Remote Monitoring of Critical Network Nodes at POPs

Posted By: technopediasite

Ultra long-haul networks carry high bandwidth representing heavy Internet and voice traffic. Optimum performance of each NE is key to running a reliable and profitable network operation.

ULH network and NOC

ULH network and NOC

When new types of NEs pass evaluation in the verification center, usually no in depth installation experience is available. Following installation, NE performance is usually thoroughly monitored to prevent malfunction. Receiving a full network overview requires availability of monitoring information not only at the point of presence (POP), but also at the NOC or central offices (COs). Availability of this information is even more important when lengthy measurements such as bit error rate or long-term observations of optical parameters are to be performed at unmanned POPs.

In above figure illustrates a crash sensitive optical network node at the POP of an ultra long haul (ULH) network. The network is monitored by local measurement equipment and the results are displayed at the NOC. Here, the measurement equipment must offer remote operation capability so that the measurement equipment can be controlled and monitored using an internet browser via internet or LAN. In this way, local test equipment can be accessed remotely with the same ‘look and feel’ offered through direct operation via touch screen.

This capability enables technicians at the NOC or CO to access any monitoring point at any POP on the network. In a multi-user case, this view is not limited to an individual’s terminal, so other technicians are able to share one view simultaneously. This allows the local technician to set up the test head with the required amount of test ports on demand.

Through remote operation, the need to travel to specific sites (and the associated costs) is reduced as technicians can be linked directly with the equipment. In addition, the concept itself facilitates more frequent performance checks at additional and potentially critical monitoring points. Extended monitoring helps assure and improve overall network performance as potential problems can be detected earlier. As long as a piece of measurement equipment is not required elsewhere in the network, it too can be linked to additional monitoring points and monitored through the LAN.

Monitoring the POP remotely from the NOC

Monitoring the POP remotely from the NOC

In above figure shows details of a network node in a configuration such as the one discussed previously in which a DWDM MUX/DEMUX and typical monitoring points are clearly marked. At A and B, a lengthy bit error rate measurement could be performed in the respective OC-192c and OC-48 channels assuming these channels are not used for payload traffic. For this setup, the connection is looped back at the adjacent POP.

At C, the optical parameters such as optical power or optical signal to noise ratio (OSNR) can be compared with those of the DWDM signal at D. Using an OSA, the full DWDM spectrum can be displayed at D, then analyzed and monitored over extended periods. At C - between MUX and transponders - B3 errors can be monitored to check the quality of the incoming east-west ULH link.

If the measurement equipment offers multi-port capability, the NOC can observe several monitoring points at the same time. If necessary, additional ports can be generated simply by adding measurement mainframes which can be operated individually via the same browser at a single terminal in the NOC. Multi-user capability of the measurement equipment also offers the same view of the monitoring information to any other CO or NOC terminal. A similar set up is also used in the verification center (VC) labs of carriers where new network configurations are evaluated. In the case of the VC, the equipment is distributed through a lab. Remote access from the office via LAN in this scenario is also useful.