CORE CS Solution

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 Table of content
1- CoreCS Basic
• Core CS architecture
• ISUP, BICC, MAP,
CAP, /INAP, SIP protocols description
• Main procedures
2- Cigale Core CS Engine
• Use Cigale Core CS Engine
• Set the configurations parameters
• Define the topology file
3- Core CS Viewer
• Activity Analysis
• Nova Explorer
4-T&A Core CS
• T&A Principles
• T&A User interface Navigation
5 – Core CS Troubleshooting Use Cases

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CORE CS Solution
1 – Core CS Basic
ISUP, BICC, MAP, CAP/INAP, SIP

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 Objectives

1. At the end of the lesson the student will be able to:

• Describe the Core CS architecture

• Describe the main Core network elements and
functionalities
• Understand the ISUP,BICC, MAP, INAP,CAP,SIP and
IMS Protocol

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 Mobile General Architecture

Abis E
A
PSTN/ISDN

BTS Gb MSC D MSC

BSC C

Iu-CS Gr Gc
HLR
Iub Iu-PS Gn

Gi
NodeB RNC SGSN GGSN
SGs Ext. IP
S6a
Networks
SGi
S1-MME S11 HSS
MME

S1-U S5/S8

eNodeB
SGW PGW
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 Separation of Planes (MSC vs. MSC Server)

MSC Server System separates call control & signalling and traffic into 2
separate network elements:
 MSC Server
 Multimedia Gateway (MGW)
MSC Server

MSC
Control &
Signalling
Control &
Signalling
Speech & Data
Speech & Data

Media Gateway
Traditional
Mobile Switch
Defined by 3GPP (Release 4)
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 Core CS Release 4 Architecture
IN
CAP,
INAP

MAP MAP

HLR

Nc (SIP-I, BICC, ISUP) Mj, Mg (SIP)

TC A (BSSAP)
BTS
MSS MSS
BSC CSCF
A, AoIP(BSSAP) Mc (H.248) Mc, Mn (H.248)

PSTN/ISDN
Iu-CS (RANAP) Nb IP/ATM/TDM
Backbone
VoIP/IMS/SIP

NodeB MGW MGW

RNC

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 Core CS Protocol

MAP, CAP, INAP, ISUP and BICC are part of SS7 Protocol

Mobile CAMEL Intelligent

Application Application Network
Part Part Appl. Part
(MAP) (CAP) (INAP)
ISUP BICC
RANAP BSSAP
Transaction
Capabilities
Application Part
(TCAP)

Signaling Connection and Control Part (SCCP)

Message SIGTRAN
Transfer Part (M2UA, M3UA,SUA)
(MTP)

MAP conform to GSM 3GPP 09.02 Phase 1 (v3.11.0), Phase 2 (v4.19.1) and Phase 3 CAMEL has been specified in 4 phases: Phase 1, 2, 3 and 4
(v3.15.0)
ISUP conform to ITU-T Q.763
INAP CS-1 conform to CS 1 ITU-T Q1218, ETSI STS 300 374-1, GF001-9001
BICC conform to ITU-T Q.1901
INAP CS-2 conform to CS-2 ITU-T Q1228 (09/1997)

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 Introduction to MTP

Level 1: SIGNALLING DATA LINK (MTP 1)

Defines the physical characteristics towards the transmission
medium, a PCM link.
Level 2: SIGNALLING LINK (MTP 2)
Defines message structure, framing, error detection and correction,
alignment procedures, and so on.

F B
F CK SIF SIO LI I FSN I BSN F
B B

Level 3: SIGNALLING NETWORK (MTP 3)

2 parts: message handling function includes message routing and
distribution to the respective user parts

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 MTP Level 2

Creates signalling units of variable length:

1. Message signal units (MSU)

used for the transport of user part messages.

2. Link status signal units (LSSU)

contain information about state of the signalling link.

3. Fill-in signal units (FISU)

contain no additional information. Used when there is no message to
be sent on the link.

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 Message Signal units

F B
MSU F CK SIF SIO LI I FSN I BSN F First bit
B B transmitted
8 16 8n, n>2 8 2 6 1 7 1 7 8[bit]
length indicator >2 and ≤63

F B
LSSU F CK SF LI I FSN I BSN F First bit
B B transmitted
8 16 8 or 16 2 6 1 7 1 7 8 [bit]
length indicator = 1 or 2

F B
FISU F CK LI I FSN I BSN F First bit
B B transmitted
8 16 2 6 1 7 1 7 8 [bit]
length indicator = 0

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 Types of Signaling Points

• All nodes in the SS7 network are called Signaling Points (SP)

• Three types of SP :

SP Definition Example
Service Switching Point (SSP) Switches that Setup, manage MSS,
and release voice circuits MSC
required for calls.
Service Control Point (SCP) Interface to applications such HLR, VLR,
as databases. IN
Service Transfer Point (STP) Router and/or gateway STP

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 Signalling message handling

User Part ISUP BICC SCCP

MTP3 Signalling message

handling Message
distribution
DPC ≠ own SPC
DPC = own SPC
Message Message
routing discrimination

MTP2

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 Structure of messages from MTP users

S
User Data CIC L OPC DPC SIO BICC
S

S
User Data CIC L OPC DPC SIO ISUP
S

S
User Data L OPC DPC SIO SCCP
S

S
User Data L OPC DPC SIO Network Management
C

F B
F CK SIF SIO LI I FSN I BSNF
B B

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 MTP3 message structure

Signalling Information Field (SIF)

Routing First bit

User Information SIO transmitted
Label

Service
Subservice
SLS OPC DPC Field (SSF)
Indicator
(SI)

4 14 14 4 4 [bit]
00XX (0H) : IN0 0000 (0H): SNM
OPC Originating Point Code 01XX (4H) : IN1 0001 (1H): SNT
DPC Destination Point Code 10XX (8H) : NA0 0011 (3H): SCCP
SLS Signalling Link Selection 11XX (CH) : NA1 0100 (4H): TUP
0101 (5H): ISUP
1101 (DH): BICC

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 Addressing

Addressing makes use of 3 separate elements:

DPC( Destination Point Code) is the address that requires no translation

- Determines if the message is destined for that SP or requires to be routed
over SS7 via MTP .

SSN ( Subsystem Number) will identify a subsystem accessed via the SCCP within
a node and may be a user part via TCAP.

Standardized SSN Entity

6 MAP_HLR
7 MAP_VLR
8 MAP_MSC
9 MAP_EIR

GT( Global Title) may comprise of dialed digits or another form of address
that will not be recognized in SS7 network
- If the message requires to be routed over SS7 network, translation is
required

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 Core CS Identities

International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) . [ITU E.212]

Is the unique identity for the mobile subscriber. It consist of 3 parts:
MCC = Mobile country code (3 digits),
MCC MNC
IMSI MSIN MNC = Mobile Network Code(2–3 digits)
3 digits 2-3 digits MSIN = Mobile subscriber identity number.

Mobile Subscriber ISDN Number (MSISDN). [ITU E.146]

The MSISDN is used for service [Link] MSISDN consists of 3 parts:

CC NDC CC = the country code (1–3 digits),

MSISDN SN NDC = the national destination code (1–3 digits)
1-3 digit 1-3 digits
SN = the subscriber number.

Mobile Global Title (MGT). [ITU E.214]

The MGT is the result for the global title Analysis from IMSI, it consists of 3 parts:

CC = the country code (1–3 digits),

NDC = the national destination code (1–3 digits)
CC NDC
MGT MSIN MSIN = the subscriber number.
1-3 digit 1-3 digits

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 Addressing
Global Title translations

MAP-VLR MAP-HLR
PC = 1 PC = 5
SSN = 7 SSN = 6
GT = 123 GT = 456

MAP MAP
International International
Gateway STP Gateway
TCAP PC = 2 PC = 3 PC = 4 TCAP

SCCP SCCP SCCP SCCP SCCP

MTP MTP MTP MTP MTP

CdPA: CdPA: CdPA: CdPA:

RI = GT RI = GT RI = GT RI = GT
GT = 456 GT = 456 GT = 456 GT = 456
DPC = 2 DPC = 4 DPC = 4 DPC = 5
CgPA: CgPA: CgPA: CgPA:
RI = GT RI = GT RI = GT RI = GT
GT=123 GT=123 GT=123 GT=123

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 ISUP

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 ISDN User Part (ISUP)

- The ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) User Part is part of

the Signalling System No. 7 (SS7) which is used to set up telephone
calls in the public switched telephone network (PSTN).

- Provides signalling functions required to support basic bearer services

and supplementary services (call control) if the bearer is a TDM line.

Provides signalling procedures related to Network features such as

- blocking & unblocking of circuits
- Abnormality handling
- Congestion control

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 Message Structure

F B
MSU F CK SIF SIO LI I FSN I BSN F First bit
B B transmitted

ISUP SI
Data Routing Label + CIC SSF 0101
Message =ISUP

Routing Label
CIC SLS OPC DPC
and CIC
4 12 4 14 14 [bit]

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 ISUP Message Format

DPC
Routing Label
OPC
SLS

0 0 0 0
CIC
CIC : Channel Identification Code:
Message type contains a binary representation of the
Mandatory parameters actual number of the time slot that is
of fixed length assigned to the communication path.

Mandatory parameters
of variable length

Optional parameter

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 ISUP Message

Message Description

IAM Initial Address Message:

A message sent in the forward direction to initiate seizure of an outgoing circuit and to transmit number
and other information relating to the routing and handling of a call.
ACM Address Complete Message:
A message sent in the backward direction indicating that all the address signals required for routing the
call to the called party have been received.
CPG Call Progress Message:
A message sent in either direction during the setup or active phase of the call, indicating that an event,
which is of significance, and should be relayed to the originating or terminating access, has occurred.

ANM Answer Message:

A message sent in the backward direction indicating that the call has been answered. In automatic
working, this message is used in conjunction with charging information in order to start metering the
charge to the calling subscriber .

REL Release Message:

A message sent in either direction to indicate that the circuit is being released due to the reason (cause)
supplied and is ready to be put into the idle state on receipt of the release complete message. Where
the call is to be redirected the message will also carry the redirection number.
RLC Release Complete Message:
A message sent in either direction in response to the receipt of a release message, or if appropriate to a
reset circuit message, when the circuit concerned has been brought into the idle condition.

