cpcm – the path to the optimum network - micronova.de · and lte within the 3rd generation ......

006 // 2017 // Compendium

Telco Solutions

solutions for mobile operators – from network monitoring MicroNova has specially developed various alternative

It is difficult for standard software to manage the

CPCM – The Path to the Optimum Network

configuration of mobile networks, due to their complexity. With the Common Planning & Configuration Manager (CPCM),

to automated network expansion.

TEXT: Ingo Bauer PICTURES: © Gregory Lee, Katja Xenikis, pictoores / Fotolia.com

Compendium // 2017 // 007

Telco Solutions

Mobile operators have well-estab-lished standard software for network monitoring, network optimization, and service monitoring. However, there is usually a glaring omission when it comes to network configuration. Yet this forms the basis for both an effi-cient network structure and expan-sion as well as for the integration of new technologies – and therefore for a high-quality and profitable network. The reason for this is the complexity and versatility of network configura-tion, which is very difficult for standard software to depict.

Mobile technologies are indeed spe-cifically standardized for UMTS, GSM, and LTE within the 3rd Generation Partnership (3GPP). But this global co-operation of standardization bodies in mobile communications only ensures an abstraction or a form of mobile pa-rameters independent of vendors. The challenge is illustrated by a few figures: The 3GPP standard includes around 100 to 150 parameters, meaning that

These in-house creations are also of-ten pure one-way solutions: Configu-ration of the live network is possible, but feeding information back into the planning is not. But especially this functionality is invaluable for network operators in quality assurance, since it is the only way in which a reconcilia-tion with network planning data – and therefore reliable network auditing – is possible. A complete view of the net-work is a basic requirement for mobile operators, both for planning invest-ments in the network and for ensuring quality guidelines.

With its CPCM product portfolio, MicroNova offers different expansion levels of a state-of-the-art solution, specially tailored to the needs of mo-bile operators. The CPCM range ex-tends from Network Audit and Net-work Audit Plus through to network auditing and support for the complete, automated network structure with CPCM Full Scope.

several thousand settings are required for the practical implementation of the specific configuration of vendor- specific network elements.

Many network equipment providers have already tried to close this gap with various approaches. However, as soon as system boundaries between different providers need to be considered (multi-vendor capability), such approaches generally reach their lim-its. Sometimes, the network operators themselves take action by developing complicated tools in-house. These and other solutions that have emerged over the years have become increas-ingly outdated, especially in the rapid development of mobile technologies. The introduction of new features, net-work technologies, software updates, and the transition to a new network equipment provider create huge chal-lenges for such concepts.

Proprietary Solutionsare not Agile


Telco Solutions

A detailed, comprehensive view of the network configuration is not always a given for operators. Incorrect or in-consistent base station configurations lead to significant loss of quality which is also noticeable for customers. An increase in disconnections – known as the dropped call rate – is another possible result, as well as connection prob-lems or problems with voice quality.

With "CPCM Network Audit“, Micro-Nova offers an out-of-the-box solution for the complete visualization of net-work parameters. It reads the current live network independently of vendor, region, and technology, and records the corresponding information in a central database for auditing.

The first step of network auditing takes place within CPCM. The system checks the content consistency of the imported live data using an inte-grated rules-based engine. Violations

are logged according to their sever- ity (blocking/warning) and provided to the user via report mechanisms. A user-friendly graphical interface makes it easy to manage the corresponding rules. The optional dashboard allows the results to be presented in a config-urable overview.

In addition to the basic functionality that includes creating, deleting, and editing consistency checks and rules, users can generate new rules based on copies of existing ones. It is also possible to exchange rules with other users. The network auditing solution comes with a set of default consistency rules, which the user can expand as re-quired. Common rules include checking handover connections (number of handovers per cell, target frequency, etc.), frequency plans, cell parameters, dependencies between parameters, operator-specific dependencies, and compliance with operator require-ments.

CPCM Network Audit considers all parameters available via the vendor‘s respective standard OSS Northbound Interface (NBI); this also contains pa-rameters that may have been config-ured automatically by a Self-Organ-izing Network (SON). Consequently, the solution is „SON-ready“, i.e., able to monitor SON systems. Configurable rules can be used to generate corre-sponding reports and alerts.

Another important functionality of CPCM Network Audit is the support of operator-specific default values (default templates) over the entire net-work. Users can easily create configu-ration templates according to certain criteria and check them against the live network. Potential configurations include indoor/outdoor stations, sta-diums, and events, etc. All imported network configurations are archived and available for further comparisons as well as evaluations (history func-tion). This makes it possible to monitor Service Level Agreements (SLAs) be-tween the network operator and third-party companies (managed service).

