GPRS Management Mediation

White Paper

February, 2001
 GPRS Management Mediation White Paper

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION TO GPRS AND MEDIATION ..........................................................................................3

1.1 ANYTIME, ANYWHERE DATA COMMUNICATIONS..........................................................................................3
1.2 WHAT IS MEDIATION? ...................................................................................................................................3
1.3 THE BUSINESS BENEFITS OF MEDIATION .......................................................................................................3
2 GSM & GPRS NETWORK MANAGEMENT ................................................................................................3
2.1 GSM & GPRS OSSS....................................................................................................................................4
2.2 GPRS COMPONENTS......................................................................................................................................4
2.3 THE ISSUES ....................................................................................................................................................5
3 THE VERTEL MEDIATION FRAMEWORK (VMF)...................................................................................5

4 MEDIATION FOR GSM & GPRS ...................................................................................................................6

5 MEDIATION LIFECYCLE ..............................................................................................................................8

5.1 SCENARIO 1 ADDITION OF A NEW GPRS OMC, THE GSM OSS REMAINS UNCHANGED ....................................8
5.2 SCENARIO 2 - OSS A OR NE INTERFACE MODIFICATION ..............................................................................9
5.3 INTERFACES UPGRADE SCENARIOS ................................................................................................................9
6 CONCLUSION .................................................................................................................................................10

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1 INTRODUCTION TO GPRS AND MEDIATION

Wireless communications has had a dramatic effect on how we work and live today. Today, it is hard to imagine a life without a
mobile phone. Business users are looking forward to having access to a data connection with the office at any time. Imagine being
able to access your e-mail, files, the Internet and other data wherever and whenever required. Some wireless data services are
available today; for example, SMS (Short Messaging Service) has seen unprecedented growth in Europe over the last year.
However, none offer the possibilities that are expected from the forthcoming data service for GSM networks called General Packet
Radio Service (GPRS).
GPRS is a high-speed packet data technology, being deployed in GSM networks worldwide. This will greatly enhance the services
available to the end-user of mobile data computing. GPRS allows for the sending and receiving of data at much higher speed than
available today. The current 9.6 Kbps will be extended to over 100 Kbps, resulting in an Internet connection all the way to a mobile
handset.
GPRS data services are also expected to be one of the main revenue growth areas for mobile carriers in the coming years. The
success of GPRS will fuel, to some degree, the speed at which UMTS deployment happens. UMTS (the 3rd generation data
service) is expected to make data rates of up to 2 Mbps a reality.

1.1 ANYTIME, ANYWHERE DATA COMMUNICATIONS

A key outcome of growth in the Internet and a friendly user interface to the Web has been a surge in self-service transactions,
whether to order merchandise online or to provision telecom services. In a matter of 3-4 years almost every business application
has been web-enabled and users increasingly demand the ability to direct their personal and commercial choices via the Web.
From bill paying, to tax filing, to ordering customized PCs, use of the web to direct service requests is exploding. Customers in both
the consumer/residential and corporate/commercial environment are increasingly demanding to control the services they order.
They interactively participate in and monitor the services they use.
As the public Internet has exploded in popularity, use of IP as a common networking methodology has likewise blossomed. Using
underlying IP-based networks, enterprises are able to link their private networks with the public network in a very cost-effective way.
Users now see the possibility of having some of these services available via their wireless devices. GPRS is the enabling
underlying technology that makes this possibility a reality.

1.2 WHAT IS MEDIATION?

Mediation is the integration of two components that are needed to exchange information, but which do not speak the same
language. It is required when different management protocols and interfaces are used in different systems and these systems
need to co-exist in the same environment or be managed by higher-level systems. This problem often occurs when introducing new
network equipment or management systems into an existing carrier environment.
In the scope of this document we will discuss mediation in the context of GPRS to GSM management protocol mediation. This
implies the use of different management protocols in different areas of the GSM network, now extended to provide data services
through GPRS.

1.3 THE BUSINESS BENEFITS OF MEDIATION

Carefully designed mediation solutions have benefits for the carrier (service provider) and the network equipment vendor. These
benefits include:
! focus on developing and implementing a strategy built on competitive differentiation by delivering premium customer services,
! investment in service differentiation as opposed to investment in system integration (network plumbing),
! flexibility to automate the network management of multi-technology, multi-vendor, and multi-protocol networks,
! open interfaces, facilitating interoperability with partners.

