowledge of both organisations. The CommTel Project Manager, working with members of the team, then developed a comprehensive management plan that factored in the complexities and operational constraints. The joint team carefully worked through each step, ensuring its successful completion and thorough testing prior to commencing work on any dependent activities.

CommTel being a key member of Coriant’s PartnerPlus Program has a strong and effective relationship with Coriant. This relationship played an important part in ensuring that the numerous software components were all provided correctly and on time, further de-risking and simplifying the project for VicTrack.

Cutover Planning – A Special Focus to Manage Risk Because of the risks and complexities involved, the joint project team, under CommTel’s leadership developed a comprehensive strategy and plan for cutting over the management of the live telecommunications network to the new version of TNMS. In developing the strategy and plan the team took into account: the available cutover options, their associated risks and consequences, business and technical constraints, support and rollback requirements. The strategy and plan was fundamental to the project’s success.A key element of the plan was replicating the new TNMS production environment in a new purpose built laboratory to thoroughly test it before cutting over management of the telecommunications network to the new TNMS environment.Cutover of the management of VicTrack’s crucial telecommunications network to the new version of TNMS was completed successfully with no network or service disruptions.

Account and Delivery Management – Broader EngagementWorking in the background were CommTel’s Service Delivery and Account Managers who added considerable value through their project

oversight roles. In particular, these managers assisted in the vital task of keeping the wider VicTrack stakeholder community informed on progress and actively helped in addressing any issues that arose from time to time.

Training - Tailored to RequirementsAn essential facet of the project was providing effective training for VicTrack’s Network Operations Centre (NOC) staff in the new version of TNMS. It was important for reasons of business efficiency and participant interest to develop a specific course tailored to requirements. As the NOC operators were already proficient in the existing version of TNMS it was imperative to only cover new features and aspects that had changed.

CommTel’s extensive training experience coupled with having implemented the TNMS upgrade enabled CommTel to provide VicTrack with a course ideally tailored their needs.

The Customer’s SummaryCommTel’s experience in project management and TNMS coupled with their co-operative synergistic and flexible working style plus their knowledge of VicTrack and co-operative synergistic working style ensured this vital and sensitive project was completed successfully. We are delighted to have CommTel as a long term partner in growing and supporting our critical telecommunications network. Leon Qu, Network Engineering Manager Telecommunications Group VicTrack

About CommTelCommTel Network Solutions is an Australian owned company providing turnkey communications networks, both within Australia and internationally.

As a leading international provider of communications design, supply, integration and support in the dedicated and industrial networks sector, we have unsurpassed experience and knowledge that our customers rely on.