Thanks to the vendor-neutral and cross-technology comparisons, Micro- Nova‘s auditing system can play to its strengths, especially in the areas between management regions of dif-ferent vendors. In this case, the standard features of proprietary systems are usually inadequate. Since CPCM Network Audit already stores a com-plete map of the Radio Access Net-work (RAN) within a central database – including history – the system can be connected as a cross-network data source for comparison with other sys-tems. Examples include inventory, op-timization, and measurement.

Managing Network-wideDefault Templates

CPCM Network AuditThe network auditing solution from MicroNova allows a complete review of

the network without needing to include (off-the-shelf) planning tools. The main functionalities of CPCM Network Audit are: » Vendor-neutral and cross-technology view of the network (Network

Reconciliation) » Complete database for other tools such as optimization, SON, inventory, etc. » Integration of proprietary OSS interfaces via standard interfaces (NBI) for:

- Huawei - Nokia - Ericsson

» Review of the current network configuration based on consistency rules or compared to operator-specific default values

» Reporting mechanisms for: - Network configuration history (Change History) - SON Change History - Consistency violations in the radio network

Consistency Check of Content

1. CPCM Network Audit – Keep an Eye on the Entire Network


Telco Solutions

„CPCM Network Audit Plus“ is the next stage of the network audit solution and is particularly suited to optimizing the radio parameters. The correspond-ing plug-in provides a graphical and file-based interface, which allows the user to make changes to the radio pa-rameters and to transfer them to the live network. In addition, new neigh-borhoods can be added, and existing ones edited or deleted. Batch changes are also possible by means of a file-based interface, such as a change of frequency plan.

All dependent parameters are auto-matically reconciled based on engi-neering rules defined by the respec-tive network operator. This ensures compliance with the required KPIs.

CPCM Network Audit PlusCPCM Network Audit Plus directly relies on CPCM Network Audit and has the

following additional functionality: » Transfer of the current network configuration to the network plan (closed

loop) » Closed-loop calibration with default values (templates) for specific stations,

such as highway, indoor, outdoor, stadium, tunnel, etc. » Vendor and technology-neutral optimization of radio parameters via GUI

or file interface based on the vendor standard radio NBI » Detailed logging of all optimization measures: per user, operation,

MOCs involved, value change (old/new), etc. – (change history) » Write functionality for the following radio use cases:

- Adding and deleting neighborhoods (HOs) - Vendor, technology, and region-neutral neighborhood calibrations

including automatic processing of foreign cells - Automatic calibration of inconsistent neighborhood relations - SON ANR compliant - Bulk radio parameter changes such as frequency plan changes,

scrambling code and pci changes, power values, etc. » Optional integration of radio engineering rules

2. CPCM Network Audit Plus – the Next Step toward an Optimized Network

CPCM is scalable and can be adapted to the

growing needs and network sizes of mobile operators.

1


Telco Solutions

The consistency of the modified ac-tivity data is checked again and ulti-mately reconciled with the current live network („Smart Delta“). Erroneous neighborhoods or inconsistencies with respect to engineering specifications are recognized by the system and dis-played in this delta. The result of the Smart Delta is structured in the form of a hierarchical tree and displayed according to use cases. The operator can limit the result set by including fil-ter rules and deploying this to the live network by means of the selective ex-port functionality.

CPCM Network Audit Plus – with its integrated functionality for consistency checks, rules-based parameter recon-ciliation, and handover processing – addresses the key points of SON tools, which include Automatic Neighbor Relation (ANR) and parameter optimi-zation.

CPCM achieves the maximum con-figuration by integrating the planning tools for the mobile operators‘ existing mobile and fixed-line network. Based on CPCM Network Audit or CPCM Network Audit Plus, the gap between planning and operation can be filled.

3. CPCM Full Scope – the Bridge between Radio Network Planning and Network Operation

The planning tools usually operate largely on vendor-neutral standard models (3GPP) and consider only a very small proportion of the parame-ters essential for the RAN configura-tions. Therefore, it is first necessary to perform a transformation to the re-spective vendor model.

The specifications (KPIs) provided by the network operator or network engi-neering are transferred to CPCM in the form of planning rules and parameter templates. This classification of para-meters reduces the complexity of the parameter scope, which can be ad-justed manually by the network planner/optimizer to up to ten percent.


