Using Local Craft Interface Application Versus EMS

When do you use an EMS solution over only the local craft interface application? In the case of the ONS 15454, CTC is a powerful application that can be used to monitor and manage multiple 15454 rings. In large network deployments, with hundreds or thousands of deployed 15454s, a more automated approach of provisioning and monitoring is needed. The CTM is capable of managing thousands of 15454s. Large service providers use application programming interfaces (APIs), referred to as NBIs, to enable their OSS to have an interface to the MSPP network. APIs use application protocols, such as Extensible Markup Language (XML) and CORBA, so that OSS can instruct the EMS to carry out provisioning and monitoring tasks that the OSS requires. This NBI must sustain a high rate of messages exchanged between the EMS and OSS.

Other capabilities found only in CTM and not in CTC include:

• Capability to provide end-to-end provisioning on multiple DCC domains

• An Oracle database to store faults, PM statistics, and audit trail information from a large number of 15454s for many days

• Capability to store many NE database instances and archive the NE database on a regular basis

• Capability to automatically store audit trail information in its database

• Provisioning of Layer 2 Ethernet parameters, such as RPR and QoS

Chapter 15 discusses other advantages and details of CTM.

It is important to note that CTC is used by companies such as service providers that have large-scale 15454 networks managed by CTM. CTC is an excellent tool for service-provider technicians who need to log into individual 15454 nodes or 15454 rings for maintenance, local provisioning, and troubleshooting tasks. CTC also can quickly diagnose problems from a remote location.