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Alvaristar: Network Management System For Broadband Wireless Access
Alvaristar: Network Management System For Broadband Wireless Access
Alvaristar: Network Management System For Broadband Wireless Access
AlvariSTAR
Network Management System for
Broadband Wireless Access
System
Description
System Overview.................................................................................................................................... 3
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System Overview
AlvariSTAR is a comprehensive carrier-class Network Management System for Alvarion’s Broadband
Wireless Access networks. AlvariSTAR is designed for today’s most advanced service provider
network operation centers (NOCs), providing the network OA&M staff and managers with all the
network surveillance, monitoring and configuration capabilities required to effectively manage the
BWA network while keeping expenses at a minimum.
Designed with a distributed N-tier architecture, AlvariSTAR provides the operator a robust and
scalable network management system, providing comprehensive Fault, Configuration, Performance
and Security management functionality in compliance with TMN standards:
Fault Management: Alarms and events real-time reporting, events correlation, alarm sorting and
filtering, alarm status management, event logging, historical event queries and color-coding
according to severity.
Configuration Management: Device discovery and scheduled periodical updates, hierarchical
location and contacts management, single and multiple unit configuration and software upgrade,
service provisioning, logical and geographical topology views and inventory management.
Performance Monitoring: Monitoring of over-the-air traffic load, wireless link performance and
quality of service statistics to identify problems and bottlenecks and optimize resource usage.
Security Management: Users and user-groups management, location based security and access
permissions, functional permissions and passwords for multi-level authorization & access
protection.
Embedded with the entire knowledge base of BWA network operations, AlvariSTAR is a unique
power multiplier in the hands of the service provider that enables the provisioning of satisfied
customers. AlvariSTAR dramatically extends the abilities of the service provider to provide a rich
portfolio of services and support rapid customer base expansion.
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AlvariSTAR Application Architecture
AlvariSTAR is a multi-layer architecture application comprising the following:
Infrastructure Layer, providing common functionality including inventory, faults, topology, log
and reports, software download, performance data collection and monitoring, and security.
Device Driver(s) Layer, enabling the addition of per product line management, configuration and
service provisioning capabilities that may differ among the various product lines. One or more
Device Drivers can be integrated into the Infrastructure.
F Fault Log & Topology Map
C Reports
INFRASTRUCTURE
Application Server that coordinates all system components and provides system communication
with managed sub-systems and network devices. The Application Server makes use of highly
scalable RMI (Remote Method Invocation) protocols, ensuring simple and reliable communication
among system elements.
Mediation Agent that runs continuously in the background providing services for communication
with external systems and devices using various protocols. The Mediation server includes a
mediation mapper for Alvarion devices’ MIBs.
Database for storage of network and business objects such as devices, configuration, links,
locations, events, performance data and system logs. The Database Server enables the storage and
retrieval of data required by the users. Supports built in Versant DB for small deployments and
Oracle DB for large deployments.
GUI Client, a graphical end-user application that allows users to access the AlvariSTAR
management information and processes, according to specific user’s access and permissions.
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AlvariSTAR System Architecture UDP
SNMP
AlvariSTAR
AlvariSTAR components are designed to support Server
Network
Network
Elements
Elements
a variety of system architectures, from minimal
All in One Server
“All-in-One” system with all components on the
(Application, DB, Mediation and Client)
same computer, through entry-level systems with
“All in One” System
several remote Clients, to a fully distributed
Database
system. This allows for maximum flexibility Server SNMP
RMI Mediation
enabling easy changes throughout system life TCP Agent
UDP
UDP
SNMP
RMI Mediation
Agent
AlvariSTAR Clients
Distributed Architecture
AlvariSTAR System Functionality
AlvariSTAR provides the following BWA network management functionality:
Inventory Management
Device Discovery and Resync Manager - allows the management of device discovery and
information update (resync) sessions. These run periodically with user-defined recurrence rate.
Equipment Manager - enables viewing devices in the database according to various search
criteria. It also provides access to device dependent features such as single and multiple device
configuration managers.
Configuration Management - allows for comprehensive configuration and management of single
and multiple Alvarion devices.
Cell Manager - allows viewing, creating and updating cell and sectors configurations.
Location Manager - provides easy creation and management of hierarchical locations. These can
be associated with maps and other attributes.
Contact Manager - provides management of contact persons. The contacts can then be used as
part of the AlvariSTAR network management processes.
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BWA PM Data Collection - enables the creation and management of recurrent data collection
sessions.
Software Upgrade Manager - provides efficient SW upgrade firmware loading and SW versions
control for multiple devices.
Topology
Geographical Topology - provides a visual representation of the geographical placement of
managed devices in a network.