Telco Solutions

CPCM Full ScopeCPCM Full Scope includes full integration into the system environment of a

mobile operator, including adaptation to existing processes. The key features of this solution include: » Integration of existing mobile and fixed-line network tools » Full multi-vendor support for mobile network and fixed-line network

parameters based on the relevant vendor NBIs » Integration of KPIs prescribed by engineering and automated transfer of

vendor-neutral planning parameters into the vendor-specific data model based on the following parameter classes: - ERA (Engineering Rule – Automatic): Vendor-specific constant parameters

are automatically generated using vendor-neutral planning parameters and plan design rules (plan design macros)

- ERS (Engineering Rule – Switched): Vendor-specific parameters are auto-matically generated using vendor-neutral planning parameters and plan design rules (plan design macros); these can subsequently be adapted to the live network by the network planner or optimizer

- OPT (Optimizable): The planner or optimizer can subsequently adapt vendor-specific parameters that cannot be derived from other parameters or parameter classes and that are preset to a default value to the live network

- NWP (Network-wide Parameter) – configuration templates that are specified by the plan design or the equipment vendor and that are to be equated in the entire live network or in parts of the network (e.g. indoor/outdoor)

» Support for all common use cases for configuring the full RAN

The entire CPCM product range is based on the framework developed by MicroNova. This framework al-ready provides a powerful platform for parameter planning and configu-ration management of mobile net-works or related radio networks (e.g., directional radio, TETRA).

Automated mechanisms that trans-fer the mobile communications sup-plier/vendor are already part of the framework (Framework Designer). The database model and the asso-ciated interfaces and import mecha-nisms are automatically generated based on the information supplied by the respective vendor (NBI spe-cification). This applies both to the planning systems and for the live network systems.

CPCM Framework

The remaining 90 percent is automati-cally generated in the vendor-specific format, based on the specified rules, default requirements, or network-wide parameter sets (NWP templates). This procedure guarantees compliance with the standards prescribed and checked by the network operator both in the planning process and in the sub-sequent transfer into the network.

The multi-vendor capability ensures compliance with the engineering rules across vendors, technology, and regions. The power of CPCM is apparent here, since this is where both ven-dor tools and SON solutions already available on the market reach their limits.

A powerful data editor provides the user with direct access to the para-meters. These can be displayed in the vendor-specific standard model or a customized model (simplified model). The editing functionality makes it pos-sible to systematically modify para-meters and perform associated global changes. Similarly, new objects such as neighborhoods, cells, and TRX can be created, validated, and finally passed to operation. By coupling consistency checks, any inconsistencies and data errors are detected early and can be resolved immediately.

As with CPCM Network Audit Plus, after a planning data set is approved, it is first reconciled with the live network. In addition to pure radio optimization measures, the Full Scope solution sup-ports mobile operators in dealing with complex use cases, such as the roll-out of new sites (site creation), re-homing, and capacity expansions, etc. This gives them a certain advantage: that the mobile network‘s transport con-nections (e.g., Abis, IuB, IuR, X2) and necessary core configurations (MSC or MGW) are considered and config-ured in the same context. For network operators, CPCM Full Scope is a tool for the comprehensive and automated configuration of the wireless network.


Telco Solutions

The carrier-specific adjustments or mapping rules (engineering rules and parameter templates) are passed to or populated in the framework in the form of configuration data.

The modular design of the CPCM framework supports integration into the carrier-specific processes and im-plementation of the respective logic. Examples include the graphical repre-sentation and the mapping of the spe-cial operations on plug-ins, workflows, and specific filters (e.g., administration, planning data editor, planning data management, configuration data management, and vendor-neutral neigh-borhood planning, etc.).

The configuration of mobile net-works and the RAN in particular is steadily becoming more complex for network operators as new technol-ogies continue to be introduced. Open solutions are therefore essential, since

they can be flexibly adapted to new circumstances while also taking into account the main management indi-cators such as time-to-market, quality, and efficiency. MicroNova has developed a versatile, flexible best-practice solution, which is independent of the network equipment provider. The so-lution combines the views of the often heterogeneous regional network and management structures and allows for expansion to a central database for overarching comparisons.

From Network Audit to Full Scope: CPCM can be adapted to the growing needs and network sizes of mobile operators and is best equipped for the integration of future mobile gen-erations (5G). Investments can be in-tegrated quickly into the live network operation, which has a direct positive impact on revenue. CPCM solutions make network expansion much more efficient for operators as maintenance effort remains low, even with larger networks.

CPCM FrameworkThe framework comes with a set of standardized plug-ins: » Security and user management » Administration of interfaces

with the corresponding man-agement of access rights to neighboring systems

» Scheduler for automated processes such as imports, live network reconciliations, etc.

» Parameter editor including management of parameter classes

» Planning data editor » Management of templates

for Network-wide Parameters (NWPs)

» Rules editor for consistency checking

» Standard configuration plug-ins for GSM/UMTS/LTE: BSC, RNC, NodeB, neighborhoods, eNodeB, BS/TRX, frequency planning, etc.

Supported technologies: » 2G (GSM) » 3G (UMTS) » 4G (LTE) » Single O&M » Abis over IP and IuB over IP

Supported manufacturers: » Huawei » Nokia » Ericsson

Scalability: » 1 server per technology » 1 server per equipment vendor » n server parallel (regional/

OMC-based division) or » Outsourced DB server or DB

cluster

Technology: » Client-server system (3-tier

architecture) » JBoss application server » Eclipse RCP client » Oracle DB » Web-service interface

Conclusion

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