Intelligent Backhaul Management and Optimization

As mobile data services develop, operator networks are carrying 2G, 3G, LTE, WLAN, private line, and enterprise services. These services demand more in terms of network QoS and protection mechanism. They also create new challenges for network resource monitoring, analysis and optimization. Therefore, maintaining, managing and optimizing networks in an intelligent manner have become a pressing concern of operators.
ZTE has launched NetNumen™ U31 (BN), a network management system, to improve network management. This product features a distributed, multi-process, and modular design and can manage bearer devices such as SDH, MSTP, CTN, WDM/OTN, IP routers, and IP switches in a centralized way. These bearer devices cover the core, convergence, and access layers of a bearer network. NetNumen™ U31 (BN) is used to manage configuration, faults, performance, maintenance, paths, security, system, and reports to meet operational needs. It also has management functions at both the NE and network layers to greatly enhance system security and reliability as well as network service capabilities. In a TMN structure, NetNumen™ U31 (BN) lies at the NE management layer and network management layer.
ZTE has also launched a series of service tools to assist NetNumen™ U31 (BN) to intelligently manage service deployment, monitor traffic, and inspect engineering projects. These tools include PTN automatic service activation system, ZXTIM400 and ZXDNA. With these tools, bearer services can be deployed efficiently, hidden network risks can be detected, and the network can be optimized to guarantee safe operation. These tools help NetNumen™ U31 (BN) implement intelligent network management ranging from service deployment to network O&M and optimization.

The PTN automatic service activation system intelligently resolves service worksheets distributed by the integrated resource management system to generate configuration data for related services. The data is then delivered via NetNumen™ U31 (BN) to PTN devices for automatic service configuration. The PTN automatic service activation system greatly improves service deployment and lowers labor costs.

The PTN automatic service activation system fully supports 2G, TD, TD-LTE, and private line services. It resolves worksheets, schedules services, and generates related service configuration data. The data is then transported to the PTN for service configuration via the configuration interface between the PTN automatic service activation system and the NetNumen™ U31 server.

The PTN automatic service activation system comprises service worksheet resolution, start-up/execution, input/output, field description/worksheet inspection rules, system management, and pre-configured service generation. Through resolution by these modules, service configuration data can be generated for a service worksheet. This modular structure makes it easy for system functions to be improved and upgraded in the future.

When a service worksheet distributed by the integrated resource management system fails, the PTN automatic service activation system can handle the failed worksheet. It records information about the failed worksheet and is automatically activated to support rollback handling. When the service activation fails, the system can automatically roll back to the configured service and ensure its correctness.

ZXTIM 400, an intelligent inspection tool, can automatically inspect, evaluate, and optimize MSTP/PTN/IPRAN networks. It analyzes network running status, static data, and hidden network risks, and provides expert advice to handle network exceptions. This helps operators implement regular network inspection and optimization. ZXTIM 400 greatly simplifies the inspection process, improves inspection efficiency, and reduces labor costs.

ZXTIM 400 can thoroughly inspect more than 40 MSTP network functions and 130 PTN/IPRAN network functions covering all MSTP/PTN/IPRAN hardware statuses, protection, clock synchronization, optical power and service configuration correctness. More than 20 PTN functional items are used to optimize network resource, security, QoS, and O&M. 

It costs about 0.3 to 0.5 second to inspect one item of a network element. If there are 1000 network elements each with 50 test items, the total inspection duration may be as short as four to seven hours, depending on a computer’s hardware. ZXTIM 400 can truly improve network inspection efficiency.

ZXTIM 400 supports test result outputs in various formats such as HTML and EXCEL. The outputs are rich in content and can be easily viewed. Overall network conditions can be evaluated intuitively by scoring and rating the test results. ZXTIM 400 can provide suggestions and solutions to address network anomalies and hidden risks. Its high-quality intelligent inspection and network optimization can also help operators find and eliminate hidden network threats and improve the operation security and efficiency.

ZXDNA uses independent data collectors and calculators to bring data together by different granularities based on the time axis for long-term storage and fast retrieval. ZXDNA analyzes traffic flow, hot spots, rankings and trends for almost all network resources and outputs complete indicators and rich graphics for expansion configuration as required.

ZXDNA provides special alarm analysis. Operators can customize an alarm event and set an alarm analysis policy for the specific KPIs of a resource. ZXDNA can also provide an appropriate graphic for the alarm to help an operator find network problems, determine the cause of the problem, prevent network congestion, and provide the basis for bandwidth optimization. Alarm levels and thresholds can be defined with different colors. When an alarm occurs, it can be reported via short messages or email.