Alcatel-lucent 5620, 5620 SAM APPLICATION NOTE BROCHURE

A P P L I C A T I O N N O T E

Service-aware IP management for the
Ultimate Wireless Packet Core

Abstract

Long Term Evolution (LTE), such as realized in the Alcatel-Lucent Ultimate Wireless Packet Core,
represents much more than an upgrade to the wireless network. It means the convergence of the
mobile and supporting transport layers into an all IP-based network. This transformation poses
significant operational challenges to mobile operators. Maintaining a high-quality customer
experience within an all-IP network requires operators to respond quickly to the dynamic nature
of IP-based services with a network management environment designed to support them.

In particular, operating an all-IP network for advanced mobile services requires powerful network
management capabilities that are aware of services end-to-end. Such an efficient network management
system is crucial to containing the network’s total cost of ownership, optimizing asset usage, and
streamlining multi-technology network operations.

Alcatel-Lucent offers precisely the kind of service-aware network management system required for
the Ultimate Wireless Packet Core. With the seamlessly integrated 5620 Service Aware Manager
(SAM) and 5650 Control Plane Assurance Manager (CPAM), Alcatel-Lucent provides a scalable
solution which meets the next-generation IP management challenges of new mobile networks while
minimizing the cost of network operations.

This paper details how the advanced configuration, assurance, performance monitoring, and
security management capabilities of the 5620 SAM and 5650 CPAM allow cost-effective, end-to­end management of the Ultimate Wireless Packet Core, the wireless backhaul, and the underlying
IP/MPLS transport network.

Table of contents

1 1. Introduction

1 2. Ultimate Wireless Packet Core network management

2 3. Advanced route and path management

3 4. Configuration management

3 Control plane bearer deployment

4 Configuration policy audits

4 5. Fault management

4 Mobile and transport layer assurance

4 EPS path visualization

6 OAM test management

6 Cross-layer (Mobile/IP transport) path correlation

7 IP reachability monitoring

7 6. Performance management

9 7. Security management

9 8. OSS integration

9 9. Conclusion

1. Introduction

Alcatel-Lucent Ultimate Wireless Packet Core solves the investment dilemma facing mobile operators
by providing a single, converged mobile packet core that supports both LTE Evolved Packet Core
(EPC) and 3GPP packet core functionality. The result is a service-aware, all-IP core network that
simultaneously addresses the immediate requirements of delivering 2.5/3G services, as well as the
more stringent control and data plane requirements of LTE. By supporting mobile broadband
services that use any 3GPP radio access technology (GERAN, UTRAN, E-UTRAN), the Ultimate
Wireless Packet Core gives operators both a scalable, high-performance 3GPP core that addresses
existing capacity constraints and the flexibility to migrate to LTE at their own pace.

Network management will play a key role in the success of LTE, and mobile operators must look
beyond traditional element and network management solutions to manage the service volumes
and complexities of their new mobile networks. Existing, and often manual, processes are slow and
error prone, driving up operations costs; reactive problem detection leads to longer outages and
dissatisfied customers; and integration with existing systems and processes is expensive and time­consuming, making it extremely difficult to protect existing investments.

The Alcatel-Lucent 5620 Service Aware Manager (SAM) frees mobile operators from the traditional
boundaries of element and network management, offering advanced assurance and provisioning
capabilities designed for the complexities of all-IP networks. When combined with the 5650 Control
Plane Assurance Manager (CPAM), the 5620 SAM provides advanced troubleshooting capabilities
that integrate physical, routing, and service topologies, simplifying fault isolation and thereby mini­mizing service interruptions. The 5620 SAM also provides flexible, automated configuration and
provisioning tools that reduce the possibility of human error. Equipped with powerful, standards­based OSS interfaces, the 5620 SAM easily adapts to existing OSS environments for faster and
more cost-effective integration.

2. Ultimate Wireless Packet Core network management

The Alcatel-Lucent 5620 SAM, with the 5650 CPAM, provides comprehensive element and
end-to-end IP management for the Alcatel-Lucent Ultimate Wireless Packet Core (SGW, SGSN/
MME, PCRF, PGW/GGSN) and mobile backhaul (see Figure 1).

Figure 1. IP ma nagement for the Alcatel-L ucent Ultimate Wireless Packet Core and mobile backhaul

UTRAN

UMTS, HSPA

E-UTRAN

LTE

GERAN

GPRS, EDGE

Mobile backhaul

SGW

5620 SAM,

5650 CPAM

SGSN/MME

Ultimate Wireless

Packet Core

PCRF

PGW/GGSN

Service-aware IP man agement fo r the Ultima te Wireless Packet Core | Application N ote 1