2 GSM & GPRS NETWORK MANAGEMENT

In GSM network management today, Operations Support Systems (OSSs) have managed both the voice services and the circuit-
switched data services. With the introduction of GPRS and the subsequent availability of new wireless data services, the new
requirements on the GSM OSSs will need to reflect the importance on the wireless data service management, as this will be a key
revenue growth area for mobile operators. The issues outlined below highlight just some of the areas where there will be an impact
on network management.

# GPRS requires the operators to integrate additional equipment and software into their network. This substantially increases
the complexity of their networks, i.e. the number of managed elements, vendor suppliers and management systems.

# The usage of bandwidth needs to be monitored carefully in order to handle the uptake of new services by mobile consumers.
The management of bandwidth demand increases the complexity of the system. For instance, how do you effectively
configure the network to ensure that subscribers have access to the services they ordered?

# Subscriber usage patterns can also have a key impact on the network. What operational data is available to effect the
necessary changes to deal with how subscribers use the network?

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# With the introduction of data services via a wireless device, users will be subscribing to a variety of new wireless services. The
current usage-based pricing will become just one of the number of pricing models available to the carrier of wireless data
services.

# The introduction of new equipment and services also increases the complexity of fault management. New alarms will be
produced and the network operator will need to be able to isolate and deal with network faults quickly and efficiently to
minimize the impact on their customers.

# The past has proven that total interface interoperability between different vendors or carriers does not exist. It is very likely
that a total interoperability will never exist. Therefore, mediation and integration between interfaces is always required.

In the subsequent sections we will look at the network management integration issues that face existing GSM networks and the new
GPRS networks. We will look at some approaches that will allow the equipment vendors, network operators and service providers
to overcome these problems.

2.1 GSM & GPRS OSSS

GSM infrastructure is typically managed via a mandated Q3 network management standard. Most existing OSS software is heavily
based on this standard Q3 protocol. GSM operators need to maintain this OSS software, while also managing the new equipment
added as part of GPRS network infrastructure. GPRS network elements are inherently different from the circuit switched
equipment. They are IP-based and predominantly use a different network management protocol: SNMP.
All of this activity has created new challenges in the management of the wireless network itself:
# Carriers face the challenge of integrating GPRS into the pre-existing GSM OSS infrastructure.
# Network equipment manufacturers find that they now need to integrate data equipment into the GSM network infrastructure.
# Network equipment manufacturers also need to meet the Carrier requirements for access to certain information sets from their
management platforms.
# Network engineers find that they need to coordinate various architectures that encompass a variety of interface protocols.

Figure 1: Network Architecture of GSM and GPRS

2.2 GPRS COMPONENTS

SGSN : Serving GPRS Support Node
GGSN : Gateway GPRS Support Node
GPRS Backbone : IP routing and switching equipment (intranet)
Firewall : IP software/hardware to restrict GPRS infrastructure access from intruders
BG : Border Gateway used to connect two different GPRS operators
Data Networks : IP and X.25 external public networks, accessing GPRS via Firewall/GGSN.

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2.3 THE ISSUES

The introduction of GPRS now poses several network management integration issues for network equipment manufacturers and
carriers.
1. The first area is the introduction of primarily SNMP based equipment to support GPRS. This now has to be managed through
an existing EMS (Element Management System) or OMC (Operations and Maintenance Center) or a new EMS to manage the
GPRS components.
2. The northbound interface that the network equipment provider exposes to the OSS carrier now needs to be extended to allow
access to the GPRS portion of the network. This may require the integration of one or two EMSs into the existing OSS
infrastructure.
3. It may also be the case that the operator has different types of OSSs. For example, one set which is used to manage the pre-
existing voice infrastructure and one set that is used to manage the data or IP infrastructure. The equipment vendor now has
to work with the mobile operator and solve the problem of mediating one or two EMSs into different carrier OSSs.
4. Equipment vendors are also required to meet specific interface requirements laid out by the carrier. These can vary from
carrier to carrier and, as a result, a flexible and efficient way of managing the northbound carrier interface requirements is
needed.
5. In the midst of all of this activity, mobile operators also need to be aware of their future OSS requirements. This may involve
new systems or updates to existing ones. A migration path to allow an operator to gradually switch on new OSS systems is
also vital in the preservation of established service levels with their existing customers. Because churn is one of the key
challenges facing each operator, any potential impacts to the customer experience must be carefully managed.