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 ISUP Procedure
MSC/VLR PSTN

PSTN Interface

ISUP_INITIAL_ADDRESS (CIC x)

ISUP_ADDRESS_COMPLETE (CIC x)

ISUP_ANSWER (CIC x)

Conversation

ISUP_RELEASE (CIC x)

ISUP_RELEASE_COMPLETE (CIC x)

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 ISUP Successful Call flow

Calling Party Originating MSC Transit Exchange Destination MSC Called Party

Setup (B#) IAM IAM

Setup (A#)

ACM ACM

Alerting CPG (Alerting) CPG (Alerting) Alerting Accepted

Connect Answered

Connect ANM ANM

Conversation

REL REL Disconnect

Disconnect
RLC RLC Release

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 BICC

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 Bearer BICC: Bearer Independent Call Control
- BICC ( Bearer Independent Call Control ) is call control protocol designed to
transport call control signalling information, independent of :

- used bearer technology (e.g. IP, ATM, TDM)

- signalling message transport technology (e.g. MTP, MTP3b, SIGTRAN)

BICC

MTP3 MTP3b M3UA

MTP2 SAAL SCTP

MTP1 ATM IP

BICC BICC BICC

over over over
TDM ATM IP

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 BICC in 3GPP R4
• In 3GPP Rel. 4, the user plane (bearer) and the control plane
(signalling and call control) are separated.
• MGW takes care of the user plane and MSS controls it.
• BICC is implemented at Nc interface between MSC servers
• CBC (Call Bearer Control) signalling is implemented at Mc interface
between MSC server and MGW.

BICC MSC
MSC IP Server
Control Server
plane Nc

Sigtran H.248
IP IP H.248 Sigtran

Mc
Mc

IP IP

User
Nb
plane
IP/ATM/TDM
MGW MGW

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 BICC in 3GPP R4
• For IP backbones:
• The vertical interface MGW-MSS (Mc in 3GPP) uses H.248 to convey the
bearer-related information.
• The needed bearer-information is transferred between MSSs in BICC through
APM-mechanism
APM: Application Transport Mesage:
Bearer information carried in signalling messages

.
MSC Server MSC Server .
IP address: [Link]
Bearer ctrl APM Port: 5964
Codec: AMR mode 7
.
.

BICC
M3UA
Sigtran
SCTP
IP
[Link]/5964
MGW MGW

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 Bearer Establishment Modes
MSS MSS
Initial setup message

Forward
Bearer establishment direction

MSS MSS Separate bearer

Initial setup message
control
protocol used

Backward

Bearer establishment direction

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 BICC Procedure

MSS MSS
BICC Interface

BICC_ IAM_ INITIAL_ADDRESS

BICC_APM_APLLICATION_TRANSPORT

BICC_APM_APLLICATION_TRANSPORT

BICC_ACM_ADDRESS_COMPLETE

BICC_ANM_ANSWER

Conversation

BICC_REL_RELEASE

BICC_REC_RELEASE_COMPLETE

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MAP/ CAP/INAP

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 Transaction (for CAP/INAP/MAP/SMS)

TCAP provides:
 The rules for the “conversation” between applications (i.e., who
starts the dialog, who ends the dialog, what gets requested in the
dialog, how are errors reported, etc.).
 Provides the means to establish non-circuit-related
communications between two nodes in the signalling network

Structured in two sub-layers

Component sub-layer
* Components
* Dialogue ( optional) for the application context
Transaction sub-layer
* Message exchange

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 Transaction Capabilities Application Part

Operations
TCAP Users (MAP/CAP/INAP..) to peer
Results
Errors

TCAP
INVOKE
RETURN_RESULT
Component sub-layer to peer RETURN_ERROR
REJECT

TC_BEGIN
TC_CONTINUE
Transaction sub-layer to peer TC_END
TC_ABORT

SCCP
Network service layer
MTP

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 Transaction Sub-Layer

• Provides the capability for the exchange of messages between two

TCAP users
- The messages are identified by a Transaction ID
• Messages contain components and, as an option, a dialogue portion

Transaction

Dialogue[optional]

Component

Components……….

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 Component Portion Functions

The component portion functions are the following:

• Invoke
Launches an operation (Invocation of an operation is identified
by an Invoke ID )

• Result
Returns the result of a successful operation.
• Error
Returns the result of a failed operation.
• Reject
Indicates the rejection of a received component due to a protocol
violation.

* Dialogue (optional) Allow the transfer and negotiation of the

application context

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 Dialogue Request- Example

DialoguePortion
External
ObjectIdentifier: 0-0-17-773-1-1-1
Single-ASN.1-Type
DialogueRequest
Protocol-Version: 00000111 10000000
Application-Context-Name
ObjectIdentifier: 0-4-0-0-1-0-5-3

MAP-version
application
context

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 Component Flow

Invoke (Invoke ID =i)

A B
Transaction ID = X
a) Transaction ID = Y
Return Result-L (Invoke ID=i)
or
Return Error (Invoke ID=i)

Invoke (Invoke ID =i)

A B
Transaction ID = Y
b) Transaction ID = X
Return Result-L (Invoke ID=i)
or
Return Error (Invoke ID=i)

Reject (Invoke ID=i)

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 MAP interfaces between NE

EIR
MSC
B C

VLR HLR
D

E G

MAP
MAP
VLR IN

B
MSC CAMEL

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 Update Location Procedure
New MSC / VLR HLR Old MSC / VLR

MM LA Updating Request (old LAI, old TMSI)

MAP Send Identification Request (old TMSI)
MAP Send Identification Ack (IMSI, Auth triplets)

Authentication and Security procedure

MAP Update Location (IMSI)

MAP Insert Subscriber Data

MAP Insert Subscriber Data Ack

MAP Update Location Ack

MAP Cancel Location (IMSI)

MM Location Updating Accept (new LAI, new TMSI) MAP Cancel Location Ack

MM TMSI Reallocation Complete (new TMSI)

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 MAP Update Locate Procedure

Different MAP_UPDATE_LOCATION

• MAP_UPDATE_LOCATION

• MAP_UPDATE_LOCATION_ROAMIN

• MAP_UPDATE_LOCATION_ROAMOUT

• MAP_UPDATE_LOCATION_TRANSIT

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 MAP_UPDATE_LOCATION
Roamers definition

MAP-Update_Location [IMSI, VLR@]

Update location IMSI VLR@

extention
« No extention » = Captured Network = Captured Network
ROAMIN
≠ Captured Network = Captured Network

ROAMOUT = Captured Network

≠ Captured Network
TRANSIT
≠ Captured Network ≠ Captured Network

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 Update Location detailed Procedure
MSC/VLR HLR

Interface D

Location update

TC_BEGIN INV (MAP:Update_Location_req (A-IMSI, MSC@, VLRI@))

TC_CONT INV (MAP:Insert_Sub_Data_arg (A-MSISDN, Basic Service list….))

TC_CONT RRL ( )

TC_CONT INV (MAP:Insert_Sub_Data_arg ( SS-list….))

TC_CONT RRL (MAP:Insert_Sub_Data_res

TC_END RRL (MAP:Update_Location_res (HLR @))

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 Update Locate procedure in GPRS
New SGSN HLR Old SGSN

Interface Gr Interface Gr

TC_ID: A TC_BEGIN (MAP-UPDATE GPRS LOCATION [IMSI])

TC_ID: B
TC_BEGIN (MAP-CANCEL LOCATION [IMSI))

TC_CONT (MAP-INSERT SUBSCRIBER DATA)

TC_CONT (MAP-INSERT SUBSCRIBER DATA)

TC_END (MAP-CANCEL LOCATION )

TC_END (MAP-UPDATE GPRS LOCATION )

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 MS Purging

The procedure "MS Purging" is invoked either because of administrative actions or

because the MS has been inactive for an extended period of time .
HLR
VLR

Interface D

TC_BEGIN (MAP_PURGE_MS_REQUEST (IMSI, VLR Number))

TC_END ( MAP_PURGE_MS_RESPONSE)

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 SRI/PRN
MSC HLR VLR

Interface C Interface D

TC_BEGIN (MAP-SEND ROUTING INFO [MSISDN]

TC_BEGIN (MAP- PROVIDE ROAMING NUMBER

[MSISDN,IMSI])

TC_END (MAP-PROVIDE ROAMING NUMBER ACK)

[MSRN]

TC_END (MAP-SEND ROUTING INFO ACK)

[MSRN]

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 MAP Authentication procedure
MSC/VLR HLR

Interface D

TC_BEGIN INV (MAP:Send_Auth_Info (A-IMSI))

TC_END RRL (MAP:Send_Auth_Info_res (Rand, Sres, KC)))

2G Authentication
OR
TC_END RRL (MAP:Send_Auth_Info_res (Rand, Auth,CK,IK,Xres)
3G Authentication

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 MS_A to MS_B Call Flow
2G MS BSC MSC/VLR_A HLR MSC/VLR_B RNC_B 3G MS

CM Service Request : MOC

CM Service Accept

Authentication & Ciphering procedure

CC SETUP ( Called Number)

CC Call Proceeding MAP_SRI
MAP_ PRN
MAP _SRI_Ack MAP _PRN Ack
Assignement Request

Assignement complete
IAM: Initial Address Message Paging
Paging Response

Authentication&Security procedure

CC SETUP ( Calling Number)

CC CALL Confirmed
RAB- Assignement Req
RAB- Assignement Comp
ACM: Address Complete Message CC Alerting
CC Alerting
ANM: Answer Message CC CONNECT
CC CONNECT
CC CONNECT Ack CC CONNECT Ack
Conversation
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 SMS procedure
GMSC/VLR SMS-C HLR VMSC/VLR

SMS_CP-DATA
SMS SUBMIT( SMS_DA= SMS-C@,
TP-DA= MSISDN_B, MSISDN_A)

MAP :SRI for SM

(MSISDN_B, @SMS-C)
MAP : SRI for SM _ACK
(IMSI_B, @VLR)

SMS DELIVER ( SMS_OA= SMS-C@,

TP-OA= MSISDN_A, IMSI_B)

SMS_CP-DATA

SMS_CP-DATA_ACK
SMS STATUS REPORT

SMS STATUS REPORT

SMS_CP-DATA_ACK

SMS SUBMIT PHASE SMS DELIVER PHASE

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 INAP Vs CAP

INAP (Intelligent Network Application Part) which is used in fixed line

networks. INAP does not support mobility, and hence is not suitable for
mobile networks.

CAMEL (Customized applications for mobile enhanced logic) were

introduced by ETSI to incorporate intelligent network functionalities in GSM
networks.
The capabilities offered by CAMEL enable GSM operators to
implement operator-specific services based on IN service logic that are
seamlessly available to subscribers even if they are roaming in a foreign
network.

