Connections

Numerous kinds of connections can be stored on IMS. Some examples are shown below:

Transport connections, like SDH SONET PDH WDM Cables, (Sub)Seacables Fiber, Ducts DSL Data connections, like MPLS, IP NGN/Ethernet Point to point (Multi-)Point to Multi-Point) Frame Relay, ATM (Core, Access, PVC’s) Voice like Customer voice connections Voice interconnects (to other telcos) Voice core and access links Signal links Voice routes Mobile Mobile core/access link, for example: Abis (e.g. over TDM and IP) Gb (e.g. over Frame relay and IP) Iub (e.g. over ATM and IP) Ater (e.g. over TDM and IP) A (e.g. over TDM and IP) IuCS, IuPs, Iur (e.g. over ATM and IP) Gi, Gs, Gf, Gd, Gr links Mc, Nc links Etc Inter platform links (e.g. towards IP, VoIP networks) WiMax connectivity Access connections, for example: From Base Station (BS) to Subscriber Station (SS), Mobile Station (MS) Uplink Downlink Core connections, inter-platform connections Customer services Radio connections Microwave connections Sub connections Satellite connections

All connection rules (like layering rules, sub-channel configurations, etc) can be set up easily in the GUI of the system. The most common of these are of course already implemented on the system.

Connection speeds and types:
All circuit speeds/types can be modeled on IMS.
Examples:

64k, 128k, 512k, etc 2Mb/VC12/E1 1.5Mb/VC11/T1 34Mb/VC3/E3 45MB/VC3/T3 VC4, VC4-4C, VC4-16C, VC4-64C, VCgroup STS1, STS3, STS12, STS48, STS192 STM1, STM4, STM16, STM64 OC3,OC12, OC48, OC192 10Mb, 100Mb, 1Gb, etc 2.5Gb, 10Gb, 100Gb, 400Gb, 480Gb, etc WDM bands, ODU1, ODU2, etc PVC, VCC, VPC VPN, VLAN Pseudowires, CVLAN, SVLAN Radio/Microwave/RF Mesh Tunnels, Mesh Protection tunnels 2MHz, 5Hz, 20MHz, etc Power etc

General information related to connections:
Different kinds of information can be associated with each connection; such as:

Connection name Location A-end Location Z-end Speed Status Customer/Platform Order information Product code/Service Platform Extra information Framing/Line coding Dates Protection settings etc

Layering:
The complete network hierarchy can be modeled on IMS. For example a n*64k will be configured into a 2MB, the 2MB can be configured into VC4’s that are configured into STMx’s. Of course with the related timeslots, channels, VLAN ID’s, VPI/VCI’s, DLCI’s, etc.
For WDM connections, channel numbers as well as frequencies can be configured and seen in the Graphical User Interface (GUI).
The user can easily click through this network hierarchy.

Ports:
All ports related to a connection are visible on the connections screen. The following data is shown:

Port name Card interface IP address DDF/ODF position connected to port (pre-wiring) Name of the connection that is connected to port Port status Port type Port speed Comment field Platform Reservation info and more..

Protections:
All different kinds of circuit protection mechanisms can be stored in IMS. Some examples being:
SNCP, MSP, MSPRING, Mesh, Twins, etc

Connection structure:
The structure of a connection can be registered in IMS.
Technology rules have been implemented to structure SDH/SONET connections and to handle both SDH and SONET sub-connections into the same bearer connection.

Example of the sub channels of a VC4 with SDH 2MB’s and one 34MB and SONET T1’s (klm 1,3,1 to klm 1,3,4)

Example of a OC12 with a STS3 and multiple STS1’s.

Graphical Circuit Path:
A graphical overview can be drawn for each connection. This is done “on-the-fly”, calculated from the information held within the database. All details of the worker and protect route is given, including leased line details.
The user can decide what kind of information is visible on the screen like location details, card details, DDF/ODF information, etc.

Example of a 2Mb IP connection running over SDH network