3 THE VERTEL MEDIATION FRAMEWORK (VMF)

The Vertel Mediation Framework is the software architecture developed by Vertel to solve the mediation problem. The VMF is
the result of Vertels experience in developing solutions for a variety of real network environments and components. This
experience and the knowledge of a large number of management interfaces are reflected in the frameworks design.
The Vertel Mediation Framework aims at providing a mediation solution applicable throughout the lifecycle of a management
system. It avoids the hard coding of interfaces or mediation semantics into the mediation code. This allows a customer to
incorporate some changes to interfaces or mediation behavior without recompiling or even stopping the mediation device.
The Vertel Mediation Framework consists of the following components:
Mediator(s)
The mediator correlates requests and responses between the management application and network elements or other
management systems. It consists of:
! Inference Engine
! Mediation Rules (compiled or interpreted)
! Mediation Keys (license controlled)
The inference engine provides a generic part of the mapping activity. The mediation keys represent the semantics. They
are implemented as mapping rules, which can be edited by a customer, allowing for tuning of the mediation behavior at
run-time. There is one mediation key per mapping. Mediation knowledge can also be expressed in a form of interpreted
run-time rules. Any given rule set may comprise of compiled and interpreted rules. Rule sets may be structured using
packages whereby rules are activated, deactivated and fired.
Protocol Interface Adapters
The adapters are used to translate data from management interfaces into the normalized data representation. The
adapters are data-driven, accessing meta-data information at run-time. New data formats can be introduced at run-time.
Adapters can be generic (e.g. SNMP and Q3) or specific for a given ASCII or IDL interface. A meta-data description can
be modified without the need to re-build software. For example, one can add a new protocol or a new device description.
Distribution Server
The distribution server acts as a message router and a synchronization point between the processes in the mediation
domain. It is responsible for distributing routing information to each of the processes within the VMF. By controlling other
processes it may generate alarms and other informational messages about all processes in the system. A profile is
associated with each process determining the start and termination criteria that the distribution server follows when
managing a process in the system. The profile can be modified to take into account existing customer policies.
Configuration Manager
VMF modules may be added, removed or modified using the configuration manager. Each module registers with the
distribution server in order to make new services transparent to the existing components (e.g. one can add new protocol
adapter, another mediator). The module registration contains enough information to allow the new module to initialize
and participate in a VMF transaction. Configuration manager exposes an SNMP interface, so the whole mediation
framework could be managed externally just like any other devise or application in the network.

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As was discussed above, GSM networks are currently managed using a TMN standard, via a Q3 protocol. GPRS introduces IP
equipment into these GSM networks. In general, most IP equipment exposes SNMP interfaces, creating a necessity for SNMP to
Q3 mediation at either the EMS-NE or the EMS OSS interfaces.
VMF is a perfect fit to solve this problem. It provides a seamless mechanism for mediating diverse management.
The VMF modules facilitate the building of configurable and scalable mediation solutions for the integration of GPRS into the GSM
management infrastructure. VMF provides:
! ability to build and deploy mediation solutions quickly
! ability to adapt to changes in information models without major development
! ability to preserve performance requirements
! low cost of ownership
! support for multiple management protocols
! reusable components
! scalable architecture and
! distributed architecture
Each of the VMF features listed above is an important factor required to support the ongoing lifecycle of the mediation solution. A
separate section is devoted to an explanation of what is meant by the lifecycle of a mediation solution.

Distribution Mediator
Configuration
Manager Service

Communication VMF Msgs

External Msgs

Adapter Adapter Adapter

Protocol 3
Protocol 1 Protocol 2

Figure 2: Vertel Mediation Framework Components

The mediation process itself can be divided into three distinct steps:
First, a management request is received according to a certain protocol (SNMP, CMISE, CORBA, ASCII, etc). This
request arrives in a format compliant with the definition for that particular management protocol. The semantics of the
request is translated into a normalized form.
Second, the normalized message is translated into one or more normalized outgoing management messages of what is
most likely a very different management protocol. Predefined mapping rules are used to determine the nature and content
of the outgoing messages to be generated.
Third, the outgoing management request(s) are formatted and sent out according to the syntax definitions of the outgoing
management protocol
The process is carried out in the reverse direction if a response to the request is received.