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 IN Architecture
Service Control Function SCF
IN
CAP, Service Switching
contains CAMEL service logic INAP
for Operator-Specific Services Function
interfaces MSC/VLR to SCF

Stores CAMEL MAP MAP

Subscription
Information CSI
SSF SSF
HLR

Nc (SIP-I, BICC, ISUP) Mj, Mg (SIP)

TC A (BSSAP)
BTS
MSS MSS
BSC CSCF
A, AoIP(BSSAP) Mc (H.248) Mc, Mn (H.248)

PSTN/ISDN
Iu-CS (RANAP) Nb IP/ATM/TDM
Backbone
VoIP/IMS/SIP

NodeB MGW MGW

RNC

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 IN Procedure

SSF SCF

Interface IN

TC_BEGIN (INITIAL DETECTION POINT (IMSI A, MSISDN A, MSISDN B, SERVICE KEY))

TC_CONT ( REQUEST REPORT BCSM EVENT ( Events, Actions) )

TC_CONT ( CONTINUE_CONNECT)

TC_CONT (EVENT REPORT BCSM EVENT(O Answer, Action=Notify))

TC_CONT(APPLY CHARGING REPORT )

TC_END ( RELEASE CALL)

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 Detailed IN Procedure
MSC / VLR_SSF IN_CSF MSC

Setup
INITIAL DETECTION POINT (MSISDN A, MSISDN B, SERVICE KEY)
Call Proceeding
REQUEST REPORT BCSM EVENT ( O_Answer, O_Disconnect, Notify )

APPLY CHARGING ( report at end report / report at charge limit)

CONTINUE_CONNECT (destination routing address)

ISUP_IAM

ISUP_ACM
Alerting
ISUP_ANM
Connect
REPORT BSCM EVNET (O_Answer)

Conversation
ISUP_REL

REPORT BSCM EVENT (O_Disconnect)

Disconnect

Release
APPLY CHARGING REPORT(end)

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 SIP

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 SIP Overview

SIP protocol is used for creating, modifying and terminating two-

party sessions (or more).

SIP protocol is mainly used in VoIP (Voice over IP).

SIP can be used for voice, video, instant messaging, file transfer,
online games, etc.

SIP is a text-based protocol, incorporating many elements of the

HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol).

SIP is a client-server request-reply protocol.

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 SIP Protocol Stack

SIP protocol is an Application Layer independent of the underlying

Transport Layer.

Transport layer can be:

• TCP (= Transport Control Protocol)
• UDP (= User Datagram Protocol)
• SCTP (= Stream Control Transmission Protocol)

Application SIP / SIP-I / SIP- T

Transport UDP TCP SCTP

Network IP

Data Link L1

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 SIP interface

Nc (SIP-I) Mj, Mg (SIP)

TC A (BSSAP)
BTS
MSS MSS
BSC CSCF (IMS)
A, AoIP(BSSAP) Mc (H.248) Mc, Mn (H.248)

PSTN/ISDN
Iu-CS (RANAP) Nb IP/Backbone
VoIP/IMS/SIP

NodeB MGW MGW

RNC

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 SIP transactions
Client MSS A Server MSS B

INVITE
transaction

100(Trying)

180(Ringing) requests

200(OK)

provisional
responses
transaction

ACK (=1xx)

final
responses
transaction

BYE (≠1xx)
200(OK)

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 Supported SIP Request
INVITE Session initiation.

ACK Acknowledging final response to INVITE.

basic SIP

BYE Terminates a SIP session

CANCEL Transaction cancelling request.

OPTIONS Asking for capabilities (for example, allowed methods).

UPDATE Bearer-related information update/session refreshment.

enhancements
(ITU-T)

INFO Sending information that does not affect call state

(it is also used to transfer out-of-band DTMF between MSS).

PRACK Acknowledging provisional response.

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 Responses

6 different categories of SIP Response.

• 1xx - Provisional: request received, continuing to process the

request.
• 2xx – Success: the action was successfully received, understood, and
accepted.
• 3xx – Redirection: further action needs to be taken in order to
complete the request.
• 4xx - Client Error: the request contains bad syntax or cannot be
fulfilled at this server.
• 5xx - Server Error: the server failed to fulfill an apparently valid
request.
• 6xx - Global Failure: the request cannot be fulfilled at any server.

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 Status-Code

406 Not Acceptable 485 Ambiguous

1xx—Informational Responses: 407 Proxy Authentication Required 486 Busy Here
100 Trying 408 Request Timeout 487 Request Terminated
180 Ringing 409 Conflict 488 Not Acceptable Here
181 Call Is Being Forwarded 410 Gone 489 Bad Event
182 Queued 412 Conditional Request Failed 491 Request Pending
183 Session Progress 413 Request Entity Too Large 493 Undecipherable
414 Request-URI Too Long 494 Security Agreement Required
2xx—Successful Responses: 415 Unsupported Media Type
200 OK 416 Unsupported URI Scheme • 5xx—Server Failure Responses:
202 accepted 417 Unknown Resource-Priority 500 Server Internal Error
204 No Notification 420 Bad Extension 501 Not Implemented
421 Extension Required 502 Bad Gateway
3xx—Redirection Responses: 422 Session Interval Too Small 503 Service Unavailable
300 Multiple Choices 423 Interval Too Brief 504 Server Time-out
301 Moved Permanently 424 Bad Location Information 505 Version Not Supported
302 Moved Temporarily 428 Use Identity Header 513 Message Too Large
305 Use Proxy 429 Provide Referrer Identity 580 Precondition Failure
380 Alternative Service 433 Anonymity Disallowed
436 Bad Identity-Info • 6xx—Global Failure Responses:
4xx—Client Failure Responses: 437 Unsupported Certificate
600 Busy Everywhere
400 Bad Request 438 Invalid Identity Header
603 Decline
401 Unauthorized 480 Temporarily Unavailable
604 Does Not Exist Anywhere
402 Payment Required 481 Call/Transaction Does Not Exist
606 Not Acceptable
403 Forbidden 482 Loop Detected
404 Not Found 483 Too Many Hops
405 Method Not Allowed 484 Address Incomplete

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 Request URI

Request URI is specified in the first bytes of every SIP request.

It described the purpose of the message.

It is composed with the Method (for example INVITE), the identity

of the recipient of the request (equal at the value of URI in the
header to) and SIP 2.0.

SIP 2.0: Protocol name and protocol version.

URI: Uniform Resource Identifier

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 SIP Addresses

SIP Addresses

SIP-URI

sip:user:password@host:port;uri-parameters
<sip:sassi@[Link]>

SIPS-URI

telephone-URI

tel: phone-number
<[Link]

URI: Unique Request Indicator

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 Elements of a SIP Request Message

Method <sp> Request-URI < sp> SIP-version

Request Line INVITE sip:bob@[Link] SIP/2.0

Via: SIP/2.0/UDP [Link];branch=z9hG4bK776asdhds
Max-Forwards: 70
Call-ID: a84b4c76e66710@[Link]
To: Bob <sip:bob@[Link]>
Message Header From: Alice <sip:alice@[Link]>;tag=1928301774
CSeq: 314159 INVITE
Contact: <sip:alice@[Link]>
Content-Type: application/sdp
Content-Length: 142
<CRLF>

(142 Byte Message Body, not shown)

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 Elements of a SIP Response Message
SIP-Version <sp> Status-Code <sp> Reason-Phrase

Status Line SIP/2.0 200 OK

Via: SIP/2.0/UDP [Link]
From: BigGuy <sip:UserA@[Link]>;tag=6744509153
To: LittleGuy <sip:UserB@[Link]>;tag=8321234356
Call-ID: 12345601@[Link]
Message Header CSeq: 1 INVITE
Contact: <sip:UserB@[Link]>
Content-Type: application/sdp
Content-Length: 147
<CRLF>

(147 Byte Message Body, not shown)

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 SDP

SDP (Session Description Protocol) is specified in the IETF

specification RFC 4566.

SDP is a format for describing streaming media initialization

parameters. It allows for example to negotiate the media capability
between the two endpoints.

SDP contains:
• Type of media (video, audio, etc.)
• Transport protocol (RTP/UDP/IP, H.320, etc.)
• Format of media (H.261 video, MPEG video, G.711a codec, etc.)
• Information of media transmission (addresses, ports, formats, etc.)

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SDP Parameters

SDP-parameters:
v: protocol version
o: owner/creator (MSS) and session
identifier
s: session name
c: connection information (MGW)
t: time the session is active
m: media name and transport address
a: zero or more media attribute lines

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 SIP-I/SIP-T

The main differences between SIP-I and SIP-T are:

• SIP-I defines a mapping from SIP to BICC (in additional to

ISUP), while SIP-T addresses only the ISUP case.

• SIP-T is designed for interoperation with native SIP terminals,

while SIP-I is restricted for use between PSTN gateways only.

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 Main messages

• The main messages of a basic call in SIP, ISUP and SIP-I/SIP-T

protocols are:

ISUP SIP-T SIP-I

IAM
Initial Address INVITE INVITE with IAM
Message
ACM 180 Ringing with
Address Complete 180 Ringing
Message
ACM

ANM 200 OK with

200 OK
Answer Message ANM
REL
BYE BYE with REL
Release
RLC 200 OK with
200 OK
Release Complete RLC

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 SIP Call Flow

SIP User A Proxy Server SIP User B

User A Invite
calls User Invite
B 100 Trying

100 Trying
180 Ringing User B
180 Ringing phone rings

User B
200 OK answered

ACK
ACK

RTP MEDIA
Bye Bye User B
hangs up
200 OK
200 OK

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CORE CS Solution
2 - Engine

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 Objectives

At the end of the lesson the student will be able to:

• Use Cigale Core CS Engine

• Set the configurations parameters
• Define the topology file

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 Engine Process

Allow to generate a database to detail MAP/CAP/INAP/ISUP/BICC/SIP

Activities

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 Software protection

Enter the Site Key

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 Licence Information

Click on button on Cigale CORE CS Menu to display your

license information.

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 Cigale Core CS Engine Interface

Friendly Graphical user Interface

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Menu description

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 The processing bar

The informations given are:

• Name of the topology
• The name of the record file being processed
• The number of records estimated within the file
• The number of records read
• A processing progress percentage indicator

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 The processing bar Information

The informations given are:

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 Activity Analysis Settings

This window is accessed via the Options: Settings menu or the button.

