Appendix J - Optima Technical Overview

Technical Overview
AIRCOM OPTIMA Technical Overview

Release 6.2
Author:
Date:
Neil Davies
11 March 2010
Ref:
Version:
Status:
I-SM-SR-EM-OP-004
3a
Approved
Sec. Class:
Commercial in Confidence
Copyright 2010 AIRCOM International - All rights reserved. No part of this work, which is protected by copyright, may be reproduced
in any form or by any means - graphic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or storage in an information
retrieval system without the written permission of the copyright owner.
Contents
1
2
3
4
5
Document Control ...............................................................................................................3

1.1
Revision History ..........................................................................................................3
1.2
Reviewers ...................................................................................................................3
Introduction ..........................................................................................................................4
Product Positioning .............................................................................................................5
Benefits of OPTIMA .............................................................................................................7
Technical Solution ...............................................................................................................8
5.1
System Architecture....................................................................................................8
5.1.1 Physical Architecture ..............................................................................................8
5.1.2 Central Database Server ........................................................................................9
5.1.3 Parsing/Loading Mediation Devices .......................................................................9
5.1.4 Application Server (Optional) ............................................................................... 10
5.1.5 OPTIMA Clients ................................................................................................... 10
5.1.6 OPTIMA Logical Architecture .............................................................................. 11
5.1.7 Architecture Key Features ................................................................................... 12
5.2
Vendor Interfaces .................................................................................................... 12
5.3
User Functions ......................................................................................................... 13
5.3.1 OPTIMA Inspector ............................................................................................... 13
5.3.2 Reporter ............................................................................................................... 15
5.3.3 OPTIMA Work Area ............................................................................................. 16
5.3.4 Database Explorer and Query Builder ................................................................. 17
5.3.5 OPTIMA Sandbox ................................................................................................ 20
5.3.6 Administration ...................................................................................................... 21
5.3.7 Summary and Busy Hour Calculations ................................................................ 21
5.3.8 Data Quality ......................................................................................................... 21
5.3.9 Key Performance Indicator (KPI) Mapping .......................................................... 22
5.3.10
Archiving .......................................................................................................... 23
5.3.11
Performance Alarm Management .................................................................... 23
5.3.12
Performance Alarm Technical Implementation ................................................ 23
5.3.13
ETL Alarms ...................................................................................................... 25
5.4
Server and Data Loading Platforms ........................................................................ 26
5.5
Client ........................................................................................................................ 26
5.6
Supported Data ........................................................................................................ 26
5.7
Data Storage ............................................................................................................ 27
5.8
Report Output Formats ............................................................................................ 27
5.9
Report Output Types ............................................................................................... 27
5.10 Report Scheduling ................................................................................................... 27
5.11 Graph Types ............................................................................................................ 28
5.12 Graph Output Formats ............................................................................................. 28
Author: Neil Davies

Date: 28 May 2010

Page 2 of 28
I-SM-SR-EM-OP-004
Copyright 2010 AIRCOM International
All rights reserved
Document Control
1.1 Revision History
Revision
Number
1a
1b
1
2
3a
Date
Name
Revision
12/12/2008
15/12/2008
15/12/2008
23/10/2009
11/03/2010
Neil Davies
Craig Ledger
Neil Davies
Neil Davies
Neil Davies
First Draft
Review
Final
Final
Updated draft
1.2 Reviewers
Reviewer
Craig Ledger
Priya Nair
Author: Neil Davies

Date: 28 May 2010
Date
15/12/2008
Feedback
Slight amendments ok for release

Page 3 of 28
I-SM-SR-EM-OP-004
All rights reserved
Introduction
AIRCOM OPTIMA is an advanced network performance monitoring tool, developed for

operators of mobile and fixed networks who require a fully integrated application with the
ability to manage data from multi vendor, multi domain and multi technology networks. The
OPTIMA performance solution provides an integrated environment allowing an operator to
proactively ensure that customers receive good quality service over the networks. The
solution supports the analysis and reporting requirements for all functions within the
organisation including:
Day-to-day operational monitoring and problem identification.
Network System Optimisation (network planning and development).
Network benchmarking.
Network Performance Management Reporting KPI and key data.
Support of decision making activities.
Performance data management and network correlation across different
network technologies and elements e.g. BSS, NSS, RAN, PS-CORE, VAS, IN
Generation and management of performance related alarms.
The OPTIMA tool allows easy integration into northbound and southbound interfaces, such as
fault management and inventory management.
OPTIMA has unprecedented flexibility, powerful functionality and an ease of use that make it
the ultimate tool for any operator looking to improve or enhance the performance of its
network.
OPTIMA is perfectly suited to mobile and fixed network operators progressing to the next
generation of mobile and fixed technologies. OPTIMA fully supports 2G, 2.5G, 3G, including
HSPDA, 4G networks, including WiMAX, NGN and IP. The solutions open and configurable
architecture means that it is readily configured for new technologies.
The success of an operators organisation depends on Quality of Service targets being met.
OPTIMA provides the tool to ensure that this is done. It is a truly cost effective, valuable
enhancement to an operators information system.
Author: Neil Davies

Date: 28 May 2010

Page 4 of 28
I-SM-SR-EM-OP-004
All rights reserved
Product Positioning
OPTIMAs product position is represented on the Tele Management Forum

(http://www.tmforum.org), Telecoms Operations Map (TOM) model in the diagram below. The
green coloured portion shows where OPTIMA sits with typical outputs servicing wider
business functions indicated via the yellow arrows and orange boxes.
Figure 1: OPTIMA Positioning

