MetaSwitch:Carrier-class softswitch and applications solutions

MetaSwitch delivered the best combination of native IP capabilities, residential and business-class features, and scalability. John Stadter, President, ComSpanUSA

METAVIEW NETWORK MANAGEMENT

Today our network includes nineteen MetaSwitch media gateways and nine call agent servers deployed across seven states. MetaSwitch's investment in MetaView reflects the fact that they listen to their customers, and so understand that reducing operational complexity is the key to our business success.

Greg Floerke, senior vice president of operations and engineering, One Communications.

MetaView Explorer, the NMS client, combines ease of use, power, and flexibility for all types of users.

At the core of every MetaSwitch network, the MetaView Network Management System (NMS) provides unified management with an easy-to-use graphical user interface.

The culmination of more than a hundred person-years of engineering, MetaView supports a host of features that simplify network management for MetaSwitch customers.

Providing a single management environment for both MetaSwitch class 4/5 softswitch elements, and MetaSphere service delivery platform and application servers, MetaView significantly enhances carriers' ability to reduce operational costs even as they introduce compelling new services into the network.

POWERFUL MANAGEMENT TOOLS

MetaView comprises a suite of very powerful features that simplify the management of your MetaSwitch network.

Logical, Hierarchical View. The MetaView Explorer client presents the entire network as a logical hierarchy of elements, from entire switches down to individual subscribers.
Network-wide fault management. MetaView collects, correlates and reports alarms across multiple MetaSwitch call agent, media gateway and signaling gateway components, MetaSphere SDP and application servers, and selected third-party equipment.
SOAP/XML integration. MetaView simplifies automation and integration into third-party management systems via a northbound interface. The XML interface also incorporates support for the IMS Home Subscriber Server (HSS) Sh interface, facilitating integration with third-party application servers.
Advanced diagnostics. These include real-time monitoring of voice quality statistics and system resource utilization (down to the level of individual processors, disks and trunk interfaces on each system), with configurable alarm thresholds. In addition, MetaView provides a comprehensive diagnostics interface that allows administrators to potentially store the diagnostics for all calls, for later analysis when a customer reports a fault. Together, these tools enable service providers to easily research the cause of a specific fault and proactively address any network capacity issues before they impact the customer.
"Out-of-the-box" integrated provisioning. Rapidly and easily deploy new services on MetaSwitch and MetaSphere platforms without the cost of interfacing multiple systems into a third-party NMS. Available SIP Provisioning Server further accelerates the provisioning of SIP communication devices.
Dynamic Scripting. A Java/Python-based real-time scripting interface allows users to easily and quickly handle bulk provisioning and management tasks.
Profiles and Templates. Subscribers are easily provisioned using customized templates. These templates simplify provisioning through use of wizard-like workflows that guide operators through the process of setting up a new user. Subscribers can also be assigned a persistent profile so that any updates to the profile are automatically applied.
Bullet-Proof Security. The highest standards of security are applied throughout MetaView with session encryption, multiple account types, secure password rules, and a comprehensive audit trail of activity.

The MetaView Explorer client provides a comprehensive view of network configuration, performance and status

ARCHITECTURE

The MetaView platform, shown in the diagram below, is based on a three-tier architecture, comprising

the Network Elements being managed
the MetaView Server, an aggregation entity which manages the multiple network elements and presents an upstream SNMP/Corba interface to the MetaView Explorer client and third-party OSS, billing, and network monitoring platforms such as IBM Tivoli Netcool.
the MetaView Explorer, a Java-based client application that runs on Windows or Solaris workstations.

In addition, the platform enables subscribers to self-select and initiate new services via the CommPortal web interface. To assist service providers supporting customers using CommPortal, a Service Provider Login feature allows customer service representatives to access and modify CommPortal settings on behalf of a subscriber.

MetaView's architecture delivers scalability and easy integration of external OSS and billing systems

INTEGRATION AND BILLING

MetaView can be readily integrated into third party OSS, billing and network management systems via

SNMP MIBs
a Corba programming interface encapsulating the underlying SNMP MIBs
a northbound SOAP/XML interface.

All interfaces are fully documented.

External billing / mediation systems are easily integrated since the MetaSwitch Call Agent generates industry-standard AMA-format (GR-1100) Call Detail Records, accessed by secure ftp.