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 Results Settings

Allow to define the results

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 Options Settings

Allow to define the Home network

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 Statistics Settings

Allow to define the activate Trouble ticketing and T&A Roaming

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 Decoding specific messages

Allow to choose messages to decode

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 Choosing the elements

Allow to select the fields displayed under Activity Analysis

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 Topology file:[Link]

This file is used to give a name for the nodes

Only For SIP

Not used
Only for SS7 nodes
node_type = EIR ,GMLC, HLR, MSC , SCP, SGSN, SWITCH_ISUP, SWITCH_BICC, VLR,
MGC

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 Configuration file: [Link]

Main Window

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 [Link]

Component

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 [Link]

Network: Topology/Operator/TAC-IMEI

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 Service Key and Home operator

Service Key file

Home operator file

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 [Link]

Processing: Decoding

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 [Link]

Processing: Advanced settings

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 SSN and GT Setting

SSN is defined if multiple SSN is used for one application

SSN1=8 SSN2=253

MAP MSC SSN1=6 SSN2=8 MAP HLR

 Need to modify accordingly the [Link]

GT is defined if the format of the GT is changed

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 [Link]

Input: settings

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 [Link]

Output: settings

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 [Link]

Output: Activity Analysis

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Cigale CORE CS
3 – Viewers

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ACTIVITY ANALYSIS VIEWER

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 Objectives

At the end of the lesson the student will be able to:

• Describe the Activity Analysis Interface

• Open a database directly
• Understand the main windows
– Use Transition window
– Use Activity report
• Use the preset
• Create a preset
• Use the decoder
• Use the Flow Chart
• Define some use case: Inbound/Outbound analysis

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 User Interface

Activity Analysis allows the user to investigate more deeply a failure by

navigating in the statistics and the detailed activity trace.

Need help
press F1

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 Set The server MySQL

Step1:This window is accessed by clicking on the button

Connection to MySQL server

The server can be the local machine (Localhost) or

a distant connected server.

Default port is 3306

Two logins:
Cigale: all rights (pwd: astellia)
analysis: read only (no pwd)

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 Open a database

• Step 2: open MySQL database

MySQL database are generated by the Cigale

Engine.
- MAP (MAP Interfaces)
- GSM (A interface)
- Trace (A interface)
- SLM (A interface)
- ISUP (ISUP interface)
- Roaming (A and MAP interfaces)
- GPRS (Gb or Gn interfaces)
- UMTS (Iu or Iub interfaces)

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 Interface Description

Interface description
Configuration menus

Activity
Analysis
Quit
Windows options
Connect/Disconnect to the server
Open/Close a database
Close the active window

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 Activity Report main window

The activity report allow the user to investigate on an event basis

on a cell basis Click right on a cell
Popup menu

1. Hide the column corresponding to

the active cell
2. Sort in acsending order
3. Sort in descending order
4. No order
5. Display the number of different
elements in a column
6. Save current configuration as a
preset
7. Export data array to Excel

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 Procedure representation

For one procedure the following fields are available

End and Start Date Mobile service Switching Center
Duration Serving GPRS Support Nodes number
Node type ; Name Serving GPRS Support Nodes IP address
Global Title Access Point Name
Numbering Plan Handover number
Point Code ; SSN Service Control Point Number
Interface SMSC Originated address
Trans Type SMSC Destination Address
Start Event SMSTP Orig and Dest
End Event SMS Character set; SMS coding group;
Cause SMS text compression; SMS reference number;
Calling Category SMS maximum number; SMS user data lenght;
IMSI; IMEI ;TMSI SMS sequence number
MNC LAC CI RAC RNC Age of location
Calling and Called Mobile Subscriber ISDN Detection Point
Country ; Operator ; Group Service_key
Handset manufacturer Service Definition
Handset Type Location
Roaming Number
Visitor Location Register
Home Location Register

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 Procedure representation

For one procedure the following fields are available

Call reference Number Time between the Answer message and the release message
In Duration Time between the Address Complete and the IAM
Process date Time between the Answer Message and the IAM
AA link; Stats kink; Software Version Time between the connect message and the IAM
Calling and Called MSISDN nature of address Time between the first release complete message and the IAM
Calling and Called MSISDN numbering plan indicator Time between the release of the release of the connection and the IAM
Forward To Number Bearer Application Transport Indicators
Nb MSU Bearer Network Connection Characteristics
CIC SMPP sequence number
Release Origin Session Description protocol Origin and destination
Call Duration Media attribute
Signaling Point Code Media description
Generic Number Value SIP From header; SIP To header
Redirecting Number Value Call ID
Redirecting Indicator Value Calling and Called IP address
Originated Called Number Audio Codec
Information Transfer Capability User-Agent
Information transfer Rate Charging ID
Location Number TCP source and destination port
HOP Counter Registration Request Delay
Charge Indicator Deregistration Delay
Call Progress Info Session Request Delay
Suspend/Resume Ringing Duration
EventTypeBCSM Session Establishment Delay
SIP Reason code Session Duration
SIP Reason Q.850 Session Disconnect Delay

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 The tool bar options

Different options are available on the tool bar

Launch the decoder

Launch the multi interface

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 Filter usage

On the tool bar you have option to filter the data

Validate the filter Display the filter palette

Choose the relation

Choose the filter

Save a filter Load a filter

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 Current use
of the CDR Viewer

The CDR viewer allows to filter the connections on all the columns.
For instance, filter of all the connections for Location update procedures
and sorting on increasing CDR duration.

Increasing sorting
&

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 Distribution usage

Filter on event and

cause

Chart

Table

Right click and select distribution

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 Preset window

Store a defined context (database type, current view, active filters,

columns and their respective size)
Load it on the current database

The tool bar allows to add a

group or a subgroup, delete a
preset or group, reload a preset,
import or export a preset.

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 Preset creation

Create a group; right click and select “save as preset”

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 Decodeur option

• From the Activity Analysis toolbar you get access to the Decodeur button

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 Flow Chart options

• From the Activity Analysis toolbar you get access to the Flow chart button

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 Multi interface

• From the Activity Analysis toolbar you get access to the Multi interface button

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 Trouble Shooting

• Using Activity Analysis problems on INAP/CAP/MAP/ISUP or BICC can be

analysed:

- Use Preset to work on a specific problems

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 MAP_UPDATE_LOCATION

• Different MAP_UPDATE_LOCATION

• MAP_UPDATE_LOCATION

• MAP_UPDATE_LOCATION_ROAMIN

• MAP_UPDATE_LOCATION_ROAMOUT

• MAP_UPDATE_LOCATION_TRANSIT

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 MAP_UPDATE_LOCATION
Roamers definition
VLR HLR

MAP-Update_Location [IMSI, VLR@]

Update location IMSI VLR@

extention
« No extention » = Captured Network = Captured Network
ROAMIN
≠ Captured Network = Captured Network

ROAMOUT = Captured Network

≠Captured
Network
TRANSIT
≠ Captured Network ≠Captured
Network

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Statistics in AA

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Local Roamer statistics

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Inbound Roamers Statistics

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Outbound Roamers Statistics

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ISUP Statistics

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BICC Statistics

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Global Efficiency MAP-SMS

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INAP CAP Statistics

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NOVA EXPLORER VIEWER

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 Objectives

1. At the end of the lesson the student will be able to:

• Display whole activity on chosen interfaces for network

troubleshooting
• Track a specific user activity
• Use advanced features like distribution and filters
• Get an end-to-end call tracing
• Know how to export data (.csv or PCAP)

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 NOVA Explorer
Overview

Web application used to investigate xDRs

• On any technology
• At any location
• For any period of time

Advanced features :
• Call tracing (multi-interfaces)
• Decoding
• PCAP export

Software available for Windows and Linux

Astellia Portal mode / Standalone mode
30 simultaneous users (max)

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 NOVA Explorer
Overview

First access to application :

Direct access to
online webhelp

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 NOVA Explorer
Online webhelp

All features presented here are detailed in Online Help

Also includes : xDR dictionary, use case examples, tips, …
Efficient search engine :

A question ? Make using the Online Help a

habit !

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 NOVA Explorer
Overview
Main interface (after successful search) :

1 Filter panel

2 Activity panel

3 Information
1 4 panel

4 Status panel

5 Distribution
panel

6 Launch bar
3

4
6
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 NOVA Explorer - How to Use
Before launching a search…

Create a new view :

Global Activity
Main entry point. Gives access to general activity view
- Signalling CDR
Global Activity

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NOVA Explorer - How to Use
Filter panel

Several criteria to define before launching

a search :
• Date & Time
• Regions
• Interfaces
• Identity (optional)
• Expression (optional)

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NOVA Explorer - How to Use
Filter panel – Date & Time

Retrieves CDRs based on :

• „Process Date‟ field if available
(all Nova CDRs)
• „End Date‟ (if no process date available)

Search is strictly bound by start and end hours.

 A search from 00:00 to 23:59 for the same day
does not retrieve 24h-data.

CDR without valid „Process Date‟ field (or ‘End

date’) are not visible through Nova Explorer

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 NOVA Explorer - How to Use
Filter panel – Regions & Identity

Regions
• CAA regions are defined in the configuration
• NOVA regions are automatically detected

Identity :
• Same as defining a filter on IMSI or IMEI
• Enables search period extension (7 days)

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 NOVA Explorer - How to Use
Launch a search

Search enabled once all mandatory criteria are defined :

Quick search Full search

Non-deterministic (sampled search)
Time period = 24h max
100 CDRs retrieved max 1000 CDRs retrieved max
Request stops when max. nb of CDRs is Request stops when max. nb of CDRs is
reached per interface reached per database

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 NOVA Explorer - How to Use
Quick search

CDR retrieving for Quick search :

Request stops
when max. nb
of CDRs is
reached per
interface

Non-deterministic behavior = 2 identical successive requests on a same

database may return different top100 results

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 NOVA Explorer - How to Use
Full search

CDR retrieving for Full search :

Request stops
when max. nb
of CDRs is
reached per
database

Non-deterministic behavior = 2 identical successive requests on a same

database may return different top1000 results

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 NOVA Explorer - How to Use
Activity panel
Customize displayed columns
Add a filter

Count total number of CDRs Export displayed CDRs (.csv)

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Unitel Angola MAP CDR Sample

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Unitel Angola ISUP CDR Sample

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 NOVA Explorer - How to Use
Information panel

Summarizes criteria used for search/distribution

May give additional information when accessing from 3rd-party

applications :

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 NOVA Explorer - How to Use
Status panel

Console : gives details for encountered errors

Progress : real-time information regarding treatment (for all
requested interfaces)

Details on requested databases :

- Total = number of databases matching the criteria
- Scanned = number of databases that returned results
- Aborted = number of requested databases that did not return results before „cancel‟ (cf.
search mechanisms)

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 NOVA Explorer - How to Use
Distribution

Distribution on one column : direct access

Distribution on several columns :

Additional features :
- .csv or image export
- Re-ordering on any column
- Top values only display

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 NOVA Explorer - How to Use
Filter creation