4 MEDIATION FOR GSM & GPRS

GPRS introduces the primarily SNMP based equipment into the GSM network. This now has to be managed through an existing
EMS or through the addition of a new EMS specifically to manage the GPRS components. Using the VMF the equipment vendor
can mediate between the supported interface on their existing EMS and the SNMP based network elements. Figure 3 below is
used to illustrate this scenario.

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GSM & GPRS

O C

Q3

Vertel Mediation Framework

Q3 SNMP ASCII

GSM Network

Figure 3: Mediating between EMS and GPRS Network Element Mediation

In all cases there will be the introduction of new manageable components that now need to be accessed from the carrier OSS. The
northbound interface from the network equipment vendor EMS needs to allow the operator access to an additional set of
management interfaces in order to represent the GPRS portion of the network. In the carrier environment, it may be that there is
more than one OSS involved. For example, one OSS may be used to manage voice services and another may be used to manage
the new data services. Figure 4 below illustrates the mediation scenario between one equipment vendor EMS and two different
operator OSSs.

GPRS Data Network GSM Voice Network

CORBA Q3
Vertel Mediation Framework

Q3 SNMP ASCII

GSM & GPRS

Figure 4: Mediating between GSM & GPRS EMS to separate carrier OSSs

The requirements on the exposed northbound interface from the specific network equipment vendor EMS may vary between the
different mobile operators. Equipment vendors are usually asked to meet specific interface requirements defined by the operator to
meet their network management needs. A flexible way of managing these interface changes is required, without exponentially
growing deployment times. Competitively for both the equipment vendor and the mobile operator, delays in the deployment of these
networks can cost both parties heavily in terms of lost customers and market share. The modules provided by the VMF are generic,
meta-data driven and able to adapt at run-time to the required interfaces.
In some cases the equipment vendor may supply two EMSs, one to manage the existing GSM portion of the network and an
additional one to manage the new GPRS infrastructure. Depending on the carrier environment, it may be necessary to mediate
between two EMSs and one or two OSS architectures. Figure 5 below illustrates the scenario where there are two EMSs and two
OSSs involved.

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GPRS Data Network GSM Voice Network

CORBA Q3

Vertel Mediation Framework

Q3 SNMP

GSM OMC GPRS

Figure 5: Mediating between separate EMSs and separate OSSs

It is also necessary to manage OSS requirements for the future. This may involve new systems or updates to existing ones. A
migration path to allow operator to gradually switch on new OSS Systems is also vital in the preservation of established service
levels with their existing customers. Churn is one of the key challenges facing each mobile operator. Any potential impacts to the
customer experience must be carefully managed.

5 MEDIATION LIFECYCLE
Mediation solutions built around VMF are well positioned to adapt to changes required during the lifecycle of a deployed mediation
solution. Mediation solutions are not inert to changes in the network and the OSS interfaces. It is very common for OSS and NE
interfaces to go through feature upgrades after a solution has been deployed. Network operators are always expanding their
networks due to a high demand for bandwidth and it is not uncommon today for network infrastructure to go through a major
overhaul in order to remain competitive. Due to the evolutionary nature of the telecom network, it is important that the mediation
solution infrastructure is capable of adapting to changes in the OSSs and NE interfaces.
The mediation lifecycle is the change process that can occur in the deployed mediation environment. The solution provided by
Vertel will enable the customer to react in an effective manner to an evolving management environment.
This section describes a sequence of steps in the mediation lifecycle of a solution and exemplifies the features of the VMF
presented in the preceding sections of this document.

5.1 SCENARIO 1 ADDITION OF A NEW GPRS OMC, THE GSM OSS REMAINS UNCHANGED

Initially we have the VMF and Q3 Q3 mediation scenario from the equipment vendors OMC to the carrier OSS. We now add a
new OMC to support the management of the GPRS components of the network. This OMC exposes a northbound SNMP interface.
In order to use the pre-existing OSS for network management we must now mediate between the SNMP interface on the OMC and
the Q3 interface on the OSS. Applying this to the VMF architecture, an additional adapter for the GPRS OMC and a new set of
mediation mapping keys are required to support the mapping from the GSM & GPRS OSS to the GPRS OMC. This is illustrated
below.