Logical Topology - provides a visual representation of the logical links, interdependencies, and
relationships among devices and/or locations on the network.
Provisioning (BreezeMAX)
Subscriber Manager - enables creation & management of subscribers for service provisioning.
Service Profiles Manager - allows the creation and management of service profiles incorporating
various Quality of Service levels, classifiers & switching rules according to operator’s strategy.
Service Manager - allows the assignment of services to end users including support of various
user dependent features.
Report Manager
Inventory Reports - allows for quick generation of numerical and graphical inventory reports
according to multiple search and filter criteria.
Log Reports - provide access to and management of logged events.
System Utilities
Generic Schedule Manager - enables the scheduling of background tasks such as Heartbeat
probing and Database Aging Policies.
DAP (Data Aging Policy) Manager - provides automated database management tasks.
License - provides information about valid licenses and summary details on the currently managed
device types that are included in the license.
User Monitoring - allows viewing information on the currently logged in users and
communicating with them.
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Event Management
Event Monitor - provides alerts and real-time monitoring of the BWA network.
Event History - providing ability to query the database for events & alarms in specific time
intervals.
Event Template Manager - allows the customization and management of event templates
according to specific preferences and needs. Alarms can be associated with various behaviors
ranging from simple contact notification to execution of user-provided scripts that enable fully
automated corrective actions in case of certain faults.
Northbound Manager - allows you to connect to other management systems and to forward traps
related to this system.
Inventory Management
BWA Network Discovery/Resync Manager
Discovery is a process by which AlvariSTAR searches for and identifies Alvarion’s licensed devices
in a network. It also automatically identifies the wireless links between devices. Once an Alvarion
device has been identified, some basic information is retrieved from it and a database object is created
for the device. This enables AlvariSTAR to communicate with and manage the device. Discovery can
be performed interactively or can be set up in advance and scheduled for automatic periodical
executions to track newly added devices.
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Resync is a process of periodical queries of discovered devices to verify the existence of previously
discovered devices, identify changes in key parameters and update the database accordingly.
Identification of certain changes may lead to special actions such as system-initiated rediscovery cycle
for specific devices. Resynchronization cycles can be initiated upon request or be scheduled to run
periodically in accordance with expected rate of potential changes to managed devices.
Equipment Manager
The Equipment Manager provides views of devices according to multiple filtering criteria. It provides
general information on each of the
displayed devices such as device
type and model, location and IP
address. The Equipment Manager
allows single or multiple device
selection for configuration, topology
view or event filtering.
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Device & Multiple Device
Configuration
The Device Configuration Manager
provides organized views that display and
allow for the configuration of all
operational and service related parameters
of the managed devices.
The device family dependent Multiple Configuration Manager enables to simultaneously configure
multiple devices. The system identifies specific device properties such as Type, Model, HW Version
and SW version and sends to each
device only the applicable parameters.
Detailed reports provide process
progress and completion status
information enabling potential problem
identification and repeated configuration
cycles for failed configuration changes
only.
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Location Manager
The Location Manager enables association of devices or groups of devices with locations for efficient
management of the network and effective utilization of the geographical and logical topology maps. It
facilitates quick detection of managed objects according to location and helps drill down quickly to
view specific equipment components.
Locations can be specified hierarchically using multiple levels, such as country > region > city >
quarter > building > floor.
Locations can be associated
with appropriate bitmaps to be
displayed as a background in
the geographical topology
views. Each location can be
associated with descriptive
information including location
type and coordinates.
Contact Manager
Contacts provide an extra
parameter to identify and categorize
devices. The Contact Manager enables the
creation and management of contacts.
Each contact can be associated with
additional information such as first,
middle and last name, company details,
address, email and various phone, pager,
mobile phone and fax numbers at work,
home and other locations. Each device
can be associated with a contact for
efficient management of the network.
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BWA PM Data Collection
The BWA PM (Performance Monitoring) Data Collection enables defining and scheduling data
collection sessions. After the required data has been collected and stored in the database, the BWA PM
Data Collection Report module can be used to display a graph of the data collected for selected
counters or to export selected data to external files, enabling extensive performance analysis or
problem detection.
Multiple independent PM data collection session can be defined and executed. Each PM data
collection session includes the
following:
The Software Upgrade Manager alleviates the need for manually loading and activating new
embedded software to network elements by enabling the downloading and activation of an updated
software version to numerous devices simultaneously. The network administrator has total flexibility
and convenience in the selection of the devices that need to be upgraded. Such selection of devices can
be achieved by a simple selection of an entire region or a specific cell or sector.