An expression is composed of one or several filters

Filter syntax = <field> operator <value>

Add a filter:
- From the data grid : composition in the expression bar

- From the data grid : double-click on a cell (<field> = <value>)

- From a distribution : double-click on an element (<field> = <value>)

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 NOVA Explorer - How to Use
Expression management

Expression representation : tree of filters combined with AND/OR

operator
May be translated in :
((Last Cause = user busy OR Last Cause = no user responding OR Last
Cause = no answer from user user alerted) AND (Result = result-ok
OR Result = result-not-ok) AND Root Cause != isup root cause purge
timeout AND Type = RELEASE))

Modify filter :

Enable/disable a filter in expression

Remove filter from expression
Toggle AND/OR filter
Modify filter
Drag and drop filters within expression

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 NOVA Explorer - How to Use
Expression management

Save an expression and share it with other users :

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 NOVA Explorer - How to Use
View management

Save an entire view : Then return to your view later on, or

share your working case with team
- all filters are saved (date &
time, regions, interfaces, mates :
expressions…)
- panel layout

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 NOVA Explorer - How to Use
CDR correlation
Enhanced mechanisms are used to correlate CDRs:
• At processing level: engine (CAA) or TDR Hub (Nova)
– IMSI enrichment for ISUP from MAP
– Public & Private IMSI/IMEI enrichment for SIP and IMS

• In Nova Explorer:
– UE activity over several interfaces (call trace use case)

1: select CDRs

2: launch call trace

3: visualize call trace

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 NOVA Explorer - How to Use
CDR correlation
In Nova Explorer:
• Subscriber search by MSISDN:

• An automatic mapping between IMSI and MSISDN identities is provided thanks to

“Search Identities” new button :

1. User enters an 3. Nova Explorer

identity e.g. IMSI performs the
mapping and
displays the
MSISDN
2. User clicks on
“Search identities”

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 NOVA Explorer - How to Use
CDR correlation
Based on IMSI and timestamp
 time offset used to extend the call tracing

Recursive algorithm

Default configuration
- offset = 3 seconds
- no recursion

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 NOVA Explorer - How to Use
CDR correlation
CDR correlation is performed thanks to Astellia telecom specific rules
based on common fields (RAN and Core):
– Timestamps (offset)
– IMSI
– Normalized Number

What is Normalized Number?

• This is a common field used to correlate CDRs RAN & Core CS: the number of digits is
configurable (9 per default)
• For RAN (A & Iu interfaces), Normalized Number is used:
– NEx: MSISDN/Number
• For Core CS (CAA et Nova), Calling Normalized Number & Called Normalized Number
are used:
– NEx:
- Calling Address or SMSTP Origin Nb (if SMS MT) => Calling Nomalized Number
- Called address or SMSTP Dest Nb (if SMS MO) => Called Normalized Number
• For instance:
– Number : +33678912345
– Normalized Number : 678912345 (N set to 9 in engines or mediation level)

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Nova Portal

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 NOVA Explorer - How to Use
Call Trace

Call Trace feature gives access in a single built-

in window to :
• User activity flowchart
• Listing of related frames
• Complete detailed decoding
• PCAP/text export

Call Trace vs Call Trace MI :

• Call Trace is applied on selected CDR
• Call Trace MI enables a correlation towards several
interfaces to retrieve additional CDR (end-to-end
user activity)
IMSI must be present and identical for all selected
CDR(s)

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NOVA Explorer - How to Use
Call Trace

1 1

2
1

1 Frames listing

2
1 Call flow

3 Detailed decoding

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 NOVA Explorer - How to Use
PCAP Export

Export PCAP CP : CP frames for the selected CDR(s) only

Export PCAP CP+UP :
- CP frames, with correlation (cf. correlation algorithm)
- + UP frames on requested period

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 NOVA Explorer - How to Use
Link to Activity Analysis

Direct access to Activity Analysis for further Cigale CDR troubleshooting

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 NOVA Explorer - Access & Rights
User profiles

Several profiles to suit all user types

Rights Super User User Userid User Privacy
Access to application X X X X

Advanced usage X

Delete database X

Visualize SMS/MMS X X

Visualize USSD X X X

Visualize IMEI X X X

Visualize IMSI X X X

Visualize MSISDN/Number X X X

Visualize User Plane data X X

Decode UP X X

Export CP X X

Export UP X X

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 NOVA Explorer - Access & Rights
User privacy

Restricted access to application :

• Sensitive information (IMSI, MSISDN, IMEI, USSD, SMS/MMS) are
hidden

Data grid : Detailed decoding :

• Barred PCAP/text export

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 NOVA Explorer - Access & Rights
User Security Access

Security popup launched after login (for all users) :

 All user information registered in admin log

Option (disabled by default)

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CORE CS Solution
4 – T&A Core CS User

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T&A PRINCIPLES

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 Objectives

At the end of the section the student will be able to:

• Describe T&A Solution

• Understand Time and Network Elements aggregation level

• Understand T&A capabilities

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 Various information needs
For network performance monitoring

Management
Decision support
Global view
Homogeneity

Marketing Technical Management

Visibility & trends Periodic customized analysis
Hot spot location Communication Relevant macro-indicators
Handsets performance Reporting Equipments validation
Human and equipt ressources optimization

Operation
Radio or Service optimization
Proactive troubleshoot

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 T&A Solution
Part of the Astellia suite

Network performance
Trending & Aggregation monitoring
Analysis & Troubleshoot with
sharing detailed KPIs
Protocol analysis,
Activity Analysis/ Nova Explorer Flow chart

KPI
Processing
CDR

Massive
capture Probes
A Gb Iu CS, Iu PS, Iub

GSM GPRS UMTS

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 T&A Solution
Main features

Trending & Aggregation provides the following services:

• Trending of the network performance over the time,
• Aggregation from a cell view to a consolidated view (per network
element, region or network)
• Centralization and long term storage of information,
• Alarm generation,
• Reporting.
A Gb IuCs IuPs Iub

TXT
files

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 T&A KEY benefits

Enlarge your vision

• Get an overall view of network and services performance.
• Bring KPI trends, variations, deviations or drifts to light.
Save time
• A continuous follow up of network performance without any human
intervention.
• Get smart directions for investigations.
A help in decision making
• Help you to predict network growth and QoS degradation in order to
invest in new equipments at the right time.
• Align the network path and the QoS with your strategic business goals.
Enhance your power in front of your suppliers
• Select/Benchmark vendors with a fair and impartial reference.
• Validate equipment upgrades.

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 T&A Benefits
Get a fair and impartial reference

Compare performance between regions or vendors

Visualize network elements on the same graph over a defined period
Create your own view easily to compare several network elements over
time for a specific KPI.
Follow up equipment upgrades

Identify
Compare
Compare regression
equipments
equipements after
fromfrom equipment
different
different upgrade
vendors
vendors overtime

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 T&A Benefits
Save time with automatic QoS monitoring

Automatic tasks to reduce workload:

• Import of counters and KPIs,
• Alarm generation,
• Report generation,
• Topology update.

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 T&A Benefits
A High level of customization

Create your own KPIs

Interface
• Create you own dashboards,
• Navigate on your own geographical maps (GIS),
Reporting
• Define your graph content (KPI, time period, NE…),
• Define the time period, list of recipients etc..
• Export data as a text file to external applications.
Alarming
• Define any alarms based on up to 5 combined triggers

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 T&A Benefits
A huge capacity

A huge history of data

• One week for hourly values,
• 6 months for daily values and for day BH values,
• 1 year for weekly values,
• 5 years for monthly values.

Network coverage through one server

• Around 10 000 cells/SAI,
• 1000 values (counters and KPIs).

Sharing the T&A data enterprise-wide

• Up to 25 simultaneous connections to T&A Web server

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 T&A Key points

Facilitate work between different teams thanks to a transverse

application,

Fill management expectations and the most demanding experts by

providing a high level view to a very accurate view,

Save time with automatic procedures with a high level of customization,

Get a fair and impartial vision of your network equipment,

A centralized and scalable architecture.

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 T&A Solution:
Product range
T&A Signalisation T&A OMC

T&A Cigale GSM T&A BSS

T&A Roaming GSM T&A NSS
T&A Cigale GPRS T&A UTRAN
T&A Cigale Iu Vendors:

T&A Cigale Iub Ericsson

Motorola
T&A Cigale Core CS
Siemens
T&A Cigale Core PS
Huawei
NSN …

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 T&A Solution
Principle

- Over Time for one cell

KPI

Time
Network

MSC

BSC

Cell

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 T&A Solution
Principle

--Over
OverNetwork Element:
Time for one bsc KPI

Cell level

Time
Network

MSC

BSC

Cell

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 T&A Solution
Visualize KPI Over Time

Easy to use
selection area

KPI Nb of calls

Time

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 T&A Solution
Principle

- Over Network for bsc level KPI

BSC1 BSC2 BSC3 BSC4 BSC5

Network
Elements
Network

MSC

BSC

Cell

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 T&A Solution
Visualize KPI over network elements

Nb of calls
KPI

Network elements

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 T&A Configuration Offer

Available from 5.0.2 version of Base Component

• Multiproduct:
– Single access to visualize several different T&As
– Allow graph display of KPI from T&A 1 and KPI from T&A 2

• Mixed KPI
– Allow to create KPI = function (KPI of T&A 1, KPI of T&A 2)

• Corporate
– Aggregate data from 2 T&As of the same technology

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 Mixed KPI

Mixed KPI is a new functionality:

• Create KPI based on counters belong to different product

Prerequisite:
• Multiproduct configuration (with Master Topology)
• Activate Mixed KPI: new database
• Select counters and Create your KPI
• Create Graph and Dashboard including your KPI

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 Mixed KPI

Counters and KPis from T&As are exported to the mixed_kpi.

Counters & KPis

T&A Ericsson BSS

KPIs mixed = function ( KPI Ericsson BSS, KPI Siemens BSS)

Counters & KPis

T&A Siemens BSS

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 Corporate

Corporate is a specific T&A

• Allows to aggregate data from several T&A

Example: GSM

T&A GSM Corporate

Hourly / BSC
OR
Daily / Cell

T&A GSM
Hourly / Cell
T&A GSM T&A GSM T&A GSM
North South East West

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USER INTERFACE NAVIGATION

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 Objectives

At the end of the section the student will be able to:

• Understand Dashboard navigation features

– Time and Network aggregation

– Network filter
– Sort filter

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 Graphical User Interface

Customer logo

Filter

Menus
• Predefined dashboards
• Client dashboards
• Alarm: Management, History and Top/Worst lists
• Investigation: Query builder, My Queries
• Navigation: user profile information

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 Dashboard
Description

A dashboard is a set of one or several graphs

• T&A provides predefined dashboards

• Client dashboard can be created by admin and user
• Display modes:
– Over Time
– Over Network Elements

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 Dashboard
Graph description

A graph is composed of several KPI or counters

Type of display
- Line
- Cumulated line
- Bar
- Cumulated Bar

Two vertical axis

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 Dashboard
Over Time Mode

Filtering
NE selection KPI
Time
selection

Time

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 Dashboard
Over Time Navigation

A click allows to display a lower level of the selected time element

(from month to hour level)

From Day to
Hour level

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 Dashboard
Over Time  Over NE

The user can switch from the time to the NE representation

From time to
network level

The time filter is the one selected before the switch to NE.