In an increasingly competitive telecommunications market, it is vital that superior levels of
service and quality are provided to end subscribers, thereby attracting new customers,
reducing churn and simultaneously minimising costs. It is only possible to effectively manage
and introduce change into the operational network if a complete understanding of the current
and past performance of your system is established.
OPTIMA monitors, logs and stores the network performance management information. This
enables any employee, if granted with the relevant permissions, to gain a complete
understanding of the current and past performance of the network.
For example, knowing the past three months dropped call statistics for a cluster of cell sites in
a particular city can help benchmark engineering modifications. Daily and weekly dropped
call completion can be used after operational changes (for example change of frequency
plan) to the same cell sites to understand the improvements, or other, within the city.
By easily accessing and analysing invaluable performance data, it is possible to:
Identify poor network performance before this becomes customer affecting.
Proactively resolve problems before customers become aware of them.
Identify and respond quickly to change.
Author: Neil Davies

Date: 28 May 2010

Page 5 of 28
I-SM-SR-EM-OP-004
All rights reserved
Pinpoint accurately extra capacity requirements.

Deploy network enhancements in a timely and cost effective manner.
Predict future trends in the network or at any part of the network.
Some typical uses of OPTIMA for network operation and performance management are:
Daily reporting of network performance across all network elements including the
radio and switching networks, transmission, IN, VAS and service platforms.
Daily reporting of any cluster of cell sites or network elements covering particular
cities, roads or other geographical regions.
Drill down, up and across to determine root cause analysis for network degradation or
performance problems.
Identification of performance anomalies across network regions.
Overall monitoring of performance and generation of alarms when thresholds are
exceeded.
Identification and strategic reporting of traffic hotspots and network locations
generating high traffic and revenues.
Data Quality reporting to ensure that evaluations being made are based on accurate
and complete data.
Not only can you access information across the whole network, but also regional staff can
access all data appropriate to them and can monitor network elements within a region and
fine tune localised performance.
Author: Neil Davies

Date: 28 May 2010

Page 6 of 28
I-SM-SR-EM-OP-004
All rights reserved
Benefits of OPTIMA
Key Technical Features of OPTIMA include:

A powerful data warehouse which is able to maintain and retrieve network system
performance counter data and trends for the largest networks over many years.
Robust and scalable IT platform architecture with a choice of PC or UNIX servers to
suit IT policy and existing IT investments.
Windows PC based client application requires minimal specialist user training.
True client/server architecture with the ability to support thick client and thin (web
based) multi concurrent user access.
Full Integration with AIRCOMs market leading PC-based ENTERPRISE tools suite
allowing performance data to be seamlessly integrated with design and configuration
information.
Complete flexibility to mix counter and KPI information with coverage and planning
data, including geographical mapping.
Ability to query and retrieve PM statistics by selecting network elements on a
geographical map.
Ability to combine configuration parameter values with performance data.
Out of the box functionality with interfaces and report and module libraries available
for 2G, 2.5G, 3G, 4G networks and beyond.
Ability to interface to a wide range of equipment types of different vendors and
technologies e.g. GERAN, CS-CORE, PS-CORE, VAS, IN, WiMAX, IP etc
Highly configurable vendor interface architecture allows rapid configuration to specific
customer requirements.
In-built KPI mapping across vendors allows quality on different vendor networks to be
compared easily.
Complete flexibility for the user to create new KPIs, report templates and modules via
very flexible report and module designers.
Ability to define and generate Performance Alarms. Alarm events can either be
forwarded to Fault management systems or engineers alerted via e-mail or SMS
using the OPTIMA alarm handling module.
Full user security with the ability to manage which reports and modules users or
groups of users have the ability to access.
Intuitive Data Explorer with the ability to define database queries via a user friendly
drag and drop interface.
Author: Neil Davies

Date: 28 May 2010

Page 7 of 28
I-SM-SR-EM-OP-004
All rights reserved
Technical Solution
5.1 System Architecture
5.1.1
Physical Architecture
Figure 2: Physical Architecture of an OPTIMA implementation
An overview of the typical physical architecture of an OPTIMA installation is shown in Figure

2. Data is generally exported in a file format from the network Element Managers or OMCs
and stored on a local server. When a new file is detected then this is transferred to an
OPTIMA Mediation workstation where it is parsed and loaded into a central OPTIMA data
warehouse and is immediately available for end-user clients.
For some vendor systems, PM data may be available in a network or OMC database. In this
case, a special OPTIMA database parser is deployed, which regularly accesses the network
database to retrieve data. In this case there is no requirement to transfer files.
There may also be links configured from the OPTIMA data warehouse to other databases.
This allows end users to access and combine data from multiple sources in reports. This
mechanism may also be used to enrich the PM data loaded for example a link to a planning
or configuration database (as illustrated by, but not limited to, ENTERPRISE in Figure 2) may
be used to retrieve network topology or planning information.
There are a number of physical elements in the OPTIMA solution as described in the
following sections.
Author: Neil Davies