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The Software Upgrade Manager accompanies the software upgrade process with detailed reports to
allow the service provider to monitor the progress and outcome of the software download operation. It
allows for flexible scheduling of the software upgrade operation in order to minimize service
disruption period to the non-busy service hours. As a result, the software upgrade process becomes a
well-controlled simple task to manage and perform with minimal effect on service.
Software upgrade is performed by loading the requested software files to the shadow memory of the
devices using TFTP, and activating the new software version at a desired moment according to a
predetermined process. It is possible to define any number of software upgrade sessions that will be
executed independently of each other.
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Topology
AlvariSTAR topology views provide a visual representation of the geographical and logical placement
of an Alvarion device, allowing users to view and monitor devices, initiate single or multiple
configurations and respond to alarms. AlvariSTAR automatically determines network elements
hierarchy in the BWA network, e.g. automatically associating CPEs with their central access units,
resulting in a crystal clear topology view of the wireless connections and base stations. Multilevel
hierarchic structure of locations supports viewing on multiple zoom levels from global (country wide
or regional) views down to a single device or component view, giving users extensive flexibility in
network monitoring and management.
Logical Topology
The Logical Topology Viewer provides a method to display,
organize, and manage devices and objects within the network
configuration according to logical connections. Logical
connections can be:
Geographical Topology
The geographical Topology Viewer displays managed
locations and devices on the appropriate geographical
map, allowing efficient management of the network on
multiple detail/zoom levels. The Geographical
Topology provides instant visual fault detection by
propagating alarms up the topology hierarchy. The
operator is notified of the problems at the top levels of
the location hierarchy and can then drill down to
pinpoint the location of the alarm.
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Provisioning (BreezeMAX)
A Service is a virtual connection between a Subscriber's application and the Network Resource. A
Subscriber is an entity that may be associated with any number of stations connected to any number of
SUs. For example, the Subscriber "Company A" may have any number of employees or remote
branches located behind different SU. Each Service associates a certain Service Profile with
Subscriber's device(s) behind a specific SU. Thus, different Services may be assigned to different end-
users (devices behind different SUs), even if these end-users are associated with the same Subscriber.
The Service Profile defines the specific properties of the Service. The applicable properties depend on
the Service Type.
Subscriber Manager
The Subscriber Manager enables complete management of Subscribers and the Services allocated to
these Subscribers. It allows you to view and edit the properties of existing Subscribers, define new
Subscribers, add, remove or edit the
Services allocated to the Subscriber
and launch the Performance
Monitoring application for
on-line viewing of service
counters for a selected
Service.
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Service Profile Manager
The Service Profile defines the specific properties of the Service. The applicable properties depend on
the Service Type. The Service Profile Manager enables management of Service Profiles, and viewing
the Service Profiles Summary window that displays the details of all Service Profiles and Service
Profile components (Forwarding Rules, Policy Rules, QoS Profiles) associated with a selected Serving
Device (Base Station/Micro
Base Station).
Service Manager
The Service Manager enables you to view and edit the properties of selected Services, delete Services
and launch the Performance Monitoring application for viewing the service counters of a selected
Service.
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Event Management
AlvariSTAR provides efficient tools for managing alarms and events generated in the system.
AlvariSTAR mediation agents can detect device availability using heartbeat (keep-alive) monitoring &
equipment faults using SNMP event notifications (Trap). The Event Management feature displays
information about each alarm/event, and allows management of received alarms/events, helping
operators diagnose and correct system failures.
Event Template Manager: Determine how AlvariSTAR processes different types of messages sent
by managed network objects. The system’s messages (events) typically indicate a change in the
operational status of the object, like a device failure or a system reset. Event templates match each
event with specific actions, including triggering of user-defined scripts. The default template
manager includes generic
system templates as well as
device family specific
templates.
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The Event Monitor and Event History modules include numerous options and features to supports
effective and efficient fault management:
Display and acknowledge alarm information – get Alarm details with double click,
acknowledge or un-acknowledge alarms, add notes to alarms & view associated managed
object details.
Customize views - create new columns, insert/remove columns, move/resize columns, Sort
by columns and Save/Edit/Delete/Open customized views.
Create/edit/delete View Filters by managed objects, locations, events & alarm severities.
Manage event behavior through templates - event logging, alarm display, send email.
As alarms are detected, they are propagated in real-time to the network element presentation
applications. Geographical and logical topology icons as well as Equipment Manager are highlighted
with the corresponding alarms severity, enabling direct access to the alarm window.
Filtering efforts are made through AlvariSTAR to ensure that operators only receive the most relevant
information. This includes suppression of selected duplicate alarms, correlation of alarms and
suppression of symptomatic alarms. Correlated faults can be forwarded to higher-level management
systems as SNMP traps. Off-site NOC staff can be automatically notified of alarms through email.