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 Dashboard Over Network Elements Mode

Time NE selection Filtering

selection KPI

Network Element

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 Dashboard
Over NE Navigation

A click on the graph allows to display a lower level of the selected

NE element (from Network to Cell)

From MSC to
BSC level

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 Dashboard Filter
on Geographical elements

Define a Network Elements List

Visualize for example:

- only selected MSC
- all the Cell of one MSC by filtering on this MSC
while aggregation level selected is RNC

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 Dashboard
Ordering KPI

Change the ordering KPI to sort the graphs in a dashboard

The user can choose the ordering KPI among the list of the displayed KPI
in the current dashboard

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 Dashboard
Filtering KPI

Filter on threshold with a specific KPI

The user can define a threshold on a KPI

Example: display SAI for which Nb of TCP connection > 1000

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 Dashboard
Busy Hour

Time Filter mode: Normal or Busy Hour

Busy Hour calculated by the T&A:

• On time level: 1 hour or 3 hours based
Day, BH → Busiest Hour of the day
Day, 3DBH → Average of the 3 busiest hours of the day

• On network level: Standard or Aggregated

BSC, Standard → Busiest hour on this BSC
BSC, Aggregated → Sum of the busiest hours of all the
Cells of this BSC

Configuration: Admin Interface > Setup > Setup Busy Hour

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 Navigation
My Profile

Navigation Menu

View / Update your User Profile

User profile:
- name
- login / password
- email

Homepage:
- default dashboard
- default filter values

Network Element Preferences

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 Navigation
My Profile - Homepage

Configure your Homepage

• Select the default Dashboard for your Homepage

• Configure the default Filter values for your Homepage

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Navigation: My Profile – NE Preferences

Select your Network Elements preferences

• User can define Network Elements preferences

• NE filter is applied on any Dashboard, Alarm, Investigation tools

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 Dashboard
Link to Activity Analysis

Launch AA from a dashboard for troubleshooting

• The right CDR database is automatically selected
• Available on hourly and daily values.
• Available on SAI/cell and RNC/BSC network elements

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 Dashboard
Link to Activity Analysis

Right Click on the desired KPI (not on the graph itself)

2 different filters
• Basic Filter: Network element & time filters
• Telecom Filter: Basic filter + telecom filter (drop, setup etc…)

Data Information dashboard:

• filter available for each KPI of the graph in the Comment column

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 Graph Data Table

Table is available with data values

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USER INTERFACE DESCRIPTION

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 Objectives

At the end of the section the student will be able to:

• Describe the predefined Dashboard

• Understand the usage of the different Graphs
• View the main KPI and Counters

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Predefined Dashboard

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ISUP ASR ABR NER

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ISUP Calling Failure

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ISUP Calling Duration

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ISUP PC ASR ABR NER

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ISUP CIC

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Roaming Inbound Lu

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Roaming Outbound Lu

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Roaming Inbound SMS

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Roaming Outbound SMS

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INAP Service Key

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USER INTERFACE EXPORT

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 Objectives

At the end of the section the student will be able to:

• Manage to export reports

– Excel, Word or PDF format

– Graphical format
– Caddy

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 Dashboard
Graph options (1)

Right click => Export available under:

• PDF (Send the PDF file by mail is also available: Send To)
• Word
• Excel

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 Dashboard
Graph options (1)

Excel export
Export all the KPI values in an Excel format

Data information
KPI/Raw counter
formula and label

Add to the Caddy

Add the graph to the Caddy in PDF format

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 Dashboard
Graph options (2)

Map View
• Display the GIS map
Map View 3D
• Link to Google Earth
Display all Network elements
• Available in Over Network Element mode
Reliability of data
• Indication about the reliability of the KPI calculation (The higher the
value is, the better is the KPI calculation)
Graph tool
• Tool to draw line on the graph

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 Dashboard
Caddy

The user can export the graph, GIS and Alarm screens to a PDF
format and create a specific document.

Export to
PDF
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USER INTERFACE INVESTIGATION

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 Objectives

At the end of the section the student will be able to:

• Investigate thanks to Query tools

– Query builder
– Investigation DashBoard

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 Query Builder
Description

1. Quick handmade query with Drag & Drop interface

2. Get results on a Graph or Table

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 Query Builder
Creation
Drag & Drop Interface: Aggregations defined in the current Query
List of available aggregation At least 1 KPI, 1 Time & 1 Network Element aggregation

Threshold filter

Ordering Value

• Threshold and Ordering value can be Time, Network or

Data type
• Click on to add a condition, on to remove it
• Click on to access to the result interfaces

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 Query Builder
Table Results

Table Results

• Click on to export the results in an excel file

• Click on to save this configuration in your Query List

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 Query Builder
Graph Results
Select the X axis value Select the value(s) to display
on the Graph

Select a color for the

value(s) to display

Click on to display the Graph

Click on to add the

Graph to the Caddy

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 Investigation Dashboard
Description

Quick handmade Dashboard

Compare Network Elements for a specific Counter/KPI

Network Elements can be on different aggregation levels

Example: MSC LAC and Customized aggregation on the same Graph

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 Investigation Dashboard
Creation
Time selection KPI selection and filtering

Network Element Selection

1. Click on 2. Select your NE and

Click on

3. Click on
to display the Graph

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 USER INTERFACE
ALARM DESCRIPTION

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 Objectives

At the end of the section the student will be able to:

• Understand alarm:

– Static alarm

– Dynamic alarm

– Top/Worst List

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 Alarm Description

3 types of Alarm:
• Static alarm  Generated if a fixed value is crossed
• Dynamic alarm  Generated in case of brutal change
• Top/Worst List  Network Elements ranking

Generated during the Compute process

Alarm Menu
• Alarm Management
• Alarm History
• Top/Worst Lists

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 Alarm Management (User)

Alarm management interface

• Last 24H alarm monitoring
• Alarm Acknowledgement
• Order by severity

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 Alarm Management functionalities

Select the hour during which the alarm was generated

Select alarm types to display

Alarm options:
Acknowledge an alarm
Display dashboards containing alarm trigger
Display more details
Display NE & KPI in the GIS
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 Alarm Management functionalities

Other functions
• Collapse / Expand alarm details
• Display alarm category

Right click
• Refresh
• Group alarms:
– By Network Elements
– By Alarm Name
• Export alarm results to
– PDF file
– Excel file
– Word file

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 Alarm History

Alarm history interface

• Severity repartition overview of triggered alarms
• Quick access to alarm details

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 Alarm History functionalities

Alarm time filter

• Select alarm type ( hour, day …)
• Select alarm period generation

Alarm options
Display dashboards containing alarm trigger
Display more details
Display NE & KPI in the GIS
Right click
Refresh the Graph
Export alarm results to PDF, Word or
Excel file

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 Alarm Top/Worst List

Top/Worst Lists interface

• Network Elements ranking based on a specific Raw Counter / KPI
• Top/Worst lists created by administrators

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 Alarm
Top/Worst List functionalities

List period selection

Options:
Display dashboards containing alarm trigger
Display more details
Display NE & KPI in the GIS

Right click
Refresh the Graph
Export alarm results to PDF, Excel or
Word file
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ALARM MANAGEMENT

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 Objectives

At the end of the section the student will be able to:

• Understand and Manage Static Alarm

• Understand and Manage Dynamic Alarm

• Understand and Manage Top/Worst List

• Setup Element Black List

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 Static Alarm
Description

Principle
Generated if a static Threshold is crossed

Based on Raw Counter / KPI

Static Alarms generated during the Compute process

3 ways to get the results:

• User interface: in the Alarm menu
• Mail: PDF format
• Report: PDF format

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 Static Alarm
Creation

Alarm Menu

Choose a Network Element Family

Click on

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 Static Alarm
Graphical Interface

Create a new Static Alarm

Update Alarm configuration
Mailing list configured / not configured
Alarm defined in a Report: Delete not allowed
Delete an alarm
Send an Alarm through SNMP trap
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 Static Alarm
Graphical Interface

Alarm Properties:
- Name & Description
- Network and Time filter
- Period of exclusion
- Alarm calculation

Trigger:
- Trigger selection
- Alarm level severity
- Iterative Alarm
- Additional fields

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 Static Alarm
Creation

Alarm properties

• Alarm name
• Alarm description (optional)
• Network level resolution:
– By default, your default NE preferences are loaded
– Use to modify your NE preferences
• Time resolution
• Period of exclusion
– Available for Day and Hour time resolution (including Busy Hour)
• Alarm calculation

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 Static Alarm
Creation

Period of exclusion
• Time Resolution = Day or Day BH
– Select the day(s) of the week in which alarm is not generated

• Time Resolution = Hour

– Select a day
– Select the time frame in which alarm is not generated
- All: select all the hour of the current day
- Apply to days: the same time frame is applied for all the day of the
week

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 Static Alarm
Creation

Alarm calculation

• The alarm can be desactivated anytime by unchecking the button

“Alarm calculation activated”

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 Static Alarm
Creation

Trigger & Additional fields

• Select the trigger: KPI or Raw counter
– Add up to 5 trigger conditions using
– AND condition
• Alarm severity: trigger value for each severity
• Additional fields (optional)
– Counters/KPI values displayed in alarm report as information

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 Static Alarm: Iterative mode

• Iterative Alarm
– Choose a number of iteration and a period
- Example: daily KPI

D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8 D9 D10 D11
time
D1: No alarm
D2: The value of the KPI is superior of the trigger ( )
D3 to D4: No alarm
D5: , 2 values superior of the trigger during the 5 days period => Alarm creation
D6: , 2 values superior of the trigger during the 5 days period => Alarm creation
D7 to D9: No alarm
D10: , no more than 1 value superior of the trigger during 5days period => No alarm

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 Static Alarm
Creation

Mailing List configuration

List of Users receiving Static Alarm Reports by mail (PDF format)