Date: 28 May 2010

Page 8 of 28
I-SM-SR-EM-OP-004
All rights reserved
5.1.2
Central Database Server
This is the critical component for the operation of OPTIMA as it has a direct impact on data
load, storage and retrieval performance of the system.
Any type of workstation that supports Oracle 10G or 11G can be used. AIRCOM provides a
number of recommended hardware solutions with both Windows and UNIX (HP, Sun and
LINUX) options supported depending on operator preference and the size of system required.
Solutions are always proposed that provide cost effective upgrade options to accommodate
future expansion of the system.
For large installations or where system availability is particularly critical, a clustered server
solution, or an Oracle RAC solution can be deployed.
The server would be dimensioned as part of the solution development depending on the
number of network elements, data storage requirements and expected use of the system.
Memory requirements for the server are calculated based on the number of users and data
loading processes that need to be supported, plus an overhead for the database application
and the OS. Disk storage requirements will depend on the following factors:
Number and type of performance counters to be stored.
Granularity of counter measurement.
Size of network.
Archiving requirements.
Summary tables and Indexes.
AIRCOM provides tools that calculate database growth based on the actual database schema
to provide specific and exact predictions for an individual customer on the disk space
requirements. Generally RAID disk arrays or external SAN solutions are deployed to provide
resilience in the case of hard disk failure.
5.1.3
Parsing/Loading Mediation Devices
Although it is technically possible to have the database loaders and parsers running on the
central server, this is generally not recommended and within the typical OPTIMA architecture,
these processes are run on separate loading/parsing machines (or mediation devices). This
architecture has a number of important advantages:
Performance: separating the parsing and loading processing from the server ensures
that these activities do not significantly impact the end user performance.
Scalability: if required low cost workstations can be used for the mediation devices.
This provides a very cost effective scalable solution. For example the addition of new
interfaces can be added without significant server upgrade requirements.
Reliability: this architecture ensures that any problems that may occur when parsing
or loading files do not impact the end user. Also additional mediation devices can be
provided for standby purposes. For example it is possible to split a particular
interface across two mediation devices. In the case of a hardware problem with one
machine then the other can continue to load (perhaps with reduced performance)
whilst the failed device is repaired.
Flexibility: for example a temporary mediation device can be deployed to load
backlogged data.
Maintenance: it is possible to perform maintenance and upgrade of the loading
processes and interface components without impacting the central server and hence
end users.
Both Windows and UNIX (HP and SUN) workstations can be used for mediation
devices. Rack mounted units are recommended where space is a premium.
Author: Neil Davies

Date: 28 May 2010

Page 9 of 28
I-SM-SR-EM-OP-004
All rights reserved
The required specification and number of mediation devices will be determined during
customer specific solution design.
5.1.4
Application Server (Optional)
The application server provides the ability to support on-line access to OPTIMA. The
TM
recommended solution is to use Citrix that provides the full OPTIMA client functionality to
end users within a standard Web browser.
AIRCOM also provides a full web based solution called WEBWIZARD, which allows access to
key data and reports on-line. This also allows the ability to display performance statistics
geographically over a map.
All reports within OPTIMA can be scheduled to run at a future point or at regular intervals via
a configurable report scheduler. This may be run on any client, however for regular reporting
would tend to be hosted on a dedicated machine or the Web Server. Reports can be
exported to HTML and automatically published via WEBWIZARD.
5.1.5
OPTIMA Clients
Three client options are available for OPTIMA:

Integrated with ENTERPRISE; The OPTIMA application appears as part of the toolbar within
the ENTERPRISE tool suite. This option allows performance analysis to be integrated with
planning functions. For example, performance data can be replayed on the geographical
map overlaying coverage information.
OPTIMA Standalone; The OPTIMA client can be run independently from the ENTERPRISE
tool suite. For example this may be the preferred access method for Operational Engineers
who do not need the full planning integration.
OPTIMA Online: This allows access to the application via a browser over the company
intranet (or internet if enabled). Two options are available:
Access to the full client application can be supported using CitrixTM. This is suitable
for users who require full access to all OPTIMA functionality.
AIRCOMs WEBWIZARD application can be deployed to provide access to key data
and reports. This also allows the ability to display performance statistics
geographically over a map. This is useful for more casual users who only need
access to specific data or reports
Author: Neil Davies

Date: 28 May 2010

Page 10 of 28
I-SM-SR-EM-OP-004
All rights reserved
5.1.6
OPTIMA Logical Architecture
OPTIMA Application
On-line Clients
Alarm Handler
HANDLER
Windows Clients
(Administration)
Windows Clients
Application
Server
Web Server
Alarm Monitor
REPORT
SCHEDULING
ENTERPRISE Client
Fault Management
Application
SYSTEM MONITOR
OPTIMA Client
OPTIMA Data Warehouse

ABSTRACTION
DATABASE PROCESSES
FILTERS
SUMMARY
KPIs
DATA
DICTIONARY
PLANNING
AND CM
DATA
DATA SUMMARY
DATA QUALITY
DATA
Layer
EXTERNAL DATA
External Data
Repositories
SYSTEM LOGS
OPTIMA
Mediation / ETL
RAW COUNTERS
CONFIGURATION
ARCHIVE &
MAINTENANCE
JOB SCHEDULAR
ENTERPRISE
Database
ENTERPRISE Client
OPTIMA Client
ALARM
INTERFACE
PERFORMANCE
MONITOR
LOAD
CONFIGURE
SYSTEM
LOGGING
VALIDATE
FILE ARCHIVE
INTERACE
SPECIFIC PARSER
TRANSFER
SCHEDULE
MONITOR
MAINTAIN
NETWORK
Figure 3: Logical Architecture of an OPTIMA implementation

