In The Core

FCAPS – How do they affect your Multi-Vendor Transport Network?

FCAPS – Fault Management, Configuration, Accounting, Performance and Security.
Understanding the importance and value of choosing the right Multi-Vendor Network Management Tool.

The reasons that network operators develop multi-vendor infrastructures are varied and often complex. Some organizations select a "best of breed" approach consciously allowing multiple vendors into their architecture. Even organizations focusing on an "all one vendor" approach eventually face discontinued components forcing them to upgrade/change equipment. And sometimes upgrading to new components/vendors is voluntary - they bring true competitive business advantage. All of these factors drive network operators to deal with multiple vendors, and multiple generations of equipment.

Add in the significant M&A activity in today's market place and you have a truly challenging environment. Even the largest manufacturers are not immune to merging (or being acquired), throwing a monkey wrench into the "single vendor" approach. Network operators as well can "inherit" assets from mergers that create a multi-vendor environment to manage. Business goes on, and service must be provided without hiccups. As a result, some service providers have been left in the position of having networks with various multiplexers, managed elements, and unmanaged rings throughout — rather than the smoothly operating easily manageable network they started with.

Multi-vender transport networking management challenges include:

• Pure Interoperability
• Troubleshooting Problems
  • Configuration – Provisioning
    - Vendor Bugs/Finger Pointing
• Operations (FCAPS)
  • Fault Management
    - Configuration – Accounting
    - Performance – Security
• Upgrade Management
  • Regression Testing – Patch Manageme

This month’s webinar explores the challenges of fragmented networks and suggests solutions to help unify the management of your multi-vendor network. Please join us to explore the importance and value of selecting the right Multi-Vendor Network Management tool for your network. Please join us Wednesday, July 26th, 2006 at 1:30PM EST to explore another chapter in LightRiver’s continuing effort to provide valuable technology and market information to our clients.

LightRiver Technologies – The Optical Networking Authority.