White paper

Intelligent networks

Intelligent networks – reducing the need for on-site maintenance

Networks are evolving constantly. The number of subscribers is increasing and new services require more network capacity. Higher capacity demands are tackled with network re-segmentation and node splitting, which in practice leads to laborious and costly on-site re-adjustment of network devices. Not only will it result in increased risk for human errors and network unreliability, but also higher operating costs.

An elegant way to reduce this manual work is to bring intelligence to the network. By intelligence, we mean intelligent network devices that can be automatically aligned and management software to control and monitor the whole network. Adding intelligence to networks can lead to astonishing results: we typically see 50 % savings in operating costs and payback times of 1-3 years for the additional investments required to enable the intelligence. In this paper, we outline how such an intelligent network can be constructed and how intelligence affects network management.

Locating the problems

One key issue in network management and maintenance is that network problems can be difficult to locate – when there is a problem in a network, operators cannot see where this problem actually occurs without having to go through complex network diagrams showing where network elements are located. This slows down the process and results in longer repair times and higher costs.

Although information on the status of network elements is a basic feature in many network management systems, they often fail to deliver accurate information on where these elements are physically located and what their impact areas are. Additionally, the management systems seldom link problems with appropriate documentation. If documentation is not easily and quickly available, lots of time can be lost and a great deal of frustration generated both among the customers and the maintenance crew.

The solution: Bring intelligence to the network

Maintaining and upgrading a network does not have to be costly and time-consuming. Teleste has found an innovative way to significantly speed up network management, save costs, and improve network availability. The answer comes from intelligence.

The problems can be best addressed by populating the network with intelligent devices capable of monitoring and adjusting themselves automatically. The features of these devices eliminate guesswork from network maintenance and management, and reduce downtime and unnecessary truck rolls.

Current situation – with growth comes complexity

Network devices are getting more complex. Although the devices are robust and designed to stand rough conditions, technical problems can occur – configuration faults, hardware defects or changes in the system structure that require re-adjustment of the devices. With constantly increasing capacity demands, broadband network operators need to invest heavily both in new network hardware and the maintenance and renewal of their network. More devices mean more frequent maintenance operations, which translates to the need to have more on-site personnel to handle these operations. Additionally, with the size of the network expanding, different types of challenges begin to surface.

Network maintenance has traditionally been a very laborious task and manual maintenance is often the prime reason for high operating expenses. Operators need to have a number of skilled field personnel to guarantee quality of service and to perform installations and adjustments of network components such as nodes and amplifiers within reasonable time. Additionally, technical problems in the network often require field personnel to go on site to repair faults.

Network operations are never entirely risk free and they are prone to human mistakes, which lead to unnecessary truck-rolls and prolonged service interruptions. Network downtime is very costly and can have serious impact on customer satisfaction and therefore it is essential that network problems are solved quickly.

In this approach, intelligence is built on the combination of automatically configuring intelligent fibre optic nodes and amplifiers, and a management system that allows operators to automatically address problems. For example ingress can often generate problems that are challenging to locate and can also far too often disrupt services and irritate end-users. It is of great advantage to have intelligent network devices enabling automatic pinpointing and isolating of ingress sources.

Additionally, we have found out that it is increasingly important to make network management easier. Today’s network management systems typically include a wide range of essential features, and the importance of each feature varies between individual users. User interfaces need to be intuitive and able to adapt to different needs.

Business impact: 50 percent savings in OPEX

The business benefits of intelligent networks are remarkable. According to our research, moving to an intelligent network architecture in a medium sized network of 120 000 users can amount to operational savings of close to 10 million euros over 15 years, reducing the accumulated total cost to less than 50%. For a large network of 1.2 million users, this means savings of almost 100 million euros over 15 years.

With this type of reductions in operating costs, payback times for intelligent network equipment investment are very short. For example, we see the additional investments to the intelligence reaching breakeven in 1-3 years (Figure 1).

Overview of an intelligent network

The system consists of the following main components, presented in ‘top-down’ order:

The HFC management system: A number of computers running network management server and client software. The server computer or the user computers may also run value adding software for special tasks, like software upgrades, mass configuration etc. The management system may be connected to a higher layer NMS or OSS system for sending information about the HFC infrastructure.