The diagram above shows the logical architecture of an OPTIMA installation. The network
equipment or OMC is configured to output performance data at regular reporting intervals and
the parsers will automatically process this data when it is made available.
The typical process for loading data is illustrated in the figure above and is as follows:
1. The network logs PM data and regularly outputs data in a file into a defined
directory on the OMC or network management device. For most network
equipment the file creation interval is user configurable and would typically be
between 5 and 60 minutes. Each file may typically contain data for a number
of different network elements and different types of measurement classes.
2. An OPTIMA Transfer component will regularly poll the network management
device directory. When a new file is detected it will be automatically
transferred to the parser input directory on a mediation device. The original
file may (optionally) be deleted.
3. An OPTIMA Parser component monitors the parser input directory and parses
any files that are detected. Specific parsers are developed to match the file
format for a particular interface. The parser converts the PM data in the input
file into a common OPTIMA file format; comma separated variable (csv).
Where the input file contains a number of different measurement classes, a
csv file may be produced for each class.
Author: Neil Davies

Date: 28 May 2010

Page 11 of 28
I-SM-SR-EM-OP-004
All rights reserved
4. If the input file is successfully parsed then it is (optionally) moved to an archive

directory or deleted. If there is a problem in the file (for example it is
corrupted) then it is moved to an Error directory and the Error details logged.
5. For PM data, an OPTIMA Loader component monitors the parser output
directory. When a new csv file is detected this is loaded into the appropriate
database table. The Loader component may also combine or apply formulas
to individual counters if required during the loading process.
6. If the csv file is successfully loaded then it is deleted or archived. Otherwise, it
is moved to an Error directory and the Error details logged.
In order to effectively manage the volume of data in the OPTIMA database, there are
programs that maintain and summarise the data. A summary program regularly summarises
data and calculates busy hours, allowing raw data to be deleted when it is no longer useful at
that granularity. This program (optionally) handles re-summarisation when data arrives late.
A maintenance program handles the deletion of old data and maintenance of current data,
including storage maintenance, data statistic collection and index maintenance to ensure
optimum performance.
These programs are provided in an administrator configurable subsystem. A Data Quality
subsystem also regularly monitors the completeness of data loaded providing user friendly
reports to system administrators.
All OPTIMA data collection programs are scheduled and monitored by an OPTIMA scheduler
program. This not only allows programs to be scheduled at regular intervals or overnight but
also monitors all services and restarts these if necessary in the case of a failure.
5.1.7
Architecture Key Features
The OPTIMA architecture and system components are designed to support the exacting
system requirements for a PM data collection, storage and analysis system:
The system is designed to load data continuously 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Data is loaded as soon as it is available in the network.
Data is made available to all users as soon as it is in the database.
The system is scalable to cost effectively accommodate increases in network size and
the introduction of new interfaces.
The system is designed for very high reliability and is able to operate in an
unsupervised mode. A process monitor is deployed that monitors all components via
a heartbeat function and automatically restarts any failed process.
The system is able to store very large volumes of data without degradation of loading
or end-user performance.
The data loading architecture minimises overheads on the database server, ensuring
that the maximum resources are available for end-user queries and access.
The system automatically handles late arriving and out of sequence data and
provides user friendly system reports on the completeness of data statistics from the
monitored network elements.
The system automatically diverts data into a holding area during database outages to
prevent files flooding the operational areas. This is reintroduced automatically once
the system returns to normal.
5.2 Vendor Interfaces

OPTIMA supports multi-vendor, multi-technology networks and AIRCOM can provide
interfaces for each vendor in an operators network. Depending on the operator set-up, the
data may either be made available from the network in data files or in an OMC database.
AIRCOM can provide a vendor specific parser for either arrangement.
Author: Neil Davies

Date: 28 May 2010

Page 12 of 28
I-SM-SR-EM-OP-004
All rights reserved
Each interface is provided with a comprehensive library of KPIs, reports and modules which
allows out of the box analysis and reporting functionality.
5.3 User Functions

The following figure illustrates the main components of the OPTIMA system. Raw PM
counters and configuration data is loaded from the network and stored within the data layer.
From this data Summary Information and KPIs are derived within the Abstraction layer. Data
from both of these layers is made available to the user within the Client and Administrator
functions.
Figure 4: OPTIMA Software Architecture

The key user modules illustrated in the above Figure are described in the following sections.
5.3.1
OPTIMA Inspector
OPTIMA Inspector enables users to select data modules from a module library and combine
these, as required, to display specific information. Modules are used in the same way that
you would use a template, to customise the information you want to display. Using this user
friendly method it is possible for users to build up complex specific analysis functions and
easily correlate data from different network elements.
With OPTIMA Inspector you can:
Manage modules and module combinations.
Define your own modules and module combinations to display any network data.
Author: Neil Davies

Date: 28 May 2010

Page 13 of 28
I-SM-SR-EM-OP-004
All rights reserved
Retrieve, filter and chart large volumes of data.

