article reprint — TELLABS INSPIRE apRil 2008

Network Management Systems — Unleash the Power

From collecting dust to saving money.

by Tim Kridel

Stop us if you’ve heard this one before: Your

company orders a state-of-the-art EMS/NMS
solution, but it literally collects dust because
no one has the time to set it up. Or maybe it’s
set up, but no one got around to configuring
it, so it sits idle. Or the EMS/NMS is used on
a regular basis, but it still takes a significant
amount of time to compile data that could be
used to make major decisions, such as adding
network capacity.

Any or all of these scenarios probably sound

familiar. An idle EMS/NMS is a waste of the
large investment typically required for the
hardware, software and training. And even
if the EMS/NMS is in service, usage is often
inefficient if users do not understand its full
capabilities.
Network Management Systems —
Unleash the Power
Management systems are typically designed
to simplify tedious, time-consuming tasks
and have a wide range of enhanced features.
In many cases, though, the systems are simply
used for network monitoring or system pro-
visioning. “Sometimes service providers are
using it for just one or two features,” said
Curtis Taylor, senior product manager for
the Tellabs® MetroWatch® Integrated Network Manager (INM).
“Is it being fully utilized and doing everything it could be doing?”
Case in point: A wireless service provider was looking for a way to
simplify the process it used to understand its backhaul bandwidth
utilization. Although this seems like a simple function, gathering
the large amounts of necessary data and assembling them into an
understandable form was a lengthy and complex process. This is
a critical component of controlling necessary costs for all wireless
service providers.
Call in the Professionals
Service providers increasingly turn to vendors and other third par-
ties for help with tasks that require expertise or resources that they
don’t have in-house, and network management is no exception.
“Management systems have come a long way,” Taylor said. “They
are very feature rich and unless you take the time to really learn
them, it is easy to miss valuable time-saving capabilities. Why not
lean on a partner to leverage all of the features and functionality
that can help you effectively manage your business? That could
help you optimize your network and save money.”
As an example, Tellabs® Management System Services provide
expert help with all of Tellabs’ EMS and NMS systems:
From collecting dust to saving money.
by t i m k r i de l
Management system deployment
n — Includes configuration site
survey, hardware build and installation, OS installation and con-
figuration, database installation, EMS/NMS software installation,
database configuration and system acceptance testing.
Database consulting and backup configuration
n — Includes
reviewing data availability requirements, analyzing existing
resources and backup strategies, custom-designing a backup
and recovery strategy and testing in a variety of scenarios.
Database redundancy configuration
n — Includes bringing in
a team of Oracle database experts to implement a customized
MOP and disaster-recovery test plan.
Remote database maintenance
n — Includes administration and
maintenance, proactive monitoring of the active database for
potential problems and software upgrades and patches.
Northbound interface integration —
n Enables Tellabs
management systems to communicate with OSS or umbrella
management systems to support functions such as fault
management, network provisioning and network inventory.
OSS update service
n — Supports bulk system updates to assist
when new network elements are added to your network or
when older systems are replaced.
Management system consulting services
n — Includes services
tailored to the service provider’s specific needs and covers all
aspects of management system implementation, usage and
maintenance.
2 article reprint — unleash the power

Tellabs Management System Services essentially wrap around so the customer can ensure sufficient bandwidth is available to
the service provider’s existing EMS/NMS and then squeeze out handle peak calling periods while maintaining the lowest possible
the value trapped by underutilization. cost for backhaul facilities.

“Tellabs can create custom scripting and GUIs so service providers
can print reports automatically, as opposed to having a couple of
people assigned to manually retrieve the information and assemble
it into a usable report,” Taylor said. “This service helps make sure
a system is being effectively utilized and that service providers
are taking advantage of all of the features and functionality.”
In the earlier case of the service provider that needed to
understand backhaul bandwidth utilization, Tellabs was able
to provide a solution that included the Tellabs MetroWatch INM
and management system consulting services to create customized
utilization reports. These reports are capable of providing detailed
information for various time periods throughout the day and week,
There are many other examples of features contained in a
management system that users fail to leverage fully, such as
performance management reports that help highlight troublesome
facilities and capacity management to ensure that system growth is
planned as needed. Systems such as the Tellabs MetroWatch INM
or the Tellabs® 8000 Network Manager include other features that
take advantage of the ability to manage different types of network
elements. Features such as “Micro-Topologies” enable a service
provider to view a circuit that passes through multiple network
elements and click anywhere in that topology view to zoom in
on potential problem areas. With proper training and a little extra
help to utilize key features, service providers can greatly expand
the value that a management system brings to their business.

Acronym
FCC Federal Communications Commission
MDU Multiple-Dwelling Unit
MVPD Multi-Channel Video Programming Distributor
DBS Direct Broadcast Satellite
PCO Private Cable Operator
NCTA National Cable & Telecommunications Association
GUI Graphical User Interface

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