An HFC management LAN/WAN for IP communication between the management system and managed headends or hubs. This network should be protected and used only for HFC infrastructure management purposes. An optimum solution would be to build a VLAN (virtual LAN) over the existing IP network to connect the headends.

IP gateways or corresponding devices, located at each headend or hub, for connecting the inside plant modules to the management LAN/WAN.

HFC network controllers, at each headend or hub, for enabling HFC in-band communication from the management LAN/WAN to transponders in the HFC outside plant. For transponders operating according to HMS standards, the controller is called HMTS (Hybrid Management Termination System).

Transponders in optical nodes, amplifiers and other HFC outside plant devices, like uninterruptible power supplies.

Figure 1: Lifespan costs of a traditional network of 120 000 subscribers compared to a similarly sized network equipped with intelligent devices

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All the controls available locally in nodes and amplifiers can also be controlled remotely. Remote access uses the same GUI modules as used in local management terminal, thus giving a uniform way to look at and edit the device configuration. Application specific user interfaces are available for dedicated tasks, for instance for operating the ingress control switches. The entire configuration of a node/amplifier can be stored and/or loaded locally using network management system (for example Teleste CATVisor Commander). Configuration data is stored into an xml file that is easy to edit using suitable software tools.

This system also allows quick and error-free cloning of a device e.g. in case the entire device must be replaced. Partial configuration download is also possible if only a part of the configuration needs to be altered.

A conceptual drawing of an intelligent HFC infrastructure management system is shown in Figure 2.

HFCNetwork

EMS Server(s)EMS Client(s)

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HMStransponders

Local ManagementTerminal (LMT)

HFCinside plantequipment

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Designing intelligent network nodes and amplifiers

The general design principle of intelligent nodes and amplifiers is to have as many RF controls as feasible controlled by software. In addition to the regular level and slope control elements and A/B switches, elements like slope control pivot point and even the output splitters and amplifier RF performance should be software controlled to make the device truly intelligent.

Teleste has been designing remote manageable HFC equipment since 1998. The AC8700, AC8800 and AC9000 are the latest members of Teleste’s intelligent ACcess product family. These intelligent nodes and amplifiers provide the following features:

•Quick and error-free installation using automatic alignment

•Automatic ongoing alignment

•Maximised performance Payload and ingress monitoring to quickly isolate network problems

•Automatic ingress suppression attacks upstream problems before services are affected in a whole node area

•Full HMS compatibility enables integration with any management system

• Intelligent and intuitive local GUIs for PC and PDA devices

In these intelligent devices all vital controls operate under software control. Because of this, the RF path performance is always optimised in the amplifier/node. The transponder, with its measuring capabilities, adds downstream and upstream auto-alignment with programmable signal and ingress monitoring capabilities.

Several routing and backup control options can be selected to fit the needs of a specific network. Also the single/dual/quadruple node selection is software controlled, so no local access is needed when splitting the node area to smaller segments.

With these innovations, Teleste’s new Intelligent AC-cess series products enable fully automatic installa-tion and alignment. All products can be ordered with preconfigured settings for a specific network. After the node or amplifier is physically installed and powered up, the technician installing the device simply pushes a button in the transponder. The device then aligns both downstream and upstream paths automatically and indicates success with a green light. The device is then Figure 2: Intelligent network architecture

fully configured. This procedure provides significant time savings and also reduces the chance for alignment errors.

The Teleste Access products include advanced monitoring and management features:

•Downstream payload channel levels are measured accurately and individual warning and alarm criteria can be set to each PAL or QAM channel. Level meas-urement also provides an excellent remote visibility of signal conditions delivered from the network. Points of failures can be found quickly and accurately with minimal amount of manpower involved.

•Upstream disturbances can be monitored deep in the network, individually from every return input port of a node. This enables quick isolation of the polluted line and securing proper operation of all the other return segments’.