Run similar modules on different levels of aggregation (time and element) to quickly
identify areas requiring further analysis.
Drill down, up and across on date and on elements between modules to pinpoint
issues and perform root cause analysis.
Use filters to select data for specific network elements. For example define filters to
show only problem cells or select a set of cells geographically on a map.
Define counter thresholds, e.g. display all MSCs with processor load over 90%.
Load data from other ENTERPRISE tools, e.g. ASSET, DATASAFE, RANOPT.
Share data modules with other users or groups of users.
Figure 5: A typical OPTIMA Module

The powerful functionality provided by OPTIMA Inspector within the modular approach
ensures that users can be confident in their ability to correctly display and view information in
a way that will improve problem solving, which will ultimately enhance the performance of the
network.
Data can be displayed in both a data grid, or graphically on a number of user specified chart
types. Standard Excel-like features are provided for sorting, filtering, grouping and
summarising data. In addition you can link modules to provide powerful drill down functions.
In this way for example you can click on a problem cell and immediately display the key KPIs
for that cell for the time period in question.
Author: Neil Davies

Date: 28 May 2010

Page 14 of 28
I-SM-SR-EM-OP-004
All rights reserved
Figure 6: Example of Grid functions in Inspector

5.3.2
Reporter
OPTIMA Reporter provides a flexible and user friendly environment for creating, organising
and managing the distribution of reports. User friendly wizards and templates are provided to
simplify ad-hoc report creation. Advanced features such as sub-reports and cross-tabs
provide the functions to accommodate even the most complex reporting requirements.
All report templates can be stored within the data warehouse for ease of distribution and
access. Users can view or modify (if granted rights to do so) a report by selecting from an
explorer based folder structure.
Figure 7: OPTIMA Reporter
Author: Neil Davies

Date: 28 May 2010

Page 15 of 28
I-SM-SR-EM-OP-004
All rights reserved
OPTIMA Report Designer allows users full flexibility to specify the network data to be included
in a report. With OPTIMA Reporter, users in an organisation have the ability to decide what
information will be viewed and in the desired format, a powerful tool for any organisation.
OPTIMA will allow the user to define run time parameters for a report which can be configured
using filters and conditions. When the report is run the user is prompted for inputs for these
parameters ensuring only the desired data is generated. For full details on run time
parameters please refer to the data explorer section.
OPTIMA will also allow users to create Excel based reports where the output is stored in a
user defined Excel template. Multiple queries can be created in OPTIMA and entered into
user defined positions in the Excel template. This option gives the user the ability to use
Excels powerful analytical functionality on data generated directly from the database, ranging
from simple formatting and graphing to complex data manipulation and macros.
Users can always rely on having the latest relevant information, knowing that they are saving
time and money by automating the complex process of generating quality reports.
A key area of OPTIMA Reporter is the scheduling functionality, which allows for flexible
automatic report distribution to any type of output device, e.g. PC, printer, e-mail, web site.
Run time parameters that have been created within a report can be configured in a schedule,
ensuring only the relevant information is selected for each recipient. Multiple schedules with
different configurations can be created for one report.
An advanced feature allows the user to provide a condition to the report generation. For
example a condition could be set to generate a report which is triggered when, for example
Congestion by Cell on a particular BSC indicates dropped calls over 4%. The scheduler
allows users to set up reports for their areas of interest, then to schedule these reports to run
at a convenient time.
5.3.3
OPTIMA Work Area
The OPTIMA Work Area gives users the flexibility to organise their user environment to match
the particular activity being undertaken. Inspector combinations, reports and even external
web pages can be docked into a common working area and are available as tabbed pages.
This means that all relevant information for a particular task can be quickly accessed and
correlated greatly increasing working efficiency. Key modules and reports can also be added
to a favourites toolbar for instant access.
The OPTIMA Work Area can also be used to identify and display information about key
aspects of your network that are under performing. It can monitor the values of specified
performance counters, such as dropped call rates, call set-up failures, high congestion, etc.
Options are provided to automatically update the information so that the latest recorded state
of the network is always displayed.
Author: Neil Davies

Date: 28 May 2010

Page 16 of 28
I-SM-SR-EM-OP-004
All rights reserved
Figure 8: OPTIMA Work area.

5.3.4
Database Explorer and Query Builder
The database explorer provides a user friendly overview of all data within the OPTIMA data
warehouse and allows both advanced and occasional users to quickly retrieve any set of
information. The module supports the following features:
The ability to browse all data in the database using a simple tree structure. Data is
organised into Raw Counters, KPIs, Configuration Information, System information or
User Defined categories all configurable by the system administrator. A search
facility is provided to allow the user to quickly find a counter or KPI. Counter values
can be displayed in a grid or exported to Excel etc.
Database objects not required, or unavailable to the users can be excluded from the
Database Explorer.
The ability to define a database query via a user friendly drag and drop interface
without the need for SQL entry. This provides the following features:
Drag and drop tables from the Data Explorer.
Drag and drop KPIs into an SQL query.
Define table joins by graphically linking fields.
Define data fields to be extracted, filter criteria, functions and grouping via
user friendly input screens.
Preview and edit SQL created.
Preview data returned.
Define filter fields for OPTIMA date-time selector and network selection filters.
Optimise the query via Explain Plans
Author: Neil Davies

Date: 28 May 2010

Page 17 of 28
I-SM-SR-EM-OP-004
All rights reserved
The data explorer can be run standalone for ad-hoc data queries. It is also used throughout
OPTIMA to define any SQL queries used by the system, including modules, dynamic filters,
alarms and hierarchies.
Figure 9: Data Explorer

A drag and drop expression builder is provided to simplify the addition of complex
expressions in queries and to simplify the definition of custom counters or KPIs. The
expression builder provides the following features:
Add counters from a context sensitive list by dragging onto the design area.
Select available functions from categorised lists.
Prompts for function arguments.
Simple entry of mathematical and date functions.
Ability for administrators to add custom functions.
Author: Neil Davies

Date: 28 May 2010

Page 18 of 28
I-SM-SR-EM-OP-004
All rights reserved
Figure 10: Expression Builder

