Tollgrade
CheetahXD Broadband
Assurance Platform
Network management
is more complex and
challenging today than
ever before for cable
operators. As the
deployment of revenue-
generating IP services
over the HFC network
grows, the challenge
of managing the HFC
network operations
becomes mission-critical.
Cable operators are
challenged because the
HFC network is vulnera-
ble to constantly chang-
ing RF conditions that
are difficult to monitor.
Compared to the IP
network—where faults
occur most often during
early deployment stages,
affecting large numbers
of customers—the HFC
issues that affect smaller
numbers of customers
are difficult to isolate and
typically result in time-
consuming and costly
truck rolls.
The growth of HSD
and VoIP subscribers
within the cable industry
brings even greater chal-
lenges to HFC network
operations. Tollgrade
cable customers esti-
mate that over 75%
of their trouble tickets are
problems within the HFC
network (from headend
to home).
TM
is everywhere
your broadband
network
to be.TM
needs
Tollgrade’s CheetahXD
software helps operators
consolidate HFC network
operations by integrating
event data between
multi-vendor network
elements and manage-
ment systems. Providing
end-to-end visibility across
the HFC operations
environment, CheetahXD
enables NOC personnel
to proactively isolate
network and service CheetahXD isolates
problems, trace their root issues within
causes, assess potential
impacts and prioritize
the multi-layered
truck rolls. HFC network
CheetahXD’s real- by intelligently
time, fault and perform-
ance framework helps
aggregating network
pinpoint HFC network fault and perform-
performance problems ance metrics.
by providing a consolidat-
ed fault view, as well as
multiple domain-specific
relational views. The
powerful web-based
interface allows users
to navigate and drill down
to determine root causes
of network issues. With
CheetahXD software,
HFC network assurance
is simplified, operational
costs are reduced, and
network performance
is improved, resulting
in enhanced customer
satisfaction.
Lower HFC network operational
support costs through integrated,
proactive network assurance.
Remotely monitor and manage the
physical elements as well as perform-
ance of the revenue-generating IP
services in the HFC network, resulting
in increased reliability and greater
customer satisfaction:
• Pinpoint root causes through
cross-domain visual correlation;
• Consolidate and integrate data
from HFC physical elements with
IP service performance data;
• Navigate across domains and
drill down to isolate and resolve
HFC problems; and
• Leverage current HFC status moni-
toring investments through integra-
tion into a common framework.
Leverage Current and Future
Infrastructure Investments
Performance-proven CheetahNet TM and CheetahLight TM software is at
work in major cable networks today, managing FSK-based proprietary
transponders to manage their physical HFC networks—monitoring
power supplies as well as fiber nodes.
With CheetahXD, cable operators can preserve their investments
in proprietary transponder technology while building next-generation
management infrastructure for the future. CheetahXD supports an
upgrade migration path of Tollgrade CheetahLight and CheetahNet
proprietary monitoring systems as well as multi-vendor DOCSIS- and
FSK-based, HMS-standard transponders.
CheetahXD Expansion Possibilities
CheetahXD supports an embedded correlation engine that can be
activated to support “optional” and “customer-specific,” domain-
specific and cross-domain rules to isolate network faults to the appro-
priate network layer. Each rule set will feature definable conditions
to correlate and a subset of actions to undertake in response to the
conditions. From simple alarm suppression and de-duplication, to
proactive measurement and control features, the system administrator
will have the ability to modify these rules to meet network operation
business processes.
This flexible, extensible assurance management solution fits
smoothly into the existing operations infrastructure and expands
cost-effectively as network and service offerings grow. CheetahXD
offers performance-based scalability to support expanding network
assurance needs, helping operators contain capital expenses and
ongoing operating costs.
Pinpoint HFC Root Causes
through Cross-domain Correlation

Tollgrade’s system
approach to network
CheetahXD ❶
assurance provides cable Features
operators with a unique The CheetahXD software
‘cross-domain’ (XD) user interface provides
navigation feature. By consolidated, multi-
leveraging new Tollgrade domain displays that can
DOCSIS ®-based HMS be custom configured to ❷ ❹
transponders, cable oper- suit individual user needs
ators are able to deploy or assignments. These
fixed multi-service test include domain-specific Notifier
Fault Views
points (at power supply/ and cross-domain views, ❸
node or end-of-line alarm tables, technology- Notifier Fault Views
locations) which support and vendor-specific dis- Users are provided with
embedded firmware plays and more. ultimate flexibility in
agents. These transpon- customizing the fault
der test points provide Auto Discovery management views:
CheetahXD with the and Alarm Templates
These templates enable ❶Tabular navigation to
opportunity to correlate multiple views;
across multiple domains. plug-n-play monitoring of
For example, a given HMS and DOCSIS-based ❷Create and apply
VoIP-enabled DOCSIS- transponders. By defining filters to view specific
based HMS power default configuration templates, users can specify alarm regions, types of
supply transponder thresholds (both fixed and percentage) for specific devices, severity and
can appear: devices. These default alarm thresholds enable immedi- more—allowing users
• in the HFC ate fault management as new devices of the same to customize the fault
domain, type are auto-discovered. Operators can choose management views
depicting between traditional fixed-alarm thresholds or to meet operational
the status percentage-based alarm thresholds on a parameter- procedures;
of a power by-parameter basis. ❸Customize the layout
supply(s); of views to meet user
• in the HSD preferences; and
domain ❹Customizable right-click
as a cable menus enable users
modem to take action (such as
test point; and clear, acknowledge
• in the VoIP domain alarms) or quickly
as an MTA or VoIP navigate to third-party
test point. applications.
Notifier’s color-coded
textual alarm views fea-
Auto Discovery and Alarm Templates
ture cross-domain naviga-
tion to topology views,
enabling rapid visual cor-
relation of upstream and
downstream conditions.