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GSM-OSS GSM-OSS
<-> <->
GSM-OMC GPRS-OMC

GSM & GPRS Mediator

Q3

Vertel Mediation Framework

Q3 SNMP

GSM OMC GPRS

Figure 6: Reuse of interface adapter for GSM & GPRS OSS when the GPRS OMC is added.

5.2 SCENARIO 2 - OSS A OR NE INTERFACE MODIFICATION

It is not uncommon to see minor changes in the OSS and OMC interfaces due to version upgrades. A solution built around VMF
can adapt to these changes in an operationally friendly manner. The adapter needs to load a new file representing the new
interface. This can be done online through the configuration manager. The rule-based mapping information can be extended on a
run-time basis to support the extensions added to the interfaces, without having to undertake any major development. The
operational outage time can be kept to an absolute minimum or it can not at all be based on the carrier requirements.

GSM-OSS
GSM-OSS
<->
<->
GSM-OMC
GPRS-OMC

Mediator
GPRS-OSS
GSM GPRS <->
GSM-OMC
OSS OSS
Q3 CORBA

Vertel Mediation Framework

Q3 SNMP

GSM OMC GPRS

Figure 7: Reuse of OMC interface adapters for the new GPRS OSS

5.3 INTERFACES UPGRADE SCENARIOS

The solution provided by Vertel, built using the VMF, will enable the customer to react in an effective manner to an evolving
management environment. Upgrades to networks and associated management systems are required in an evolving carrier
environment. Management of the mediation lifecycle is essential.

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Example of interface upgrade scenarios:

1. Information model of a management system needs some minor changes (e.g. some functions have to be modified to solve
some problems).
2. Information model is extended to cover new functionality now available through the hardware on the network. This can impact
both the EMS managing the network as well as the exposed interface to the carrier.
3. Information model is extended and the existing information model needs to be changed as part of a new equipment or EMS
release.
4. An interface has been changed to adhere to specific requirements from a mobile operator.

The adapters provided by the VMF are generic, meta-data driven and able to adapt at run-time to the required information model.

Cases of interface changes:

1. A new information model meta-data is loaded into the running mediator. Some minor changes to the mediation keys may be
necessary.
2. A new information model meta-data is loaded into running mediator. Mediation keys are developed according to mapping
semantics and loaded into the mediator.
3. The new meta-data is loaded into an adapter. Mediation keys are updated to reflect the necessary changes.

The cases outlined above can be implemented by the customer without Vertel's involvement, unless there are substantial changes
to the mediation model (e.g. the form of a command interface changes dramatically so that entirely new type of mapping scenarios
are necessary).

6 CONCLUSION
Mediation solutions are fast becoming a critical path solution for GSM network managers. Whether the need is created through
new data services in the case of GPRS or through the current rage of mergers and acquisitions, which introduces the issue of multi-
vendor networks, there is a defined need, in todays telecom network, to have disparate systems communicate with each other.

Vertels Mediation Framework provides a cost-effective means of creating these communication bridges. The use of a pre-
defined framework enables fast development times that directly translate in to a faster time-to-market. The ability to re-use
components from one engagement to another results in reduced costs and a better bottom line.

Additionally, the framework provides benefits that are required when one analyzes the overall lifecycle of a mediation solution:

scalable and distributed architecture,

reusable components,

support for multiple management protocols,

ability to adapt the changes in information models without major development,

ability to preserve performance requirements,

low cost of ownership,

ability to build mediation solution rapidly and with low cost.

Vertel Mediation Framework can help to improve the efficiency of your organization in meeting market demands.
You are welcome to discuss your mediation needs with us anytime. For additional information, please contact your regional Vertel
Sales Executive who will be happy to assist you.

21300 Victory Boulevard, Suite 700

Woodland Hills, CA 91367

Tel: (818) 227-

227-1400 Fax: (818) 598-
598-0047

www.vertel.com
All trademarks are the property of their respective trademark owners

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