It is possible to define run time parameters and filters in data explorer that will prompt the user
for inputs and apply these conditions on the query as it is executed.
Figure 11: Run Time Parameter Configuration

These parameters and filters can be applied in the following ways:
Element filters can be configured on the elements in the query and applied at
runtime using hierarchies or manual input.
Author: Neil Davies

Date: 28 May 2010

Page 19 of 28
I-SM-SR-EM-OP-004
All rights reserved
Date filters can be configured on date fields and applied using user friendly date
and time input.
Parameters Conditions can be configured on any combination of fields in the query
using expression editor. Inputs can then be entered at run time for these parameters.
Parameters are created in data explorer by first defining the field to apply them to using the
expression editor. Parameters enable the user to pinpoint the data they require rather than
sift through a large set of data, without having to create multiple reports for each scenario.
At run time the user will be prompted for inputs for all the parameters defined, along with any
date and element filters. The option to override the parameter and show all is also available.
Figure 12: Run Time Parameter Application

For reports it is possible to configure these parameters in report scheduler for automatically
generated reports. By configuring multiple schedules using different parameters one report
can be used to provide different data sets depending on a users needs.
5.3.5
OPTIMA Sandbox
Within the Data Explorer a Sandbox environment allows users to store a query and its
returned data within a dedicated area of storage that has been allocated to them. A user can
either store the query as a view that is run to generate the data desired, or they can
materialise the view and have the result stored within their storage allocation.
Author: Neil Davies

Date: 28 May 2010

Page 20 of 28
I-SM-SR-EM-OP-004
All rights reserved
The amount of storage allocated is configured by the administrator and can vary according to
individual users needs. The option to have an item that is stored in the sandbox expire after a
configurable period of time is also provided to the administrator. This ensures that users do
not rely on items in their sandbox for regular work, if a user feels something they have created
is useful then the administrator should be asked to promote this to the published data model
permanently.
5.3.6
Administration
Administration functions are provided in the tool to allow system administrators to configure
the application to match the specific customer requirements. The following functions are
supported:
Add and edit custom counters or KPIs that apply specific formula(s) to collected
performance data.
Define common KPIs that map across different vendors. For example a common
user KPI such as Call Drop can be defined that utilises different vendor counters for
each vendor within OPTIMA.
Define and edit thresholds for counters to enable performance data exceeding such
thresholds to be highlighted in OPTIMA or exported as an alarm event.
Specify country specific holidays.
Add and administer users and groups of users.
Configure which groups of users have access to which reports and modules through
a user friendly security system.
Configure links to external databases.
Allocate storage to users for their Sandbox.
5.3.7
Summary and Busy Hour Calculations
The data generated by the Network and parsed and loaded into the OPTIMA database is
likely to be of a high granularity, i.e. short intervals between samples. OPTIMA is designed to
store this information for any period of time but this can lead to significant storage
requirements for the database. For this reason many operators choose to archive old data
and store a summary only. For example the operator may be interested in a granularity of 15
minutes for data up to a month old but any data older, they would like to see summarised to
an hour and any data older than a year they would like to see summarised to a day, week,
month and so on.
OPTIMA provides a fully configurable summary program that achieves this and can be
scheduled to run at user specified times. When the data has been summarised to a table with
a lower time resolution it can then be archived from the higher resolution table. The Summary
program can also be configured to re-summarise data stored in the summary tables if the raw
data changes. This is done by monitoring the raw data and identifying if any changes have
occurred that affect the summary data. If changes are seen then a re-summary process is
carried out as part of the normal summary process.
Network planning and performance engineers are usually mostly interested in the behaviour
of the network when it is experiencing its greatest load. This is termed the busy hour and
operators will be interested in keeping a copy of the performance data during this hour longer
than the other hours of the day. Tables can also be generated that hold data for the busiest
hours of the week or month and kept for longer periods than daily busy hour data. Multiple
busy hours can also be defined.
5.3.8
Data Quality
OPTIMA includes a Data Quality program that monitors the quality of the data in the database
tables. It can be configured to produce different reports based on the type of information
requested:
Author: Neil Davies

Date: 28 May 2010

Page 21 of 28
I-SM-SR-EM-OP-004
All rights reserved
Availability the percentage of elements that are completely missing for the time
period.
Completeness the percentage of available data for the period loaded.
Last Load Status the last data a table loaded, i.e. maximum date.
Nullness the number of null entries in the table for the time period.
5.3.9
Key Performance Indicator (KPI) Mapping
OPTIMA stores all raw performance counters generated by the network. However for
reporting purposes it may be more useful to aggregate the raw counters into higher level
KPIs, e.g. call drop, connection rate. OPTIMA provides flexible solutions that allow an
administrator to define KPIs that are then available for all users, groups of users or individual
users. In addition to this users can create their own personal KPIs, if these prove useful then
the administrator can publish them to all users.
Administrators have the ability to perform bulk operations on the KPIs stored in the data
warehouse through KPI Manager, including security, the base table and aggregation options.
It is also possible to export and import KPIs through KPI manager and to upload large
volumes of KPI definitions from file.
Through the OPTIMA KPI Manager it is possible to configure a KPI equation that can be used
in any query where it is valid, for example a KPI created on a raw table can also be used on
its summary tables without the need of creating a new KPI definition. It is also possible to see
where in OPTIMAs reporting tools KPIs are being utilised from the KPI Manager.
Figure 13: KPI Manager