• Select Group of Users using

• Click on to confirm the configuration

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 Dynamic Alarm
Description

Principle
Generated when the deviation exceeds a coefficient
defined by the Administrator

Based on Raw Counter / KPI

Dynamic Alarms generated during the Compute process

3 ways to get the results:

• User interface: in the Alarm menu
• Mail: PDF format
• Report: PDF format

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 Dynamic Alarm
Dynamic Threshold

Threshold Formula:
Threshold = ABS ( AVG [14 last periods] – VALUE[last period] )
AVG [14 last periods]

+/- 10%

Period = 14

Dynamic alarm generated

• in case of brutal change on the last Counters/KPI value
• compared to the average on the 14 last periods
Discontinuous mode
Example of dynamic threshold: 10%

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 Dynamic Alarm
Creation

Alarm Menu

Choose a Network Element Family

Click on

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 Dynamic Alarm
Graphical Interface

Create a new Dynamic Alarm

Update Alarm configuration
Mailing list configured / not configured
Alarm defined in a Report: Delete not allowed
Delete an alarm
Send an Alarm through SNMP trap
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Dynamic Alarm
Creation

Alarm Properties:
- Name & Description
- Network and Time filter
- Period of exclusion
- Discontinuous data
calculation mode
- Alarm Calculation

Trigger:
- Threshold selection
- Trigger selection
- Alarm level severity
- Additional fields

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 Dynamic Alarm
Creation

Alarm properties

• Alarm name
• Alarm description (optional)
• Network level resolution
• Time resolution
• Period of exclusion
• Discontinuous
• Enable or Disable Alarm Calculation
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 Dynamic Alarm
Creation

Discontinuous Mode:

• Available for Day and Hour time resolution (including Busy Hour)

• Examples:
– Time Resolution = Day
– Discontinuous = disabled
→ on Monday, dynamic alarm calculation is based on the 14 last days

– Time Resolution = Day

– Discontinuous = enabled
→ on Monday, dynamic alarm calculation is based on the 14 last mondays

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 Dynamic Alarm
Creation

Trigger & Additional fields

• Select the Threshold: KPI or Raw counter

• Select the Trigger (optional): KPI or Raw counter
• Alarm severity: threshold & trigger values for each severity
• Additional fields (optional)

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 Dynamic Alarm
Creation

Mailing List configuration

List of Users receiving Dynamic Alarm Reports by mail (PDF format)

• Select Group of Users using

• Click on to confirm the configuration

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 Top/Worst List
Description

Principle
Network Elements ranking based on a specific Raw Counter / KPI

Top/Worst List are generated during the Compute process

3 ways to get the results:

• User interface: in the Alarm menu
• Mail: PDF format
• Report: PDF format

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 Top/Worst List
Creation

Alarm Menu

Choose a Network Element Family

Click on

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 Top/Worst List
Graphical Interface

Create a new List

Update List configuration
Mailing list configured / not configure
List defined in a Report: Delete not allowed
Delete a List

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Top/Worst List
Creation

Alarm Properties:
- Name & Description
- Network and Time filter
- Period of exclusion
-Alarm Calculation

Trigger:
- Sort condition
- Trigger selection
- Additional fields

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 Top/Worst List
Creation

Alarm properties

• Alarm name
• Alarm description (optional)
• Network level resolution
• Time resolution
• Period of exclusion
• Enable or Disable Alarm Calculation

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 Top/Worst List
Creation

Trigger & Additional fields

• Select the sort condition: KPI or Raw counter

• Select the Trigger (optional): KPI or Raw counter
• Additional fields (optional)

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 Top/Worst List
Creation

Mailing List configuration

List of Users receiving List Report by mail (PDF format)

• Select Group of Users using

• Click on to confirm the configuration

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 Black List
Description & Configuration

Principle
Exclude a list of Cells from Alarm generation
Setup Black List

• Select Cells using

• Click on

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REPORTING

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 Objectives

At the end of the section the student will be able to:

• Create scheduled Report

• Create scheduled Data Export

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 Report Builder
Description

Reporting in PDF format including:

• Astellia default Dashboard
• Client Dashboard
• Static Alarm
• Dynamic Alarm
• Top/Worst List

Management of automatic sending by email

thanks to Report Scheduler feature

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Report Builder
Graphical Interface

Search Box
Select Report

Configure a
new Report

List of DashBoard, Alarms can be

included into a Report

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 Report Builder
Creation

Object Builder Menu

Enter a name

And click on

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 Report Builder
Creation

Click on DashBoards and Alarms to include them

Configure Report

Delete Report

Delete Element

Configure Element

Use last integrated

Data to see an
example of the Report

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 Report Builder
Creation

Dashboard Filter configuration

• Click on to validate filter parameters

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 Report Scheduler
Description

Prerequisites: Report created from Object Builder menu

Automatic report sending configuration

Recipients configuration:
• Group of Users
and/or
• Users
and/or
• Email address (which is not part of T&A users)

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 Report Builder
Creation

Task Scheduler Menu

Click on

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 Report Scheduler Creation

• Enter Schedule name

• Report selection

• Recipient Selection
– Group selection
– User selection
– Email selection

• Schedule periodicity

• Click on

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 Data Export
Description

Export a set of Raw Counters/KPI

Time / Network Element aggregation settings

Generated during the Compute process

Output file: CSV format Table stored on the T&A server

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 Data Export
Creation

Task Scheduler Menu

Choose a Network Element Family

Delete Data Export

Configure Data Export

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 Data Export
Graphical Interface

• Click on

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 Data Export
Graphical Interface

Click on
• Enter an Export Name
• Enter the output file Name
• Field separator selection ; is the
default CSV separator

• First line Header option

• Aggregation Level selection Time and

Network

– Counter/KPI selection

• Click on

– Test your Data export:

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 Data Export
Result File

Output file Format: CSV

Output file Name: <FILENAME>_YYYYMMDD.csv

Stored on the T&A server

SSH connection to the T&A server

– Use WinSCP for SSH connection

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BUILDER

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 Objectives

At the end of the section the student will be able to:

• Customize a Key Performance Indicator (Admin only)

• Customize a Graph Element

• Customize a Dashboard

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 KPI Builder
Description

KPI = Key Performance Indicator

Quality of Service Indicator of Mobile Network

Formula based on Raw Counters

Ex: LU inefficiency BSS (%) = LU_N_Fail_BSS x 100
NbLUREQ_NU

To display KPI results:

1. Create a GTM containing this KPI
2. Create a Dashboard containing this GTM

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 Admin or User training

1.  Go to the KPI Creation (Admin Mode Only)

2.  Go to the Graph Element & Dashboard

Creation (User & Admin)

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 KPI Builder
Creation

Mapping Menu

Choose a Network Element Family

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 KPI Builder
Graphical Interface

Raw Counters List KPI functions

Create Delete Update

KPI formula Tools

KPI list
predefined & customize

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 KPI Builder
Creation

Click on

Enter Kpi parameters

• Name of the KPI (no space allowed)

• Label displayed on the Graphical Interface
• Description of your Formula

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 KPI Builder
Creation

Formula Builder

Add a Raw Counter  Click on the Raw Counter

Insert an Operator/Function  Click on
Delete the last item  Click on
Delete all the formula  Click on
Insert a numeric value  Enter the value and Click on

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 Graph Element Builder
Description

Graph Element Builder

Graph displays KPI and/or Raw counters

Customization of the Graph style (color, type…)

To display a GTM
Create Dashboard containing this GTM
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 Graph Element Builder
Creation

Object Builder Menu

Click on

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 Graph Element Builder
Creation
Search Box List of Raw & KPI

Name

Click on

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 Graph Element Builder
Creation

Choose some Raw or Kpi by clicking on them

Configure
Graph

Delete
Graph

Configure
the KPI

Delete
KPI

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 Graph Element Builder
Creation

Counter/KPI display style configuration

• Type of display
• Y-axis position
• Colors
• Line Design Display
• Legend

Click on

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 Graph Element Builder
Creation

Save Graph Element

• Graph Definition

• Troubleshooting
Comments

• Object type:
– Graph
– Pie

• Axis labels

• Graph size
• Legend position

• GIS activation
• Default Order

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 Dashboard Builder
Description

Dashboard = Set of Graphs

Displayed on the User Interface

• Dashboard menu:
Predefined Dashboards

• Client Dashboard menu:

Customized Dashboards

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 Dashboard Builder
Creation

Object Builder Menu

Click on

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 Dashboard Builder
Creation

Enter a name

Click on

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 Dashboard Builder
Creation

Configure DashBoard

Delete
DashBoard

List of Graph, click on it to include it in DashBoard

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 Dashboard Builder
Creation

Page Mode Selection

• Over Time
• Over Network Elements
• Over Time and Network Elements
• Select the Basic Counter/KPI used to sort Network Elements
• Choose the menu to insert DashBoard
• Tick Online to broad dashboard

• Click on

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TROUBLESHOOTING CASE STUDIES

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CORE CS Solution
5 – Troubleshooting Case Studies

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 CASE STUDY 1:
INTERNATIONAL LINK CONGESTION

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 International links congestion

Challenge and detected problem

Low KPI value when calling part
tries to ring foreign PSTN fixed
line

Solution/astellia Recommendations
Add more capacity on international
ISUP links
Failures can also come from B part,
suffering from congestion High

Business
Impact
Benefits
Increase customer satisfaction
Improve KPI efficiency
Low
Implementation
Easy Difficult
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 International links congestion

Details and explanations

 Extract from the consulting reports, slides, presentations

 Analysis, flow chart, CDR, KPI…
 Recommendations
 …

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 International links congestion

This is the cause definition as in the ITU recommendation T-REC-Q.850:

Cause No. 34 - no circuit/channel available.

This cause indicates that there is no appropriate circuit/channel presently available to
handle the call.

This failure affects all USA operators:

Here below an example of flowchart for a call initiated toward an American number and
released with the cause “No circuit Channel available”

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 International links congestion

There could be an issue on A interface for CIC allocation on foreign Operator

Release can also be due to No Radio Resources Available on Operator network, meaning
Air congestion.

This cause indicates a lack of resources on foreign network either at international

links level for USA network or also at Air Interface level (TCH/SDCCH congestion)

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 CASE STUDY 2:
APPLICATION CONTEXT NAME NOT SUPPORTED

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 MAP Cancel Location
Application context name not supported

Challenge and detected problem

MAP Cancel Location rejected for their
inbound roamers when coming as
MAPv3

Solution/astellia Recommendations
Activate MAPv3 for the Cancel
Locationprocedure on the MSS Level
High

Business
Benefits

Impact
Avoid VLRU load and extra signalling

Increase Cancel location SR

Low
Implementation
Easy Difficult
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 MAP Cancel Location
Application context name not supported
This error is generated mainly by roamers when the HPLMN tries to cancel
the location in MTC network, the main operators are the following:

This error is generated since the MSS doesn’t support the cancel location in
MAPv3, only MAPv2 messages are accepted. We recommend to check with the
vendor if it’s possible to support MAPv3 or check with the other operators to
send the cancel location in MAPv2.

