Performance management of IP based wireless networks

Outline of the presentation
IP transport layer in  wireless networks
Management challenges
IP Management of the IP transport layer
Examples

IP transport in wireless networks

Application vs. transport layer QoS

Network characteristics - QoS
QoS is based on IETF Differentiated Services model
Application mix
user traffic (voice, streaming media, interactive data, bulk data)
signaling (time critical, non real-time)
O&M (time critical, non real-time)
All of these are mapped to services of the transport layer.
Management tasks
monitoring service quality
optimal provisioning of network resources
consistent deployment of DiffServ configurations

Network characteristics - size
Large number of routers
5 - 10 000 routers in a RAN
2-year rollout plan means appr. 10 routers to deploy each day!
Dynamics of configuration changes
numerous new types of wireless applications expected
continuously evolving knowledge about traffic characteristics
frequent planning, re-optimization is necessary to maintain resource efficiency

Network characteristics - reliability
Reliable services
high standards of telecom: strict reliability requirements
services are offered when only a fraction of the network is deployed
expansions and reconfigurations must be done on an already operational network

Requirements on the IP management system
Support complex management operations …
in a very large and dynamically changing network …
while the reliability of the services is maintained.

IP Management Architecture

Approach
Separation of tasks
sophisticated modeling tool
planning, optimization, and analysis functions
complex tasks in a low risk environment (simulator)
algorithms help handling large networks
online management application
configuration, monitoring, trouble shooting
consistency checks guard network operations
import complex configuration sets generated by algorithms from modeling tool
Tools integrated through network database
shared information and network data model
based on standards (e.g. DEN/CIM specs of DMTF)

Modeling tool functions
Routing analysis and evaluation
simulate routing behavior
consistency and connectivity analysis
MPLS traffic engineering
simulate CSPF
local and global LSP optimization
Performance evaluation
service characteristics for each DiffServ class
loss and delay calculation
Network planning and optimization
topology planning
link dimensioning
routing/addressing plan
Analyze and design large and complex networks

Transport network re-configuration

Integration in the management system

Network extension

Conclusion
Providing quality of service in the large, dynamically changing IP transport  network is a key issue.
 A modeling, simulation and planning tool is required to manage and optimize the performance.
Smooth workflow between other planning and simulation tools and management applications is crucial.