•Advanced monitoring enables automated functions. For example, return path inputs can be automatically and individually suppressed in case of line pollution (disturbance, noise etc.). It is important to be able to isolate undesired phenomena close to the source of the error (typically households), which limits the amount of affected subscribers.

•Return path pilot generator option enables checking of return path adjustments made in an optical node. Pilot generator activation is easy to do remotely or locally and pilot signal levels can be monitored in the head end. If needed, correction of adjustments can also be done remotely.

•All settings and adjustments of nodes and amplifiers can be changed remotely. In case of product failure, the correct settings can be downloaded to a spare unit, either in advance or remotely.

•All level and slope controls in the Intelligent ACcess family are software controlled. In a node, downstream automatic level control can be optical level based (OLC) or both optical level and pilot level based (OLC + ALC). In addition to this, manual control is naturally available.

•For ingress control, each node and amplifier upstream input is equipped with an ingress control switch. Instead of physical relays, virtual switches are used, based on return path attenuator control. This allows programmable attenuation values for each return path input. Ingress control switches can be set to activate automatically if the ingress analyser alarm is active. Activation and deactivation delays can be individually adjusted to fit the network topology.

For local management, Intelligent ACcess family is equipped with a mini USB port. In nodes, the USB port is accessible without opening the lid. Local management can be done either by using CATVisor Commander software running on a Windows laptop, or by using CATVisor Commander PDA, running on a Windows Mobile based PDA.

Monitoring and controlling network elements

The basic operation of the HFC infrastructure management system is very simple: The management application communicates with all manageable inside plant network elements via a management LAN/WAN, and with the outside plant transponders via a LAN/WAN and HFC inband communications channel.

The IP gateways and HFC network controllers are also managed as inside plant network elements, and the only special function with them is related to automatic network element discovery. To automatically discover newly installed elements, the management system regularly reads the list of connected elements from the IP gateways and HFC network controllers.

Because only active devices are, or can be made, manageable, network management is typically limited to only the active equipment. However, information about the status of passive components can be extracted from the information provided by active equipment.

The most important managed devices are optical downstream transmitters and upstream receivers at the headend (inside plant), as well as optical nodes and amplifiers in the network (outside plant). In addition to this, it is possible to manage various other components, such as inside plant amplifiers and power supplies.

Management system dedicated to HFC networks

The newest version of Teleste’s network management system, CATVisor EMS 4.0, combines several innovations to bring intelligence to cable networks. The system allows network managers to analyse data gathered from the network. Using the monitoring data from the network and drawing correlations between different types of variables will enable network managers to gain insights into network operations. Through comprehensive monitoring and improved insights, network managers can spot slowly developing trends.

These features together help operators to preventively maintain their networks and recognise issues in the network before they become problems. With preventive maintenance, corrective actions can be taken before the problems affect end customers.

From intelligence to business benefits

Ultimately, intelligence translates to lower operating costs and higher network availability. The advanced features of Teleste’s Access product line are designed to reduce operational costs (OPEX) over the life time of the product.

Lower OPEX is achieved through having always optimally performing nodes and amplifiers, regardless of CATV competences of field technicians. Optimally performing nodes and amplifiers reduce truck rolls, or in the best case, makes most truck rolls unnecessary. Additionally, intelligence in the network means less training of engineers, less field measurement equipment needed, and reducing the stock levels of equalizers and pads in service vans. Together, these can amount to over 50 percent savings in operating costs.

In our product line, we’ve also placed high importance on environmental values. Efficient mechanical design, optimising the use of manufacturing materials, and high performance fitted into a small space greatly affect both capital and operational expenditure. The devices adjust

RF levels automatically, which leads to higher service quality and lower lifespan cost.

Advanced monitoring enables automated functions. It is important to be able to isolate undesired phenomena close to the source of error (typically households), which limits the amount of affected subscribers. This in turn will lead to lower churn from the Network.

Teleste’s newest intelligent device, the AC9000 fibre optic node, uses latest RF amplifier technology with RF performance control. Using this function, the on board software can optimise the RF performance for the selected network level scheme and thus reduce the node power consumption significantly.

All settings and adjustments of nodes and amplifiers can be changed remotely. In case of product failure, the correct settings can be downloaded to the spare unit, either in advance or remotely. All these features minimise service interruptions and the probability of human errors.