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 CASE STUDY 3:
SMS DELIVERY FAILURE

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 SMS Delivery Failure

Challenge and detected problem

SMS Delivery failure to inbound roamers
sent from their HPLMN

Solution/astellia Recommendations
Activate MAPv3 for the SMTP delivery
procedure on the MSS Level

High

Business
Benefits

Impact
Increase SMTP Delivery for Inbound
subscribers

Low
Implementation
Easy Difficult
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 SMS Delivery Failure
Application context not supported
This is mainly affecting incoming SMS to Inbound roamers as seen below
(1h distribution):

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 SMS Delivery Failure
Application context not supported
We can clearly see that the MSS rejected the MT-Forward-SM because it‟s
in MAPv3:

As this is related to the MAPv3 support in the MSS,we recommend to set the
parameter shortMsgMT-Relay to 3 instead of 2.

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 CASE STUDY 4:
ISUP DROP DUE TO CAUSE ROTE

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 ISUP Drop due to cause RoTE

Challenge and detected problem

Lot of drops due to Recovery on Timer
Expiry

Solution/astellia Recommendations
Solve Radio issues in order to avoid this
high amount of failures. Increasing the
MSS timer will have no impact if the radio
synchronization timer is lower. High

Business
Benefits

Impact
Decrease Drop Rate due to the
reason ROTE.

Low
Implementation
Easy Difficult
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 ISUP Drop Cause
Recovery on Timer Expiry

This cause represents around 6.93% of the failures and the

standard specifies that it « This cause indicates that a procedure
has been initiated by the expiration of a timer in association with
error handling procedures. »

This error happens mainly toward Lebanese destinations:

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 ISUP Drop Cause
Recovery on Timer Expiry

The most impacted Network elements are the following:

Mainly the release is coming from MTC Core Network:

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 ISUP Drop Cause
Recovery on Timer Expiry

To understand more this issue we took an example of an MTC

subscriber calling another non MTC number:
• From the ISUP side we have the following:

13s

 The MSS releases the call after around 13s, what‟s happening on the
Radio Side is presented in the next slide.

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 ISUP Drop Cause
Recovery on Timer Expiry
• From the A interface side we have the following for the same call:

 Please refer to the other slide for the flowchart continuation.

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 ISUP Drop Cause
Recovery on Timer Expiry

13s

There is no
connection confirm
message! BSSMAP error with
cause Radio
interface failure

In a normal scenario the BSC should reply back by a connection confirm

message, since it’s not present here, the MSS triggers a timer and release the
call after 13s which corresponds to the timer value, we recommend to solve
Radio issues in order to avoid this high amount of failures. Increasing
the MSS timer will have no impact if the radio synchronization timer is
lower.

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 CASE STUDY 5:
INBOUND ROAMERS, FAILED MTC

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 Problem Title

Challenge and detected problem

Operator inbound roamer complained for
failed MTC Call. However, LU,MOC,SMSMT,
SMSMO were successful.

Solution/Astellia Recommendations
Tracing the MTC call shows that there was a
routing problem in operator international
gateways, routing database corrected and High
problem solved

Business
Benefits

Impact
- Operator inbound roamer stays on
customer network.
- Operator inbound roamer MTC call SR
increased
Low
Implementation
Easy Difficult
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 Problem Summary

Operator inbound roamer attached to the customer network

complained about failed MTC calls

Analysis highlighted that the roamer was doing successful location

updates , MOC ,SMS MO and SMS MT.

Only MTC always failed.

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 troubleshooting

Tracing one call on international gateways shows that:

• the IAM routed toward the Operator GW gateway through international
gateways

• Operator gateway successfully received the MSRN (PRN) and initiate

an IAM toward Astellia customer‟s network with MSRN as called party

• The IAM reached Astellia customer gateway , but then the call
released there without routing it to corresponding MSS.

The reject cause was “unallocated number “

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 What has been implemented

Problem reported to operation team, who checked the routing in

gateways, but usually if there is a problem in MSRN routing, this
would affect all calls roaming and local, so no problem in routing
tables
The problem was with wrongly created test in customer gateways:
• The test conditions was: specific range of MSRN as called party &
specific international gateway OPC
• If both conditions match , the gateway not use the MSRN routing table
and should do something abnormal internally (no detail available),
• The test conditions were matching our inbound roamer subscriber
Created test deleted at customer gateway level
Our inbound roamer MT call are now correctly routed with the
default MSRN routing table.

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 CASE STUDY 6:
MISSING CIC DECLARATION ON ISUP

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 Missing CIC declaration on ISUP links

Challenge and detected problem

Many calls are failed when ISUP
links are between two identified
switches
Issue of missing CIC value
declaration on two switches

Solution/astellia Recommendations
Update settings to allow calls when
using even CIC number High

Business
Impact
Benefits
Improve efficiency
Increase customer satisfaction

Low
Implementation
Easy Difficult
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 Missing CIC declaration on ISUP links

Let’s focus on the couple of switch 2019 and 2023.

Following table shows ISUP resources between nodes 2019 and 2023.

This table clearly points out that all attempted calls towards those two nodes are
rejected and all attempted calls (around 60 during the two hours captures) can’t
reach the communication phase.

Further investigation shows that when IAM is sent to the switch 2023 with a CIC
67, like this instance below, we have two different behaviours.

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 Missing CIC declaration on ISUP links

Let’s focus on the couple of switch 2019 and 2023.

Following table shows ISUP resources between nodes 2019 and 2023.

This table clearly points out that all attempted calls towards those two nodes are
rejected and all attempted calls (around 60 during the two hours captures) can’t
reach the communication phase.

Further investigation shows that when IAM is sent to the switch 2023 with a CIC
67, like this instance below, we have two different behaviours.

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 Missing CIC declaration on ISUP links

Release with an Normal Clearing

Decoding of the IAM Decoding of the Release

In this situation, the calling part ends the call due too long duration
without response from the called part.

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 Missing CIC declaration on ISUP

Release with an expiry of timer

Decoding of the IAM Decoding of the Release

In this situation, the switch 2019 releases the call since no response
from the other node after expiry of the timer.

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 Missing CIC declaration on ISUP

Distribution of the PCM between node 2023 and 2019 Distribution of the PCM between node 2019 and 2023
among 106 PCM

So, those tables clearly show that the PCM 2 and all its associated CIC are not declared in the table of CIC in the switch 2023.
Astellia recommends checking declaration of the PCM 2 (with its 16 CIC) in the switch 2023

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 CASE STUDY 7:
ISUP FAILURE WITH VOICE ANNOUNCEMENT

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 ISUP Failure toward competitors
MOC with Voice announcement

Destination Count of failed calls with resource unavailable (1 day: the

21st of November))
Competitor 1 4827
Competitor 2 4464
Challenge and detected problem PSTN 180
International - Syria 141
• Degradation of ISUP performance
towards competitors

Solution/Astellia recommendations
• Check MGW internal failure and
for probable bad End of File in
High
announcement

Business
Impact
Benefits
Improve KPI values
Increase QoS and customer satisfaction
Low
Implementation
Easy Difficult
Astellia confidential
 ISUP Failure toward competitors
MOC with Voice announcement

Network Efficiency Ratio

increased from 2.5% for some
competitor‟s destination nodes.

Comparison before/after shows

that main cause of failure that
increased is Temporary Failure
(cause code n°41)

A focus on this cause showed

that more than 86% of failures
were related to calls towards
both competitors.
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 ISUP Failure toward competitors
MOC with Voice announcement

Below Multi-Interface flow chart shows that those ISUP failures are
mapped with the cause Resource unavailable, unspecified on Iu-CS
interface. This Iu-CS cause increased when comparing before/after.

Analysis showed that the common behavior of all these calls was that
they were connected to an announcement.
Distribution on called numbers for Originating calls ending with the cause
Resource Unavailable gives the following
Destination Count of failed calls with resource unavailable (1 day: the
21st of November))
Competitor 1 4827
Competitor 2 4464
PSTN 180
International - Syria 141

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 ISUP Failure toward competitors
MOC with Voice announcement

The MSS is releasing calls towards Competitors when local

subscribers receive announcements from IN.

This can be related to a problem in the voice announcement played

in the MGW (ID of the VA or Voice announcement file mismatch).

Recommendation:
• Check if some MGW internal failure increased
• Related to a bad End of File in an announcement

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EXERCISE SECTION

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 AA/ Nova Explorer
MAP Protocol

Display Core CS CDRs

Focus on MAP protocol

Which are the main procedures for this protocol ?

Display only CDRs with failures

Focus on the main cause of the failures and display a call flow

Astellia confidential
 AA/ Nova Explorer
INAP/CAP Protocol

Display Core CS CDRs

Focus on MAP protocol

Which are the main procedures for this protocol ?

Display only CDRs with failures

Focus on the main cause of the failures and display a call flow

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 AA/ Nova Explorer
BICC Protocol

Focus on BICC protocol

Display only CDR in communication

Which the couple of node have the highest number of drop

Decode one CDR and find the reject cause

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 AA/ Nova Explorer
ISUP Protocol

Focus on ISUP protocol

Display only CDR in communication

Which the couple of node have the highest number of drop

Decode one CDR and find the reject cause

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 Exercises T&A

Step 1
Create a dashbord called “Dash_Group_X”, with X is a number
given by the trainer.
Step 2
Create a graph, called GR_X_1, with the following Counter/KPI :
• NB of LU procedure
• Lu Procedure successful rate
Step 3
Put “NB of LU procedure “in right axis ( blue Color)
Put “Lu Procedure successful rate “ in left axis ( red Color)
Step 4
Put the Graph GR_X_1 in “ Dash_Group_X” and publish it in client
dashbord.

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 Exercises T&A

Step 1
Create a dashbord called “Dash_Group_Y”, with Y is a number
given by the trainer.
Step 2
Create a graph, called GR_Y_1, with the following Counter/KPI :
• NB of Initial DP procedure
• Initial DP Procedure successful rate
Step 3
Put “NB of Initial DP procedure “in right axis ( blue Color)
Put “Initial DP Procedure successful rate “ in left axis ( red Color)
Step 4
Put the Graph GR_Y_1 in “ Dash_Group_Y” and publish it in client
dashbord.

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Thank You

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