All KPIs are displayed in the Data Explorer under the tables that they are valid on by selecting
the KPI tab. It is also possible to drag KPIs directly into the query from a drop down list when
creating a query.
The performance counters and what they measure are different across different vendors
therefore the formula for a KPI for one network may look very different to that on another. In
addition, a KPI formula may be composed of a very large number of counters and sub
Author: Neil Davies

Date: 28 May 2010

Page 22 of 28
I-SM-SR-EM-OP-004
All rights reserved
counters. It is for this reason that AIRCOM provide a KPI mapping facility between vendors.
With this option users can use a single KPI (e.g. call drop) for all cells within a multi-vendor
network. This can greatly simplify the creation of reports and modules.
5.3.10 Archiving
An operator may want to keep a copy of the data longer than they want to store it in the
OPTIMA database. This could be for the purpose of re-investigating previous anomalous
behaviour on the network that has re-occurred. This may be achieved by writing the relevant
data files to a tape or separate disk. This is achieved via Oracle RMAN or other third party
backup and restore solutions.
5.3.11 Performance Alarm Management
The OPTIMA Alarm module provides the ability to define thresholds and conditions on
performance data that can generate alarm events for internal reporting as well as feeding the
data into a fault management system. This provides significant user benefits:
It allows an operator to be pro-active rather than re-active to network alarms. For
example an alarm can be generated based on a trend in average traffic before hard
capacity thresholds are triggered on a network element.
By immediately alerting engineers to problems it provides the opportunity for faster
response to potential service affecting performance issues, increasing network quality
and customer satisfaction.
It provides the ability to automatically monitor many performance KPIs for the whole
network and only respond to the critical issues. This can provide significant cost
savings in optimisation and OSS engineers.
It allows an operator to have common procedures for performance related and
network related alerts, for example in out-of-hours support and trouble-ticketing,
resulting in improved efficiency and cost reduction.
It gives the operator the ability to monitor abnormal behaviour in the network. For
example alarms can be generated when the performance of a KPI on a cell changes
significantly from the normal behaviour even though the performance may remain
within operational thresholds.
It provides the ability to correlate performance related alarms with network generated
alarms to aid in root cause analysis. For example if traffic increases on one cell this
may be due to a failure in a neighbouring cell.
Provides the operator with the potential to supplement the standard network alarms
that a vendor supports and potentially overcomes any limitations in these.
5.3.12 Performance Alarm Technical Implementation
The implementation of the OPTIMA Alarm module is illustrated in the following figure.
Author: Neil Davies

Date: 28 May 2010

Page 23 of 28
I-SM-SR-EM-OP-004
All rights reserved
Figure 14: Optima Alarm Module

A user friendly Alarm GUI allows an administrator to define and administer alarms. All alarm
definitions are stored within the OPTIMA data warehouse. A separate alarm service polls the
database at user defined intervals and tests all active alarm definitions against data that has
been loaded from the network. All alarm set and clear events are stored in the OPTIMA data
warehouse and made available to FM systems via a defined interface.
Figure 15: Alarm Explorer

Key Features:
User friendly GUI for an administrator to specify and manage alarm definitions.
Complete flexibility for an administrator to define trigger thresholds including:
Multiple thresholds per counter
Author: Neil Davies

Date: 28 May 2010

Page 24 of 28
I-SM-SR-EM-OP-004
All rights reserved
The ability to define thresholds on any raw counters, KPIs or combinations of

counters including formulas.
Complex thresholds e.g. deviation from average.
Threshold on summary data including busy hour.
The ability to define different thresholds for different time periods e.g.
weekends, out-of-hours etc.
The ability to define different thresholds for set and clear, allowing the ability to
provide hysteresis on alarm thresholds.
The ability to define a ripple count for each alarm definition. This means that the
alarm is not triggered until the threshold has been crossed for the specified number of
samples, or time period. The network element may remain alarmed until the
performance falls back inside user defined clear thresholds for a user defined period
of time.
Ability to set thresholds for any granularity of source data with a user defined poling
interval per alarm definition.
A fully scalable architecture with separation of the alarm definition from the alarm
processing. For the most demanding requirements there is also the ability to
distribute the alarm processing across multiple workstations.
A full audit log for alarm definition records all changes to alarm definitions, when
and by whom.
Full flexibility to define which network elements are monitored for each alarm
definition the administrator can select all, groups, or individual network elements
(e.g. cells) to be included.
Full flexibility to define the alarm description including user defined options for:
Alarm severity
Vendor description
Element type
Technology Type
Alarm Description
An advanced feature is that the alarm description can also include any counter value
or formula. This allows dynamic messages to be created based on real counter
values derived when the alarm is triggered. This allows for very informative alarm
messages.
All alarm events are stored in the OPTIMA database for reporting and analysis.
OPTIMA provides a configurable and flexible alarm handler that allows users or
groups of users to be alerted to specified alarms via e-mail or SMS.
Alternatively an interface can be provided to third party fault management systems.
SNMP forwarding is often used for this, although other interfaces can be developed
as required.
5.3.13 ETL Alarms
In addition to the ability to define thresholds and conditions on performance data stored in the
data warehouse it is also possible to check that counters are within acceptable thresholds
during load. The checks form part of the loading process and log alarms directly into the data
warehouse as the data under consideration is loaded. These alarms are then handled in the
same way as the performance alarms.
Author: Neil Davies

Date: 28 May 2010

Page 25 of 28
I-SM-SR-EM-OP-004
All rights reserved
Figure 16: ETL Alarm Configuration
5.4 Server and Data Loading Platforms

