On-Site Implementation

This section discusses the required tasks to survey a site ahead of installation and lists the tasks for a circuit activation check. Clearly, after all the communications testing and as soon as the new links and routers can be monitored by network management systems, a final check is required that checks all applications from the user's perspective.

The site survey is important to plan what needs to be done during the installation for each site. The investment in a properly executed pre-installation survey is well worth the payback in terms of a smooth installation experience. Table 10-4 shows a list of things to consider.

Table 10-4. Typical Site Survey Requirements

Site Location: Site 1	Status
1.0 Site address and contact information	Names, phone numbers, hours of access, and out-of-hours contact information.
2.0 Environmental	Cabling, power supply type, and cabinet space.
3.0 Electrical	AC or DC power, power receptacle type, and location of power outlets to equipment.
4.0 Cabling	Under the floor or overhead, restrictions, cable labeling scheme, and the kind of cabling required.
5.0 Telco interface	Location of wallboard/demarc, interface type, who can terminate cables to the demarc, circuit type, ID and in-service date.
6.0 Data applications	List applications to be available at this site, such as Frame Relay, asynchronous, optical connections, and so on.
7.0 Voice applications	Specify PBX and signaling types.
8.0 Network management	Are console terminals available? Will there be a maintenance printer? Where will the dial-in modem be connected?

After all this information is gathered and analyzed and has resulted in the appropriate orders and shipping of equipment, it's time to install the equipment and verify its operation. Typically, the provider installs at least up to the demarc point, with likely installation of the routers themselves and the channel service unit/digital service unit (CSU/DSU) if it is not already built into the router.

The following addresses concepts for verifying circuit and communications activation. As stated previously, as soon as all communications are verified, a final user test of all applications' operation is required before the site is considered complete in terms of migration and is accepted by the enterprise.

By whatever means the enterprise is comfortable using, the circuit must be deemed to be clean, which means that error rates on the line are within design limits. Typically, this is achieved by performing a Bit Error Rate Test (BERT) for several hours. A BERT ensures that the circuit is working properly by testing for the following:

• Packet loss across the carrier backbone must be what was contracted for all data classes.

• Latency characteristics, as defined in the SLA, must be met.

• New links need to deliver the expected bandwidth paid for.

In the event of a link or PVC failure of the new circuit, restoration has to be provided within the contracted guidelines via an alternative path within the provider's network (if available).