To aid in troubleshooting, alarms may be e-mailed from inside the Alarm Window.
The Event Monitor and Event History enable switching between Alarm and Event viewing modes.
Alarm Mode displays only events for which a fault condition exists (only open alarms), while Event
Mode displays all events not excluded by a filter (open, cleared, suppressed & informational).
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Event View and Filter Manager
The displayed events/alarms view includes valuable
information about each event/alarm. The Event View
and Filter Manager enables the creation, editing and
deletion of Views and Filters. The View Manager
enables defining which attributes will be shown and
the order in which they will be displayed. The Event
Filter Manager enables defining which attributes will
be used as selection criteria. A wide range of such
attributes is available, including Event ID, Event
time, Event type, severity, managed object
information, status and more.
Northbound Manager
AlvariSTAR supports forwarding system & network events to northbound managers, according to
flexible criterions. Filters can be defined and associated with different northbound managers to control
which events are sent to the different
managers.
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Security Management
AlvariSTAR users are organized into User Groups; each Group is assigned a certain permission level.
Every function within the AlvariSTAR has a corresponding permission. To access a function, a user
must belong to a Group that was assigned permission rights for that function. AlvariSTAR
Administrators can organize users on the basis of their access requirements, and to enforce security
accordingly. It is important to note that if a user does not have permission to access an area, the section
will not appear in the menu at all.
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Application Security Policy Manager
The Application Security policy Manager enables specifying security policies governing users’ login
and password, as follows:
Login Policy: Define issues associated with login such as the time that an account can remain
inactive, how long an open session can remain inactive, the permitted number of failed login
attempts and the lockout period once a user has exceeded the allowed number of failed login
attempts.
Password Policy: Defines whether (and for how long) users can use the same password, when an
old password can be re-used, and when they get a warning that the current password is near its
expiry date.
Password Constraints: Defines how passwords can be constructed, including constraints on
minimum length and the use of upper and lower case letters, numbers or certain special characters.
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Reports Management
Inventory Reports
The Inventory Reports application generates reports for devices managed by the system. Reports can
be saved for later reference and shared among users members in a group. In addition, reports can be
exported (tab delimited) and report definitions
can be exported/imported. You can create
colorful graphs and charts, and print the results.
Log Reports
AlvariSTAR provides a logging service that records messages to the database upon the occurrence of
pre-specified events. These messages can include event date and time, event type, error messages and
other important information according to the event. You can view logs of all processes or specific
processes in a certain time period. You can limit the display to processes initiated by a user or a certain
group of users, and limit the display to specific devices, device types or sessions.
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System Services
Schedules Management
The Schedule Manager provides management and scheduling for background tasks such as Device
Heartbeat Probes and Database Aging
Policies. Start time, end time and
recurrence patterns can be configured
independently for each scheduled activity.
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License Status Monitoring
The License Status window displays information about
valid licenses for managing Alvarion devices and
summary details on the currently managed device types
included in the license. When considering future
expansion plans, the number of licensed devices
compared with the number of managed devices of each
type indicates whether there is a need for an updated
license to supported a larger number of certain devices.
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Hardware and Software Requirements
Windows operating systems: Windows 2000 Server, Windows 2000 Advanced Server. Windows
2003 Server, Windows 2000 Pro, Windows XP Pro, Windows XP-SP2 client.
Solaris operating systems: SUN Solaris 2.8 or 2.9
AlvariSTAR can be installed with either Versant or Oracle database, where the Versant database
installation is integrated within the AlvariSTAR installation in Windows edition, and Oracle must be
independently installed on Unix. The combination of Oracle on Windows is not supported at this
version. In configurations where Oracle database is to be used, the Oracle database must be acquired
and installed separately in Unix edition.
AlvariSTAR Supports both Oracle Standard and Enterprise editions. The Oracle license definition for
the AlvariSTAR application is categorized as "multiplexing software" with number of user license
equals to the number of AlvariSTAR remote Clients.
For Demo/Trial
Application Server, Database server & client:
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For Small to Medium size deployments (up to 1000 network elements)
Application Server, Database server & client:
Computer Type Sun Fire V240, Sun Fire V440 Server Or Higher recommended.
Operating Solaris 2.8, 2.9 with latest patch
System
Processor 2 x 1.5GHz UltraSPARC IIIi
RAM 4GB
Hard Disk SCSI hard disk 80GB
Computer Type Sun Fire V240, Sun Fire V440 Server Or Higher recommended.
Operating System Solaris 2.8, 2.9 with latest patch
Processor 2 x 1.5GHz UltraSPARC IIIi
RAM 2GB
Hard Disk SCSI hard disk 80GB
Data Base OS Oracle 8.1.7, Oracle 9
AlvariSTAR Client:
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