From theory to practice

The idea of intelligent networks is catching on fast. Today, the majority of large European cable network operators are already using Teleste CATVisor software. Adding more intelligence with new versions of CATVisor is the next logical step in developing their networks.

Figure 3: CATVisor software allows entwork data analysing

“After experimenting with several network management systems, we found Teleste software the most comprehensive and focused tool for the job. We have been managing our networks with CATVisor software the past 10 years and we’ve been very pleased how it has enabled us to keep everything under control. We are excited about the new version and can’t wait to benefit of the new features,” said Alf Pedersen, Manager of Technical Department at Stofa A/S, Denmark.

What does the future hold for broadband cable networks?

To understand why intelligence is sorely needed in future cable networks, it is important to take a step back and look at the broader picture. We see that key trends in the future will be deep fibre connectivity, smaller segment sizes, and the need for preventive and easier management.

It is very likely that fibre connections will extend even deeper into the network and closer to end customers. This will enable new bandwidth intensive services, but also place new demands on networks.

Subscribers are expecting the best possible service availability, and this expectation may in turn in more maintenance work. This is highly important when considering both the risk for churn and operating costs. It is imperative to make sure that the maintenance costs do not run too high and these devices are managed cost efficiently. We see that one key component in achieving cost efficiency will be smarter maintenance by utilising intelligent network equipment.

Just as it is wise to take care of your own health before something breaks down, in our opinion networks should also be maintained preventively. Operators should be able to recognise and fix problems in the network before they affect end-customers and potentially increase churn. Preventive maintenance requires both comprehensive monitoring and a systematic approach to maintaining the network.

As the networks are getting larger and more complex, we believe that network management should be both simpler and more effective. Operators should be able to maintain, expand and modify the deep fibre networks just as easily as HFC networks.

With the tools and equipment providing sophisticated functionality, management and expansion of fibre networks can be as easy as of HFC networks. In the future, features that will help automate and simplify management will also have to be included in all devices representing all price ranges.

Conclusions

In this white paper, we have outlined the components of an intelligent network and how intelligence in network elements can reduce repetitive manual work from network maintenance.

According to our experience network maintenance can be made far simpler by making devices in the network more intelligent. We believe that preventive maintenance will dramatically help improve network availability. Further, network devices should be able to automatically battle some of the problems that occur in networks.

A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Teleste’s intelligent networks concept covers both network devices and the management software that monitors and controls the whole network.

By utilizing intelligent network devices and management software, operators can reduce OPEX significantly, because they can pinpoint problems and network components are installed in a single go. Intelligence also helps to reduce service outages, provides better service to end-users and eventually reduces churn.

Summary

Increased competition and changes in the value chain are forcing broadband operators to seek new ways to improve operational efficiency and reduce churn.

These issues can be addressed by adding intelligence to network.

Adding intelligence to the network can significantly reduce the need for on-site maintenance and improve network reliability - contributing to reduced operating costs.

With Teleste’s new Intelligent Networks concept, operating costs can be reduced by 50 percent with payback times of 1-3 years.

The Intelligent network concept consists of network devices that can be remotely monitored and ad-justed, and management software that controls and monitors all the devices in the network.

This whitepaper introduces Teleste’s Intelligent Networks concept and highlights the principles and practices of designing Intelligent networks.

Teleste is an international technology group founded in 1954, which is specialised in broadband video and data communication systems and services. The group is active in two business segments, Video and Broadband Solutions and Network Services; in both fields, we are among the global leaders. Video is at the core of our business activities, with a focus on the processing, transmission and management of video and data for operators and public authori-ties. In 2011 the group’s net sales totalled almost EUR 184 million. The company has nearly 30 offices world-wide and over 90% of Teleste’s net sales are generated outside Finland. The company is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Ltd. Visit www.teleste.com for more information.

Teleste Corporation

P.O.Box: 323, FI-20101 Turku, Finland

Phone: +358 (0)2 2605 611

Fax: +358 (0)2 2446 928

E-mail: access.networks@teleste.com

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