Oracle 10g or 11g with Partitioning Option
Windows Server 2003 and 2008 Enterprise Edition
UNIX: Sun Solaris 10 and HP-UX 11.23i
Citrix PS4.5, 5.0/Xenapp
Full hardware and software redundancy options supported
Support for RAID 0+1 & RAID 5. RAID 0+1 is the preferred option, RAID 5 will be
considered upon customer request.
5.5 Client
Pentium III or higher
XP Pro and Vista
Integrates with Microsoft Office 2003 or higher
5.6 Supported Data

Any counter type:
Peg
Gauge
Accumulator
Scanner
Discrete distributed measurements
PDF measurements
Custom
Generic Data interfaces:
ASCII
CSV
XML
ASN.1
ODBC
SNMP
Direct Oracle Link
Custom
Author: Neil Davies

Date: 28 May 2010

Page 26 of 28
I-SM-SR-EM-OP-004
All rights reserved
Vendors Supported:
OPTIMA is highly configurable and can be integrated with any pre-defined interface. Vendors
supported include the following among many others:
Ericsson
Nokia, Siemens and NSN
Motorola
Nortel
Alcatel, Lucent and Alcatel-Lucent
Huawei
Interwave
Cisco
ZTE
5.7 Data Storage

Data storage options support the following:
Unlimited raw counter storage (dependent only on disk allocation)
Any data granularity supported
Administrator defined data storage and archiving periods
Administrator defined summary options including daily, weekly, monthly, busy hour.
Complete flexibility to define summary and rollup functions per counter including sum,
average, max, min, user defined
User defined busy hours including multiple busy hours per element
5.8 Report Output Formats

Reports can be outputted in the following formats:
Report Archiving Format (*.RAF)
Comma Separated Values (*.CSV)
Acrobat Reader File (*.PDF)
XHML
Rich Text Format (*.RTF)
Hyper Text Markup Format (*.HTML)
Excel File (*.XLS)
Bitmap File (*.BMP)
JPEG File Interchange Format (*.JPEG)
Tagged Image File Format (*.TIFF)
5.9 Report Output Types

Reports can be outputted to the following locations or methods:
Printer
File
zipped-file
e-mail
5.10 Report Scheduling

Report scheduling provides the following functionality:
Ability to schedule any report by date and time
All output options supported
Author: Neil Davies

Date: 28 May 2010

Page 27 of 28
I-SM-SR-EM-OP-004
All rights reserved
Conditional scheduling
Run time parameters can be configured in the schedule
5.11 Graph Types

Over 100 standard chart types including:
Line
Area
Bar
Point
Pie
Bubble
Arrow
Gantt
Shape
5.12 Graph Output Formats

Metafile
Enhanced Metafile
Bitmap
JPEG
PNG
GIF
PCX
Author: Neil Davies

Date: 28 May 2010

Page 28 of 28
I-SM-SR-EM-OP-004
All rights reserved

Appendix J - Optima Technical Overview

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Appendix J - Optima Technical Overview

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Technical Overview

AIRCOM OPTIMA Technical Overview

Document Control ...............................................................................................................3

Author: Neil Davies

AIRCOM OPTIMA Technical Overview

Author: Neil Davies

AIRCOM OPTIMA Technical Overview

AIRCOM OPTIMA is an advanced network performance monitoring tool, developed for

Author: Neil Davies

AIRCOM OPTIMA Technical Overview

OPTIMAs product position is represented on the Tele Management Forum

Figure 1: OPTIMA Positioning

Author: Neil Davies

AIRCOM OPTIMA Technical Overview

Pinpoint accurately extra capacity requirements.

Author: Neil Davies

AIRCOM OPTIMA Technical Overview

Key Technical Features of OPTIMA include:

Author: Neil Davies

AIRCOM OPTIMA Technical Overview

Figure 2: Physical Architecture of an OPTIMA implementation

An overview of the typical physical architecture of an OPTIMA installation is shown in Figure

Author: Neil Davies

AIRCOM OPTIMA Technical Overview

Central Database Server

Parsing/Loading Mediation Devices

Author: Neil Davies

AIRCOM OPTIMA Technical Overview

Application Server (Optional)

Three client options are available for OPTIMA:

Author: Neil Davies

AIRCOM OPTIMA Technical Overview

OPTIMA Logical Architecture

OPTIMA Data Warehouse

Figure 3: Logical Architecture of an OPTIMA implementation

Author: Neil Davies

AIRCOM OPTIMA Technical Overview

4. If the input file is successfully parsed then it is (optionally) moved to an archive

Architecture Key Features

5.2 Vendor Interfaces

Author: Neil Davies

AIRCOM OPTIMA Technical Overview

5.3 User Functions

Figure 4: OPTIMA Software Architecture

Author: Neil Davies

AIRCOM OPTIMA Technical Overview

Retrieve, filter and chart large volumes of data.

Figure 5: A typical OPTIMA Module

Author: Neil Davies

AIRCOM OPTIMA Technical Overview

Figure 6: Example of Grid functions in Inspector

Figure 7: OPTIMA Reporter

Author: Neil Davies

AIRCOM OPTIMA Technical Overview

OPTIMA Work Area

Author: Neil Davies

AIRCOM OPTIMA Technical Overview

Figure 8: OPTIMA Work area.

Database Explorer and Query Builder

Author: Neil Davies

AIRCOM OPTIMA Technical Overview

Figure 9: Data Explorer

Author: Neil Davies

AIRCOM OPTIMA Technical Overview