Topology
Tree Views
Topology Tree Views
CheetahXD provides operators with a simplified tree
view of all managed devices, based upon communica-
tion connectivity, and dynamically maintains a system-
generated HFC, HSD and VoIP domain view of man-
aged devices. As auto-discovered transponders appear
in the main window, the administrator can simply drag-
and-drop them into custom network domain views.
The Topology Tree allows users to efficiently
navigate across domain views to rapidly correlate
network faults of underlying systems and network
elements for fast, accurate troubleshooting.
Scheduled Measurement
Scheduled Measurement
Operators are able to proactively gather scheduled
measurements for performance and trend analysis.
CheetahXD enables users to create schedule
templates defining types of devices, specific attributes
and data collection timing. Resulting information is
displayed in system-generated reports, or the raw data
may be exported.
Real-time
Data Display
Real-time Data Display
This display allows users to drill down to view a specific
managed device for real-time readings in a textual
or graphical view, enabling an operator to verify and
diagnose network faults quickly.
System
Administration
System Administration
System administration is simplified greatly by
CheetahXD’s thin client software architecture that allows
users to access the server via standard, commercially
available Internet browsers. Administrators configure
routine maintenance features (firmware updates, system
backups, Battery Analyst configuration, etc.), as well as
create/maintain custom topology views, and define and
maintain user groups and privileges to limit access to
specific CheetahXD applications/functions.
Priority Escalation
This feature allows the administrator to define alarm
priority conditions that require immediate technician
notification via pager or e-mail. Sophisticated time-of-
day, day-of-week and escalation levels streamline
information to ensure the right technician is notified.
Beyond configuration and fault management tools,
CheetahXD supports an extensive set of perform-
ance tools to evaluate the running conditions and
trends of your cable system.
Trending Reports
Trending Reports enable
users to easily analyze
alarm data to see the
most frequently occurring
alarms in the system.
The data is presented in
user-friendly formats for
analyzing fault data from
two different perspectives:
• Fault-based—an analysis
of all fault types from
most- to least-frequently
occurring; and
• Device-based—charting
all devices, listing those
with the most alarms
reported, to the least.
These tools promote
effective remediation
programs by targeting the
problems that occur most
often, thereby reducing
truck rolls and increasing
the accuracy of service
dispatches—-a require-
ment of MSOs rolling out
IP services.
CheetahXD Custom Extensions
for Third-party Integration
Battery Analyst CheetahXD can be configured to launch
Set-up and third-party tools and scripts, such as return-path
Trending Report
monitoring or trouble-ticketing systems, directly
from components like the Notifier feature.
These custom extensions allow parameters
to be passed onto any system or web
application that accepts command-line start-up.
This integration allows the network operator
to quickly and easily access existing tools and
applications designed for device- or problem-
specific troubleshooting. With just a few
mouse clicks, the appropriate application
screens or data can easily be accessed
Battery Analyst to support more-efficient execution of opera-
Battery Analyst is an auto- tions procedures.
mated power supply test- By allowing operators to quickly move
ing application designed from network-wide consolidated fault views
to reduce the costs of to OSS subsystems, tools or network device
performing battery drain interfaces, the time required for trouble-
tests. CheetahXD’s shooting and resolving problems can be sub-
optional performance test stantially reduced.
application enables cable
operators to automate
routine battery drain
tests. A one-time system
configuration allows
remote routine testing
by placing a power supply
into standby and record-
ing battery voltages,
output voltage, current
and other parameters.
Summary reports reveal
trends that enable target-
ed maintenance repairs.
Cable operators benefit
not only by reducing
maintenance costs
for routine battery testing,
but, more importantly, by
pinpointing potential prob-
lems before a commercial
outage occurs.
CheetahXD
System Requirements
Tollgrade’s move to thin client software
architecture simplifies maintenance Corporate Headquarters
and administration of the CheetahXD 493 Nixon Road
platform by allowing users to access Cheswick, PA 15024
the server via standard, commercially Other Locations:
available internet browsers such as Bridgewater, NJ
Internet Explorer,® Mozilla and Sarasota, FL
Netscape.® The CheetahXD server runs 1-800-878-3399
on Windows ® (Windows 2000 ® www.tollgrade.com
Professional or 2003 Server) or UNIX ®
(SolarisTM v8 or v9) platforms and may be
installed in a single-server configuration,
where the CheetahXD application and
database (Oracle ® 10g) reside on the
same server, or in a split server configu-
ration for large system deployments.
For more detailed hardware
requirements, contact your Tollgrade
Sales Representative.

® Tollgrade is a registered trademark of Tollgrade Communications, Inc.

® DOCSIS is a registered trademark of Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. (CableLabs®)
TM “Network Assurance Simplified,”“Tollgrade is everywhere your broadband network needs to be,”
Cheetah, CheetahXD, CheetahNet and CheetahLight are trademarks of Tollgrade Communications, Inc.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
© 2005 Tollgrade Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.